Did you know that… 10 things about Andalusia that will surprise you

You can go skiing in Andalusia?

When you think about Andalusia you think about sun and warm temperatures, right? Snow is not what crosses most people’s mind when they think about the south of Spain. So it might come as a surprise to you that we have our own skiing area. Sierra Nevada ‘where the south is covered in white’ is a national park 2 hours of Malaga that has over 100 km of ski runs. Want to combine the Andalusian sun and culture with some sporty adventure? Time to pack your bags and head over to Spain. 

There are over 110 golf courses in Andalusia?

Do you love golfing? Andalusia is a main destination in Europe for getting your golf clubs out. Our long hours of sun and perfect locations with sea and mountain views allow you to get the most out of your golfing experience. We even have a desert golf course too. 

You can watch whales off the coast of Andalusia?

Whales? Yes whales! And dolphins too! In the straits of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet, several kinds of whales and dolphins pass through the narrow space between Spain’s southernmost point and Morocco.
In summer they are most visible because they are the tuna that is passing through at that time. You can make a boat trip  from Tarifa to go spot these wonderful creatures. 

We have great surf spots too? 

Just when you thought Andalusia already had everything to offer, it amazes you with even more. Yes surf lovers, we have our own excellent surf spot in Tarifa. It is a good spot for beginners as well as to practice your advanced skills. Most surfers can be found on Playa Los Lances in Tarifa, but the surfs spots stretch out all the way to Cadiz too. To catch the best waves it’s best to come between October and May. Otherwise you might experience a sandstorm caused by the Levanter.

You can get to Morocco in 70 minutes by ferry from Andalusia? 

Coming from far? Why not see two continents in one trip? Africa is only a ferry ride away when you are in Andalusia, so you might want to consider seeing both Spain and Morocco in one trip. Both countries have a lot of culture and beautiful nature to offer. Experience the mix between Arabic and Christian influence in architecture and traditions in Spain and get more familiar with the Arabic uses in Morocco. 

Jaen is the olive producing capital of Spain?

And with that said, also the world. The province of Jaen is filled with 60 million olive trees. Which results in 20% of the olive production in the world. Needless to say they call themselves the ‘olive capital of the world’.
When a product is has such importance to a region in Spain, it naturally goes hand in hand with a lot of events and festivities. The best time to visit the plants is between November and February, at the time of the harvest. Around this time a lot of culinary events will be going on. The main event, however, is on the 8^th of December in Martos: the olive festival.

Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga in 1881? 

And the people of Malaga are very proud of it. You can visit ‘Casa Natal’, his birthplace, but since 2003 Malaga also has a museum dedicated to him.

Opening hours museum:

November-February: open daily 10am-6pm
March-June: open daily 10am-7pm
July-August: open daily 10am-8pm
September-October: open daily 10am-7pm

Opening hours Casa Natal:

Open daily 09.30-20.00
Closed every Tuesday between November and March

Christopher Columbus departed for America from Huelva? 

Huelva and its surrounding area is a great interest point for people interested in the history of Columbus. Different buses depart every day from Huelva to the main sites to see La Rábida, Palos de la Frontera and Moguer.
Moreover, Columbus is said to be buried in the cathedral of Seville, find out more about the story on our Daily Bike Tour

That Alfarnate in Málaga hosts a Cherry Festival every year?

Like we said, important products go together with festivities in Spain. Another product that gets celebrated in the south of Spain is cherries. Not only to eat, but also for the famous Sherry wine.
A village called Alfarnate in the province of Malaga hosts a cherry festival every year on the 3^rd Saturday of June. There you can indulge in yummy cherries and other local products at very low prices. You might even get free drinks to go with it. 
And of course, it would not be a real Andalusian festival if it would not go together with a lot of music and dancing. The Andalusians know best how to throw a good party, so just go and enjoy it to the fullest. 

Ronda's Feria Goyesca has hotels in the city reserved to capacity months ahead? 

Or the Feria de Pedro Romero is a big celebration in the first week of September. The streets of Ronda fill up with little bars, lots of people and ofcourse, music. The main event of this Feria is the bullfight, preceded by a procession of horse carriages through the streets. Everyone will be dressed in 18^th century Goyesque costumes, celebrating the famous painter Francisco de Goya.
It might be hard to still find a hotel for the Feria de Abril in Seville, but if you want to enjoy the Feria de Pedro Romero, you better be fast.

Andalusia has something for everyone, sports, culture, festivities, and ofcourse… the Andalusian sun!