Sailing to Andalusia

A map of the best ports and anchorages

A brief maritime history of Andalusia

Long before Columbus set sail, this region’s coastline thrummed with the activities of traders, explorers, and conquerors. The Phoenicians were among the first to leave their mark here, establishing colonies such as Cádiz, one of Europe’s oldest cities.

As centuries rolled on, the region’s ports became hubs of commerce, as Roman engineers constructed sophisticated harbors and shipyards. The strategic location of cities such as Málaga and Almería made them vital points for exporting olive oil, wine, and salted fish across the empire.

The Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century breathed new life into Andalusia’s maritime traditions. Under the Umayyads the ports flourished as gateways between Europe and the Islamic world. Coastal towns like Tarifa and Algeciras were key naval bases, their docks brimming with sleek ships that both defended the coastline and carried scholars, merchants, and travelers between continents.

As the Reconquista neared completion and the Catholic Monarchs reclaimed the last Muslim stronghold of Granada, the port cities of Andalusia were on the brink of a new era. Explorers like Christopher Columbus would set sail from Andalusian shores, opening the door to the New World.

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