Andalucía Bound
@andalucia-bound.bsky.social
Inspiration and practical advice for visitors to Andalucía. Suggested itineraries, places to visit and in-depth information about Andalucía's history and culture.
Website: https://andalucia-bound.com/
Website: https://andalucia-bound.com/
The final leg of our journey to Granada takes you past Moclín, another picturesque village crowned by a romantic castle. There are fantastic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the village is the starting point for the popular Gollizno hiking route down into a dramatic gorge.
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December 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The final leg of our journey to Granada takes you past Moclín, another picturesque village crowned by a romantic castle. There are fantastic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the village is the starting point for the popular Gollizno hiking route down into a dramatic gorge.
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The first thing you see as you approach Alcalá la Real is the Fortaleza de la Mota standing high on a plateau above the town. Originally a Muslim fortress, it developed into an important frontier town, which exchanged hands several times in the 13th century.
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December 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The first thing you see as you approach Alcalá la Real is the Fortaleza de la Mota standing high on a plateau above the town. Originally a Muslim fortress, it developed into an important frontier town, which exchanged hands several times in the 13th century.
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Continuing towards Granada you reach the castle of Alcaudete, which was held by the powerful religious-military Order of Calatrava during the Middle Ages.
In more peaceful times, it was converted into a Renaissance palace.
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In more peaceful times, it was converted into a Renaissance palace.
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December 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Continuing towards Granada you reach the castle of Alcaudete, which was held by the powerful religious-military Order of Calatrava during the Middle Ages.
In more peaceful times, it was converted into a Renaissance palace.
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In more peaceful times, it was converted into a Renaissance palace.
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Next you reach the 9th-century Moorish castle in Luque, which has been lovingly restored. Nearby is the picture-postcard village of Zuheros, with some lovely hiking trails in the mountains behind it.
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December 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Next you reach the 9th-century Moorish castle in Luque, which has been lovingly restored. Nearby is the picture-postcard village of Zuheros, with some lovely hiking trails in the mountains behind it.
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Coming from Córdoba, the route takes you past the Robert Capa monument in Espejo, which commemorates his photo The Falling Soldier, perhaps the most iconic photograph taken during the Civil War.
The monument also has great views of Espejo castle and the surrounding landscape.
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The monument also has great views of Espejo castle and the surrounding landscape.
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December 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Coming from Córdoba, the route takes you past the Robert Capa monument in Espejo, which commemorates his photo The Falling Soldier, perhaps the most iconic photograph taken during the Civil War.
The monument also has great views of Espejo castle and the surrounding landscape.
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The monument also has great views of Espejo castle and the surrounding landscape.
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We’ve often driven to Córdoba from Granada, particularly over the past few years while researching our audio tours there. It’s a fantastic route which skirts the Sierras Subbéticas UNESCO Global Geopark, with great mountain views in all directions.
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December 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
We’ve often driven to Córdoba from Granada, particularly over the past few years while researching our audio tours there. It’s a fantastic route which skirts the Sierras Subbéticas UNESCO Global Geopark, with great mountain views in all directions.
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Here are some more photos of a previous visit to Pampaneira.
December 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Here are some more photos of a previous visit to Pampaneira.
We went to Pampaneira with friends today, to work on a Spanish version of our VoiceMap tour.
Beautiful day, but we didn’t get many photos as the villages were heaving - the 6th and 8th of December are public holidays.
We did have a good lunch, including a tropical salad - almost like a dessert.
Beautiful day, but we didn’t get many photos as the villages were heaving - the 6th and 8th of December are public holidays.
We did have a good lunch, including a tropical salad - almost like a dessert.
December 7, 2025 at 6:41 PM
We went to Pampaneira with friends today, to work on a Spanish version of our VoiceMap tour.
Beautiful day, but we didn’t get many photos as the villages were heaving - the 6th and 8th of December are public holidays.
We did have a good lunch, including a tropical salad - almost like a dessert.
Beautiful day, but we didn’t get many photos as the villages were heaving - the 6th and 8th of December are public holidays.
We did have a good lunch, including a tropical salad - almost like a dessert.
All set in a beautiful Baroque mansion. Highly recommended!
December 5, 2025 at 1:35 PM
All set in a beautiful Baroque mansion. Highly recommended!
After the Romans, there were some Visigoth, Moorish and Christian exhibits, including a rather grizzly one of a woman who was hanged.
