Spectacular Caves in Spain

Intense summer heat often lingers on as summer draws to a close, inspiring us to seek a little cool break from the sun. Scenic caves and grottos offer an unexpectedly refreshing itinerary option. Here’s a quick round up of Spain’s ten most attractive caves; intriguing places that have quietly awaited our presence since pre-historic times:

Unknown to many is this lively seaside neighborhood in the city of Málaga. Pedregalejo encompasses a very unique part of Spain where authentic southern Spanish fishing life is cleverly combined with modern entrepreneurship. As a result, more and more students are finding the city.

It is an ordinary Sunday morning sometime in the fall. The beach is empty except for a few young "guiris," recognizable by their long bodies and blond looks, and also by the fact that they are the only ones still venturing onto the beach in bikini outside the high season. Spaniards don't. Looking at the car-free boulevard, it is clear what they do. They stroll lustily past the numerous bars, cafes, restaurants and wooden boats on the beach, where the famous 'espetos de sardinas' are grilled on wood fires. Nice detail is that the same morning these sardines were happily swimming around in the sea you watch from the terrace.

If you look closely at the beach again, you will see that the "guiris" lying there almost without exception have books in front of them. They chose Málaga as a destination to learn Spanish and are pounding out words in the sun for the next test. Pedregalejo is home to the majority of language schools in Málaga. The advantage of staying in this neighborhood is obvious. The beach is on your doorstep, which is very convenient with the sunny climate. The inhabitants are very friendly and helpful, even those who have not yet mastered their language feel welcome. There are plenty of restaurants, the school is nearby and with bus 11, which runs every ten minutes, you are in the old center of Malaga within 20 minutes.

Since the current mayor took over governance there, the heart of Malaga has turned into one big terrace and the choice of bars, restaurants, hip terraces and clubs is endless. For a dose of culture, there are several museums, including the Picasso Museum and the recently opened Thyssen Bornemisza Museum. The port has been completely restyled and is now one of the biggest draws for tourists with fancy stores and - again - entertainment venues. Pedregalejo is riding on this growing attraction of the city, helping to make Málaga one of the most popular Spanish cities to master the language.

Marbella - the pearl of the Costa del Sol

Marbella is a well-known seaside resort in Andalucía, southern Spain. Marbella has more than 140,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest city in the province of Malaga. Marbella is mostly known for its jet set and the many celebrities who visit the city every year.

Marbella is located in the autonomous region of Andalusia between Gibraltar and Málaga. Marbella is easily reached by car or by bus from the airport of Málaga which is located about 50 km away. With an average daily temperature of 18.7 degrees Celsius per year and its 320 days of sunshine per year, the Costa del Sol, the Sunshine Coast, is an excellent destination to visit all year round. This is also one of the main reasons that many Spaniards and other Europeans have a vacation home in Marbella.

With its pleasant temperature and many days of sunshine, Marbella is a good place to play sports such as golf or tennis. Marbella has as many as 10 golf courses, and every year the WTA women's tennis tournament is held in Marbella.

The name Marbella means "beautiful sea" and derives from the name the Moors gave the city, Marbil-la. In the city you can still find many things from the time of the Moors. For example, the Moors built a castle and walled the city. Parts of this fortification wall are still present. The old part of town consists of small narrow streets where the real Spanish atmosphere can be found.

Puerto Banus

The new part of Marbella is mostly known for its glitz and glamour, jet set and the many celebrities who visit the city every year. Puerto Banús is the most prestigious pleasure port in the Mediterranean. Many celebrities or Middle Eastern leaders have their boats here, including the king of Saudi Arabia. Near Puerto Banús is also the famous Boulevard of Fame, this boulevard has the same idea as the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Parks in Marbella

The new and old parts of the city also have many parks and gardens. Located in the center of the city is Parque Arroyo de la Represa. This park includes several sports fields, two ponds and the Bonsai Museum. Parque de la Alameda is a park very popular with locals. People come here for a walk and events and markets are regularly held in this park. In addition to the parks, in the area of Marbella, just outside the city you can also find a botanical garden, Jardin botanico el Angel. This botanical garden has been one of the oldest botanical gardens in Spain since the 18th century. 

If there's one sound associated with Spain, it's the dramatic melodies of flamenco. Read on and discover must-include spots for your flamenco tour in Spain.

1. Seville

If you're in Andalusia's vibrant capital city, you've got to go to Los Gallos. Located just two minutes from Murillo Gardens, this is one of Seville's most famous and prestigious tablaos (flamenco venues).

Flamenco lovers won't want to miss the wonderful exhibits displayed at the city's Museo del baile flamenco (Flamenco Dance Museum). You'll find it on the street that bears its name, right next to the Giralda and the Cathedral. Another Seville flamenco hotspot is Puerta de Triana, a performance hall on Castilla street in the legendary Triana neighborhood, famous as a hub for flamenco activity.

