Andalusia Love: Amazing Virtual Tours of Southern Spain

a pretty corner of Seville Spain
a pretty corner of Seville Spain

Here’s my armchair travel guide to a virtual tour of sun-kissed Andalusia Spain. Andalusia is one of the best destinations in southern Spain, a virtual cornucopia of beautiful architecture and must see landmarks.

In this wanderlusty guide, you’ll find the best virtual tours of Andalusia’s must see landmarks, attractions, and museums. Through the magic of vicarious travel you can now be instantly transported to sunny southern Spain without leaving your home. Or even your bed (no judgment).

Andalusia is a visual feast — a seductive mix of Mudéjar palaces, ornate Baroque churches, magnificent architecture, and natural wonders. There’s a romance to it. And, besides, in Andalusia, tapas is life. I can subscribe to that lifestyle.

If you can’t travel to Andalusia for whatever reason, virtual travel is a splendid option. You just need to access the right resources. In this virtual travel guide to Andalusia, I’ll point you to curated tours and exhibits, 360 degree panoramic tours, and videos to allow you to explore Andalusia’s must see cultural landmarks online from home.

READ: 10 Day Toad Trip Itinerary for Andalusia

the mighty Alhambra, a UNESCO site in Granada
the mighty Alhambra, UNESCO site in Granada

The Best Virtual Tours of Andalusia Spain: How To Travel To Southern Spain From Home

Let’s scratch that itch for Spain and tour Spain’s finest cultural treasures. For an overview of the history of Andalusia, read this.

1. The Alhambra, Granada

The Alhambra is the world’s last and greatest Moorish fortress. The Alhambra sits on a stunning piece of real estate – a high, mountainous location on Sabika Hill with sweeping views over the city of Granada and the surrounding countryside.

The Alhambra became a UNESCO site in 1984. There are four must see sites: the Nasrid Palace, Charle’s V Palace, the Alcazaba, and the Generalife Gardens. The Nasrid Palace is the over the top ornate highlight, with its incredibly beautiful Moorish ceilings and ornate plasterwork.

You can take a virtual tour of the Alhambra on Google Arts & Culture. The official Alhambra website offers an impressive 3D virtual tour of the entire site. You can take another virtual tour here and listen to a YouTube documentary video here.

Granada Cathedral
Granada Cathedral

2. Granada Cathedral, Granada

Granada Cathedral is a massive Renaissance-Baroque affair. It’s the second largest cathedral in Spain after Seville Cathedral and the fourth largest cathedral in the world. It was built by Queen Isabella after the conquest of Granada. Construction began in 1518, but it took over 180 years to complete.

Like Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia in northern Spain, the cathedral isn’t yet finished. It’s a bit lopsided. Only one of the planned two 80 meter towers were ever completed. Even that tower had to be lowered, when the Gothic foundations couldn’t sustain its heavy weight.

You can take a virtual tour of Granada Cathedral on YouTube here.

reflecting pool in the Court of the Maidens
reflecting pool in the Court of the Maidens

3. The Royal Alcazar, Seville

The Royal Alcazar is the best site in Seville and my favorite spot in southern Spain. It’s a breathtaking 10th century palace that King Pedro the Cruel gave a 14th century Mudéjar facelift. Inside, the highlights are the Hall of the Ambassadors, the Courtyard of the Maidens, the Courtyard of the Dolls, and the Hall of Tapestries in the Gothic Palace.

The crown jewel of the Alcazar is the sumptuous Mudéjar Palace of King Pedro, built around the iconic Maiden’s Courtyard with a long reflecting pool. The Ambassador’s Hall, or Throne Room, is the big showstopper. It’s nicknamed the “Half Orange” Room, in honor of its gilded cedar domed ceiling.

grotto in the gardens of the Royal Alcazar
grotto in the gardens of the Royal Alcazar

Outside, there’s a series of verdant lush gardens. The Baths of Maria De Padilla were built for King Pedro’s mistress. The baths are a Game of Thrones filming location, a place where the Sand Snakes plot.

You can take a virtual tour of the Royal Alcazar on Google Arts & Culture. Or take a YouTube tour of the site. Here’s my complete guide to visiting the Royal

Alcazar.

