Andalusia

Andalusia – What you should know

Andalusia has the mildest winter on the European mainland. On the Costa del Sol, highs typically reach 17°C even in January and February, with nights around 10°C — figures you would otherwise have to fly to the Canaries for. This is exactly why northern Europeans have wintered here for decades, and why the region makes sense as a destination from November through March.

Summer is practically rain-free: June through August together average less than 5 mm, with no rain days at all. At 30°C in July and August, the coast stays considerably more bearable than the Andalusian interior, where Seville and Córdoba regularly reach 36°C and above. If you come in high summer and want to see the Alhambra or the Mezquita, plan those excursions for early morning.

One point surprises many visitors: the sea is cooler than the air temperatures suggest. In August the Mediterranean here typically reaches 23°C, dropping to 15–16°C in winter. The reason lies to the west — cooler Atlantic water flows in through the Strait of Gibraltar. July to October are the reliable swimming months, with October an underrated tip at 20°C water and 24°C air.