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December 5, 2025 at 1:33 PM
After the Romans, there were some Visigoth, Moorish and Christian exhibits, including a rather grizzly one of a woman who was hanged.
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There was an unusual gilded bronze railing which may have adorned a temple, as well as lots trinkets, oil lamps, etc.
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December 5, 2025 at 1:27 PM
There was an unusual gilded bronze railing which may have adorned a temple, as well as lots trinkets, oil lamps, etc.
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Also a great collection of mosaics, as you would expect, including a Nereid riding a sea monster and the “gift of wine” - Bacchus’s gift to mankind.
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December 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Also a great collection of mosaics, as you would expect, including a Nereid riding a sea monster and the “gift of wine” - Bacchus’s gift to mankind.
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But the biggest highlights are from the Roman period, when Ecija (Astigi) was the capital of one of the four “conventus” in the province of Baetica.
Including a superb statue of a “wounded Amazon”, discovered as recently as 2002.
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Including a superb statue of a “wounded Amazon”, discovered as recently as 2002.
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December 5, 2025 at 1:18 PM
But the biggest highlights are from the Roman period, when Ecija (Astigi) was the capital of one of the four “conventus” in the province of Baetica.
Including a superb statue of a “wounded Amazon”, discovered as recently as 2002.
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Including a superb statue of a “wounded Amazon”, discovered as recently as 2002.
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From the Tartessian period in the 1st millennium BC, there’s this amazingly intricate piece of gold filigree. Look at the level of detail!
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December 5, 2025 at 1:11 PM
From the Tartessian period in the 1st millennium BC, there’s this amazingly intricate piece of gold filigree. Look at the level of detail!
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Not the most beautiful weather in Andalucia today, but a good day for a museum.
The historical museum in Écija has some great prehistoric exhibits.
These warrior stelae were once thought to be gravestones, but from the locations they were found it’s now believed they could be boundary markers.
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The historical museum in Écija has some great prehistoric exhibits.
These warrior stelae were once thought to be gravestones, but from the locations they were found it’s now believed they could be boundary markers.
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December 5, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Not the most beautiful weather in Andalucia today, but a good day for a museum.
The historical museum in Écija has some great prehistoric exhibits.
These warrior stelae were once thought to be gravestones, but from the locations they were found it’s now believed they could be boundary markers.
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The historical museum in Écija has some great prehistoric exhibits.
These warrior stelae were once thought to be gravestones, but from the locations they were found it’s now believed they could be boundary markers.
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The Menga and Viera dolmens are just a 20-minute walk (or a short taxi ride) from the town centre; if you’re travelling by car, there is a car park on site. The excellent interpretation centre gives the historical context for the dolmens and shows how they might have been built.
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December 3, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The Menga and Viera dolmens are just a 20-minute walk (or a short taxi ride) from the town centre; if you’re travelling by car, there is a car park on site. The excellent interpretation centre gives the historical context for the dolmens and shows how they might have been built.
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Antequera’s impressive dolmen site consists of three separate megalithic monuments, the oldest of which is almost 6,000 years old. In 2016 they were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to their unique orientation towards two landforms: the Lovers’ Rock and El Torcal.
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December 3, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Antequera’s impressive dolmen site consists of three separate megalithic monuments, the oldest of which is almost 6,000 years old. In 2016 they were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to their unique orientation towards two landforms: the Lovers’ Rock and El Torcal.
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Antequera has a huge number of churches and convents, with the Iglesia del Carmen and deconsecrated Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor particularly worth a visit.
The Discalced Carmelite nuns, who have a small museum at their convent, have also won plaudits for their traditional cakes.
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The Discalced Carmelite nuns, who have a small museum at their convent, have also won plaudits for their traditional cakes.
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December 3, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Antequera has a huge number of churches and convents, with the Iglesia del Carmen and deconsecrated Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor particularly worth a visit.
The Discalced Carmelite nuns, who have a small museum at their convent, have also won plaudits for their traditional cakes.
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The Discalced Carmelite nuns, who have a small museum at their convent, have also won plaudits for their traditional cakes.
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Start by exploring Antequera’s attractive historic centre, including the town museum on Plaza Coso Viejo, before heading up to the lovingly restored Alcazaba, or citadel, on the hill. From there, you get great views across to the striking Lovers’ Rock and the limestone formations of El Torcal.