Plaza de Espana, one of the most beautiful squares in Spain
Plaza de Espana, one of the most beautiful squares in Spain

4. Plaza de Espana, Seville

The Plaza de Espana is one of the famous architectural landmarks in Seville. It stands out in a city already overflowing with beautiful architecture.

READ: 3 Day Itinerary for Seville

The plaza was built for the Ibero-American World Fair of 1929, where Spanish speaking countries enjoyed a year long mutual admiration festival. The park’s highlight is the Spanish Pavilion, the sweeping half circle structure with rose gold brick buildings.

Designed in an Art Deco style with some Moorish touches, the Plaza has the expected Spanish flair — lots of color and lavish embellishment. The tiles show historical scenes and maps from the 49 provinces of Spain arranged in alphabetical order.

You can take a virtual YouTube tour of the Plaza de Espana here and a Google Street View tour here.

the candy cane like arches inside the Mezquita in Cordoba
the candy cane like arches inside the Mezquita

5. Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Cordoba

Dating from the 10th century, Cordoba’s Mosque-Cathedral, locally called the Mezquita, is a magnificent UNESCO site and one of the world’s most well- preserved Islamic buildings.

In the 16th century, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella converted the Mezquita into a cathedral. It’s a a snapshot of the sophisticated dual culture that once existed in southern Spain. Inside, the Mezquita is an eye catching forest of candy cane horseshoe arches.

Highlights of the Mezquita are the Mihrab (or high altar in a mosque), the Visigoth mosaics and ruins, the Royal Chapel, and the central golden altar. Newly restored, the Christian altar makes it easy to forget you’re in a former mosque.

You can take a virtual 360 tour of the Mezquita here. You can read in detail about the building on the official website, which also has beautiful photos. Or take this virtual tour via YouTube.

the UNESCO-listed Roman Bridge in Cordoba
the UNESCO-listed Roman Bridge in Cordoba

6. Roman Bridge, Cordoba

The first thing you will see when approaching historic Cordoba is its handsome Roman Bridge with 16 undulating arches. The sandstone bridge, now traffic free, is part of Cordoba’s UNESCO classification. It spans the mud-brown Guadalquivir River.

The Roman Bridge was built in the 1st century B.C., and so is of Augustian vintage. It formed part of the ancient Via Augusta, which ran from Girona to Cadiz. Most of the current structures date from an 8th century Moorish reconstruction. It has 16 arches supported by irregular semi-cylindrical buttresses.

You can take a virtual tour of the elegant bridge here and see super-sized photos of the bridge here.

Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral

7. Seville Cathedral, Seville

Seville Cathedral is a massive Gothic affair. It’s the largest cathedral in the world.

In 1402, after vanquishing the Moors in the Reconquista, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella began buiding a Gothic style cathedral. They wanted a showy display of Seville’s wealth, power, and influence. 

The sheer scale of the building is intimidating. There are 15 doors on the cathedral’s four facades and each one features a unique relief or carving. The nave is the longest in the world.

The Cathedral houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. It’s also home to La Giralda, or the bell tower, which dates from 1184. It’s the symbol of Seville and the oldest part of the cathedral complex. It was originally constructed as the minaret of the Almohad Mosque that previously stood here.

You can take an interactive 3D virtual tour of Seville cathedral here. Or check out the online information on Google Arts & Culture here.

entrance to the dolmen of Viera in Antequera
entrance to the dolmen of Viera in Antequera

8. Dolmens of Antequera, Antequera

Antequera is known as the “Florence of Andalusia.” The white pueblo town has a stunning medieval and Baroque historical core. But its main claim to fame is its UNESCO-listed megaliths, one of the oldest things on the planet.

The UNESCO site comprises three monuments: the Menga dolmen, the Viera dolmen, and the Tholos of El Romeral dolmen. They were built during the Neolithic, Bronze, and Copper Ages out of large stone blocks. The rocks form chambers with linteled roofs or false cupolas. They resemble caves and almost blend into the landscape.

The dolmens’ purpose is mysterious and is still unclear to archaeologists. They’re commonly associated with prehistoric communities of farmers and ranchers. They were probably used as burial chambers, temples, and places for ceremonies.

