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<\/p>\nTHERE'S an undiscovered city in Spain that's been compared to an Italian holiday hotspot – and it's great for Brits who want to escape the tourist crowds. <\/p>\n
Travel experts have dubbed Antequera as the "undiscovered jewel" of Spain because it remains relatively unknown to tourists. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Located in the middle of Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Malaga, Antequera was previously called "the crossroads of Andalusia".<\/p>\n
Because of its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Renaissance churches, and baroque architecture, the white-washed Spanish town is also known as the "Florence of Spain". <\/p>\n
Travel blogger Tom and Coe wrote: "Antequera is sometimes also referred to as the 'Florence of Andalusia' for its many Renaissance and Baroque churches<\/span>, the most iconic of which is the 15th century Iglesia San Sebastian." <\/p>\n While the buildings and architecture are often compared, Antequera promises to be a pocket-friendly break in Spain. <\/p>\n At a one-hour drive away, Malaga Airport is the closest to Antequera. <\/p>\n For those holidaymakers who don't like the idea of hiring a rental car, a daily airport bus also runs from Malaga to Antequera.<\/p>\n Both\u00a0Ryanair\u00a0and\u00a0easyJet\u00a0operate direct flights from several UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bournemouth, and Liverpool. <\/p>\n Prices start from as little as \u00a314 for a one-way ticket, and flights take just under three hours. <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Hotels in Antequera are extremely affordable too. <\/p>\n Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at Hotel Infante Antequera, a three-star hotel with a rooftop pool, for \u00a340 per person per night. <\/p>\n There are cheaper options too, with a double room at Hotel Manzanito costing \u00a345 for two people.<\/p>\n While hotels with similar amenities in\u00a0Florence\u00a0cost more than twice the price.<\/p>\n According to the price comparison website, Hikers Bay, food and drink\u00a0in the city is cheap too. <\/p>\n A pint of beer costs \u20ac2.50 (\u00a32.18), while a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost just \u20ac8 (\u00a36.96).<\/p>\n When booking a trip,\u00a0summer\u00a0is the best time to go as temperatures can reach 27C.<\/p>\n While Antequera may not be as large as other Spanish cities, there are still plenty of things to do. <\/p>\n One of its main attractions is the Alcazaba of Antequera, a Moorish fortress. <\/p>\n The hilltop fortress is home to a bell tower, which offers great views of the city. <\/p>\n Tickets into the fortress cost \u20ac6 (\u00a35.21), with guided tours in operation too. <\/p>\n Holidaymakers can also visit the Antequera Dolmens – a UNESCO World Heritage site formed from three large, ancient, stones. <\/p>\n The anicent tombs are known as the Menga Dolmen, the Viera Dolmen, and the Tholos of El Romeral, the monuments were built during the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. <\/p>\n While the monuments were originally built for rituals, they are now open to the public. <\/p>\n Entry into the Dolmens is free, but the Antequera tourist office also runs guided tours. <\/p>\n There are plenty of other things to do in the city, including a visit to the town's museum. <\/p>\n Other activities include a tour of the bullring, and a visit to one of the city's reanissance-style churches. <\/p>\n There are 33 churches in Antequera, with some of the main ones including the Church of San Sebastian, the Church of El Carmen, and the Church of San Juan. <\/p>\n Eating traditional food is also another popular pastime with local delicacies including Porra – a cold tomato soup. <\/p>\n There's also Bienmesabe, which is a dessert filled apples, cinamon, and sugar.<\/p>\n As a popular holiday hotspot, Andalusia certainly isn't short of tourist attractions.<\/p>\n While most Brits flock to places like Seville, Malaga, and Granada, there are plenty of other lesser-known spots that warrant attention.<\/p>\n Travel experts have described Almodovar del Rio in Andalusia as a "must-visit". <\/p>\n Not only is the Spanish town away from the tourist crowds, but it's also where scenes for the hit TV show Game of Thrones were filmed. <\/p>\n Earlier this year, I visited the port city of Cadiz, which is home to sandy beaches, blue waters, and plenty of delicious food. <\/p>\n A study from Bounce, a luggage storage company, ranked Cadiz as the cheapest city break<\/span> in Spain. <\/p>\n According to the research, the average price of a hotel room in\u00a0Cadiz\u00a0is \u00a3103 per night – a figure that drops further if two people share a room.<\/p>\n Food and drink\u00a0is cheap too, with a bottle of wine<\/span> costing as little \u00a33.63, meanwhile, a meal out at a mid-range restaurant will cost around \u00a39 per person.<\/p>\n The local language in Antequera is Spanish, but English is likely to be spoken in bars and restaurants.<\/p>\n Spain is one hour ahead of the UK. <\/p>\n The local currency is the\u00a0Euro\u00a0with \u00a310 getting around \u20ac11.52.<\/p>\n There are currently no Covid restrictions and Brits can stay in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa.<\/p>\n However, your\u00a0passport\u00a0must have at least three months left after the day you plan to leave.<\/p>\n But Antequera isn't the only city that's been compared to a European hotspot in recent months.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, holidaymakers compared one city in the UK to Venice thanks to its quaint canals and waterways and Italian delis.<\/p>\n Cambridge in eastern\u00a0England\u00a0has been\u00a0likened to\u00a0Venice\u00a0for many years\u00a0because both cities share an important bridge.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, one European city has been dubbed the quirky\u00a0"Venice of Spain"\u00a0– it's loved by locals and unknown by most Brits.<\/p>\n This lesser-known town has been dubbed the "Venice of Portugal" thanks to its sandy beaches and picturesque canals. <\/p>\nRead More on Travel<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/nk_WashingMachine_comp.jpg\")
<\/picture>GIVE IT A SPIN <\/span><\/p>\nMy Amazon mini washing machine comes with me everywhere, there's a dryer too<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/newspress-collage-2qp12q1gn-1700593678865.jpg\")
<\/picture>SNACKS ON A PLANE <\/span><\/p>\nClever reason flight attendant takes 80p snack on every flight<\/h3>\n
Most read in City breaks<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/metal-eiffel-tower-symbol-paris-766789595.jpg\")
<\/picture>BOOK UP <\/span><\/p>\nBooking.com’s Black Friday sale has hotel rooms from \u00a330 in Paris, Rome & Lisbon<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/London_Middlesex_Street_Travleodge_CGI-CXXPjpg-JS315423450.jpg\")
<\/picture>THAT’S SUITE <\/span><\/p>\nTravelodge Black Friday sale has 30% off hotel rooms – with thousands from \u00a335<\/h3>\n
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![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/aerial-view-centre-historical-andalusian-861507562.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat is there to do in Antequera?<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/andalusia-travel-hope-brotherton-823571860.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat else is there to do in Andalusia?<\/h2>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/spain-malaga-province-antequera-view-861507766.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat else do I need to know?<\/h2>\n
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