Best Places For Backpacking in Andalucia, Spain

Beautiful Andalucia in the south of Spain offers stark contrasts, depending on whether you are in one of the popular beach resorts or heading to one of the iconic cities, such as Granada and Seville. Spain has much to offer relating to its Moorish past, including the famous white villages with their narrow, cobbled streets, the stunning Alhambra in Granada and the many attractions of Seville.

Depending on the travel time available to you, you could do them all. The following is a list of the attractions in Andalucia, as well as suggested places to stay. However, before flying off on your backpacking trip, it is important to research backpacker travel insurance to ensure you get the correct type.

Costa del Sol: Marbella

Spain is rightly proud of the Costa del Sol, with its many beach resorts. While it can get pretty hot in the summer, if you don’t like the heat, the area is perfect in spring or autumn. The following are recommended resorts to visit.

While many of the hotels in Marbella are more suitable to the rich and famous, there are a number of affordable hostels to choose from. One of these is InHouse Marbella. Located in the Old Town of Marbella, the hostel has a selection of single rooms, double rooms and dormitories to suit all travellers. The property has free Wi-Fi throughout and shared bathrooms.

The hostel is a six-minute walk from Marbella’s Golden Mile beaches and a ten-minute walk from the marina. In the area there are plenty of restaurants serving the traditional cuisine of Andalucia and any bars and coffee shops. There is also a selection of shops in the Old Town. For a taste of the other side of life, visit Puerto Banús, with its yachts, high-end shops, restaurants and bars, where you might even spot the odd celebrity.

Due to the excellent coastal public transport, Marbella is an ideal base to explore other resorts along the coast. One recommended option is La Cala de Mijas, a 45-minute bus ride away. While the town is small, it has endless beaches and has a boardwalk which runs 5.6 kms along the coast to Cabopino. There is also a fascinating defence tower from Moorish times to explore on the town's beachfront.

Iconic cities: Granada

A two-hour bus ride from Marbella takes you to the beautiful city of Granada, with its Alhambra, with its Moorish throne room, cloistered courtyards and fountains and the Court of the Lions and the Palacio de Generalife, a beautifully preserved Moorish palace. Also worth a visit is the Albaicin district, which still retains the narrow cobbled streets dating from its Moorish past.

While staying in the city, a recommended hostel is Selina Granada, which offers dormitory rooms, rooms with shared bathrooms and, if you are feeling flush, rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The property offers air conditioning for the hotter months and free Wi-Fi throughout the building. There is also a bar where parties are held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. There’s also a tour desk to give advice on the best attractions to visit in the city.

Iconic cities: Seville

Heading in the other direction from Marbella, Seville is an almost three-hour bus ride away. The long journey is definitely worth it, however, with so much to see and do in the city. The Alcázar of Seville is a Moorish-Renaissance royal palace surrounded by beautiful gardens with fountains and ornate arches. The Cathedral of Seville is a mixture, as the main building is of Gothic creation and a Moorish bell tower offers views across the city. Columbus’ tomb is also in the Cathedral. One of the biggest attractions is the Plaza de España, a town square lined with beautiful ceramic tiles.

Located in the Old Town of Seville, For You Hostel is a recommended stay. The hostel is in a restored 18th-century building with a traditional Andalucian courtyard. The hostel offers private rooms with bathrooms and dormitory rooms with shared bathrooms, lockers for your valuables and a reading lamp. There is a shared kitchen where guests can cook simple meals. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building and there are many shops, restaurants and tapas bars in the surrounding streets. Seville Cathedral and La Giralda are a 15-minute walk away, while the Real Alcázar is 1 km from the hostel.

Have fun on your backpacking trip in Spain and watch this space for more suggestions and recommended hostels.
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