4 Ways To Experience Andalucia Like A Local

Wherever I travel to, I always try to experience the place like a local as much as I possibly can. I want to see where the locals hang out, they shop and chill out. This usually means you can avoid the majority of the tourist traps and find the real gems in the city. With that in mind, I thought I would share some tips by way of 4 tips for experiencing Andalucia like a local. Andalucia is one of those beautiful places in Spain with endless possibilities. Beautiful towns such as Cordoba, Ardales, Ronda and a few more whose names I can't recall.

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The Best Spot To Watch The Sunset In El Chorro

Back from a little weekend in Paris, just what the doctor ordered! A quick time out is always go for the soul. I shared a few pictures from the trip on my Instagram. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more on travel inspiration before they make it on the blog. I hope you have enjoyed the recent posts on Andalusia. I have shared 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Andalusia, Why You Shouldnt Leave Andalusia Without Dinning at El Mirador, as well as my adventures Hiking Spain's Most Dangerous Trail In El Chorro. 

I also wanted to share pictures from a cool little spot to watch the sunset in El Chorro. This place is the very epitome of 'picture perfect'. Beautiful little view points with little seats to watch the sun go down. You can also walk down to the lake shore and watch the sunset while you dip your toes in the cool water. Better yet, you can also go for a little swim. This spot lies near Sillion del Rey, where you can also find the starting point to El Caminito del Rey. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway without spending a lot of money or travelling half way across the world, then you will not be disappointed with El Chorro. Another plus to this place is that it is mainly popular with other Spaniards that come to visit mainly for El Caminito so it's not crowded, allowing you to enjoy the tranquil surroundings in peace. Below are some of the many pictures I took(I was a little trigger happy)

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Do Not Leave Andalusia Without Dining At El Mirador

We spend a couple of days exploring Ardales, a beautiful little town in Andalusia. Typical in its style of Spanish villages which come with character-filled white-washed buildings. If you haven't been to this part of Spain I details 7 reasons why you need to visit this part of Andalusia in my post. A couple of days into our stay in Andalusia we also took on El Caminito del Rey in El Chorro but by the time we came back from the walk we were too tired to check out El Mirador and thought instead to come back the following day. The  setting for the El Mirador restaurant is what attracted  me that most before I had even looked at their menu.

Dining that comes with a spectacular view is always a plus in my view and adds to the memorable getaway. Imagine eating your paella with panoramic views of Ardales's Guadalhorce reservoir and the beautiful countryside. As its sits besides the lake you can also walk off you lunch in perfect surrounding. There are many viewing points from the restaurant itself, with steps that lead to the bottom as well as viewing points a few meters from the Restaurant and the Guadalhorce dam.

The food was great and they have a selection of salad, seafood and meet dishes and prices are reasonable. Getting via the same as the directions I provided for El Caminito del Rey in El Chorro.

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El Caminito Del Rey | Hiking Spain's Most Dangerous Hiking Trail

I learned about El Caminito Del Rey  through some climbing articles I was reading a couple of years ago. I have been rock climbing on and off  for a couple of years now and being the adrenaline junkie I can be, this was just one of those climber's bucketlist items. Sure, El Caminito Del Rey was touted as Spain's most dangerous hike and that's what made it all that much more attractive. Fast forward a few years later and I totally forgot about this bucketlist item only to have my boyfriend surprise me with a trip. There I was conjuring up all sorts of romantic destinations then be told I would be needing hiking boots. Uh Oh! Thoughts of kisses under the twinkling Effiel Tower quickly dashed as no one ever needed hiking boots to explore the  streets of Paris while scoffing down macaroons faster that smarties.

The time came and we were headed for sunny Spain, as lovely as Paris is, its never guaranteed sunshine to anyone. So a trip to Malaga, Spain's sunniest city was just what the London weather man ordered. If you haven't been to Malaga or Andalucia for that matter then I have 7 reasons why you should visit Andalucia. I learned about our planned activity to El Caminito Del Rel about 2 days before we  were leaving so in my excitement I researched a little only to find out that it had been repaired so I would not be needed any of my climbing gear never the less I was still reeling in excitement of the thought of exploring a dizzying trail on the cliff edges of that were in use since 1921. 

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Ardales | 7 Reasons To Visit Andalucia

Dress - ASOS // Sandals -  Topshop // Bag - Mango

When I think of Spain my mind conjures up scenes of sunny disposition when I can actually feel the warm sun on my skin and just how cozy that feeling is. I guess it helps that as I write this the sun in London it out with clear blue skies, although very deceiving because its just shy of 5 degrees. When I think of Spain, I don't see false promises like that when it comes to the weather. Even more so when I think of Andalucia. This rocky, sun-baked region in Spain's southern coast is just a picture of pure bliss; sunshine included! Andalucia is said to be the heart and soul of Spain, if you have visited then you will know why and if you haven't you will understand why when you visit.

Andalucia consists of eight Provinces; Almería, Cádiz, Cóodoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga and Seville. Each with its own intoxicating heritage and charm from its glorious past. From Renaissance splendor, Moorish legacy, Mosque-Cathedrals and beautiful palaces. The various cultural influences passing through Spain in past centuries have left gems waiting to be discovered. This region also embodies what the world thinks of Spain; flamenco, tapa, matadors and bullfights. Many of the provinces dedicate days sometimes weeks of street shows and performances. Cádiz celebrate Carnival with colourful costumed street performers for 10 days before Easter Sunday, Granada has tango street performances through out March, Seville devotes the half of April, sometimes spilling into May just for bullfighting, horse parades. While Malaga has fire works and flamenco concerts in August and Ronda waits till September for flamenco festivals. With all that song and dance people get famished so expect a lot of tapas and that all famous paella. 

Each of Andalucia's Villages villages are whitewashed and set against mountain backdrops and stunning landmark architecture such as Alcázar castle in Sevile, Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral and Granada's Alhambra palace. If that's not reason enough I have listed 7 more reasons to visit Andalucia below.

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Family Travel: A Weekend In Madrid

The Three Musketeers

This post has been prompted by an up coming trip I have with my sisters and nieces in toll. Also as of late I have been reading a lot about people doing solo trips because they cannot get their friends or families to come along or avoiding people tagging along because of disagreements during holidays. In a way this is something I could relate to but over time I have gained a lot of experience in terms of what works for all us. I tend to plan my trips to a 'T' and with travelling with my sisters great to always have someone who is laid back and just throw away the map and just explore the cities without any plans. Like the saying goes, you can choose your friends, but you cant choose your family.

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