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Andalucia holidays
The sun-soaked southernmost tip of Spain is one of its most enticing regions. A destination made for siestas between sightseeing, people-watching under orange trees and leisurely meals of tapas, you’ll also find millennia of history to uncover on Andalucia holidays, from the Phoenicians and Romans to the Moorish kingdoms which once ruled here.
From the glorious beaches on the coast, including the Costa Tropical, Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz, to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains, vibrant cities like Seville and white-washed villages hidden in the peaks, there’s so much to discover in this attractive corner of Spain. Lose yourself in medieval history as you stroll in the footsteps of kings and queens through the tiled corridors of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, or the ornate Alcazar Palace in Seville, with more links to this lost kingdom in Ronda and Cordoba too.
It's easy to theme a tour of Andalucia around its natural treasures as well, whether that’s a walking holiday, visiting the Doñana National Park, or getting hands on with conservation projects. But there’s always chance to indulge too, whether it’s a glass of sherry in Jerez de la Frontera, a lavish plate of wafer-thin jamon iberico or a seafood feast overlooking the waves.
Highlights of holidays to Andalucia
You’ll find everything packed into Andalucia, from the golden beaches of the coast to the white villages in the mountains, cities rich in Moorish history and nature reserves, plus the vibrant colours and flamenco soundtrack of Seville.
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The highlight of any Andalucia holidays, Seville’s orange-tree-lined streets are home to ornate medieval buildings, colourful squares like the eye-catching Plaza de Espana and quirky modern sculptures which you can climb to soak up views over the rooftops. But half the pleasure of a visit is strolling the picturesque historic streets, cruising along the Guadalquivir river past some of the oldest quarters, and watching the world go by over a glass of orange wine. Visit the Alcazar palace, see the tomb of Columbus in the cathedral and enjoy flamenco too, including impromptu performances in the streets.
Key Andalucia travel information
The region of Andalucia sits at the southernmost point of Spain and the Iberian peninsula, home to Seville and Granada. The region borders both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the west of the Strait of Gibraltar, and runs to the Portuguese border in the west. Andalucia also includes the coast around Malaga and Marbella, along with the historic towns of Ronda, Cordoba and Cadiz.
Both refer to the same area, but Andalucia is the official Spanish-language spelling, while Andalusia is the anglicised version. Interestingly, the English spelling is closer to the original Arabic name, Al-Andalus, while the Spanish spelling uses Castilian spelling.
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Andalucia. There are warm temperatures and pleasant sunshine without the oppressive heat of summer, when it can easily reach 40C or higher. There’s more birdlife to spot during these months too, and orange blossom flowering during March.
There are several major festivals to enjoy around Easter and April as well, although it can also be much busier during these weeks. Autumn sees harvest celebrations, with grapes and olives ripening at this point of the year, plus higher sea temperatures to enjoy at the coast and fewer people – the Andalucia weather October forecast can get more unsettled towards the end of the month though. Winter is still warmer than in northern Europe, but you can expect more rain if you plan your Andalucia holidays for the coldest months.
No visit to Andalucia is complete without seeing Seville, one of the most colourful and interesting cities in the whole of Spain. But this area is also perfect to discover more about the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus, including visits to Granada, home to the Alhambra Palace, as well as Cordoba and Ronda during a tour of Andalucia.
There are direct flights from multiple airports across the UK to Seville, as well as to Malaga, which is around 90 minutes from Granada and just under two hours from Cordoba. You’ll also find two other international airports in Andalucia, Spain, with limited flights from the UK to Almeria, but there’s currently no direct flight route to Granada.
One of the sunniest corners of Europe, with 300+ days of sunshine per year, a tour of Andalucia is a tempting option to escape the cooler weather further north. Temperatures reach around 20C by March, up to 27C by late May, and stay between around 25-30C during September and October too. The wettest months are from November to February, but you can still expect some rain in March and October. By contrast, midsummer is very dry but temperatures hover around 35C on average for the region, often higher in cities like Seville where it can spike to 40C.
Yes, Andalucia is a great option for mature travellers. While it’s better to avoid the midsummer heat, pleasant temperatures during spring and autumn make it an attractive alternative to chilly weather in the UK. There’s also plenty for those who are interested in history, walks for varied levels, nature reserves for bird-watchers, and delicious food to enjoy on your Andalucia holidays, along with the beaches of the coast.
You‘ll find plenty of tapas to enjoy during a tour of Andalucia, the region in Spain where this style of food originated. As well as classic options, croquetas come with a variety of fillings, while it’s also a fantastic area to find high-quality jamon iberico. There’s also fish and seafood at the coast, plus sherry from Jerez and orange wine in Seville.
Andalucia is a big region, around four times the size of Wales and slightly larger than Scotland, so there’s plenty to do here without leaving its borders. As the far southernmost region, you’ll need to allow plenty of time to journey to most other destinations in Spain, especially taking into account the fact that the northern section of Andalucia is mountainous. However, Spain’s efficient high-speed train network does makes it very easy to explore between major cities, with journeys from Seville to Madrid taking less than three hours if you’re looking to visit the capital on your Andalucia holidays.
Yes, you’ll find various religious and cultural festivals taking place throughout the year, including Semana Santa in the week leading up to Easter. Noche de San Juan on June 23 has even earlier origins, celebrating the Summer Solstice on what’s now known as St John’s Eve, with bonfires built on the beaches along the Costa del Sol, especially around Marbella.
Seville also celebrates the Feria de Abril, in a festival featuring flamenco, music and dancing, which usually begins around two weeks after Semana Santa. In May, the Feria del Caballo celebrates all things equestrian in Jerez de la Frontera, including impressive horse displays. Or in Cadiz, the historic carnival is said to be the largest in the world, running for 11 days from just before the start of Lent, including the chirigotas contest, where the year’s news is critiqued in song.
A week is really the minimum amount of time for any Andalucia holidays – long enough to visit several key locations, or to combine time at the coast and the cities. However, given the large distances across the region, spending 10-14 days is even better, with enough time to explore, relax and get outdoors.
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