The cathedral bell tower, known as the Giralda from its crowning weather vane, was originally a minaret and observatory. The climb is worth the effort for the commanding views. Of great importance is the Alcázar, the palace-fortress of the Arab kings and one of the finest examples of Mudéjar (Moorish) architecture, mostly dating from after the Christian re-conquest. Seville’s other sights include the Alcázar gardens, the evocative neighborhood of Santa Cruz with its white-washed houses and tiled patios, and the Torre de Oro, part of the Arab fortifications and later said to have been covered with gold leaf imported from the Americas.
Holy Week in Seville embodies the religious fervor of the Spanish and is one of the most interesting festivals in the country. Early booking for accommodation at festival time is essential. Holy Week is followed closely by the famous April Fair, during which couples parade the fairground mounted on fine Andalucian horses, dressed in the traditional flamenco costume. Drinking, eating, song and dance are the order of the day for the whole week and the fairground with its colored lanterns and casetas bordering the streets is a continuous movement of color.

Spain's great southern city of Seville has a romantic past and a rich Moorish heritage. The city is the regional capital of Andalucia, which contains the densely populated beach resorts of the Costa del Sol along its southern reaches, and the mountain villages of the Sierra Nevada range further inland, about 25 miles (40km) from the coast.

Seville has an impressive collection of historical sights, including its Cathedral, which is the largest Gothic building in the world. Having been occupied by the Moors for 500 years it also has a legacy left by the Arab kings in the form of the Alcazar, a palace-fortress that is regarded as one of the finest existing examples of Moorish architecture. It is the perfect setting for high culture and romantic operas like Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro; the poet Byron however rated Seville for its women and oranges. Modern visitors might add flamenco, tapas and bull-fighting to the list. The soul of the city is best epitomised during its two passion-filled grand festivals, the Semana Santa, held the week before Easter, and the Feria de Abril, held two weeks after Easter Sunday.

The area around Seville itself does not provide much in the way of tourist attractions, except for the rural villages of the Sierra Morena to the north, which offer some perfect walking trails between the modest mountain peaks, particularly in spring when the area is carpeted with wild flowers.

Córdoba
Founded by the Romans, Córdoba’s heyday was during the early Moorish period when it was reputed to be the most splendid city in Europe. The Great Mosque built between 785 and 1002 is the main tourist attraction. Highlights include the Great Hall, characterized by delicately carved horseshoe arches of alternating white stone and red brick, the Patio de Los Naranjas, the Ablutions Courtyard still shaded by orange trees and cooled by fountains, and the Mihrab (prayer niche). In the 16th century the mosque was transformed into a Christian church with the building of a Renaissance Choir. Other reminders of Córdoba’s history are the old Jewish Quarter, which boasts a 14th-century mosque (one of only three in Spain), the Archaeological Museum with its substantial Roman and Moorish finds and the area by the river. Just outside town is the ruined palace of Medina Azaha – the site is still being excavated.

Granada
The last city to fall to the Christians, Granada’s outstanding monument is the Alhambra, the palace-fortress built by the Nasrid rulers in the 13th to 14th centuries. The most popular tourist attraction in Spain, tickets must be booked at least 24 hours in advance. The highlights include: the Palacios Nazariés, its halls, courtyards and loggias decorated with painted enamel tiles, delicately fretted arches, stalactite vaulting, marble sculptures and stucco ornament; the Alcazába, an 11th-century hilltop fortress and the Generalife, the gardens of the summer palace. Across the river from the Alhambra is the atmospheric Arab quarter of the Albaicín. The main sights here are the Arab baths, the Renaissance Casa de Castril and the Church of San Nicolás from where the views of the Alhambra and the surrounding countryside are outstanding. In the town itself, visitors should not miss the Gothic Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) built by Ferdinand and Isabella as a mausoleum and a symbol of their triumph over the Moors. The adjoining cathedral, built over several centuries, is impressive mainly in its proportions.