2. Madrid

Spain's capital seems to absorb the country's most exciting cultural traditions, and flamenco is no exception. The city offers some of the oldest and most intimate venues for catching flamenco action.

The Corral de la Morería, included in The Michelin Guide and centrally located right next to the Plaza Mayor (on calle Morería), is one of Madrid's most historic tablaos. The famous Café de chinita sits in Madrid's historic district, between the Palacio Real de Madrid (the Royal Palace of Madrid) and the Gran Vía. Finally, the Corral de la Pacheca, near the Plaza de Castilla, rounds out a golden triangle of cante jondo (deep song).

3. Cordoba

Heading through the historical Jewish quarter, you'll find El Cardenal, where flamenco performers offer spectacular entertainment to audiences dining on local cuisine in an open patio.

On the back side of the Plaza de la Corredera, La Bulería is another essential flamenco house, along with Rincón del cante at the Plaza de las Tendillas.

4. Granada

Visitors are strongly encouraged to visit the Camino del Sacromonte to see the Cueva de María la Canastera (the Cave of María la Canastera) and experience joyful cheer accompanied by song, dance, and hypnotic hand clapping.

In the historic Arab district of Albaicín, Peña la Platería is Granada's most vibrant flamenco tablao, a place that's decidedly not designed for tourists, which always guarantees an authentic experience.

5. Cadiz

The lively cheer of this coastal city will invite you to lose your way in the old quarter, where the smooth sounds of guitar strumming and passionate singing guide you to La Cava, next to the Plaza de España. Here, you'll also find the Peña Flamenca de Enrique el Mellizo, named after one of Cadiz´s most historic and celebrated musical figures. This is where seasoned flamenco masters and new-comers alike offer memorable performances for the enjoyment of visitors as they savor the delicious
flavors of Cadiz cuisine.

6. Jerez de la Frontera

Considered by many as the home of the cante jondo, this is one of the world's most influential flamenco centers. Back dropped by elegant horses and the robust aromas of sherry wine, the city offers emblematic flamenco performance halls such as Peña la Bulería in the populated neighborhood of San Miguel, next to the Ermita de San Telmo. The sense of humor that characterizes the people of Cadiz is recalled in the name of another popular Jerez tablao: El lagá del Tío Parrilla (located just across from the Museum of Archeology), which offers the most spectacular dance shows imaginable.

7. Malaga

The Peña Juan Breva tablao sits huddled by the foot of the Gibralfaro Mountain, where it is cooed by the city's unique traditional melodies.

Its stage has witnessed some of the greatest flamenco performances ever. If you'd like to not only observe, but also participate in this high passion art form, you can always head to the Liceo Flamenco, between the Cathedral and Gibralfaro Castle, where you can visit the flamenco museum, taste wines from Malaga and take dance and guitar lessons.

8. Barcelona

As a city that has historically received large amounts of people emigrating from Andalusia, Catalonia's capital is home to some of flamenco's most acclaimed artists. Right downtown on the Rambla, opposite the Teatre del Liceu (the cathedral of classical and opera music, you'll find the Tablao Flamenco Cordobés. Crossing the street you come across La Traviata a Sara Baras.

The legacy of Carmen Amaya, perhaps the greatest flamenco dancer in history, lives on at El Tablao de Carmen, located in the well-known Poble espanyol, on Montjuic.

9. Jaen

The Plaza Coca de la Piñera, next to the library, puts on a surprising program of flamenco shows nearly all year round.

The Peña el Cabrelillo, just behind town hall, is one of Andalusia's longest standing flamenco institutions, a place full of love, faithfulness and a passionate interest to safe guard el cante in its purest form. In the city of Ubeda, the Tablao casa-museo andalusí, next to the Parador, offers the unique opportunity to enjoy flamenco in a gorgeous building on calle Narváez.

10. Murcia

This city-province-autonomous community (all in one) has a special flamenco tradition, as demonstrated in the Festival de Cante de las minas, celebrated in La Unión on the last week in March. At this yearly festival, Spain's best flamenco singer is awarded flamenco's equivalent to the Oscar, known as la lámpara minera. In the city of Murcia, the historic Teatro Romea has been home to the Cumbre Flamenca de Murcia for the last twenty years, a symposium that gathers the most respected singers, guitar players and flamenco experts for a three week period to discuss the finer points of the art and to offer special performances.

We hope that after this quick tour you decide to include some of these cities on your own tour of Spain, where the magic of flamenco awaits to inspire you in true Spanish style.

Photo thanks to: randomix, im elsewhere, Gabrilu, Placida, Dani, Johnny Shaw, Sofie, Migpascual, Dariorana, Keith Williamson