Rural holidays in Andalusia: the perfect plan to fill your lungs with fresh air and get back to nature
Ever heard of "cortijos"? These are country farmhouses where you can disconnect from the city hustle and bustle and enjoy your stay in Almería. Usually located near natural beauty spots, they offer a haven of peace after you've explored the destination. Make a note of these places and you'll almost be able to smell the fresh country air. Let's begin!
The landscape of Andalusia offers a natural spectacle, and to preserve its beauty most of region enjoys some form of environmental protection.
Beginning with the province of Málaga, you'll find two must-visit places. The first is the Torcal de Antequera National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The karst mountain formation, characterised by its moulded limestone rocks, will take your breath away.
The second place to include on your list is the Axarquía. It's a huge area but you can focus on the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama.
Continuing along the coast, you'll come to a series of maritime-terrestrial parks like the Strait of Gibraltar National Park (Cádiz) and the Cabo de Gata National Park (Almería). You'll be among trees one minute and walking on sand the next. And if you're wearing a swimsuit, you can even take a dip!
If you travel to the more rural inland part of Andalusia, when you reach the Sierra Norte de Seville you'll find the fascinating Cerro del Hierro. The cork oak forest cloaks this rugged rocky landscape in its unique colour. This hill has been exploited since Roman times due to the presence of iron, as its name (literally, "Iron Hill") clearly illustrates.
Another unmissable place on our list are the Sierra de Cazorla (Jaén), where the River Guadalquivir rises. This is a picturesque area to take a stroll through the olive groves that surround the nearby towns and villages.
Discover more places to soak up nature in Córdoba, Granada and Huelva.
