PLACES TO VISIT NEAR SEVILLA

Although Seville is one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia and you can spend days and days in this city enjoying the sites we would like to give you some suggestions to visit some other places in a surrounding of about 150 km´s from Seville We shall give you the global direction for the trips but more detailed you can find everything in GoogleMaps..

Costa de la Luz

The beautiful region of the white villages of Cadiz is divided in two areas, the Atlantic coast, and the Mountain range. A beautiful day trip by car is visiting Tarifa, Vejer de la Frontera and Conil de la Frontera.

This trip will take almost a whole day but is very worthwhile and will give you a good impression of the south of Spain at the Atlantic coast, Costa de la Luz. We suggest starting this trip in Tarifa and then head back to Seville along the coast passing the other villages. To go to Tarifa leave Sevilla on the highway E5 direction Cadiz and before reaching Cadiz stay on the E5 direction Chiclana de la Frontera, follow this road that will change in N340 to Tarifa.

Tarifa

On the southernmost tip of Spain (the narrowest point on the strait of Gibraltar) and less than 14 km away from North Africa (Morocco), is Tarifa, a bustling, lively place. In good weather, you can see the 10th century Castillo de Gúzman el Bueno on the Rif Mountains in North Africa from the most famous monument in the city. This castle was originally built on an Alcazar (Moorish fortress) and served in defence of the raids from Africa and the North (Vikings). The castle has played an important role in Spanish history for centuries. Recently it has been restored. Tarifa has been in the hands of the Moors for almost six centuries and you can clearly see that in the city.Tarifa is the gateway to the beautiful Costa de la Luz, with miles of white unspoiled beaches. Because of the strong winds it is extremely popular by wind- and kite surfers. The coastline is just as popular with nature lovers and likes to come for the pristine scenery of the El Estrecho Nature Park in this park you will find the Mirador del Estrecho where on a clear day you can see the coast of Africa. It is also the place in Spain where you can spot dolphins/whales and see the birds' trek across the strait of Gibraltar from Africa to Europe. Tarifa has managed to maintain its national quality. The old historic city exudes atmosphere with narrow streets and white houses. At night, the walled area turns into a network of bustling clubs and bars. Old and new are combined and is becoming more and more one of the hippest destinations in Andalusia!

Photos from left to right: 1 - Statue of Jesus Christ at the entrance of the port, 2 - Excursion to Dolphins, 3 - Surfers beach, 4 - City view ftom the sea, 5 - narrow streets of Tarifa, 6 - View over the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa,¡

Bolonia

Heading back direction Seville from Tarifa you can drive to the beautiful beaches of Bolonia here you will also find the ruins of the old Roman city Baelo Claudia in the former province Italica.The white beaches and high sand dunes of Bolonia are to be considered the most beautiful of the Costa de la Luz

Photos from left to right: 1 - White beaches of Bolonia, 2 - Sand Dunes, 3 - Roman Ruins of Baelo Claudia

Vejer de la Frontera, Conil de la Frontera, Caños de Meca, Barbate and Arcos de la Frontera

Leaving Bolonia you can drive to Vejer de la Frontera a charming and  beautiful village in the mountains just 8 kms from the seaside. On a clear day you can see Africa from Vejer de la Frontera. After a nice walk in the village enjoying the views, you head on to Conil de la Frontera. Arriving there it should be about lunch time. We can recommend for lunch the Restaurant el Mirador del Roqueo Other options for lunch is driving to the beaches of Caños de Meca (about 20 minutes) and have your lunch in the Hotel Restaurant Breña or in the more economical restaurant el Caña.
If you like good meat from the retina cows from the grill we advise you to go  to Asador el Antojo en Barbate. This restaurant is in front of Cape Trafalgar where the battle of Trafalgar between Admiral Nelson and the French/Spanish fleet took place in 1805.
Finally heading back to Seville, you can make a last stop if you wish and visit the beautiful Arcos de la Frontera and enjoy a coffee. If you prefer to stay all day at the seaside, we highly recommend you stay in Barbate and go to Hotel Sajorami Beach a lounge bar and hotel where concerts are given in the sunset. From Arcos de la Frontera we head back to Sevilla by the A5.

Photos from left to right: 1 -  Arcos de la Frontera, 2  - Caños de Meca, 3 - Conil, 4 - Restaurante Mirador del Roqueo, 5 - Vejer de la Frontera, 6 - Cape Trafalgar.

Sierra de Huelva

A trip to this area of mountains with the highest peaks at Jabuga (675 mtr) and Cortegana (679 mtr) is more something to undertake in the period from autumn until spring. In these seasons the countryside looks at its best.The trip will take you the biggest part of one day and it is best to start from Cortegana leaving Sevilla to Cortegena in the morning on the E803 to El Garoba and then follow your way to Cortegana on the N433. 

Arrived in Cortegana is a castle from the medieval you can visit this castle. Cortegana Castle is a fortress of medieval origin built in this town by the people of Huelva in Andalusia This defensive complex is the fruit of the reforms and extensions of the eliminations carried out between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries.After this you start on your way back to Seville passing, and if you like visiting the villages; Jabugo, Alajar, Aracena and Higuera. All these villages are mainly depending on tourism and Iberico Ham. Passing by you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes where the black Iberico pigs live.In all the villages you will find some shops to buy Iberico pork products. Next to Jabugo we get to Alajar, here the Spanish writer, humanist and advisor of King Felipe II, Benito Arias Montano (1527-1598) frequently came and did some climbing to relax his mind. If you are in the mood you can make one of these climbs from Alajar. If you reach the top of the mountain you can see the ocean on a clear day. From Alajar you follow your way to Aracena here you can visit some marvellous prehistoric caves (Gruta de las Maravillas) For lunch we recommend the Restaurant Casa Vicente in Alajar with great homemade dishes and of course the finest Iberian Ham from the region. You can also drive through to Higuera de la Sierra already close to Seville and enjoy your lunch in restaurant La Colmena. The serve good food against economic prices, After Higuera we head back for Seville and passed another great day

Photos from left to right; 1 - Cortegana, 2 - Map of the Sierra de Huelva, 3 - Alajar, 4 - Iberian Porks alangside the road to Higuera, 5 - Beautiful landscape, 6 - alongside the road to Higuera