With one of the busiest international airports in Spain, Málaga is a main gateway to Andalucía. The city is a fascinating combination of old and new. The historic Old Town boasts architectural gems like the Alcazaba fortress, the Roman theatre, Gibralfaro Castle, the spectacular Renaissance cathedral and the charming 19th century Plaza de la Merced. The modern side of Málaga includes the Barrio de las Artes neighbourhood – where urban art graces many of the building facades – and Málaga port, home to the Pompidou Centre, with its distinctive coloured glass cube. Málaga is synonymous with Pablo Picasso, and his life and work are commemorated at the Casa Natal, the artist’s birthplace, and the nearby Picasso museum. Renting a villa in Málaga province also gives you access to the Antequera Dolmens, one of the largest known ancient megalithic tombs in Europe, and a designated World Heritage site.

This is the largest private residential estate in Andalucía, stretching across 2,500 hectares from the Mediterranean to the foothills of Sierra Almenara. Sotogrande is an impressive display of architectural diversity, featuring an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary villas, Moorish-style mansions and even a Swiss chalet. Offering exclusive services, including polo, golf and beach clubs, a world-class marina, upscale restaurants and bars, Sotogrande appeals to property buyers and visitors alike. Alongside its artificial lakes and man-made lagoon, this is also an area of immense natural beauty, with its backdrop of the Sierra de la Plata mountains and the River Guadiaro and estuary – a 27-hectare protected wetland with a great biodiversity of flora and fauna.

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Considered the quintessential southern Spanish city, Seville is the capital of Andalucía and its largest city. Seville is famed for its historical buildings, three of which are UNESCO-listed: the spectacular Roman Catholic Cathedral is the second biggest in the world and the world’s largest Gothic structure; the stunning Alcázar Palace and its glorious gardens is the oldest royal palace in Europe still in use; and the Renaissance-style General Archive of the Indies holds treasured documents charting the history of the Spanish Empire. Plaza de España is a tour de force of Renaissance and neo-Moorish architecture, with beautiful decorative bridges and a canal. Seville hosts some of Spain’s legendary festivals, including Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the week-long Feria de Abril (April Fair), a celebration of flamenco, bullfighting and Andalusian culture and cuisine. One of the “holy trinity” of flamenco cities (with Cádiz and Jerez de la Frontera), Seville abounds with tablaos where locals and visitors can enjoy this formidable Andalusian art form.

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One of the most popular cities in Spain, Granada is famous for its UNESCO-listed Moorish masterpiece, the Alhambra Palace, an exquisite palace and fortress with its superb Generalife gardens. World Heritage status also extends to the Albaicín, the ancient Moorish quarter that retains much of its medieval layout and provides one of the most iconic views of the Alhambra Palace against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada from the Mirador de San Nicolás. The nearby Sacromonte district, with its cave houses carved into the hills, is renowned for its flamenco culture and animated nightlife. Like Seville, Granada hosts many annual religious and cultural festivals, including the Corpus Christi celebrations, the International Music and Dance Festival and the International Jazz Festival, one of the longest running in Europe. Granada is synonymous with food and flamenco, with tapas bars and tablaos offering tasty Andalusian fare and powerful performances.

Córdoba is known for its iconic Great Mosque-Cathedral, a Moorish masterpiece turned Christian place of worship, with its vast hypostyle prayer hall, horseshoe-arched prayer niches and intricate tilework. The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos fortress-palace, with its impressive gardens, is an enduring symbol of Córdoba’s royal past, and from here there are wonderful panoramic views of the city and the Guadalquivir River. Glimpses of Córdoba’s ancient history can be seen in its archaeological sites, most importantly the Roman Temple, and the 10th century Caliphate City of Medina Azahara, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Córdoba’s multicultural history can be observed in the Jewish Quarter, with its medieval Synagogue and Calleja de las Flores, a charming flower-adorned alley. Flowers are a recurring theme in Córdoba, featuring in many events. Residents take real pride in decorating their courtyards with plants and flowers ready to be displayed at the annual Patio Festival. The Battle of the Flowers sees processions of flower-adorned floats with their occupants throwing carnations at the crowds, which are promptly thrown back! This is followed by the annual Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses) festival, during which crosses adorned with flowers are paraded through the city, accompanied by traditional music and dance. Córdoba hosts many other cultural events throughout the year, including the week-long Guitar Festival – featuring some of the world’s greatest guitarists – and the impressive White Night of Flamenco, during which the whole city becomes one large flamenco stage.

Widely considered the birthplace of the sherry-making tradition, Jerez is one of the most important sherry-production regions in Spain and home to numerous bodegas (wine cellars) which provide tours and tastings. Jerez is also famous for its equestrian heritage: the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, dedicated to preserving Spanish equestrian tradition, is in the top four of classical riding academies in the world and is famed for its dancing stallion shows. The city’s equestrian excellence is showcased at the Jerez Horse Fair every May, with horse and carriage processions and many other equine events. Like its neighbours, Jerez has a rich historical and cultural heritage: the old town contains such landmarks as the 17th century Cathedral, with its mix of Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles, and the 11th century Alcázar fortress, a notable example of Almohad architecture. Alongside Seville and Cádiz, Jerez is considered the home of Flamenco, and the world’s top artists gather here to perform at the annual International Flamenco Festival. Although Jerez celebrates its traditions, it also embraces more modern pursuits. Motorsport enthusiasts from all over the world flock to Jerez’ racing circuit – the Circuito de Jerez – which hosts many Formula One and MotoGP events, amongst others.

Tarifa sits at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, and is the closest location in Europe to the African continent. This traditional Andalusian town reflects the culturally diverse history of the region, with its Moorish fortress – Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno – dominating the town and providing panoramic views from its ramparts. Tarifa is known as the wind capital of Europe, due to its location on the Strait of Gibraltar where winds can reach 40 knots, providing the perfect conditions for kiteboarding, wing foiling and windsurfing. The region’s natural beauty is a diverse mix of pristine beaches and rugged mountains as well as two natural parks – the Estrecho, nearly 19,000 hectares along the coastline towards Algeciras, and Los Alcornocales, which has the largest cork oak forest in Spain and is home to a unique and vast assortment of flora and fauna. The coast around Tarifa is renowned for its rich marine life and there are many opportunities to observe whales, dolphins and other sea creatures in their natural environment. Tarifa hosts several festivals, amongst which the Nuestra Virgen de la Luz (Our Lady of Light) pilgrimage and the town’s annual Feria, a week-long celebration in September during which Tarifa comes alive with displays of local culture and traditions.

We are a luxury hospitality and real estate company who can open the doors to the most exceptional homes in Andalucía. Our highly experienced team provides a fully comprehensive 7-star hotel service, tailored to our guests’ needs and desires to guarantee an unforgettable holiday.

How can we help you?

From finding the perfect luxury villa in Andalucía for you, being on hand 24/7 to cater for your every comfort, and curating unique local experiences that will amaze and delight you, we go the extra mile to ensure the holiday of a lifetime. All you have to do is imagine it, and we’ll make it a reality.

If you want to embark on a remarkable Andalusian journey, contact us at:

Email: tourism@marbellamountainresorts.com 

Phone: +34 609 18 46 46