La Alhambra - Granada

The Sierra Nevada
South of Granada and only about 40km (25 miles) from the coast, is the upland area of the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range running roughly east to west. It contains the highest peaks in Iberia; one of these, the Pico de Veleta (over 3400m/11,155ft), is accessible for most of its height by road and coach trips. The region offers the unique opportunity to combine a holiday of winter sports with coastal sunshine and watersports in the Mediterranean (see below). Mountain resorts include Capileira (south of the Pico de Veleta), Borreguiles and Pradollano (both in the Solynieve region). There are also coach excursions from Granada to the picturesquely isolated villages of the Alpujarra on the southern fringes of the Sierra Nevada. There are dramatic views of the valleys and ravines from the twisting mountain roads.
Jaén is an ancient town rich in historic buildings and art treasures: the Provincial Museum, the Cathedral, the Castle of Santa Catalina and the 11th-century Moorish baths among them. Baeza is noteworthy for its aristocratic town houses, mostly dating from the Renaissance period. The most distinguished is the Palacio de Jabalquinto, its ornamentation clearly revealing Mudejar influences. Like Baeza, Ubeda has many Renaissance palaces, but the outstanding monument here is the Capilla del Salvador, a fine example of Plateresque architecture.

Costa de la Luz
This attractive stretch of coastline extends from the Portuguese border in the west to Tarifa in the east and, while popular with Spanish tourists, is still relatively undeveloped.
Cádiz’s heyday as a port was in the 16th century when it traded in gold and silver from the Americas. Today, the town’s slightly down-at-heel appearance is part of its charm. Points of interest include the sea fortifications, the ‘old’ and ‘new’ cathedrals and the tower, Torre Tavira, worth the climb for the sweeping rooftop views. The nearest beach is the Playa de la Victoria, but there are plenty of alternatives in the direction of San Lúcar de Barremada. Less than 30 minutes away is the sherry town of Jerez de la Frontera. Several of the bodegas (bars), whose links with England began with the importation of ‘sherris-sack’ in the 16th century, are open to the public for tastings. Other attractions include the splendid Renaissance cathedral and a restored 11th-century Moorish Alcázar with baths. Another popular excursion from Cadiz is to the Sierra de Grazalema National Park where visitors can enjoy the wonderful mountain scenery. Points of interest along the route include the Puerto de las Palomas mountain pass which overlooks Grazalema itself, the fortified town of Zahara de la Sierra and Arcos de la Fronteira, a picturesque village with a commanding cliff top location overlooking the Rio Guadalete. The road from Cádiz to Algeciras offers spectacular views of the Straits of Gibraltar, the North African coastline and the Atlas Mountains. From Algeciras, ferries run to Tangier and Ceuta on the north African coast, as well as to the Canary Islands.
In the province of Huelva is the village of El Rocío where one of the most important Spanish festivals in honor of the Virgin Mary is held at Whitsun. Also of interest are the beautiful stalactite caves of Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena in the north of Huelva province and the national park, Coto de Doñana.

Costa del Sol
This densely populated area, popular with tourists on account of its fine beaches and picturesque towns, extends along most of Andalusia’s Mediterranean coastline, from Almeria to Tarifa.
Usually regarded as little more than the gateway to the Costa del Sol, Málaga is an attractive and lively city with plenty to interest the passing visitor. The birthplace of Spain’s greatest 20th-century artist, Pablo Picasso, it is now home to the newly opened Picasso Museum which exhibits an important collection of his paintings. His parents’ house is also open to the public. Other sights worth a look are the unfinished Cathedral (16th to 18th centuries), the Tropical Gardens and two restored Moorish castles, the Alcazaba and Gibralfara. Marbella and Torremolinos, the main resorts of the Costa del Sol, are overdeveloped, but it is still possible to find a relatively uncrowded beach further afield. In the same province is Nerja, known as the ‘Balcony of Europe’ on account of its having a promontory look-out which is perched high above the sea with commanding views of the Mediterranean. It is also the home of well-preserved prehistoric caves. An excursion can be made from Málaga to the old mountain town of Ronda, spectacularly situated on a gorge in the Sierra de Ronda.

Costa de Almería
To the east of the Costa del Sol is the province of Almería, one of the most heavily developed tourist regions of the country. The capital of the same name is a former Roman port, dominated by its Moorish castle, the Alcazaba. Attractions here include the 16th-century Cathedral and the Church of Santiago el Viejo. The main resorts of Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, El Cabo de Gata and Mojácar lie east and west of the town.

The African Enclaves
Ceuta is a free port on the north coast of Africa. The city is dominated by the Plaza de Africa in the town center and the cathedral. The promontory has the remains of the old fortress. Bus services are available into Morocco and there are regular car-ferry sailings from Algeciras.
Melilla is also a free port on the north coast of Africa, and is served by car ferries from Málaga and Almería. The town is mainly modern, but there are several older buildings, including a 16th-century church.