9 special places to stay in Andalucía

The southernmost territory of Spain, Andalucía is the part of the Iberian peninsula that is most quintessentially Spanish. The popular image of Spain as a land of flamenco, sherry and ruined castles derives from this spectacularly beautiful region.

Andalucía’s manageable size also makes it easy to take in something of each of its elements – inland cities, extensive coastline and mountainous sierras – even on a brief visit. Plus the proliferation of dramatic historic buildings mean there are plenty of unforgettable places to stay.

From humble family-run pensiones and hostales to five-star luxury hotels, these are some of our favourites. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Andalucía, your essential travel guide for Andalucia.

1. Convento la Almoraima, Castellar de la Frontera

Just above the Bay of Algeciras, this is a magical hotel housed inside a renovated seventeenth-century convent with a stunning patio and imposing Florentine tower. The rooms are elegantly furnished to four-star standard and there’s a pool and tennis court.

The hotel is also surrounded by vast tracts of wooded walking country in the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales, making it hard to imagine a more serene stopover. For more serenity explore the best hotels in Spain: pick of the paradores.

Where to stay in Castellar de la Frontera

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Castellar de la Frontera, typical Andalucia style street with flowers in the white facades © Photomarine/Shutterstock

2. La Casa del Califa, Vejer de la Frontera

This enchanting hotel, created inside a refurbished, part-Moorish house (reflecting the town’s Moorish origins), has magnificent views towards the coast of Cádiz far below.

Individually styled rooms are decorated with Moroccan lamps and fittings, and guests have use of two patios, a terrace and a library. If you're interested in Andalucia's heritage take a look at the best places to experience Moorish Spain.

Where to stay in Vejer de la Frontera

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3. La Seguiriya, Alhama de Granada

About 50km from the city of Granada, you'll find this charming hospedería rural and restaurant sits in an 18th century house with fine views over the tajo from its back garden. The amiable proprietors – he a former flamenco singer, she a wonderful chef – make a stay here a very special end to any Andalucía trip.

For a less expensive stay in Andalucía, take a look at our guide to the 20 best places to visit in Europe on a budget.

Where to stay in Alhama de Granada

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4. Hospedería La Cartuja, Cazalla de la Sierra

A former Carthusian monastery transformed into a charming hotel surrounded by rolling hill country with eight elegantly styled rooms in what was formerly the monastery’s gatehouse.

The evocative ruin of the fifteenth-century monastery behind Hospedería La Cartuja contains an art gallery. Cazalla de la Sierra is just over an hour's drive north of Seville, for more unique places to stay browse our guide to the world's strangest hotels.

Where to stay in Cazalla de la Sierra

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5. La Casa Grande, Arcos de la Frontera

Perched on a clifftop, this former casa señorial has a spectacular columned patio and sensational views across the vega from a terrace bar. Some of the beautiful rooms (and more expensive suites) come with their own terrace, too. Arcos de la Frontera is just 30 minutes' east of Jerez de la Frontera.

To discover the opposite of opulent places to stay in Andalucia, and still fall head over heels in love with the region, you might like one writer's inside track on how I spent two months camping in Spain for €19.

Where to stay in Arcos de la Frontera

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© Migel/Shutterstock

6. Los Pinos, Andújar, Andalucia

Secreted away in the densely wooded Parque Natural Sierra de Andújar – home to the threatened Iberian lynx – this is a very pleasant hotel with cosy en-suite rooms, apartamentos rurales and cottages arranged around a pool. There's plenty of good hiking nearby.

Where to stay in Andújar

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7. Palacio de la Rambla, Ubeda

In Ubeda's old quarter, this upmarket casa palacio owned by the Marquesa de la Rambla is the last word in understated taste. The lavish interior – with eight palatial rooms set around a stunning renaissance patio designed by Vandelvira – contains valuable furnishings and artworks.

Where to stay in Ubeda

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8. Alquería de Morayma, Cadiar

The cortijo (farmhouse) of an extensive estate is now a superb hotel set in 86 acres of farmland. Rooms are rustic and traditionally styled, plus there's a pool, mountain biking and horse-riding on offer.

You can even watch its organic farm in action, producing the wine, cheese and olive oil served in its restaurant. For more traditional, and not so traditional, Spanish experiences take a look at things not to miss in Spain.

Where to stay in Cadiar

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9. Hotel Rodalquilar, Rodalquilar

In a former gold-mining village in the Almería desert, this modern spa-inn with lofty palms and makes a great base to explore a dramatic gulch-riven landscape. Rooms are arranged around a sunken courtyard; a restaurant, pool, spa, sauna and gym plus free loan of mountain bikes are just a few of the facilities on offer.

For a completely different perspective on Andalucia, take a look at the 20 best beaches in Spain and for more hidden parts of the region, don't miss our guide to 7 must-visit places in Spain you’ve probably never considered.

Where to stay in Rodalquilar

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Old gold mine in Rodalquilar © Pabkov/Shutterstock

Ready for a trip to Spain? Check out the Rough Guide to Spain. If you travel further in Spain read more about the best time to go and the best places to visit. For inspiration use our Spain itineraries or speak to our local experts. A bit more hands on, learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay once you are there. And don't forget to buy travel insurance before you go.

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