Isla de las Palomas is a small island linked to the town of Tarifa by a causeway, which extends south into the Atlantic Ocean from the town. The island is the southernmost point of mainland Spain and the European continent, and only 11 km from the Moroccan coast.
The Alcázar Réal (Royal Palace) of Seville is one of the city’s most enchanting, and most popular, historic monuments. Along with the Cathedral and Archive of the Indies, it is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. The word alcázar actually means fortified palace, and this one is hidden behind castle walls on Plaza del Triunfo opposite the Cathedral.
The name Alhambra comes from an Arabic root which means "red or crimson castle", perhaps due to the hue of the towers and walls that surround the entire hill of La Sabica which by starlight is silver but by sunlight is transformed into gold.
The Mezquita (Mosque) dates back to the 10th century when Córdoba reached its zenith under a new emir, Abd ar-Rahman III who was one of the great rulers of Islamic history. At this time Córdoba was the largest, most prosperous cities of Europe, outshining Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture and the arts. The development of the Great Mosque paralleled these new heights of splendour.
Ronda is one of Andalucia's loveliest towns, steeped in history. There is plenty to see beyond the view from the bridge over the plunging gorge which divides the town. Below are the main attractions and things to see in Ronda, and when is best to see them.
The Paseo Hemingway leads on to Rondas great green lung. More info >
Torre de Perdigones is a 45-metre-tall square brick tower near the Puente de la Barqueta with a dual purpose for visitors: as part of the Macarena district’s industrial heritage, and also sd a camara oscura (and viewing point) providing superb vistas of Seville.
Seville has its fair share of magnificent family-owned palaces – In summer 2023, another such monument opened to the public for the first time: Palacio Bucarelli.
Playa el Cable (Cable Beach) takes its name from the overhead cable "El Cable Teleferico" runway that transported buckets of iron ore down from the Peñoncillo mine on the Sierra Blanca to ships moored offshore. If you look out to the sea you can't miss seeing the large anchor end tower of the line.
There are about 100 different watchtowers (Torre Vigia or Torre Atalaya or Torre Almenara) along the coast of Southern Spain. Some are of Moorish origins others from date from the later Christian re-conquest period. All with the purpose of looking out for invaders from the South. They have lasted the centuries with remarkable strength.
The square - or rather a traffic roundabout - at the start of the Golden Mile was named after one of Marbella's founders, local priest Monseñor Rodrigo Bocanegra (1908-1972).
The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as 'the Ronda Wines'. Here modern bodegas at over 750m altitude in the Serrania de Ronda produce young red wines from Romé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo. Their white wine varieties include Chardonnay, Macabeo, Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc.
From the outside of the Orquidario, the state of the art building complete with three glass domes is eye catching, and from the inside it is pretty impressive too. There is much to catch your eye from the moment you step inside, from the 30m high central glass dome (the other two domes are 6m and 16m high) to the stunning display of plants.
Madinat al-Zahra was declared a UNESCO world heratige site on 1st July 2018. We are in the year 400 of the Hegira, 1010 AD of our era. On the southern slopes of Jebel al-Arus, the Bride's Mountain, the marble, jasper and precious metals of the city of Madinat al-Zahra gleam in the morning sun among silver-leafed olive groves.
Art Galleries in Córdoba: Museo de Bellas Artes, Museo Taurino, Sala de Exposiciones Museísticas CajaSur, Centro Cultural Gran Capitán, Iglesia de la Magdalena, Casa Museo Arte sobre Piel, Sala Vimcorsa, Góngora Arte, AFOCO, Galería Clave, Galeria Carlos Bermúdez and more.
Sanlucar is divided into the older quarter, the Barrio Alto where most of the interesting sights can be seen, and the newer Barrio Bajo, closer to the river.
This impressive, solidly-built Moorish fortification, which played an important part in early Spanish history, has been recently restored. As the southern-most point of the peninsula, Tarifa was an important strategic entry point into Spain and the rest of Europe for would-be invaders, so good defensive structures were essential.
The magnificent church of San Mateo is the main church in Tarifa, located in the centre of the old town on Calle Sancho IV el Bravo. All the town´s big weddings and religious festivals are held here. The church has a striking 18th-century Baroque facade, the crumbling stone of which stands out from the whitewashed walls of Tarifa. The belfry, painted salmon pink and decorated with Tuscan pilasters and a hemispherical dome top, is one of the most distinctive features of the town´s skyline.
In Gibraltar the following events take place throughout the month. Every Monday to Friday. The Integral Yoga Centre runs a full programme of Yoga classes at 33 Town Range. Everyone is welcome. More information on 956 741 389.
Gibraltar has plenty to offer for its more energetic visitors. The Rock is being promoted as an international yachting centre. There are already three major marinas to meet the needs of virtually every pleasure craft imaginable. The most modern marina is at Queensway Quay with 121 berths.
Judging from the number of sports and leisure associations in Gibraltar, this must be one of the most action-packed rocks in the world.
