A Travel Photographer’s Guide to Southern Spain’s Stunning Architecture

As a travel photographer, I’m most often drawn to places steeped in culture and history. I find these things give depth, meaning, and context to my images, and a view of the world beyond surface-level aesthetics.

I’m especially fascinated by the rich legacy of Al-Andalus, the nearly 800-year period of Islamic rule on the Iberian Peninsula. In what is now Spain, this began around the year 700 and lasted until 1492, when King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I unified the nation as a Catholic monarchy.

In what is today known as Andalusia, particularly Seville and Córdoba, these Muslim and Christian influences intertwine, often within the same four walls. I wanted to document how architecture can serve as a dialogue between civilizations. My goal was not just to capture beautiful images but also to explore the layers of cultural exchange that define this region. 

Córdoba was once the capital of the Umayyad dynasty in Spain. At Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, which was built in the late 700s, I was attracted to the distinctive red and white stripes, an important element of Umayyad design. The building was converted into a Catholic church in 1236. 

I also found a particular moment quite moving, watching a woman climb the stairs, as it made me wonder about all the people, over many, many years, who had climbed these same steps to pray, whether as followers of Islam or Christianity. I also thought about how so many landmarks here have survived for centuries, even as the immediate surroundings have evolved over time.

The layers of history in Palacio de las Dueñas, in Seville, also intrigued me. Owned by the aristocratic Alba family since 1612, it was turned into an apartment building in the late 1800s; one of Spain’s most beloved poets, Antonio Machado, was born there in 1875. In the 20th century, the Albas turned it back into a home, where celebrities like Jacqueline Kennedy and Grace Kelly visited.

Originally developed in the early 10th century as a Moorish fortress, the Royal Alcázar of Seville was transformed over the years into a sprawling palace by both Muslim dynasties and Christian monarchs. Today, it is still a residence for the Spanish royal family when they visit the city.

Iglesia de Santa Catalina, a Sevillian church, was mainly constructed in the 14th century, on the site of a former mosque. I admired the Islamic influences that can still be seen, like the brickwork, the horseshoe arches at the entrance, and the roof lantern that echoes the shape of a minaret. 

A version of this story first appeared in the July 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline “Stories in Stone.”