DK Travel : Andalucía and Costa del Sol

The diverse and politically semi-autonomous region of Andalucía has a population of some 7 million and embodies what is thought of as typically Spanish – an accurate portrait of the place and its people must include the bullfight, flamenco, gypsies, remote white villages, high sierras and mass tourism on endless stretches of beach. The memories you take with you after a visit here will be colourful, joyous, intense and deeply stirring.

La Taberna Flamenca, Jerez

Flamboyant shows.
La Tetería del Bañuelo, Granada

A more relaxed and inviting place is hard to imagine. The little rooms and intimate niches are suffused with a gentle light, the air with the aromas of tea and flowers and the sound of song-birds. Try some exotic brews and sweets and enjoy unsurpassed views.
La Tienda del Olivo, Córdoba

This shop specializes in products relating to the venerable olive. Olive oil here comes in every variety, from light ones for cooking, to rich rare pressings. Other olive products include skin creams and handmade soaps.
La Ventera Restaurant

Delightful restaurant in the quiet mountain village of Gualchos. Friendly staff, excellent food at reasonable prices - although note this is a proper restaurant not a tapas bar. If the weather is good you can sit out on a patio and overlook the Mediterranean.
Language

Modern Spanish is full of everyday terms that come from Moorish heritage – the word for “left” (izquierda ) is almost pure Arabic and any word beginning with the prefix al- (the) comes from Arabic too.
Las Acacias, Málaga

This open-air beach café serves the coast speciality – sardinas ensartadas (sardines grilled on a skewer).
Las Alpujarras

The villages on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada retain distinctive Moorish architecture (see The Sierra Nevada).
Las Camachas, Montilla

Fish dishes are a speciality here, such as pez spada (sword-fish) with Montilla sauce. Wash it all down with a bottle of the delightful local wine.
Leather

Leather goods of all sorts abound. Principal towns of production include Jerez de la Frontera, Almodóvar del Río, Almonte and Ubrique for bags, belts, gloves and jackets. For hand-made shoes try Montoro; for handmade boots, Valverde del Camino, both in Huelva Province. Most traditional are cordovans – embossed and hand-decorated leather pieces from Córdoba.
Leather

In the shops of Ronda you’ll find some of the best prices on leather goods of anywhere in Spain. Many of the items have well-known labels, since fashion houses often have contracts with leather factories in this area.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €20
- €20–€30
- €30–€40
- €40–€50
- over €50