GO SI IT
Florence-like city known as Spain’s ‘undiscovered jewel’ oozes Renaissance style – and you can get a pint of beer for £2
Budget airlines operate cheap flights to the Spanish city
THERE'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.
Travel experts have dubbed Antequera as the "undiscovered jewel" of Spain because it remains relatively unknown to tourists.
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Why Antequera?
Located in the middle of Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Malaga, Antequera was previously called "the crossroads of Andalusia".
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".
Travel blogger Tom and Coe wrote: "Antequera is sometimes also referred to as the 'Florence of Andalusia' for its many Renaissance and Baroque churches, the most iconic of which is the 15th century Iglesia San Sebastian."
While the buildings and architecture are often compared, Antequera promises to be a pocket-friendly break in Spain.
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At a one-hour drive away, Malaga Airport is the closest to Antequera.
For those holidaymakers who don't like the idea of hiring a rental car, a daily airport bus also runs from Malaga to Antequera.
Both Ryanair and easyJet operate direct flights from several UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bournemouth, and Liverpool.
Prices start from as little as £14 for a one-way ticket, and flights take just under three hours.
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Hotels in Antequera are extremely affordable too.
Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at Hotel Infante Antequera, a three-star hotel with a rooftop pool, for £40 per person per night.
There are cheaper options too, with a double room at Hotel Manzanito costing £45 for two people.
While hotels with similar amenities in Florence cost more than twice the price.
According to the price comparison website, Hikers Bay, food and drink in the city is cheap too.
A pint of beer costs €2.50 (£2.18), while a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can cost just €8 (£6.96).
When booking a trip, summer is the best time to go as temperatures can reach 27C.
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What is there to do in Antequera?
While Antequera may not be as large as other Spanish cities, there are still plenty of things to do.
One of its main attractions is the Alcazaba of Antequera, a Moorish fortress.
The hilltop fortress is home to a bell tower, which offers great views of the city.
Tickets into the fortress cost €6 (£5.21), with guided tours in operation too.
Holidaymakers can also visit the Antequera Dolmens - a UNESCO World Heritage site formed from three large, ancient, stones.
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.
While the monuments were originally built for rituals, they are now open to the public.
Entry into the Dolmens is free, but the Antequera tourist office also runs guided tours.
There are plenty of other things to do in the city, including a visit to the town's museum.
Other activities include a tour of the bullring, and a visit to one of the city's reanissance-style churches.
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.
Eating traditional food is also another popular pastime with local delicacies including Porra - a cold tomato soup.
There's also Bienmesabe, which is a dessert filled apples, cinamon, and sugar.
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What else is there to do in Andalusia?
As a popular holiday hotspot, Andalusia certainly isn't short of tourist attractions.
While most Brits flock to places like Seville, Malaga, and Granada, there are plenty of other lesser-known spots that warrant attention.
Travel experts have described Almodovar del Rio in Andalusia as a "must-visit".
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.
Earlier this year, I visited the port city of Cadiz, which is home to sandy beaches, blue waters, and plenty of delicious food.
A study from Bounce, a luggage storage company, ranked Cadiz as the cheapest city break in Spain.
According to the research, the average price of a hotel room in Cadiz is £103 per night - a figure that drops further if two people share a room.
Food and drink is cheap too, with a bottle of wine costing as little £3.63, meanwhile, a meal out at a mid-range restaurant will cost around £9 per person.
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What else do I need to know?
The local language in Antequera is Spanish, but English is likely to be spoken in bars and restaurants.
Spain is one hour ahead of the UK.
The local currency is the Euro with £10 getting around €11.52.
There are currently no Covid restrictions and Brits can stay in Spain for up to 90 days without a visa.
However, your passport must have at least three months left after the day you plan to leave.
But Antequera isn't the only city that's been compared to a European hotspot in recent months.
Earlier this year, holidaymakers compared one city in the UK to Venice thanks to its quaint canals and waterways and Italian delis.
Cambridge in eastern England has been likened to Venice for many years because both cities share an important bridge.
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Meanwhile, one European city has been dubbed the quirky "Venice of Spain" - it's loved by locals and unknown by most Brits.
This lesser-known town has been dubbed the "Venice of Portugal" thanks to its sandy beaches and picturesque canals.
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