Andalucía: A Photo Travel Diary

January 2025

A week in the Southern part of Spain was simply not enough.

I spent 3 days in Sevilla, 3 days in Granada, and 1 day in Córdoba.

I adored the sun-drenched small village-style houses bursting with flora, the orange trees everywhere, and the relaxed atmosphere of each city, which was unique in its own way.

I can see why people attribute Andalucía to “stereotypical Spain,” your image of Spain when you think of it.

From the friendly people, cheap tapas culture, and colorful streets, the alegría of Andalucía definitely swept me up.

I can’t wait to go back and explore more.

jump to:

Sevilla:

Standing in front of the impressive cathedral — the 3rd largest in the world!

Admiring the beautiful Plaza de España in Parque María Luisa

Tapa time! Pictured: croquetas, spinach + garbanzos, patatas bravas, and goat cheese with honey

Granada

A gorgeous view of the Sierra Nevada in the Albaicín barrio

Night view of the Alhambra at a mirador that was better than San Nicolas because there was hardly anyone there!

Gazing up at a cathedral inside of a monastery

The Alhambra: a must-visit in Granada that I spent 5 hours exploring! But make sure to book tickets well in advance

Córdoba

Inside the famous mosque that represents the complex relations between Christians and Muslims

In love with the white-washed houses and peaceful, charming streets of Córdoba!

everything I ate!

my fav eats (as someone plant-based):

salmorejo

a cold, creamy blended vegetable soup that’s thicker than gazpacho

risotto

super creamy rice dish

tostada con tomate y aceite (toast with tomato sauce and olive oil)

a classic breakfast food. super cheap and great for a quick bite

espinaca con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas)

i love the spices they use in this comfort food dish!

torrijas (like custard french toast)

best dessert Spain has imo 💁🏻‍♀️

tortilla española (Spanish omelette)

my all-time favorite Spanish food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner haha (i’m pretty sure it’s a universal food found throughout Spain but I actually like the runny ones they serve in Madrid)

churros con chocolate

obviously. but gotta make sure you go to a place that serves them hot and fresh!

fun fact: they call thick churros “porras” in Madrid but not in Andalucía!

What I Wish I Knew Before Going:

I visited in winter, And when the sun goes down, it gets pretty cold! I only brought one long-sleeved shirt, but I definitely wish I had brought more.
Bring cash (euros). Compared to Madrid, less places in Andalucía accepted credit card
Know the unspoken rules of dining in Spain
Bring good walking shoes. Though there are public buses, I didn’t use them since the cities are so walkable.
BlaBlaCar is your best friend: I used this app to get to Granada from Sevilla and Granada to Cordoba for under 14 euros one-way.
You can pick the oranges from the trees… but I tried, and it was sour. Maybe I just picked a bad one?
Enjoy the cheaper prices. Compared to Madrid, Andalusian cities are much more affordable. Take advantage of generous tapa portions for only 2 or 3 euros
Research foods to try in Andalucía! I have to admit, this trip changed my mind about Spanish food. It is actually a delicious cuisine if you know what to order 🙂
Be prepared to see a lot of Moorish influence — especially in Granada and architecturally in Cordoba! And try to learn the history behind Arab influence on Spain as it will deepen your appreciation for how you experience the cities.
Book your tickets for the Alhambra in advance, and make sure to get the one that includes the palaces and the Generalife garden. Also, bring your passport with your ticket the day of. I didn’t and I had to exit the line to get a special pass at the ticket counter…

gottacaseofwanderlust