Andalucian Culture

In this section we hope to give you a small insight into the very different cultures of the people of Andalucia. The region has encompassed many different races and religions over the centuries and bit by bit all of these have formed part of the modern Andalucian culture.

The whole region is very family orientated and children are welcome virtually anywhere A Modern Day Flamenco Show at any time of day, in fact it is not unusual to find them playing loudly in restaurants and bars while their families eat. It is also totally normal to see the whole family out on a Friday night and to see teenagers happily eating and chatting with their grandparents, or helping them along the street.

Obviously when you think of Spain you think of a slow pace of life and long afternoon siestas and this is true in most cases. You do get the feeling that the locals have life the right way round and certainly they work to live and not vice versa. The amount of fiestas held in your average town or village is incredible with at least five or six main ones a year and then a number of small ones. A visit to a fiesta is a must and it is possible to visit one every day of the year in Andalucia.

The food in the region varies greatly from province to province and even from town to town but whether it is the refined seafood dishes to be enjoyed all along the coast or rustic dishes throughout the mountainous region, the quality is high throughout. In the Granada province the tradition of free tapas is still alive, a delicious morsel offered with every wine or beer ordered. The word "tapas" means lid in English and it is said that the locals used to cover their drinks with a lid which was a small plate of food to keep the flies out and this is where the name apparently originates from. There is a scattering of free tapas bars outside of Granada province but generally you will find that you have to pay.

The Bull Getting His Own BackWhen visiting Andalucia you are aware immediately that it is the home of flamenco and a traditional show is a must for a night out. Bull-fighting also comes from this region with all major towns having a bull-ring and at least two or three fights per year. In fact even some small villages have travelling bull-rings once a year but the quality of the bullfighting in these can be very poor. Andalucia is also famous for its horses and they still play a big part in life today.

Andalucia is so rich in culture and history that it is impossible to put into words, so the best thing you can do is to come and see it for yourselves. The local people are the most warm, friendly and welcoming that you could ever hope to meet and by learning two or three Spanish phrases before you come you will definitely make their day