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December 3, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Start by exploring Antequera’s attractive historic centre, including the town museum on Plaza Coso Viejo, before heading up to the lovingly restored Alcazaba, or citadel, on the hill. From there, you get great views across to the striking Lovers’ Rock and the limestone formations of El Torcal.
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Antequera makes a great day trip from various Andalucian cities. It’s quickest and easiest to get to from Málaga, but you can also visit from Córdoba, Granada or even Seville.
It's right in the heart of Andalucía, and it has a traditional, but laid-back, feel.
Why should you visit Antequera?
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It's right in the heart of Andalucía, and it has a traditional, but laid-back, feel.
Why should you visit Antequera?
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December 3, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Antequera makes a great day trip from various Andalucian cities. It’s quickest and easiest to get to from Málaga, but you can also visit from Córdoba, Granada or even Seville.
It's right in the heart of Andalucía, and it has a traditional, but laid-back, feel.
Why should you visit Antequera?
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It's right in the heart of Andalucía, and it has a traditional, but laid-back, feel.
Why should you visit Antequera?
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Round off a memorable stay in Granada with a passionate flamenco show, either in one of the caves in Sacromonte or at the Jardines de Zoraya in the Albaicín.
December 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Round off a memorable stay in Granada with a passionate flamenco show, either in one of the caves in Sacromonte or at the Jardines de Zoraya in the Albaicín.
Have a light lunch at the market, or head up to the Upper Albaicín, where you'll be spending the afternoon.
"Everyone" goes to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the fantastic views of the Alhambra and snow-capped Sierra Nevada beyond, but there's lots more to see.
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"Everyone" goes to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the fantastic views of the Alhambra and snow-capped Sierra Nevada beyond, but there's lots more to see.
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December 1, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Have a light lunch at the market, or head up to the Upper Albaicín, where you'll be spending the afternoon.
"Everyone" goes to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the fantastic views of the Alhambra and snow-capped Sierra Nevada beyond, but there's lots more to see.
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"Everyone" goes to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the fantastic views of the Alhambra and snow-capped Sierra Nevada beyond, but there's lots more to see.
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Day 3: Spend the morning visiting any of the sights in the historic centre that you didn't manage to fit in on day 1. Maybe the cathedral or the Royal Chapel?
If you've already seen what you want to see, do a bit of shopping in the Alcaicería market or go for tea and cake in a tetería.
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If you've already seen what you want to see, do a bit of shopping in the Alcaicería market or go for tea and cake in a tetería.
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December 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Day 3: Spend the morning visiting any of the sights in the historic centre that you didn't manage to fit in on day 1. Maybe the cathedral or the Royal Chapel?
If you've already seen what you want to see, do a bit of shopping in the Alcaicería market or go for tea and cake in a tetería.
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If you've already seen what you want to see, do a bit of shopping in the Alcaicería market or go for tea and cake in a tetería.
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After you've finished at the Alhambra, relax in the nearby Carmen de los Mártires gardens to recharge your batteries for tapas bar-hopping in Realejo.
In Granada you get a "free" tapa with every drink. In some bars you can choose the tapa, while in others they are served in a set order.
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In Granada you get a "free" tapa with every drink. In some bars you can choose the tapa, while in others they are served in a set order.
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December 1, 2025 at 12:29 PM
After you've finished at the Alhambra, relax in the nearby Carmen de los Mártires gardens to recharge your batteries for tapas bar-hopping in Realejo.
In Granada you get a "free" tapa with every drink. In some bars you can choose the tapa, while in others they are served in a set order.
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In Granada you get a "free" tapa with every drink. In some bars you can choose the tapa, while in others they are served in a set order.
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Day 2: Spend the morning at the Alhambra and Generalife. For most people, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the highlight of their trip to Granada.
Take your time to savour the extraordinary architecture, the intricate stucco decoration, the fountains and the gardens.
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Take your time to savour the extraordinary architecture, the intricate stucco decoration, the fountains and the gardens.
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December 1, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Day 2: Spend the morning at the Alhambra and Generalife. For most people, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the highlight of their trip to Granada.
Take your time to savour the extraordinary architecture, the intricate stucco decoration, the fountains and the gardens.
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Take your time to savour the extraordinary architecture, the intricate stucco decoration, the fountains and the gardens.
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