You can take a 3D virtual tour of the dolmens on Google Arts & Culture. And you can take virtual tours of the dolmens of Menga, El Romeral, and Viera. Here’s my complete guide to the dolmens of Antequera. And my guide to the town of Antequera itself, which I just loved.

the dramatic town of Ronda with its Punta Nuevo
the dramatic town of Ronda with its Punta Nuevo

9. New Bridge, Ronda | Puente Nuevo

Ronda is a pretty Andalusian town perched on a mountainous gash carved by the Río Guadalevín. Ronda is synonymous with its dramatic 18th century bridge, the Puente Nuevo. The bridge connects the two parts of the town over the 328 feet El Tajo gorge.

The Punta Nuevo was built from 1751 to 1793, when the old bridge collapsed after just 6 years. You can even enter the structure of the bridge itself via the New Bridge Interpretive Center. But the views of the bridge are better from the outside than the inside.

You can take a virtual YouTube tour of the famed bridge here.

Nerja Caves
Nerja Caves

10. Nerja Caves, Nerja

Nerja is a lovely town on the Costa del Sol. Just north of the town lie the Nerja Caves. Discovered by accident in 1959 when someone fell through a hole, the caves are a major attraction in southern Spain. The two acre cave complex is home to many natural wonders.

The caves’ most striking feature is the world’s tallest stalactite in the Cataclysm Hall. It’s 33 meters high. Paintings from the Stone Age were also discovered in the caves, making the caves a Spanish Heritage site in 1985.

There’s a video about the Nerja Caves on the Nerja Tourism site. And Nerja Caves has just launched a Google Street View virtual tour where you can see 360 degree high definition images of the caves.

Alcazaba of Almería
Alcazaba of Almería

11. Almeria Alcazaba | Alcazaba of Almería

The Alcazaba of Almeria was built in the 10th century by Caliph And-al-Rhaman III. It’s a formidable military fortification with fantastic crenelated battlements.

The Alcazaba is the largest Moorish fortress in Spain and parts were modeled after the Alhambra. Almeria was once an enormously important trading city in Andalusia. The saying went: “When Almeria was Almeria, Granada was but its farm.”

You can take a virtual tour of the mighty fortress here.

ruins of the Roman amphitheater in Italica in Santiponce
ruins of the Roman amphitheater in Italica

12. Ruins of Italica | Conjunto Arqueológico de Itálica

The Romans founded Italica in 206 B.C. It’s reputedly the birthplace of three Roman Emperors — Hadrian, Trajan, and Theodosius. Now, Italica is a large Roman archaeological site outside Seville.

READ: Best Day Trips From Seville

The amphitheater once held 25,000 people, and was the third largest in the Roman Empire. Italica is now in modern day Santiponce. To safeguard the ruins, Santiponce has applied for UNESCO World Heritage status.

You can take a virtual tour of the ruins on Google Arts & Culture. Via Google Street View, you can explore Italica up close.

the 8th century Castillo Almodovar del Rio outside Cordoba
the 8th century Castillo Almodovar del Rio outside Cordoba

13. Almodovar Castle | Castillo Almodovar del Rio

Just a short 15 mile jaunt from Cordoba is the beautiful and isolated Castillo de Almodovar del Rio.

The imposing castle is 1300 years old, dating back to the 8th century. When the castle was originally built, it was called Al-Mudawvar, meaning “round” or  “safe,” which is the origin of the town’s name, Almodovar. Ruling from the Royal Alcazar in Seville, Peter the Cruel used the castle as a prison and treasury.

Castle Almodóvar was substantially restored over 36 years in the 20th century. It has 8 crenelated towers to explore. It’s one of the best historic sites in southern Spain. The castle even served as a Game of Thrones filming location in season 7.

You can visit the castle virtually via drone here.

Ramon Casa Carbo, Julia, 1915 -- in the Carmen Thyssen Museum
Ramon Casa Carbo, Julia, 1915 — in the Carmen Thyssen Museum

14. Musee Carmen Thyssen Malaga, Malaga

Opened in 2011, the Carmen Thyssen Museum was founded by Baroness Carmen Cerera Thyssen, the 5th wife of Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza (of Madrid museum fame). An art patron and socialite, she used her inheritance to become one of the world’s foremost art collectors.

