Do you know when the best time to visit Andalucia is? Discover when to travel to Andalucia: dates, events, cuisine, culture and more.
Famous for being one of Europe’s sunniest areas, you can visit Andalucia any time of the year. A mix of cultures and traditions, grand cities and quaint towns, impressive architecture and dreamlike coasts: this, and much more, is what Andalucia is.
In this post, you will find several tips about the local events, the weather and the activities you can do each month in Andalucia, for you to plan the best trip to the south of Spain. Are you ready to know when the best time to visit Andalucia is?
Visit Andalucia in spring
Let’s start with spring when nature wakes up, and the sunny days are more frequent. This season is one of the best for visiting Andalucia, especially if you’re thinking of discovering the inland part of the region. Let’s start your tour with three Andalusian gems, which stand out the most in spring: Granada, Seville and Cordoba.
March in Andalucia
Winter is over, and the temperatures are more and more pleasant.
Granada is characterised by cold temperatures at night and pleasant during the day: in March, you can make the most of its wonders, without the great masses of tourists. Of course, first and foremost, you can’t miss out on the Alhambra, symbol of the history and culture that characterise Granada and the whole region.
Keep strolling in the streets, get lost in the narrow passages of the quaint Moorish districts of Albaicín and Sacromonte, and end your visit with a stop by the Mirador de San Nicolás, from whose viewpoint you will enjoy magnificent vistas of the city. Welcome the night like an authentic Granadino, by having some tapas in the numerous bars of the city centre. The lively atmosphere will charm you.
April in Andalucia
No better way to spend April than to visit Andalucia’s capital city, Seville. Warm temperatures, sunny days, events and celebrations make the city the perfect destination for your April getaway.
Before anything else, we suggest you visit the city and its impressive monuments: the Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede, the Giralda and Real Alcázar that are located in the same area of the Old Town. Don’t miss out on the Santa Cruz district, Triana and a stroll on the riverbanks of River Guadalquivir. Likewise, discover the María Luisa Park and admire the splendid colours of the sunset in Seville’s most beautiful square, the Plaza de España.
Depending on the dates you choose to travel, you can also enjoy the processions of the Semana Santa or, at the end of the month, the April Fair. Living the latter will allow you to get into contact with the local culture, while you make the most of the dance, music and party shows. This is an authentic experience!
May in Andalucia
If April is the month of Seville, May is undoubtedly Cordoba’s. During this month, the city gets enveloped by a unique charm, whose lively ambience fills the flower-filled streets. The temperatures are perfect for enjoying the celebrations; the flowers are the absolute protagonist during the whole month, filling the city with colours and perfumes.
You can assist to the Cruces de Mayo festival, which usually takes place at the beginning of the month; or, during the following weeks, the Festival de Los Patios, during which some 50 private patios open their doors to the public and let them enjoy their splendid corners. And if you long for more, the end of the month welcomes the Feria de Córdoba (Cordoba Fair), during which locals and tourists ake the streets by storm with dances and chants.
Visit Andalucia in summer
Summer is the season during which Andalucia welcomes the highest quantity of tourists, especially on the coast. Temperatures are high, although on the coast they are usually milder than in inland Andalucia, mainly thanks to the winds that blow almost uninterruptedly. If you travel to Andalucia in summer, you should visit the four coastal provinces, from west to eastern Andalucia. You will fall in love in a matter of seconds!
June in Andalucia
June gives start to summer, which in Andalucia lasts from the beginning of the month until the end of September. Take into consideration travelling to Huelva and its province, Andalucia’s western area bordering with Portugal. You will spend an unforgettable holiday on the coast of Huelva, thanks to the mild temperature and the quietness that characterise its 120 km worth of seashore.
As a matter of fact, Huelva relies on dreamlike beaches and a very well maintained natural landscape: you will enjoy several virgin beaches and some spectacular sunsets, considering this area is characterised by the highest number of hours of sun in Andalucia. While here, don’t miss out on the natural area of Marismas del Río Piedras and the beaches of El Rompido, Punta Umbría and Matalascañas in Almonte. Of course, make sure you’re here for the Night of San Juan when locals and tourists celebrate the year’s shortest night with bonfires and midnight swims.
July in Andalucia
Heading south, you will find the coast of Cadiz, which extends until the Strait of Gibraltar. This is one of the liveliest Andalusian provinces in summer that, in addition to a lot of foreign tourists, also welcomes locals that come summer on its dreamlike beaches.
The coast of Cadiz, which, together with the coast of Huelva, is known as Costa de la Luz, features the most impressive beaches in Andalucia: wide, white-sand, wild and virgin for water sports lovers. In many places, you can practice windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing, as several schools are located on the coast, especially in Tarifa.
Plan your route through the most beautiful beaches: Zahara de Los Atunes, Caños de Meca, the beach of Faro de Trafalgar and the beach of Valdevaqueros ensure a stay that you won’t easily forget.
And, of course, don’t miss out on a day trip to Cadiz, a city whose 4,000year-old history makes it one of the oldest settlements in Europe.
August in Andalucia
During this month, Andalucia welcomes the highest number of tourists and offer all kinds of activities, both by night and during the day. If you’re thinking of visiting Andalucia in August, we recommend you visit Malaga. During this month, the capital city of the Costa del Sol gets filled with people visiting museums, enjoying the beaches and the delicious cuisine of the chiringuitos. This touristic spot draws several foreign and Spanish tourists, as it offers a wide variety of activities that ban boredom.
