Andalucia is famous for its beaches, forts and cathedrals, but it’s also packed with archaeological sites and ruins from different periods.
Here’s our selection of the best places to discover.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Archaeological sites and ruins in Andalucia: map
In Andalucia, you can discover a rich array of archaeological sites and ruins spanning various historical periods. Roman remains are particularly numerous, with well-preserved towns such as Italica, near Sevilla, and Baelo Claudia, on the coast.
Prehistoric sites are also present, with ancient caves and Neolithic settlements.
You’ll also find Moorish-influenced sites and numerous medieval Christian and Islamic fortifications.
Here’s a map of our top 6:
If you only need to do 3, we recommend it:
- Medina Azahara
- Italica
- Antequera dolmens
These are Andalucia’s must-see places.
We’ll tell you about the forts and Alcazar at the end, but they’re not the focus of this article.
1. Medina Azahara
Why visit? Our review
Here’s one of the places that surprised us the most, especially when you’re used to Roman ruins. Medina Azahara are the ruins of a vast palace-city built around 940. The town was built on 3 levels and fortified. You can still admire some of its rich architectural features.
Built on 3 levels and fortified, it was destroyed by the civil wars of the 21st century, and is now a Unesco World Heritage site.
Find out more in our article dedicated to Medina Azahara (coming soon).
Useful tips
- 15 minutes drive from Cordoba
- Length of visit: 2 hours
- The site includes staircases
- Full adult price:
Free for EU residents
1.50 euros for others
3 euros for the shuttle - Opening hours:
At least 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday,
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday
Closed on Monday - If you need to, check out the latest news on the official website here.
- You can also book a guided tour to enjoy the site even more – see program and availability.
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WHERE TO STAY IN Andalucia
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Andalucia (coming soon)
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- Best hotels in Sevilla
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2. Italica
Why visit? Our review
In the Santiponce region, north of Sevilla, you’ll find the remains of a Roman town built around 206 BC: Itálica. We were stunned by the sheer size of the complex, with an amphitheatre that could seat 25,000 spectators. This testifies to the city’s economic and political importance during the High Roman Empire. It’s also the birthplace of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian!
Itálica is also famous for its splendid mosaics. And we agree. We were astounded by their excellent state of preservation. The Bacchus and Ariadne mosaic is particularly striking for its finely executed figures.
Find out more in our article dedicated to Medina Azahara (coming soon).
Useful tips
- 15-20 minute drive from Sevilla
- Allow 1 to 2 hours for your visit
- Easy enough to visit. A few steps depending on what you’re about to see
- Full adult price:
Free for EU residents
1.50 euros for all others - Opening hours: at least 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed on Mondays.
- If you need to, check out the latest news on the official website here.
- You’ll find many guided tours from Sevilla, to let yourself be transported, double the queues and learn more. See options.
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3. Dolmen d’Antequera
Why visit? Our review
For lovers of prehistory, the town of Antequera boasts 3 very different dolmens in an excellent state of preservation. It is one of the most important examples of megalithism in Europe, and a UNESCO site.
We recommend you visit all 3, as they are very different and not of the same age: Dolmen de Menga, Dolmen de Viera and El Romeral.
You’ll discover our favorite, Menga, a giant chamber (27.5 m long and 6 m wide) whose entrance is aligned for the summer solstice. It’s the oldest, built around 5,000 years ago.
Useful tips
- In the town of Antequera, 50 minutes from Malaga and 1h15 from Granada.
- Allow 1 hour to visit both sites
- Price:
Free for EU residents
1.50 euros for all others - Schedules:
Closed on Monday
Tuesday to Saturday: 09h to 14h30 / 20h to 21h30
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Very good access, especially to Menga and Vieja
- If you need to, check out the latest news on the official website here.
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
4. Baelo Claudia
Why visit? Our review
The most famous archaeological site on the Andalucia coast is Baelo Claudia, just off the Bolonia dunes. This ancient Roman town began as a fishing village 2,000 years ago, and was founded in the late 2nd century BC.
We particularly liked the temple, with its many columns still standing.
What’s more, the landscape is a superb combination of ruins, sea, sand dunes and mountains!
Useful tips
- Small town of Bolinia, between Cadiz and Tarifa
- Allow 1 to 2 hours
- Archaeological site with unpaved ground but no difficulties
- Full adult price:
Free for EU residents
1.50 euros for all others - Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed on Mondays
- See the latest news on the official page here
5. Arab Baths of Ronda
Why visit? Our review
In Ronda, don’t forget to visit the Arab baths, which are not in the center! Dating from the 13th century, they are among the best preserved in Spain, with their vaulted rooms, intimate alcoves and brick columns. Body cleansing at the baths was a prerequisite for entry into the adjacent mosque, and we particularly enjoyed the video on how the baths worked in the past.
See more photos in our dedicated article (coming soon).
Useful tips
- In the town of Ronda
- Allow 45min to 1h
- Some stairs
- Adult price €4.50 (
- Opening hours: Open from 10am to 6pm (only until 3pm on Saturday and Sunday).
- (see any updates on the site here)
FUN in Andalucia: activities
- Cooking course in Sevilla
- Canyoning from the Costa del Sol
- Caminito del Rey guided hike
6. Acinipo
Why visit? Our review
Acinipo is a small archaeological site, off the beaten track, but it’s one we really enjoyed, especially for the remains of the Roman theater, including part of the 1st-century CE wall and the still-visible stands.
Another part of the ruins even comes from a Bronze Age settlement.
