Why go en Andalousie?
The good reasons to go en Andalousie
A rich historical heritage
Granada, Seville, Cordoba: the great ones with unforgettable wonders, frozen in time.
Natural resources
Natural parks are ideal for hiking, horseback riding and cycling.
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.
An ideal position between two seas
Europe and Africa meet in Andalusia, the bridge between these two continents.
The new epicurean paradise
To be discovered while savoring a Jerez made with passion, it's the region's liquid gold.
Year-round festivities
Semana Santa, ferias and carnivals to celebrate, whatever the date of your visit.
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.
Good to know when visiting l'Andalousie
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.
Find unique holiday offers with our partners
Discover l'Andalousie
In the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, Andalusia is made up of eight provinces: Seville, Huelva, Cadiz, Malaga, Granada, Jaen, Cordoba and Almeria. A minimum tour includes the splendor of the Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Cordoba and the Reales Alcazares in Seville. But this vast territory has much more to offer: a brilliant historical and artistic heritage that can be found in each of its provinces. It will lead you, for example, to discover the delightful city of Cadiz and the wine trails of Jerez, the impressive offer of Málaga in terms of museums, the beautiful beaches of Huelva or the Cabo de Gata Nijar Natural Park, a small jewel of Almeria. Without forgetting to go to the inland paradise that is the province of Jaen to admire Renaissance jewels like Ubeda and Baeza. It will also discover through its intangible heritage, flamenco and its Semanas Santas.
