- Málaga airport has the most UK flights and is the best gateway to the whole region
- Book the Alhambra as early as you can, as tickets sell out weeks ahead
- Seville and Córdoba can top 40 °C in July and August, so visit cities in spring or autumn
- Trains link the big cities; hire a car for the white villages
- Airports
- Málaga (AGP), Seville (SVQ), Granada (GRX), Almería (LEI), Jerez (XRY)
- Best time to go
- March-May and late September-November
- Type
- Region
Andalucía is the Spain of postcards and imagination: flamenco and orange trees, whitewashed villages clinging to hilltops, and the extraordinary legacy of almost eight centuries of Moorish rule in the palaces of Granada, the great mosque of Córdoba and the royal Alcázar of Seville. It is also Spain's sunniest region, with the beaches of the Costa del Sol and the wilder Costa de la Luz.
Distances are manageable, and the main cities are linked by fast trains, so it's easy to combine culture and coast in one trip. For the wider picture, see our Spain guide.
Where to stay
- Seville – the region's capital and its most atmospheric city, with the cathedral, the Real Alcázar and the best flamenco. Stay in Santa Cruz or the Arenal for the sights, or Triana for a more local feel.
- Granada – home of the Alhambra, with the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop. Stay in the hillside Albaicín for views or near the cathedral for convenience.
- Córdoba – a smaller city built around the Mezquita-Catedral, a vast mosque with a cathedral inside it. Lovely in May, when residents open their flower-filled patios.
- Costa del Sol – Málaga is a lively city with excellent museums, and the coast stretches west through Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona.
- Cádiz and the Costa de la Luz – an ancient port city and long Atlantic beaches such as Bolonia and Zahara de los Atunes, popular with Spanish holidaymakers and kitesurfers around Tarifa.
Things to do
- Alhambra, Granada – the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife gardens and the Alcazaba fortress. Timed tickets; book on the official site.
- Real Alcázar, Seville – a royal palace of tiled courtyards and gardens, still used by the Spanish royal family.
- Mezquita-Catedral, Córdoba – a forest of red-and-white striped arches.
- Ronda – a dramatic town split by a deep gorge and crossed by the Puente Nuevo bridge.
- The white villages – Grazalema, Zahara de la Sierra, Vejer de la Frontera and Frigiliana are just a few.
- Caminito del Rey – a famous cliff walkway near Málaga; book tickets in advance.
- Flamenco and tapas – catch a show in Seville's Triana or Granada's Sacromonte caves.
Our Andalucía road trip itinerary links many of these into a loop.
Getting there and around
Málaga airport has direct flights from almost every UK airport, taking about 2h45 from London. Seville, Granada, Almería and Jerez have fewer, often seasonal, routes, while Gibraltar is handy for the Costa de la Luz.
High-speed trains link Málaga with Córdoba in about an hour and Seville with Córdoba in around 45 minutes, and there are direct trains between Málaga and Seville. Buses are good for Granada and Ronda. For the white villages and remote beaches, a hire car is essential, but avoid driving into old town centres, where streets are narrow and access is often restricted.
When to go
Spring is the best time for cities, with orange blossom, Easter processions in Seville and the April Fair. Late September to November is also excellent. July and August are fiercely hot inland, often 40 °C or more, so stick to the coast. Winter is mild on the Costa del Sol and good for sightseeing, and there can be skiing in the Sierra Nevada.
Top attractions in Andalucía
LandmarkAlhambra
A hilltop palace-fortress of carved stucco, tiled courtyards and water gardens, the Alhambra is the high point of…
LandmarkPark Güell
Gaudí's hillside park of mosaic benches, gingerbread-style lodges and a famous dragon, with sweeping views over…
MuseumPrado Museum
One of the world's great art museums, the Prado holds Spain's royal collection, from Velázquez's Las Meninas to Goya's…
LandmarkReal Alcázar
A dazzling Mudéjar palace and gardens in the heart of Seville, still used by the Spanish royal family and famous as the…
LandmarkSagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished basilica, with its forest-like nave and glowing stained glass, is Barcelona's must-book sight.
NatureSerra de Tramuntana
A UNESCO-listed mountain range of stone villages, olive terraces and hairpin roads along Mallorca's north-west coast.
Andalucía on the map
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Andalucía?
A week lets you see Seville, Córdoba and Granada at a comfortable pace. Ten days to two weeks allows you to add Ronda, the white villages and some beach time.
Is Málaga or Seville a better base?
Málaga is better for beaches, flights and day trips along the coast; Seville is better if culture and nightlife are your priority. Many people fly into one and out of the other.
When should I book the Alhambra?
As soon as your dates are fixed. In spring, summer and holidays, tickets can sell out weeks or even months ahead. Buy only on the official website or from authorised sellers.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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