The site also offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and mountains.
They’re not the size of those at Italica, near Sevilla, but if you get there early, you could be almost alone!
See more photos in our dedicated Acinipo article (coming soon).
Useful tips
- 30-minute drive north of Ronda, easy access
- Allow 45 minutes for your visit
- Sloping ground
- Price: free of charge
- Opening hours: Closed Mondays and Sunday afternoons – normal opening hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Latest news on the official page here
7. Roman Theatre of Cadiz
Why visit? Our review
The Roman theater is a surprise in the middle of the city. It was excavated as recently as 1980. The theater was built in the 1st century BC and was the largest Roman theater. It could accommodate up to 10,000 spectators.
The stage and other parts of the theater have still not been excavated and remain under the city.
It’s a surprising experience, as you enter through a small door in a normal street and behind it, you discover this site!
Useful tips
- In the city of Cadiz
- The museum, though small, is excellent. The panels are packed with information.
Allow 30 minutes to 1h30, depending on your interests - Admission is free, but it is advisable to book a ticket online in advance.
- comment whether good or not for children
- Full adult rate: free
- Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed on certain Mondays - (see any updates on the site here)
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8. Roman Theatre of Malaga
Why visit?
Just below the Alcazaba stand the remains of a Roman theater, testimony to the empire’s presence in the late 3rd century B.C. This site is well worth a detour to appreciate Malaga’s rich history, even if the elements to be explored are limited to admiring the tiers and a small adjoining interpretation center.
Returning at sunset is particularly recommended to appreciate the palette of shimmering colors that embellish the stones. Finally, we found it fascinating to observe the dialogue between the ruins and the surrounding buildings, including the Crystal Pyramid, home to other archaeological remains.
Read more in our dedicated article (coming soon).
Practical advice
- In the city of Malaga
- Allow 15 to 30 minutes
- Difficulties: PRM access (toilets, ramps) except for access to bleachers
- Price: Free
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- (see the latest news on the official website here)
9. Almunecar fish market
Why visit? Our review
The ruins of the Almuñécar fish market, located in the El Majuelo botanical park, offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s ancient industrial history. We found them to be the most original ruins in Andalucia!
These 2,500-year-old remains are part of a once-thriving fish “factory” that produced salted fish and garum, a popular fermented fish sauce, for export throughout the Roman Empire. The ruins date back to the Phoenician-Punic period, in the 4th century BC, and were enlarged by the Romans.
Useful tips
- In the town of Almunecar, on the Costa Tropical
- 1h drive from Malaga and 1h drive from Granada
- Free access
- Allow 15min to 30min
- Easy tour
10. Gorafe megalithic park
Why visit? Our review
And what we particularly like is when history meets breathtaking scenery. This is the case near Gorafe.
The Gorafe megalithic park is one of the largest megalithic sites in Spain and Europe, with over 240 dolmens spread over 11 necropolises along the Gor river. They date from the Final Neolithic to the Bronze Age (around 3000-1000 BC). Some 37 dolmens have been restored and can be visited.
As well as seeing these dolmens, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding badlands.
Useful tips
- Free access
- Unsurfaced roads, but without difficulties
- Allow 30min to 2 hours, depending on your interest and level of exploration.
And the many forts and alcazars…
And then there are the forts, alcazars (fortified Arab palaces) and alcazabas (citadels of fortified towns) all over Andalucia.
Andalucia’s forts and alcazars offer a fascinating glimpse into the region’s rich history, with ruins dating back to different eras. Many of Andalucia’s alcazars have similar layouts, with multiple enclosures, towers and gates, demonstrating the importance of defensive architecture in the region’s history.
- The Alhambra in Granada, a fortified complex and the most important architectural vestige of the Moorish empire.
- Malaga’s Alcazaba, one of Spain’s best-preserved fortresses, features elements from the Roman, Phoenician and Moorish eras.
- The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in Cordoba, with its Mudejar-inspired courtyards and gardens.
- Almería’s Alcazaba, built in 955 AD, contains the ruins of living quarters, baths and a castle.
- Fortaleza de la Mota was an 8th-century fortified town perched on a hill: its state of restoration is ideal for understanding what life was like in medieval times.
- ..
Other archaeological sites and ruins in Andalucia
Roman ruins in Andalucia
- Cartama Aqueduct (Malaga)
- Hedrionda Roman baths (underwater)
- Roman necropolis of Triotintot
- Bovedas de Marbella baths
- Roman sites in Carmona
- Villa de Brunel in Jaen
- Roman Temple of Cordoba
- Parque Arqueológico de Torreparedones
Moorish ruins in Andalucia
- Almost all the Alcazaba
Prehistoric sites in Andalucia
- Grotte de la Pileta, Benaoján: network of caves containing prehistoric paintings and engravings
- Torre-La Janera, near Antequera, nicknamed the “Stonehenge of Andalucia”, is home to over 500 menhirs, some engraved, used for ritual and funerary purposes.
Medieval ruins in Andalucia
- Almodóvar del Río Castle: 18th-century castle, originally Moorish, rebuilt in the 14th century after the Christian reconquest. It is an example of medieval military architecture.
- Ruins of Zahara de la Sierra castle: Perched atop a mountain, this castle was originally built by the Moors, then enlarged by Christian rulers in the 15th century.
Phoenician ruins
- Gadir archaeological site: beneath the streets of modern Cadiz, discover the remains of the ancient Phoenician city of Gadir, including a necropolis and urban structures dating from the 9th century BC. JC.
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