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10 reasons why we love Andalucía

10 reasons why we love Andalucía

Jun 06, 2022 Lifestyle

Although we can think of many more reasons to fall in love with Spain’s most emblematic region, here’s our top-10:

 

1.     Spain’s southernmost region has over 900 kilometres of coastline, with a fantastic variety of scenery ranging from dramatic cliffs, pretty coves and tall sand dunes to some of the finest beaches in Europe

 

2.     Do you know this is the only region in Europe that has both a Mediterranean and an Atlantic shoreline? And the Costa del Sol is situated on the one (Mediterranean) and less than an hour from the other (Atlantic); imagine the beachside choices…

 

3.     With an annual output of 1,5 million tons, Andalucía is the largest producer of olive oil in the world, and most of the groves from which this healthy golden oil is harvested are located in the province of Jaen. Enough to fill 450+ Olympic swimming pools

 

4.     Thanks to the wonderful weather and outdoor lifestyle, the golden light, wonderful views, healthy fish-based diet and the laid-back, friendly and sociable way of life, Andalucía has the second-highest life expectancy in the world – what’s not to love about that!

 

5.     Granada, in the heart of Andalucía, is the birthplace of the most sociable and also highly delicious Tapas tradition – best enjoyed with friends and a refreshing beverage in an atmospheric eatery and square near you

 

6.     Scotland may be the spiritual home of the game, but with 110 golf courses Andalucía is the epicentre of the sport in Europe – offering a lifetime of fantastic settings, courses and challenges across the region but above all on the Costa del Sol

 

7.     You won’t find anywhere in Europe that offers so many different landscapes – from snowy mountains and temperate rainforests to deserts, fields covered in almond blossom, wooded hills, waterfalls, lakes, fertile flatlands and expansive pastures

 

8.     If you thought the Spaghetti Westerns featuring Clint Eastwood were actually shot in the US you’d be wrong. They were all produced in Tabernas, a 280km2 protected natural park that is also Europe’s only desert. A Hollywood favourite, it’s also where Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was filmed, among others

 

9.     By contrast, the Alcornocales Nature Reserve is home to the only subtropical forest in the Mediterranean region, and with 170.000 hectares it is also the largest cork oak forest in Europe

 

10.  And let’s not forget the unique cultural fascination of a region that gave the world flamenco, bullfighting pomp, classic Andalusian Romería pilgrimages and Feria festivals, sardines grilled by the beach and those unforgettable summer holidays…