1. Diving

Off Gibraltar are many sunken ships, while the wilds around Cabo de Gata offer the most profuse underwater life. The Costa de la Luz also has some good spots, including watersport heaven, Tarifa.

Centro de Buceo Isub • C/Babor 3, San José • 950 38 00 04 • www.isubsanjose.com

Yellow Sub Tarifa • Puerto de Tarifa, Tarifa • 956 68 06 80 • www.divingtarifa.com

2. Windsurfing and Surfing

Tarifa is a magnet for windsurfers, while good possibilities also can be found along the Costa Tropical. For board surfing, the Costa de la Luz provides sufficiently high waves. Mediterranean waves are only good for body-surfing.

Club Mistral • Hurricane Hotel, Ctra N340 km 78, Tarifa • 956 68 49 19 • www.club-mistral.com

Windsurf La Herradura • Paseo Marítimo 34, La Herradura • 958 64 01 43 • www.windsurflaherradura.com

3. Horse riding

Andalucía is renowned for breeding fine horses and offers a range of riding options, with trails and schools in every province.

Far and Ride (4 destinations in Andalucía) • 0845 00 66 552 (from UK) • +44 1462 701 110 (intnl) • www.farandride.com

Rancho Los Lobos • Estación de Jimena, nr Jimena de la Frontera • 956 64 04 29 • www.rancholoslobos.com

4. Hiking

Andalucía is blessed with sierras in which to hike, from verdant, to desert-like, to rocky (for further details see Nature Reserves). If mountaineering appeals, head for the Sierra Nevada. Maps and lists of refuges are available from the Federación Andaluza de Montañismo (FEDAMON).FEDAMON • 958 29 13 40 • www.fedamon.com

5. Spelunking

The region has some of the world’s most interesting caves, many of them commercially developed. For information and organized jaunts, contact Ticket-to-Ride.Ticket-to-Ride • Avda Naciones Unidas Centro Commercial Cristamar B61, Puerto Banús, Marbella • 952 90 50 82

6. Skiing

The resort near Granada, Solynieve, is the only possibility in Andalucía. Although a little too sleek compared to its Alpine cousins, it offers a variety of runs and, best of all, skiing fairly late in the season.

7. Boating and Fishing

With so many marinas along the coast, sailing is big here. For deep-sea and freshwater fishing, you will need to obtain a licence.

Spanish Fishing Federation • C/Andalucía 9, Almería • 950 15 17 46 • www.fapd.net

Spanish Sailing Federation • Avda Libertad, Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz) • 956 85 48 13 • www.fav.es

8. Golf

So copious are the golf courses that the Costa del Sol has often been dubbed the “Costa del Golf”. Courses include everything from world masterpieces, designed by top golfers, to putting greens.

Valderrama • Ctra Cádiz-Málaga km132, Sotogrande • 956 79 12 00 • www.valderrama.com

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande • Paseo del Parque, Sotogrande • 956 78 50 14 • www.golfsotogrande.com

9. Futbol

Football (soccer) is a national obsession, stirring up the deepest of passions. In season, you’ll encounter it in every bar, blaring out from the TV.

10. Bullfighting

In the Spanish view, this is not really a sport, but an art form, and to many Andalucíans, it embodies the soul of the region. The fight season runs from April to October and tickets are available from bullrings.