Among the coastal towns that you can’t miss out on, the luxury Marbella and Puerto Banús, Fuengirola, Benalmádena and Torremolinos on the west and, on the other side, towns such as Torre del Mar, Torrox, Nerja, the beautiful beaches of Maro and the picturesque white village of Frigiliana.
Besides, if you choose this month to visit Malaga, you may find yourself in the middle of the year’s most awaited event, the Feria de Málaga. The fair is celebrated in the city during one week/10 days, in the Old Town and the Fairground. Music, dances, Flamenco shows, typical food and parties for everyone, both tourists and locals; the fair is a mandatory appointment of August in Malaga.
September in Andalucia
September is ideal for enjoying the coast, even with a milder temperature than the hottest months. This is the perfect month for visiting Almeria and its province, which offers its visitors more than 100 km of beaches and spectacular bays. Here, you will find the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata, a protected area with impressive nature and charming beaches, gently touched by crystal-clear waters where you can snorkel. Among the unmissable beaches, the beach of Monsul, the beach of Los Genoveses, the beach of Los Muertos, the Playazo de Rodalquilar and the Arrecife de las Sirenas stand out.
Visit Andalucia in autumn
The Andalusian autumn is characterised by pleasant temperatures, scarce rains and many sunny days that allow you to keep visiting the region. In autumn, you can discover inland Andalucia and its impressive landscapes, whose nature dye with warm colours. Mandatory activities include hiking in the Natural parks of Andalucia and exploring the quaint towns of the provinces.
October in Andalucia
In October, the temperatures are pleasant, with rare rainy days, thanks to which you can plan spectacular routes in the natural parks.
The Natural Park of Sierra de Cazorla and Segura is located in the province of Jaen, and it’s Spain’s biggest protected area. Here is where the river Guadalquivir is born: discover its landscapes by engaging in spectacular hiking routes.
If you’re in the province of Malaga, a getaway to the Montes de Málaga natural park is only 5 km from the capital city of the Costa del Sol. While in the Park, you definitely need to try the delicious dish, the Plato de Los Montes.
If you’re in Seville, visit the towns of the Sierra Norte natural park; or stroll along the fabulous Vias Verdes, and hike in the Sierra de Hornachuelos natural park, in the province of Cordoba.
November in Andalucia
Even though the rainfalls might be more substantial, November still lets you make the most of the quaintest towns in Andalucia.
Depending on the province you are visiting, you can plan several. Visit the villages of Cordoba, picturesque towns where you can get in contact with the thousand-year-old history and architecture that characterise the province. If you’re in Granada, you may want to visit the Alpujarra, a 70-km-wide valley at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, dotted with peculiar villages. Don’t miss out on Montefrío, a mix of history, cuisine and impressive landscapes.
The white towns in the province of Malaga feature narrow streets, whitewashed houses and colourful flower pots decorating the windows. Visit these towns and discover their welcoming atmosphere.
Visit Andalucia in winter
During the Andalusian winters, temperatures don’t drop too low; therefore, if you choose to enjoy a winter getaway, you will be able to do so in a pleasant climate. You can make the most of the Christmas atmosphere that characterises the big cities and small towns, skiing in the Sierra Nevada and try the delicious local cuisine. These are just some of the ideas for you to enjoy the Andalusian winter at best!
December in Andalucia
December means Christmas, and all the cities in Andalucia get dressed with lights, Christmas decorations and precious Nativity Scenes. The Old Towns of the Andalusian villages offer a spectacular lighting show, Christmas markets where to buy the last presents, and several events related to the most joyful time of the year. In December, you can try the typical Christmas sweets, such as polvorones, mantecados and turrones… your mouth will water in a matter of seconds! And if it weren’t enough, the Cordovan town of Rute welcomes each year the world’s biggest chocolate Nativity Scene: a sweet visit that you can’t miss out on!
January in Andalucia
In the middle of winter, and at the beginning of the month, you can still enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, thanks to the Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos, whose parades characterise this period in the whole country.
In January, you can visit the Sierra Nevada National Park, in the province of Granada. Spain’s biggest national park is also Europe’s most southern protected area, where you can enjoy the splendid snowy landscapes by skiing and snowboarding. Besides, if you stay in the province of Granada, you can reach the Park easily, thanks to the several transport companies that offer this service in January.
February in Andalucia
In February, you can visit the province of Jaen, featuring charming towns and rich cuisine. Take into consideration the villages of Ubeda and Baeza, both declared UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. They are considered Renaissance jewels and are the first two towns that went back under the Christian Kingdom during the Reconquest. The monumental squares, Renaissance palaces, façades of churches, impressive chapels, perfectly maintained gardens and patios are the touch of art that will colour your February in Andalucia.
The province of Jaen is also known worldwide as the cradle of the best olive oil in both Andalucia and Spain; here, you can admire the hilly landscapes filled with olive yards. If you stop by this province, you can also delight yourself with the delicious local cuisine and taste the several varieties of excellent-quality olive oil.
On the other side, if you’re in Cadiz in February, don’t miss out on the famous Carnival, an event that is celebrated in the city and has been declared Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional.
Your holiday home in Andalucia
If you’re wondering which the best accommodation is to discover the beauties of Andalucia, wonder no more. On our webpage, we offer a wide variety of holiday rentals that meet your criteria: villas with private pool, holiday homes in the countryside, holiday lets on the coastal towns with sea views, and country houses with fireplace.
You can choose the accommodation that better fits your needs, according to the season that you travel to Andalucia. With this post, you will clear your head and select the ideal province to spend your Andalusian holidays. And if you want to know which the best season to visit the areas of Andalucia is, take a look at our posts about Cordoba, Granada, Malaga and Seville.
