Why go to Andalusia? The 10 good reasons to go Andalusia
Year-round festivities
Semana Santa, feria and carnivals to celebrate, whatever the date of your visit.
A pleasant climate all year round
Hot and almost tropical in summer, mild in autumn and winter, a wonder in spring!
Landscapes of contrasts
From the vast plains to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada and isolated coves.
A variety of pleasures
Ski in the Sierra Nevada in the morning and head for the beaches along the coast in the afternoon.
A rich historical heritage
Granada, Seville, Cordoba: the great ones with unforgettable wonders, frozen in time.
The new epicurean paradise
To be discovered while savoring a Jerez made with passion, it's the region's liquid gold.
Natural resources
Natural parks are ideal for hiking, horseback riding and cycling.
An ideal position between two seas
Europe and Africa meet in Andalusia, the bridge between these two continents.
Folklore and traditions
Andalusia is the home of bullfighting and flamenco, which will be the highlight of your stay.
A life punctuated by the sun
It shines for up to 320 days a year on the Almería coast or on the Costa de la Luz.
What to visit Andalusia?
Interview: My Andalusia
With Dominique Sellier, author of the guide
In love with Andalusia since the beginning, Dominique Sellier has been travelling around it for Le Petit Futé since 2012. She goes there several times a year to meet the people who make this region and find the best addresses, from the chic bar overlooking the Guadalquivir to the spots that go up, passing by the bodegas of Jerez or the villages of Alpujarra
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Andalusia
Timetable
Museums are closed on Mondays. Some monuments are open discontinuously, but most open from 10am to 1pm and from 4pm to 8pm, 1 hour later in summer. Schedules on their websites. Mornings are the busiest, especially for groups. Prefer the afternoon. Out of season, access is much quicker. Please note that the monuments are closed on Christmas, New Year's Day and Spanish and Andalusian public holidays.
To be booked
Entry to the Alhambra must be booked as far in advance as possible, before you arrive, as the number of entrances is limited and the monument attracts several million visitors a year. The same applies to the Caminito del Rey. Both of these reservations can only be made online. Generally speaking, in high season, it's best to book online for the most emblematic monuments and museums.
Budget & Tips
In Andalusia, entry to the Alhambra is the most expensive, costing €18 for the whole complex. Admission to municipal museums is often free for residents of the European Union. Prices elsewhere range from €2 to €10 on average. Many cities offer passes that include several visits. Check that you intend to visit everything before taking one. Many monuments have free days or half-days, indicated on their websites. Remember to book in advance, if possible in the morning, as the number of admissions is generally limited.
Main events
As in the rest of Spain, semana santa (Easter) and local ferias are not to be missed and should be considered as part of the high tourist season, which is reflected in the price of accommodation. As well as major sporting events (soccer matches, motorcycle tournaments, etc.).
Guided tours
Where available, a French-language audio-guide is recommended, as there are few French-language signs on site. These are particularly recommended when visiting nature parks, as they will enable you to access areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Smokers
Hard to believe, but in January 2011 the Spanish complied with the ban on smoking in public places.
Tourist traps
In Seville and all major cities, there are a growing number of "info points", especially in city centers and near train stations. Avoid them. The best contacts are the municipal or junta tourist offices. They're free, well-documented and offer excellent advice, often in French.
