Iznajar is ideally located in between many major cities, towns and attractions. Many are easily accessible for day trips, while others may be worth staying an extra night.
Don’t worry, your Villa nestled within the Olive fields of Andalusia will be waiting for you once you have explored it all…to get away from it all!
Below are a few of our recommendations (measured by distance from Iznajar). All images were taken on our own visits to these wonderful places!
PREGIO DE CORDOBA
APPROX DISTANCE FROM THE VILLA: 36 min- great for lunch or an afternoon visit. (SEE MAP)
MUST SEE: Fuente del Rey & surrounding park
ABOUT THE CITY: Pregio De Cordoba is a delightful town only half an hour away and a great place to visit for lunch or a day visit.
This prosperous olive-farming town stands on a plateau overlooking the rolling hills of the Subbética Mountain Range, and is famous for its baroque churches, in which the convoluted patterns are elegantly incised into the stone façades, such as the Iglesia de la Asunción and the Iglesia de la Aurora.
The interesting sights are clearly signposted in Priego de Cordoba. The old town is built around the Arabic castle at the edge of the escarpment.
GRANADA
APPROX DISTANCE FROM IZNAJAR: 1 hour 10 min . A fantastic day trip. (SEE MAP)
MUST SEE: Alhambra Palace, Granada Cathedral, Alcaiceria
ABOUT THE CITY: Granada is a city in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s known for grand examples of medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation, especially the Alhambra. This sprawling hilltop fortress complex encompasses royal palaces, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, as well as the fountains and orchards of the Generalife gardens.
It is an easy place to explore on foot, with many places in easy reach.
The famous Alhambra fortress is a must see visit (you must pre book to see the palace itself, VISIT SITE HERE) and is an incredible example of Moorish Architecture.
Visit the Alcaiceria (marketplace) and the Cathedral too as a fantastic example of the many architectural sites Granada has to offer.
Wander through Granada’s fascinating Moorish old quarter, the labyrinthine Albaicin; then plan to head out again by night, because the nightlife here is particularly lively.
MALAGA
APPROX DISTANCE: 1hr 10min Malaga has something for everyone…beaches, restaurants, nightlife, old town, fiestas and so much more! >>SEE MAP
MUST SEE: So much to see and do! Visit the port, The Old Town (Gibralfaro, Roman Theatre), Malaga Cathedral, check out one of the many beaches (Playa De La Malagueta being most famous). In August the Malaga Feria is a must do!
Also, visit MIJAS PUEBLO: described as “One of the jewels of the Costa del Sol” it is 400 metres above sea level with stunning views over Malaga and the coast. “Despite its huge popularity with tourists, Mijas Pueblo has somehow managed to retain much of its traditional Andalucian way of life, the locals displaying their unabashed passion for all things festive and an unmistakable relaxed ‘mañana’ outlook on anything that can be put off for another day”. Great place to eat lunch.
ABOUT THE CITY: (From Google Travel Guide) Málaga is a port city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, known for its high-rise hotels and resorts jutting up from yellow-sand beaches. Looming over that modern skyline are the city’s 2 massive hilltop citadels, the Alcazaba and ruined Gibralfaro, remnants of Moorish rule. The city’s soaring Renaissance cathedral is nicknamed La Manquita (“one-armed lady”) because one of its towers was curiously left unbuilt.
In the city centre is the Picasso Museum, showcasing works of the famous artist, born in Málaga in 1881. There’s also the Fundación Picasso, dedicated to the study of the man.The city’s many other museums include the Museo Carmen Thyssen, focusing on 19th-century Andalusian painting, and the CAC Málaga, exhibiting pieces by up-and-coming artists. The 19th-century bullring La Malagueta still holds fights, especially during August’s famous Málaga Fair. Tapas restaurants and bars line the beachfront and harbor, serving fried anchovies and other regional staples, many reflecting a North African influence.
CORDOBA
APPROX DISTANCE FROM IZNAJAR: 1 hour 15 min …a marvellous day trip with lots to see and history. (SEE MAP)
MUST SEE: Mezquita Cathedral, Cordoba Old Town, Medieval Quarter, Roman Bridge, Tower of Calahorra, Alcazar
ABOUT THE CITY: Córdoba is a city in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. It was an important Roman city and a major Islamic center in the Middle Ages. It’s best known for La Mezquita, an immense mosque dating from 784 A.D., featuring a columned prayer hall and older Byzantine mosaics. After it became a Catholic church in 1236, a Renaissance-style nave was added in the 17th century.
RONDA
APPROX DISTANCE: 1HR 30 MIN A stunning ancient Roman Aquaduct with spectacular views, great places to eat. A fab day trip >>SEE MAP
MUST SEE: The Aquaduct is spectacular! The more adventurous may want to wander to the bottom of the aquaduct and explore the river and gully below.
NERJA
APPROX DISTANCE: 1hr 45min The perfect place to visit with a combined trip to Malaga. Stunning scenery, beaches and places to eat. >>SEE MAP
MUST SEE: Walk along the promenade, enjoy the views over the Meditteranean, enjoy one of the many restaurants.
