![\"Discover](\"https:\/\/andalucialovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/best-palaces-and-castles-andalucia-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nThis opinion is completely independent<\/strong>, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.<\/p>\n\n In Andalucia, you’ll find millennia-old buildings that have stood the test of time and civilization. If you only need to visit 3 castles and palaces, we recommend it:<\/p>\n\n If you’re visiting castles and palaces in Andalucia’s main cities, opt for the multi-stop tourist buses that serve all points of interest, as in Cordoba<\/a> or Sevilla<\/a>. Did you know that the Alhambra is the most visited monument in Spain? Perched on a hill, this 8th-century palatial complex stands out majestically against the backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. Surrounded by 2200m of ramparts, it features several palaces. Built under the Nasrid dynasty, it’s a jewel of Andalusian Moorish heritage, captivating us with its architecture, vastness and gardens. The Nazrid Palaces, dating from the 13th century, are the most famous. During your visit, be careful not to touch the decorative ornaments, which tend to disappear. Nearby, you can enter the Alcazaba, an 11th-century fortress.<\/p>\n\n Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Select by city:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Select by hotel type:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The 16th-century Palais de Charles Quint houses 2 museums. First, the Alhambra Museum, with its formidable collection of Hispano-Moorish art from the Umayyad to Nasrid eras, dating from the 8th to the 15th centuries. Look up to admire the elaborate wooden ceilings and plastered walls. Then the Granada Museum of Fine Arts, located on the 1st floor of the Palace of Charles V, is an artistic treasure trove that will leave you speechless. In this building with dozens of exhibition rooms, inaugurated in the 19th century, soak up the 2,300 exhibits. Take a stroll through paintings and sculptures from the 15th to the 20th century by native Granada artists such as Alonso Cano and Mariano Fortuny. A fascinating journey through the history of Spanish art, with sections dedicated to the Renaissance, Granada Baroque and avant-garde trends. And what better setting for these masterpieces than the Renaissance-style Palace of Charles V, nestled in an exceptional historical site dating back to the Nasrid dynasty? The Alcazar of the Christian Kings in Cordoba is by far one of our favorite palaces in Andalucia. Did you know that this little-known jewel of Cordoba was built in the 14th century by King Alfonso XI, this palace fortress rests on the remains of a Visigothic fortress and a Moorish palace. Take time to admire the details of its Mud\u00e9jar architecture, a unique blend of Moorish and Renaissance elements. Fascination guaranteed! See our tips<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Get ready for a medieval adventure at Almod\u00f3var del R\u00edo Castle! Perched on a hill in the Andalusian village of the same name, this jewel of military architecture has dominated the town since the 8th century, surrounded by a moat and walls. We enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere of yesteryear in this small, well-preserved fortress that served as royal residence, prison and storehouse of great wealth. The Gothic chapel will amaze you with its sumptuous frescoes. Don’t forget to climb to the top of the towers for panoramic views. Fans of “Game of Thrones”, did you know that the castle was the setting for the series? Inside, a 20-minute film plunges you into its fascinating past, from the Umayyad conquests to the restorations of the 20th century. The icing on the cake: we drove around the town to admire the fort from every angle.<\/p>\n\n Don’t miss Sevilla’s Alcazar! Did you know that the word “alcazar” means “palace” in Arabic? Entrance to this unique venue must be booked well in advance, as the building is particularly busy. Listed as a World Heritage Site since 1987, this complex of palaces, patios and gardens has been renovated by various monarchs over the years. Construction began in the 10th century, but it was only 4 centuries later that the magnificent Mud\u00e9jar-style ornamentation was completed. We loved looking at them. Don’t miss the Galer\u00eda del Grutesco, overlooking the buildings and lush exotic gardens. This is one of our favourites in Sevilla!<\/p>\n\n All the information you need for your trip:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n The Alcazaba of Antequera stands proudly on the heights of the town of the same name. It’s an emblematic place that we think is well worth a visit. From the imposing keep of this 14th-century Moorish fortress, admire the breathtaking panorama of the town and mountains in the background. Its sturdy walls have long protected the city, earning it the nickname of “fortified town”. Inside the Alcazaba, you’ll discover vestiges and ruins from the Roman, Moorish and Christian eras, each stone telling its own story! Don’t miss the climb to the Tribute Tower, home to the region’s largest bell, installed in 1582. Note that when it rings, the noise can be quite deafening. Take time to stroll along the ramparts, contemplate the typical rectangular architecture and immerse yourself in the past with the audioguide.<\/p>\n\n Perched atop a hill, we were seduced by the Fortaleza de la Mota and its breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada. It used to be an ancient city, so you’ll have plenty of beautiful things to see there with fewer tourists, which made our experience exciting.Andalucia’s best castles and palaces: tips<\/h2>\n\n
