When work takes you to the south of Spain, the opportunities to combine professional commitments with cultural immersion present themselves before you even set foot outside your hotel. Once on the streets of Andalusia’s major cities, you won’t have to travel far to find UNESCO World Heritage sites, Michelin-starred restaurants and southern Spanish hospitality, making this region the ideal setting in which to blend business duties with pleasurable pursuits.

The Spanish region of Andalusia has been evolving as a forward-thinking hub of business innovation. This strategic location serves as the central gateway between Europe, Africa and the Americas. Technology is the main burgeoning industry, especially in cities like Seville and Málaga. Not only has Google established a Google Safety Engineering Center in Andalusia, but numerous international companies have also set up operations in the region.

Andalusia’s wide range of high-speed rail connections, international airports and state-of-the-art business centers also contribute to the region’s prime selling points for global business. Make the most of your time in the area by bringing a friend or partner to explore the intricacies and depth of Andalusian culture together.

Andalusia brims with chances to tap into your cultural curiosity. Copious examples of Moorish influence demonstrate the region’s proximity to North Africa. When the Moors settled in the south of Spain, they brought with them their architectural vision and cuisine, and when combined with Spanish culture, it has resulted in a favorable fusion for foodies and the visually inclined.

Moorish designs at the Alhambra in Grenada © William Perry | Dreamstime.com

The most well-known beacon of Moorish architecture resides in the mountainous city of Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Alhambra remains one of Europe’s most visited sites, famous for its centuries of history as a palace and fortress, dating to the 13th century. The complex features characteristic elements of both Islamic and Spanish Renaissance architecture including open-air courtyards with central pools, lush gardens with flourishing flora, and decorative mosaics gracing the hallways and rounded arches. The popularity of the Alhambra warrants advanced booking for private and group tours, so plan to make arrangements ahead of time.

Just 150 miles west of Granada lies the town of Seville, the capital of Andalusia and the heart of its many cultural influences. Start your journey through Seville at Maria Luisa Park, where the iconic Plaza de España fulfills an Instagram fiend’s dream. Next, visit Seville’s Cathedral, the world’s largest Gothic church and a UNESCO World Heritage site. At 343 feet tall, the Giralda bell tower soars over the city and serves as a symbol of the region’s diverse history of faith. A visit to Seville wouldn’t be complete without a sampling of Andalusian tapas such as tortilla española (potato omelet), pescaito frito (fried small fish) and cola del toro (oxtail stew).

Farther south, Málaga sits on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, known as the Costa del Sol for its sun-soaked beaches and picturesque coastline. Art lovers can spend hours at Málaga’s Picasso Museum, situated in the city where the famous Spanish painter was born. Come nightfall, indulge in one of southern Spain’s most-loved traditions: flamenco. Catch a show with or without dinner and drinks for an evening of Spanish guitar music accompanied by the emotional and narrative dance style that put Spain on the map.

Daytrips from these Spanish metropolises can take working professionals and their loved ones on even more daring adventures. For a unique and artistic take on Moorish architecture, grab a train or bus to Córdoba to see the Mezquita-Catedral (mosque- cathedral), dating to 785. Those who rent a car can journey among some of Andalusia’s pueblos blancos, or white villages, scattered throughout the region in towns like Ronda, Arcos de la Frontera or Setenil de las Bodegas.

Tocino de cielo © Iakov Filimonov | Dreamstime.com

No matter the region or culture, food brings people together. When you’re off the clock, link up with your travel companion for unique dining experiences you can find only in the south of Spain. Experiment with the region’s wide-ranging flavor combinations by taking cooking classes to learn how to make Andalusian favorites using ingredients from the sea to the mountains. Try your hand at blending tomatoes to make gazpacho; frying anchovies for Málaga’s classic boquerones fritos; or steaming and baking egg yolks to make Cádiz’s most famous dessert, tocino de cielo.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with regional ingredients, visit a local market to buy them fresh and prepare an authentic Andalusian meal to share at the end of the workday.

If you’d rather eat than cook, take a tapas walking tour where you can sample a variety of different dishes such as gambas (prawns), paella and espetos de sardinas (grilled sardine skewers). For a more focused experience on one particular ingredient, book a tour of olive groves and taste oil right from the fruit, or study up on sherry in Jerez de la Frontera and sample the fortified wine where it was born.

When the workday winds down, business travelers and their partners have ample options to unplug. Thanks to the Moorish and Arab influence in the region, traditional baths called hammams are easy to find and even easier to enjoy. Hammam Al Ándalus, for example, has locations in Granada, Málaga and Córdoba where weary travelers can enjoy soaks, massages and body treatments such as mud masks and salt scrubs.

About halfway between Málaga and Granada sits Alhama de Granada thermal springs, where open-air natural pools heat up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit. These thermal pools feed Hotel Balneario Alhama de Granada Spa, where guests can choose from a lengthy menu of spa treatments.

LODGING

HOTEL ALFONSO XIII
Lie in the lap of luxury at Hotel Alfonso XIII, where in-room massages, marble bathrooms and a tapas bar on the hotel grounds are on the menu.
C. San Fernando 2, Casco Antiguo, Seville
$$$$

HOTEL ALHAMBRA PALACE
Just 10 minutes from the Alhambra, Hotel Alhambra Palace exudes elegance from its massive event space to its terraced restaurant.
Pl. Arquitecto García de Paredes 1, Centro, Granada
$$$$

HOTEL MIRAMAR
From its stunning Moorish-inspired lobby to its walkability to the Costa del Sol beaches, Hotel Miramar boasts five dining rooms overlooking the sea, plus an on-site hammam.
P. Reding 22, 24, Málaga-Este, Málaga

$$$$$

DINING

ABANTAL

Modern Andalusian dishes reflect the region’s mix of cultures, from traditional Spanish ingredients to North African spices. Choose from one of two tasting menus with optional wine pairings.
C. Alcade José de la Bandera 7, 9, Seville
$$$$$

BLOSSOM
Andalusian dishes are infused with South American flavors at Blossom, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the city center. With only a handful of tables, advance reservations are a must.
C. Strachan 11, Distrito Centro, Málaga

$$$$$

LA PAJUANA
In true Spanish fashion, order a drink at this tapas bar and get a free plate of tapas, chosen by the restaurant.
C. Virgen del Rosario 10, Granada

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Arcos de la Frontera © Dudlajzov | Dreamstime.com

INFO TO GO
Andalusia is served by several major airports, the largest and best-connected of which is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport. Other regional airports include Seville (SVQ), Granada (GRX) and Jerez (XRY). Visitors traveling from outside Europe will likely connect to these airports through larger Spanish cities such as Madrid (MAD) or Barcelona (BCN). To transit from these airports to the respective city centers, travelers can rent a car at the airport or use one of the following options: AGP, taxi (20 minutes), bus (35 minutes) or the C1 metro line (30 minutes); SVQ, taxi (15 minutes) or EA bus (45 minutes); GRX, taxi (21 minutes) or bus (one hour); XRY, car (17 minutes) or bus (25 minutes).

The south of Spain is well-connected by rail, especially among the larger cities of Seville, Córdoba and Málaga. High-speed rail connections (AVE) can fast-track travelers from Madrid to Málaga in as little as three hours. Book business class seats in advance.