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Andalusia is a large region similar in size to a small European country.
What’s more, its diverse landscape and myriad charms and attractions can make it difficult to know where to rent a luxury villa in Andalusia.
Whether you’re seeking the peace and serenity of its lush mountains, the rich architectural beauty and mystical charm of its historic towns, the paradisical ambience of its wild, sandy beaches or something glitzier, our guide is here to help you make your choice.
Andalusia is the only European region with both Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines. As such, it has no shortage of beaches to cater for every taste. What’s more Marbella’s Torremolinos is the first major beach resort in Spain and can lay claim – for better or worse – to having first brought international beach tourism to Spain in the 1960s.
While that may be the destination of choice for some, for those who want to get away from it all and experience something more rustic, the Atlantic coast around Cádiz, Tarifa and Jerez de la Frontera offers the perfect selection of beaches.
The barely touched sand dunes and clear waters of Playa de Bolonia, Punta Paloma, and La Playa de los Alemanes are excellent examples of the coastline’s wild charm. Meanwhile, on the other side of the region, the area of Nerja to the east of Malaga offers its own take on untouched, Andaluz beauty, with a series of pretty, rugged coves.
The Costa del Sol’s status as a top summer destination offering glitzy night life and posh party playas is well deserved. The famous chiringuitos and clubs of Marbella, such as Nikki Beach, attract throngs of celebrities every year, while nearby Malaga also has its share of chic bars and restaurants.
Further down the coast towards Gibraltar, Sotogrande, the crowds thin a little and the elegance increases. Sotogrande’s beautiful marina and refined shops and restaurants, not to mention its stunning views of Gibraltar, lend it a different, more relaxed air of luxury.
There is an urban myth that the mountains of inland Andalusia receive the highest rainfall in Spain. While this is not entirely accurate, during the colder months they do receive higher-than-average rainfall, resulting in Spring being greeted with an abundance of lush vegetation and sumptuous views of white villages perched atop the green hills. Perfect for hiking!
For those looking to experience this combination first hand, the area of Ronda would certainly be of interest, as would the white villages of La Zagaleta and Benahavis not far inland from Marbella. While the former has its own cultural highlights, the latter two are ideal for those seeking ‘the best of both worlds’ – easy access to the chic bars, restaurants and beaches of Marbella, as well as a leafy haven to retreat to afterwards. It is also worth noting that there are excellent golf courses close to La Zagaleta, Benahavis and further down the coast in Sotogrande.
Culture vultures will have plenty to look forward to when renting a villa in Andalusia. Architectural wonders are to be found round every corner in the city of Seville, where the famous Giralda belltower of its Cathedral (the third largest in the world, and the site of Columbus’s tomb) offers spectacular 360-degree views over the city, while the iconic, Plaza de España continues to dazzle with its gorgeous lake and intricate architectural detail. Meanwhile, the neighbourhood of Santa Cruz in the old town offers a heady mixture of Flamenco, Tapas and gorgeous Moorish architecture that you won’t forget in a hurry.
The hilltop white village of Ronda, with its picture postcard views of and from its famous bridge, is another treat for those looking for the more low-key, but no less charming appeal of Andalusia. This romantic village has inspired numerous writers, such as Alexandre Dumas, George Eliot, James Joyce, Jorge Luis Borges, and Ernest Hemingway, who wrote that Ronda “is where you should go if you ever go to Spain on a honeymoon or if you ever bolt with anyone. The entire town and as far as you can see in any direction is romantic background” – so don’t just take our word for it…
Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso and the home of the Picasso Museum, too should not be overlooked for its rich cultural wealth, much of which can be seen in its famous bullring, and myriad museums, Roman amphitheatre and famous Alcazaba fortress.
And, of course, Cordoba, which needs little introduction, with its stunning Cathedral-Mosque and old bridge, and Granada, whose spectacular Alhambra flamenco-infused caves and tasty taps culture make it a cultural and culinary highlight not to be missed.
