Small in size, big in character. Fuente-Tójar is the tiniest village in the Subbética region in the province of Córdoba, but what it has to offer will surprise you. Step right into a different world: one of olive groves, murals, Iberian history and a living folk tradition that has endured for centuries.

The Cabildo Catedral of Córdoba is making progress once again in caring for the Mezquita-Catedral. The Provincial Heritage Commission has given the green light for the restoration of the roof of the Capilla de Santa Inés. A significant step, as the chapel has been struggling with serious water problems for years.

No alcohol, plenty of flavour. In the port cities of Cádiz and Seville, they have known that for ages. Andalusian drink culture is all about freshness, boldness and local ingredients. And that combination works surprisingly well without a single drop of sherry.

La Atalaya is a pedanía, a hamlet, that belongs to Cañete la Real, province of Málaga. The two are inseparably connected, right from the very beginning. This characterful settlement sits just 8 kilometres from the town centre of Cañete la Real. Without one, the other simply does not exist.

Alpandeire sits at almost 700 metres above sea level in the Serranía de Ronda, in the province of Málaga. The village climbs along a hillside, with narrow streets shooting off in every direction. At the top, the cemetery keeps watch over everything below. Down in the village, it is quietly white, authentic and almost timeless.
This is one of the smallest villages in the province of Málaga. And that is exactly what makes it so special.

Anyone walking through Coín, province of Málaga, will sooner or later come across this impressive monastery complex. The Antiguo Convento de Santa María de la Encarnación is no ordinary building. Since 2008 it has carried the official BIC classification, a Bien de Interés Cultural awarded by the Junta de Andalucía. That speaks for itself.

Ochavillo del Río lies in the valley of the Guadalquivir, tucked between Palma del Río, Fuente Palmera and Posadas. The village looks out just across the border of the province of Seville. Administratively it belongs to Fuente Palmera, 6.4 kilometres from the town hall. Córdoba is 41 kilometres away.

The níspero originally comes from China and Japan and made its way to Europe in the eighteenth century. In the sunny climate of Spain, it felt right at home. Sayalonga, a small village in the Axarquía region, province of Málaga, grew into the undisputed capital of this remarkable fruit. The microclimate between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra de Almijara creates ideal growing conditions. The quality of níspero's from this area is simply outstanding.

Benahadux lies in the Bajo Andarax, close to the provincial capital Almería. The village is surrounded by fruit trees and irrigated land in the river valley. Look a little further and you see the rugged, dry landscape of the last foothills of the Sierra de Gador. That contrast is what makes Benahadux stand out straight away.

Anyone driving into Torre Alháquime spots it immediately. El Santo, as the locals call the monument Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, has stood here since 1952 and is an unmistakable part of the streetscape of this white village in the Sierra de Cádiz.

Cold soup with orange? Yes, really. And no, it is not gazpacho. The porra de naranja is its own chapter in Andalusian cuisine. Thicker, fuller, and older too.

Narrow streets, winding alleys and leafy squares. Estepona Casco Antiguo, the historic centre in the province of Málaga, has grown into one of the most attractive and best-preserved old town centres on the Costa del Sol. Walk through it once and you will not want to leave.

Right on the edge of Cabra, in the province of Córdoba, water bubbles up from the ground. Here, at the southeastern tip of the town, the Cabra river has its source. That alone makes La Fuente del Río special. This is literally where it all starts.

Córdoba has plenty to offer, but the Ruta de los Patios takes centre stage. Grupo de Patios has been running this guided tour for over ten years, starting from the Alcázar Viejo neighbourhood — one of the most historic parts of the city. Taverns, local restaurants and classic Cordoban dishes: the atmosphere hits you immediately.

Anyone who thinks Andalusian villages all look the same has not yet been to Macharaviaya. This white village in the Axarquía, about twenty kilometres from Málaga, has a history that reaches far beyond what its modest size might suggest.

Paradas is one of those villages where time seems to move a little slower. In the province of Seville, right in the middle of the flat La Campiña landscape, lies this small town that has been welcoming travellers since Roman times. The name says it all: Paradas means "stops". And for centuries, that is exactly what it was, a natural resting point between the river basins of the Corbones and the Guadaíra.

White houses, narrow streets and views that take your breath away. Algatocín is one of those villages in the Serranía de Ronda that stays with you. It lies in the province of Málaga, tucked between the rivers Genal and Guadiaro, surrounded by a landscape of chestnut and cork oak forests.

Rubite, in the province of Granada, lies hidden in the Sierra de la Contraviesa, barely fifteen kilometres from the coast. From this typical Alpujarra village, you literally look out over the Mediterranean Sea. Narrow, steep streets wind upward between houses that blend seamlessly into the rugged landscape. Mountains and sea in a single glance. That is Rubite.

Cola de toro, or rabo de toro, is arguably the most beloved stew from the Andalusian kitchen. Oxtail, red wine or sherry, vegetables and a generous dose of patience. That is all you need for a plate packed with intense flavour.

Right next to Antequera (province of Málaga) stretches a pine forest you simply do not expect this close to a city. The Pinar del Hacho is a peri-urban park of almost 85 hectares, officially designated on March 21, 2003. Walkers, joggers and local families come here for peace, shade and fresh air.

Six kilometres through a landscape millions of years in the making. The Ruta Jurásica "Hoyo del Toril" near Álora is one of the most fascinating geological hiking routes in the province of Málaga. Spectacular rock formations, curtains of stalactites and ancient caves make this trail an extraordinary experience.