Places to Visit in Southern Spain

When I was in college, I studied abroad for six weeks during the summer in Spain. During the last week, I traveled around southern Spain with a few friends in my study abroad group. We traveled by bus and train, and we stayed in the hostels recommended by the "Let's Go" travel guide. Hostels work well for college students on a tight budget, but I don't know if I would like them as much now.

There are many beautiful cathedrals and palaces in Spain, some of which are several centuries old. As somebody who is fascinated by history, I loved standing where so much had taken place hundreds of years ago. Here are a few places that I enjoyed visiting in this region of Spain, called Andalucia, and would recommend to anybody planning a trip to Europe:

Córdoba: One of the first places I visited in southern Spain was the Mezquita, or Mosque, of Córdoba. It was built in the 10th Century and features Moorish architecture that was combined in later centuries with Christian architecture. The Mezquita has pillars with beautiful arches above them and a Renaissance cathedral in the center.

Sevilla: This was one of my favorite cities in Spain. We took a carriage ride, which was a wonderful way to see some of the city. The Cathedral of Seville is beautiful, and it is also one of the largest churches in the world. Climbing to the top of the Giralda bell tower is worthwhile for the fantastic view of the city as well as other views of the cathedral's architecture. The Alcazar palace is also a wonderful place to visit, and I really enjoyed walking through the gardens. I thought the gardens seemed tranquil, even with quite a few other people walking around.

Granada: This was the last city that we stopped in during our trip through southern Spain. First, we visited the Gothic Cathedral of Santa María de la Encarnación, where the Royal Chapel with the tomb of Ferdinand and Isabella is located. Unfortunately, part of the cathedral was closed off while we were there, but we were still able to see some impressive art and architecture. I also enjoyed visiting the Alhambra. The original fortress was built in the 9th Century, with it becoming a royal residence in later centuries. It features a wonderful palace and the ruins of a castle with a great view as well as lovely gardens.

Our week in southern Spain was a terrific trip, and I really enjoyed many of the interesting historical sites. I would recommend a visit to Spain for anybody who enjoys history as well as art and architecture.

Source: http://www.andalucia.com/