Holiday villas and airbnbs in Andalusia

Visit Andalusia: the flamenco capital of Spain!

Andalusia is a quintessential Spanish town, complete with the scent of orange blossom hanging in the air, the romantic flamenco dance tucked away down hidden streets, and the elegant white architecture standing out amongst the lush green landscape. Having once been depicted in art and literature around the world, Andalusia has iconic status as the sunshine state of Spain, with romance and adventure expertly intertwined. The area's charms stretch from the thriving tapas bars to the endlessly captivating flamenco performances, or the north-African inspired cuisine and the historic little villages set in their traditional ways. In Andalusia, no matter where you stay, your luxury holiday rental will never be far from the captivating nuances that fill the streets.

Best time to visit Andalusia

The best time to visit typically depends on what you're looking to do, and how busy you'd like the cities to be. Given its proximity to the African continent, Andalusia is unsurprisingly one of the hottest regions in Europe, so in July and august temperatures can soar to nearly 40 degrees – which is perfect if you're looking for a beach getaway. If, however, you're looking to get away on a cultural retreat, you might want to consider spring, when the weather's still fairly dry but not quite as hot. In terms of festivals and events, January sees the famous Día de los Reyes Magos, otherwise known as the Three Kings' Day, which takes place every year on the 6th. Essentially, it sees trh4ee wise men dress up on the evening of the 5th, and parade around throwing sweets in the Cabalgata de Reyes, before the 6th sees present-giving and family celebrations – essentially, a belated Christmas. Alternatively, May plays host to the Motorcycle Grand prix every year, while September sees the biennial flamenco festival that is held alternately between Malaga and Seville.

How to get to Andalusia

Andalusia is home to 4 domestic airports, and two international airports, which means it's fairly accessible no matter where you're travelling from. The main two airports are Malaga and Seville, both of which service cities all over the UK – including London, Belfast, Bournemouth, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds and more. While flying is the preferred route, it's not the only option. Seafaring travellers could also hop on any number of marine transport, as Andalusia is made up of 836 km of coastline that's home to 2 estuary ports, 15 commercial ports, and over 30 marinas. These ports take in a number of different cruise liners every day, as well as ferry companies that will embark from any number of the UK's ports.

Where to stay in Andalusia

Seville

The epitome of the Andalusian city, Seville is everything you could ask from the south of Spain. From the culturally colourful festivals, and religious celebrations, to the romantic and tantalising flamenco dance that originated here and is completely ingrained in the local culture, Seville is everything you could ask for from a romantic getaway. Book your luxury holiday rental in Seville, just minutes from the quaint cobblestoned streets and wander through the stylish and chic plazas admiring the Andalusian architecture. The best sight to see is the cathedral, once a grand Mosque and now possibly the greatest Gothic church in Christendom. If you're lucky, your short-term apartment rental in Seville will overlook the Cathedral, and you can gaze out at its beauty as you are lounging in luxury.

Granada

The first and last location that the Moors from Northern Africa governed over and controlled, Granada was a lush oasis paradise compared with the African desert. It was here that the Moors built the hilltop Alhambra fortress, which dominates the skyline of the town – so no matter where you book your holiday rental in Granada, you'll be sure to have a view of the impressive Islamic design, gorgeous landscape, rode gardens, water fountains and more. Grenada is also the perfect place to delve into the Arabic history of Andalusia, with the colourful Arab Spice Market, the Hammam Al Andalus spas and traditional Arab baths, and there's even the chance to see an authentic flamenco dance, tucked away in a Gypsy cave along the Sacromonte.

Malaga

An ancient Mediterranean port town, Malaga is perhaps better known as a party town for friend holidays. The town sits strikingly on a hilltop, overlooking the beautiful bay with the Alcazabar and Castillo de Gibralfaro castles lining the landscape. Choose a holiday villa in Malaga which offers stunning coastal views of the sweeping golden sand beaches, and there is heaps of culture in the nearby town. Take a wander over to the Picasso Museum, and visit the ancient ruins and beautiful gardens.

Frigiliana

Known around the world as one of the most beautiful locations in Spain, Frigiliana is tucked away along the bottom of the Sierras de Tejeda mountains, just above Nerja. Complete with cobblestoned streets, tiny little lanes that wind themselves up the steep hills, and a whitewashed architectural style that's reminiscent of Santorini, Frigiliana is awash with enchanting plazas, hidden bars, romantic streets, and more, all with a view of the sparkling, tranquil Mediterranean coastline.

Almería

Choose a holiday villa in Almeria and you will not be left disappointed with the beauty of this moorish kingdom. Almeria is the epitome of a Southern Spanish town, with its striking gothic cathedral and palm tree kissed boulevards, there is even more to this port city than the sea, though it is a good place to start.

What to do in Andalusia

The Great Mosque of Córdoba

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Mosque of Córdoba was first built as early as the 10th century, when the city was the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba. During the Dark Ages for many of the most influential European cities today, Córdoba was thriving; a centre of civilisation for philosophers from all different walks of life and religions. It was in this city that Christianity, Islam and Judaism all lived together in harmony. As a result, the Great Mosque of Córdoba was created, a cornucopia of Islamic arches and columns, and known throughout history as one of the greatest Islamic buildings to ever be created.

Marbella beaches

One of the most famous regions in Spain, Marbella is a fantastic little seaside resort along the Costa del Sol known for being a little bit high-end, luxury, and sophisticated. However, it's best known for the long strips of beautiful white sand beaches that lie just minutes from the elegant white town and palm-lined promenades. Spend the day relaxing on the beach, before heading to any one of the beachside restaurants to enjoy the sunset.

Museo Picasso Malaga

Malaga is the city of Picasso's birth, so it is only natural that it is here travellers will find the best Picasso museum in the world. An unmissable site, the museum was first created in 2003, after the creators spent over 50 years planning the perfect museum to commemorate the artists. Home to over 200 pieces of work that have been donated and loaned by Picasso's living relatives, the museum is a living catalogue of the artist's life – with the notable periods of his work still famously missing, such as the blue and rose periods.

Cueva de Nerja

Hidden beneath the already stunning mountainous region just east of Nerja along the southern Spanish coastline is the Cueva de Nerja, a series of incredibly beautiful caverns over 5 million years old. The caverns weren't discovered until 1959, when a group of 5 men went looking for bats and stumbled upon the opening. The caves were once inhabited by hunters during the Stone Age, and today travellers from all over the world visit to see the extraordinary rock formations, stalagmite, stalactites, and mysteriously blending colours all over the walls.

Parque de María Luisa

The Parque de María Luisa is an expansive green landscape that is the perfect spot to get away and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Compete with duck ponds, meandering paths, and beautiful flower fields, there's also a number of cultural highlights. One of them is the Plaza de España, a brick-and-tile extravagance first built in the early 1900s, depicting a number of fountains, mini-canals, and tiled pictures that depict scenes from Spanish history. There's also the Museo Arqueológico with its impressive collection of Roman sculptures, mosaics, and statues, and the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Popualres, which is entirely dedicated to celebrating the local customs, costumes and traditions.