This once-great stronghold of Muslim Spain is rich in beauty, history, and tradition, and contains some of the country's most celebrated architectural wonders: the world-famous Mezquita (mosque) in Córdoba, the Alhambra in Granada, and the great Gothic cathedral in Seville. Andalusia's smaller towns include Ubeda, Jaén, gorge-split Ronda, Jerez de la Frontera, and the gleaming white port city of Cádiz.

This dry mountainous region also encompasses the Costa del Sol (Málaga, Marbella, and Torremolinos), a coastal strip popular among those seeking beach resorts, nightlife, and relaxation.