For many people, Andalusia is not just a holiday destination, but above all home. Are you curious about what makes this region of southern Spain so captivating? Below you will find a few reasons why it is the best place to live!
320 days of sunshine a year
Andalusia is definitely the ideal place for those seeking a warm and temperate climate. On the Costa del Sol, the sun shines for more than 320 days a year, and this ensures that your body never runs out of vitamin D and you never run out of wellbeing. This aura is especially appreciated during autumn. Think about it, wouldn’t it be a wonderful feeling to be able to drink your morning coffee every day on the terrace of your home on the Costa del Sol and enjoy the morning sun and the sound of the sea? This is how life is lived in Andalusia.
Multiculturalism
The Iberian Peninsula and Andalusia is a region that has been ruled by several peoples and, consequently, different cultures and customs over the last few hundred years. In this way, a very high degree of tolerance and friendliness towards the non-indigenous inhabitants of the autonomy has developed in society, particularly in the southern region of the country. On the Costa del Sol and in Marbella you will find a very broad cross-section of nationalities from all over the world, living together in complete harmony and respecting the rights of others.
Rich history
During several centuries of Arab rule over southern Spain, today’s Andalusia was called Al-Andalus. It was only at the end of the 15th century, as a result of the reconquest of the Christian kings, that the region returned to Spanish control. However, the history of Andalusia is much richer, and before there was a period of Arab or Christian rule, this area was inhabited by Phoenicians, Greeks or Romans. Remnants of these cultures can be found today in Andalusia at every turn. A short holiday is not enough to discover them all!
Magnificent architecture
Andalusia is a veritable paradise for those who love to admire unique, historic architecture. Here you will find buildings built in styles characteristic of the Baroque, Renaissance, as well as remnants of periods of Roman rule, such as the Baelo Claudia. However, the most popular style – found almost everywhere in Andalusia – is Mudéjar, dating from the period of Moorish rule. Its characteristic elements are sharp arches, coloured bricks laid in strips, ceramic decoration (azulejos), geometric ornaments and internal courtyards. Among the most important monuments are the stunning Alhambra, the mosque in Cordoba or the Alcazaba in Malaga.
Exceptional cuisine
The last reason on our list – although certainly no less important than the previous ones – is the local cuisine! The climate in Spain and on the Costa del Sol is not conducive to the heavier dishes that we know so well from Polish cuisine. That is why the undisputed “kings” of local cuisine are seafood and fish. These can be found in restaurants in every town and city.
Spanish cuisine also includes tapas in various forms, from simple sandwiches to slices of cured hams, such as the Andalusian specialities jamón serrano or jamón iberico. Speaking of Spanish and Andalusian cuisine, we can’t forget gazpacho, known since Moorish times, paella and… one of the best olive oils in the world. Did you know that Andalusia is the world’s largest producer of this speciality? You can read more about it in the post on ‘liquid gold’.
