Andalucia is the second largest and most populated Spanish Autonomous. It is known for its diverse landscape, a mild and pleasant climate, the friendliness and warmth of its people, and its fascinating historyand culture.

This has made Andalucia very popular among tourists. Ever year they come, in tens of thousands, to enjoy its 3000 hours of sunshine and the long stretches of sun-kissed beaches, and its many other attractions.

In a way, Andalucia has always drawn its share of crowds. Thousands of years before the birth of Christ, the Phoenician travelers would take refuge on its shores. They saw that the waters there were warmer, with less wind. The climate was always pleasant, mild even during the winter. Eventually some of them settled along the Guadalquivir river, the “father” of old civilizations. This was where the first communities were built, which grew into the cities, and then the empires, which have stood on Andalucia’s lands.

Today visitors still take refuge in Andalucia, but for different reasons. They see it as a place to escape from stress and noise. They crave the tranquility and serenity, the sense of escaping into a beautiful place, where time slows down and every face seems to be lit with a welcoming smile. Others seek adventure, thrilled by the opportunity to participate in different sports from skiing in the Sierra Nevada to surfing at the coast of Cadiz.

The visitors rave about Andalucia’s sun kissed beaches, the amazing flora and fauna that can be found in its mountain ranges, and the famous “white villages” with their long tradition of folklore and artisany. The crafts here are very beautiful, and it is advisable for tourists to stop by the markets. What would be a better souvenir than a handmade pot, or a delicate silk shawl, or a hand-painted fan?

Today, some of those traditions have come to represent the magic of Spain, like the beautiful flamenco and the exciting sport of bull fighting, or the magical myths of Don Juan and the passionate opera of Carmen.