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![\"Nasrid](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Andalucia-Lovers\/Granada\/Alhambra\/Nazaries-Palace\/i-FXRh4kS\/0\/MMZ6BFnZFwJ9gFMnjQLv6qqbqNQ4Q5wc2hVGnQ5LT\/L\/Palacios_Nazaries_Alhambra_Granada_Andalucia_Spain-L.jpg\")
1. Alhambra Fortress and Nasrid Palaces in Granada<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Alhambra](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Andalucia\/7e-Alhambra-Granada\/i-Qq8Kn8Q\/2\/Mc5f8DdCWjsjhPGW5CKvGDbBvXz7wVxJ2rdCSJQtN\/L\/Garden_Alhambra_Granada_Andalucia_Spain-5097-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy visit? Our review<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Nasrid](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Andalucia\/7f-Nazares-Palace\/i-DsxHGc6\/2\/MtCnSbHVC8rTgnW22jd4gBKHc9T4Vs4Mp26MMHqVb\/L\/Palacios_Nazaries_Alhambra_Granada_Andalucia_Spain-1823-L.jpg\")
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WHERE TO STAY IN Andalucia<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Andalucia\/Accommodations\/i-QBDJnG7\/1\/4ZLWzw32dnhwGLrbmXL5HqSdBXzWBRMQhfVrcKD4\/S\/accommodation_Tarifa_Andalucia_Spain-2764-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n2. Palace of Charles V and Generalife in the Alhambra<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Balcony](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Andalucia-Lovers\/Granada\/Alhambra\/Museum-Museo-de-Bellas-Artes\/i-tqb4w6f\/0\/MjTDZwZVSvnvQTmZpPRdpvHCQwFF28kzvp6FMqPcr\/L\/museum-museo-bellas-artes-granada-1-L.jpg\")
Why visit? Our review<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Generalife](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Andalucia-Lovers\/Granada\/Alhambra\/Generalife\/i-TKrDdsG\/0\/LJfvvX4W8jQW2qxFp7mxmWKQBM9VmTq2hMJfk2dXH\/L\/generalife_Granada_Andalucia_Spain-L.jpg\")
Useful tips<\/h3>\n\n
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3. Alcazar of the Christian Kings in Cordoba<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Alcazar](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Andalucia\/3d-Cordoba-Alcazar\/i-xmr5Kxg\/2\/Kbq9NLcbNS4HGhkDKsHR2xZLpf9z5QztZtMM8ftZ4\/L\/Alcazar_Cordoba_Andalucia_Spain-3012-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy visit? Our review<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Alcazar](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Andalucia-Lovers\/Cordoba\/Alcazar\/i-H5khSCx\/0\/MHF2g3gSgBnwNKcDjFN6j65sWXj4782Mg4q695WJ8\/L\/Alcazar_Cordoba_Andalucia_Spain-L.jpg\")
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RENT A CAR IN \nAndalucia<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Driving](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Andalucia\/Driving\/i-tqxqm2M\/1\/DBVq6wpqQpTv8CpSvmFGgfKbDdqGMK9zqdcc59cGs\/S\/Driving_Andalucia_Spain-8407-S.jpg\" "\\"\\"\/")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/provencelovers.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/ArrowRight.webp\")
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n4. Almodovar del Rio Castle<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Almodóvar](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Andalucia\/2d-Almodovar-del-rio\/i-B7t4vhL\/2\/K7V3gFVTV6vVqbhQS6RXVtxfvgDmTKMdRnh6fxWLH\/L\/Castello_Almodovar_del_rio_Andalucia_Spain-2643-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy visit? Our review<\/h3>\n\n
Useful tips<\/h3>\n\n
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5. Real Alcazar in Sevilla<\/h2>\n\n
![\"Alcazar](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Andalucia\/21b-Real-de-Alcazar\/i-6WzfbGf\/2\/DLPZJtbpZKGq67pbVZMSmBBj9JsCBN6gNxVbM8BLh\/L\/real_alcazar_Seville_Andalucia_Spain-0504-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy visit? Our review<\/h3>\n\n
![\"garden](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Travel\/Andalucia\/21bb-Real-alcazar-gardens\/i-r65mGTR\/2\/bddxPrcPbKQxp5TNCmLBgcs8md85fQcvdQHzVWwc\/L\/real_alcazar_Seville_Andalucia_Spain-0648-L.jpg\")
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PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO andalucia<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Andalusia](\"https:\/\/andalucialovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Road-trip-Guide-Andalucia-eBook-cover.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n6. Alcazaba de Antequera<\/h2>\n\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Andalucia-Lovers\/Antequera\/Alcazaba\/i-w64QCkk\/0\/MCfWRQZdGvnsjbLQvRrGm2mCgRT9MBGJD4R7Pg5RX\/L\/Antequera_alcazaba-Andalucia_Spain-1-L.jpg\")
Why visit? Our review<\/h3>\n\n
![\"Alcazaba](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Andalucia-Lovers\/Antequera\/Alcazaba\/i-pvnGPt5\/0\/KxMRsdZDpKs82wcSNx5T5z3PbDPVZb5CDwJ4ZTCMB\/L\/Antequera_alcazaba-Andalucia_Spain-2-L.jpg\")
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7. Mota fortress<\/h2>\n\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Andalucia-Lovers\/Fortaleza-de-la-Mota\/i-VfJTkX2\/0\/KrSvBnJ9XdSR3sXS8KcG9hjhQGtTH8bt2KC88PsQt\/L\/Castillo_de_la_Mota_Andalucia_Spain-1-L.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\nWhy visit? Our review<\/h3>\n\n
![\"View](\"https:\/\/photos.smugmug.com\/Andalucia-Lovers\/Fortaleza-de-la-Mota\/i-HfqG7Cv\/0\/KM48pxDmJmVBjt6k34tcLXnw63tBRLLVpGCkgQ4Kh\/L\/Castillo_de_la_Mota_Andalucia_Spain-2-L.jpg\")
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FUN in Andalucia: activities<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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