ABOUT THE CITY: (From Google Travel Guide) Nerja is a resort town along southern Spain’s Costa del Sol. Its seafront promenade, Balcón de Europa, tops a promontory with views of the Mediterranean and surrounding mountains. Below it lies sandy beaches and cliffside coves. Cueva de Nerja, a nearby cavern with unusual stalactites and stalagmites, hosts popular summertime concerts. It’s also known for its palaeolithic paintings, viewable by guided tour.
SEVILLE
APPROX DISTANCE: 2hr 15min. One of Spains most beautiful and stunning cities. We recommend spending a night over in the city to really get a feel for the place and to take in all the sites and culture. >>see MAP
MUST SEE: The Cathedral, Alcazar of Seville, Tower of Giralda, Plaza De Espana, Casa De Pilatos, Parque De Maria Luisa…and do the horse and carriage ride!
ABOUT THE CITY: Your first impression of Seville is wow. Lonely Planet summarise it well…”Some cities blast you away, others slowly win you over. Seville disarms and seduces you. Its historic centre, lorded over by a colossal Gothic cathedral, is an intoxicating mix of resplendent Mudéjar palaces, baroque churches and winding medieval lanes. Flamenco clubs keep the intimacy and intensity of this centuries-old tradition alive whilst aristocratic mansions recall the city’s past as a showcase Moorish capital and, later, a 16th-century metropolis rich on the back of New World trade”. (Excerpt from the LONELY PLANET. >>See more)
GIBRALTAR
APPROX DISTANCE: 2hr 20min…Gibraltar is a touch of the UK in Spain. Visting this famous destination can be done in a day or team it up with an overnight and visit Tarifa too. You will need your PASSPORT to visit Gibraltar. We suggest parking on the Spanish side and going in on foot. It will be much quicker and driving in Gibraltar can be a nightmare. >>SEE MAP
MUST SEE: You must go up the rock! Hire a taxi which will take you to the main sites, and most fees are included in the price (and when put together is comparable to using the cable car and paying separate site entries) The cable car is good too if you are willing to walk and wait. Make sure you visit St Michaels Cave, The Nature Reserve, Moorish Castle and see the Monkey feeding. Be careful of the Monkeys though, they associate plastic bags with food and will grab it out of your hands! The Gibraltar town is also a lovely place to grab something to eat and shop.
ABOUT GIBRALTAR: Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and headland, on Spain’s south coast. It’s dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m-high limestone ridge. First settled by the Moors in the Middle Ages and later ruled by Spain, the outpost was ceded to the British in 1713. Layers of fortifications include the remains of a 14th-century Moorish Castle and the 18th century Great Siege Tunnels, which were expanded in WWII. Gibraltar is famously also home to wild Barbary macaques. An aerial cable car climbs to Apes’ Den, where these monkeys are fed daily, and to the peak of the Rock. St. Michael’s Cave is a natural grotto with stalactites and stalagmites as well as a stage for concerts and plays. Along the 12km coast, Eastern Beach and Catalan Bay are sandy stretches with seafood restaurants. Near Gibraltar’s southern tip is the red and white striped Europa Point Lighthouse, dating to the 1840s. (Taken from Gibraltar Travel Guide by Google)
TARIFA
APPROX DISTANCE: 2hr 40min Stunning beaches, historic Castille, wonderful sunsets, and old town and a world of water-based activities await you in Tarifa! Do an overnight and combine it with a trip to Cadiz only another 1hr 30min away. >>SEE MAP
MUST SEE: VIsit Tarifa beach and watch or partake in windsurfing and kitesurfing (it can be very windy here and perfect for kitesurfing).Go horseriding along the beach. Eat at one of the many Beach restaurants and wait to see the sunset. Truly spectacular! Visit the old town in Tarifa full of bars and places to eat with boutique shopping.
ABOUT THE CITY: Tarifa is a small town in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia, on the southernmost coast of mainland Spain. It is primarily known as one of the world’s most popular destinations for wind sports. It’s very relaxed and chilled.
CADIZ
APPROX DISTANCE: 3hr. A stunning ancient city on the coast full of history and beaches. An absolute must! Can be combined with Gibraltar/Tarif overnight. >>SEE MAP
MUST SEE: There is so much here! Must visit the Cadiz Cathedral, Castle of San Sebastian, Roman Theatre, Park Genove and the beautiful beach (amongst many others) of La Caleta.
ABOUT THE CITY: (From Google Travel Guide) Cádiz is an ancient port city in southwest Spain, built on a strip of land surrounded by the sea in the Andalusia region. The home of the Spanish Navy, the port boomed in the 16th-century as a base for exploration and trade. It has more than 100 watchtowers, including iconic Torre Tavira, traditionally used for spotting ships, and 18th-century Cádiz Cathedral, on the waterfront.
The remains of the medieval city wall enclose winding Old Town streets that link squares such as flower-filled Plaza de Topete and Plaza de Mina. The latter is home to the Museum of Cádiz, with displays on archaeology, puppets and art. Over time, Cádiz has been inhabited by Phoenicians, Romans and Moors, and a Roman theater was excavated in the 1980s. Glass walkways cover excavations at the Casa del Obispo, which traces city history from the 8th century B.C. Caleta Beach lies between 2 seafront forts (San Sebastián and Santa Catalina), joined by Campo del Sur promenade to La Playa de la Victoria, lined with shops and restaurants.