READ: Best Museums in Spain

Located in the 16th century Palacio de Villalon, her eponymous museum holds 230 individual pieces. It features 19th century Spanish painting, with a focus on artists from Andalusia. The most famous painters in this collection are Zurburan, Sorolla, Zuloaga, and Romero Torres.

You can take a virtual tour of the Carmen Thyssen Museum on Google Arts & Culture. You an also take virtual tours on the museum’s website.

Picasso Museum in Malaga Spain, housed in the Buena Vista Palace
Picasso Museum in Malaga Spain, housed in the Buena Vista Palace

15. Musee Picasso Malaga, Malaga

Opened in 2003, the Picasso Museum in Malaga is housed in the Buena Vista Palace, a pretty combination of Renaissance and Mudejar architecture. Small but sweet, the museum holds 285 works donated by Picasso’s family members or held on permanent loan. Mostly from his grandson Bernard.

READ: Guide To Picasso Museums in Europe

The collection spans Picasso’s lifetime and gives a good overview. You won’t find any masterpieces here. But highlights include Picasso’s early academic studies, cubist pieces, and some of his last paintings from the 1970s.

The museum website provides virtual tours of Picasso’s different creative periods and virtual tours of its current exhibitions. The museum also has a YouTube video that takes you through its collection.

the beautiful cloister of Seville's Fine Art Museum
the beautiful cloister of Seville’s Fine Art Museum

16. Museo des Bellas Artes, Seville

The Museo de Bellas Artes, or Museum of Fine Arts, is a smashing museum, quite lovely. It’s known, after the Prado, as the “second art gallery in Spain.” It’s housed in a salmon colored former convent.

The museum has art from the middle ages to the 20th century. But it’s most known for its collection of 17th century art from Spain’s Golden Age, featuring Spain’s top painters Zurbarán, Murillo, El Greco, and Velazquez. You’ll see a lot of monks, balding saints, cherubs, and depictions of Christ.

You can take a virtual tour of the Seville Museum of Fine Arts’ masterpieces on Google Arts & Culture. There are excellent online exhibits on Baroque masters and on the museum’s superstar Murillo.

Museum of Almeria in Almeria Spain
Museum of Almeria in Almeria Spain

17. Museum of Almeria, Almeria | Museo de Almeria

Time stand still in this archaeological museum, with a surprisingly good collection, effectively a cross section of life on earth. Its collection spans prehistoric to Roman artifacts.

A highlight of this museum is the “stratigraphic column.” It’s a four-story tall idealized recreation of the sequence of historic time periods. There’s also an exhibit about the Alcazaba of Almeria and reconstructions of burial tombs.

You can take a virtual tour of the museum, learn about its incredible discoveries, and explore online exhibits on Google Arts & Culture here. You can also take a Google Street View tour of the museum here.

Archaeological Museum of Seville
Archaeological Museum of Seville

18. Archaeological Museum of Seville | Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla

The Archaeological Museum of Seville was founded in the late 19th century with a collection of antiquities, mostly from Italica. It’s housed in the Fine Arts Pavilion built by Aníbal González for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929.

The museum has three main collections: (1) prehistory and protohistory in Seville; (2) artifacts from the Roman Era through the Modern Age; and (3) a library and temporary exhibition space. There’s an important display of Roman statues from the time of Emperor Hadrian.

You can take a virtual tour of the museum on Google Arts & Culture here and a Google Street view virtual tour here. Right now, the museum also has an online exhibit about one of my favorite topics, the gods and goddesses of ancient Rome here.

colorful patio in Cordoba Spain
colorful patio in Cordoba Spain

If you’d like to travel virtually to other places in Europe, I’ve got guides for that too:

Virtual Rome

Virtual London

Virtual Barcelona

Virtual Paris

Virtual France

Virtual Lisbon

Virtual French Chateaux

Virtual Paris Museums

Virtual Italian Museums

Virtual Spanish Museums

If you’d like to travel virtually to southern Spain, pin it for later.

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