The Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada along with The Mezquita in Cordóba are two are Spain´s most famous and most visited monuments add to them the Real Alcázar in Seville and you´ve a trio of incredible must visits in three awe-inspiring Andalucian cities.

It would be too easy to dash around and visit the most popular sites in Andalucia but there is much to be said for the slow travel option that´s popular now. Each one of these cities warrants more than a rushed visit to the main attractions, they have life and soul that needs to be inhaled and experienced they have an essence that Southern Spain, especially in the summer months, exudes and which captivates its visitors.

But if time is short and you really want to see the main sites then these are the top three not to be missed monuments to visit.

The Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada

The Palace with its unique design of space, light and water was built by Ismail 1, Yusuf 1 and Muhammad V who were all caliphs  or kings when the Nasrid dynasty ruled Granada from 1232. The Generalife Gardens were the country estate or summer residence of the kings and these days hosts the International Festival of Music and Dance running from June to July each year.

The Mezquita in Cordoba

The Mezquita  symbolised the power of the Islamic rule of the Iberian Peninsula. The first mosque was built by Abd al Rahman 1 between 785 and 787, it has since evolved until, in the 16th century, when the catholic kings had reclaimed the city they built a cathedral in the middle, detroying part of the Great Mosque. Today it´s a mish-mash of architecture but it still takes your breathe away.

The Real Alcázar in Seville

Here we see another blend of era and architecture with the original Moorish palaces added to in 1364 by Pedro 1, who ordered a palace within the palace. The Real Alcázar or Royal Fortress has been the home of Spanish kings for almost seven centuries and the upper rooms are still used at times by the present royal family. The Gardens of the Alcázar offer a huge area of refuge from the summer heat and busy life in this regional and provincial capital.