Nerja, Costa del Sol, Spain

Main Attractions in Spain

If you visit this spectacular territory even once, you will surely feel like planning more and more trips. With its natural, historical, and cultural attractions, the main attractions in Spain are undoubtedly varied. You must be well aware that Spain is well known for its historic sites such as Roman temples, churches, and baths. But this time, I decided to explore its coastal islands and towns that are a part of the main attractions in Spain.

Nerja, Costa del Sol, Spain
Nerja, Costa del Sol, Spain

One of the most stunning coastline stretches is the COSTA DE LA LUZ from the Portuguese border in the west to Tarifa in the east. Still in the development phase, this is where you will find many Spanish tourists. The town of Cádiz, once famous as a port in the 16th century for trade in gold and silver, allures visitors with its charm. For the tourists, some of the main attractions in Spain are here – sea fortifications, the ‘old’ and ‘new’ cathedrals with the tower named Torre Tavira for climbing and having far-reaching views, and the Playa de la Victoria as the beach. Drive for less than 30 minutes to be at the great town of Jerez de la Frontera offering the magnificent Renaissance cathedral and an 11th-century Moorish Alcázar with baths.

From Cadiz, do not miss the famous voyage to the Sierra de Grazalema National Park where you can rejoice amidst the beautiful mountain vistas. Besides, other main highlights along the way are the Puerto de las Palomas mountain pass that dominates Grazalema that is the fortified town of Zahara de la Sierra and Arcos de la Fronteira. If you have time, explore this scenic village with a great cliff top location ruling the Rio Guadalete. Do drive on the road from Cádiz to Algeciras where you can enjoy some of the breathtaking views of the Straits of Gibraltar, the North African coastline, and the Atlas Mountains. Then after reaching Algeciras, you can take a ferry to reach Tangier and Ceuta on the North African coast or to the Canary Islands.

Do head to the province of Huelva to explore its El Rocío village where you can be a part of one of the most vital Spanish festivals dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This festival is celebrated at Whitsun. One more interesting highlight is the stunning complex of stalactite caves of Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena to the north of Huelva province.

The COSTA DEL SOL is where fine beaches and scenic towns occupy the Andalusia’s Mediterranean coastline. This is much highly populated zone and is also among the popular destinations in Spain. Here, Málaga, as the gateway to Costa Del Sol, is a beautiful, lively city packed with many interesting highlights for the visitors. The town is the birthplace of the greatest 20th century artist of Spain called Pablo Picasso. So, his house is now the new Picasso Museum is dedicated to this artist housing an important collection of his works. Also, his parents’ house can also be explored. More highlights here are the incomplete Cathedral (16th to 18th centuries), the Tropical Gardens, and two renovated Moorish castles namely, the Alcazaba and Gibralfara. Coming to the resorts, the most crowded ones here are Marbella and Torremolinos, but you can yet spot a less populated beach further. Do also take up a small excursion to Nerja in the same province. Dubbed as the ‘Balcony of Europe’ due to its projected outlook nestled high above the sea level, this is where you can have some commanding views of the Mediterranean. One of the main attractions of Spain is here as the well-preserved prehistoric caves. Another excursion is popular from Málaga to the old mountain city of Ronda beautifully located on a gorge in the Sierra de Ronda.

My next visit was to another coastal down situated to the east of the Costa del Sol, the province of ALMERÍA or COSTA DE ALMERÍA that is among the most developed tourist areas in Spain. The capital, Almeria, a former Roman port offers many attractions such as the Moorish castle called the Alcazaba, the 16th century Cathedral, and the Church of Santiago el Viejo. Here, the main resorts are Roquetas de Mar, Aguadulce, El Cabo de Gata, and Mojácar that are to the east and west of the town.

From Malaga or Almeria, take a car ferry to be on the free port on the north coast of Africa, Melilla. It is a modern town that offers a myriad of ancient buildings to explore along with a 16th century church.

In the region of THE AFRICAN ENCLAVES, Ceuta is one of the famous cities to explore, which is a free port on the African north coast. The main attractions here are the Plaza de Africa in the downtown and the cathedral. Here, the outcrop offers the relics of the old fortress. From here, you can take a bus to visit Morocco or can ride into a ferry to be at the Algeciras.

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