Spanish Sights

Looking out across the Mediterranean, Malaga overflows with an assortment of architectural treasures and Spain's prized jewel, the Alhambra Palace, is within easy striking distance. Andalucia's second largest city, Malaga, is a bustling port on Spain's sunny Costa del Sol. Standing on a hillside overlooking the city is the 8th-century ‘Alcazaba', an impressive Moorish fortress. Malaga's cathedral is affectionately known as ‘La Manquita', meaning ‘the onearmed one' owing to its half-built tower, abandoned in the 1700s due to insufficient funds. During the Arab occupation of Spain, Malaga was the principle port of the Moorish kingdom of Granada. A short drive inland takes you to the heart of this wonderful city and its celebrated centrepiece, the breathtaking Alhambra Palace

Beaches or bargains, the sea or sights. Palma has it all, together with enough sunshine and souvenirs to keep anyone happy. If you like beaches, cafes or simply lazing around in the sunshine, you'll love Palma, together with the nearby resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf. Before you relax, though, make sure you visit Palma City itself to see the Moorish palace, the designer stores and the quaint shops and cobbled streets of the old city, behind the Gothic Cathedral. And for souvenirs, make a bee-line for Inca, the largest street market on the island which opens every Thursday.

Sheltered by a deep bay on Spain's Levant Coast, Cartagena fuses modernity with tradition and is the gateway to Murcia. Founded in 223 BC by the Carthaginians, and later conquered by the Romans, Cartagena boasts a varied and colourful past. In the 18th Century it rose to pre-eminence as a major Spanish naval base - reminders of Cartagena's seafaring tradition can be seen down in the port where a prototype submarine adorns the quayside. A walk through the city reveals splendid architectural reminders of Cartagena's 'Golden Age', while the Castillo de la Concepcion, the city castle, offers stunning panoramic views over Cartagena. Not far from the city lies Murcia, the regional capital. Murcia's spectacular Baroque cathedral (pictured) is famed for two ornate side chapels: the Gothic Capilla de los Velez and the Renaissance Capilla del Junteron.

Gibraltar is only two miles long. This, its duty-free shops and sunshine record make it the perfect place to shop, explore and meet the famous Gibraltan monkeys. Inside and outside, Gibraltar offers lots of opportunities to find out what makes it so appealing. On the rock itself are attractions like the Moorish Castle, the Gibraltar Museum and the cable car ride to Europa Point with its stop to visit the families of famous Gibraltan monkeys. Inside the rock, there are more miles of road than on the outside, including the Great Siege Tunnels and St Michael's Cave.

Looking out across the Mediterranean, Malaga overflows with an assortment of architectural treasures and Spain's prized jewel, the Alhambra Palace, is within easy striking distance. Andalucia's second largest city, Malaga, is a bustling port on Spain's sunny Costa del Sol. Standing on a hillside overlooking the city is the 8th-century ‘Alcazaba', an impressive Moorish fortress. Malaga's cathedral is affectionately known as ‘La Manquita', meaning ‘the onearmed one' owing to its half-built tower, abandoned in the 1700s due to insufficient funds. During the Arab occupation of Spain, Malaga was the principle port of the Moorish kingdom of Granada. A short drive inland takes you to the heart of this wonderful city and its celebrated centrepiece, the breathtaking Alhambra Palace