Andalusia is a year-round destination, but the difference between visiting in April and visiting in August is enormous — not just in temperature, but in crowd levels, prices, and atmosphere. This guide breaks down every season so you can pick the right time for your trip.
The Short Answer
Best overall: April–May and September–October. You'll get warm, sunny weather, manageable crowds, and the best prices of the peak season. Spring also brings the famous Andalusian festivals.
Avoid if heat is a concern: July and August, when Seville regularly hits 42°C and is the hottest city in Western Europe.
Hidden gem months: November–February. Mild temperatures (15–18°C), almost no crowds, and significantly lower prices. Many attractions close early but the experience can be magical.
Month-by-Month Temperature Guide (Seville)
Note: Granada is 4–6°C cooler than Seville due to elevation. The Sierra Nevada means winter nights can drop below 5°C.
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (March–May) — The Best Season Overall
Spring is when Andalusia is at its most beautiful. Wildflowers cover the hillsides, orange trees blossom with intoxicating fragrance, and the temperatures are perfect for walking — warm enough to sit outside, cool enough to explore all day. Crowds build through April and May but remain manageable outside Semana Santa.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) — the week before Easter — transforms Seville and other Andalusian cities into one of the world's most spectacular religious festivals. Elaborate floats (pasos) are carried through the streets by hooded brotherhoods (nazarenos) in centuries-old processions. Hotels fill months in advance and prices triple. If you want to experience it, plan a year ahead. If you want to avoid crowds, plan your trip for two weeks before or after.
The Feria de Abril (Seville's Spring Fair), two weeks after Semana Santa, is a week-long party of flamenco dresses, horse parades, and sherry — more local and joyful than the solemn Semana Santa, and equally worth seeing.
Summer (June–August) — Hot But Lively
June is still manageable — warm, vibrant, long evenings. July and August bring heat that's difficult to overstate. Seville's 38–42°C is not just uncomfortable; it limits what you can do between roughly 11am and 5pm. The practical approach: do everything early morning and late evening, hide in air-conditioned spaces at midday, and accept that the pace of life slows dramatically.
That said, summer has its own appeal. Cities come alive at night — outdoor concerts, late dining, bars that don't fill until midnight. The Costa de la Luz beaches between Cádiz and Tarifa are magnificent in summer, with Atlantic winds keeping temperatures bearable. Many Andalusians take August seriously as holiday time, so tourist infrastructure is well-oiled.
Autumn (September–October) — Arguably the Sweetest Spot
September is increasingly popular as summer crowds thin while temperatures remain high (30–34°C in Seville). By October, daytime temperatures drop to the mid-20s — ideal for walking — and the tourist masses have largely gone. Prices fall noticeably from their August peak. The grape harvest (vendimia) is underway in the Jerez region if you want to combine a sherry visit.
October is particularly good for Granada: the Sierra Nevada begins to see its first snow on the high peaks, and the Alhambra is beautiful against autumn foliage. October crowds are a fraction of July's.
Winter (November–February) — The Secret Season
Andalusia's winter is one of southern Europe's mildest. Seville averages 15–17°C in December and January — cold enough to need a jacket in the evening, warm enough to sit outside for lunch most days. The major attractions are all open (though some close early) and you'll sometimes have them nearly to yourself.
Christmas in Seville is genuinely atmospheric — the city decorates extravagantly and Belén (nativity scene) exhibitions take over churches and public spaces. The Cabalgata de Reyes (Three Kings Parade) on January 5th is celebrated with gusto. February brings almond blossom throughout the region.
The main downside: some beach-area restaurants and accommodation close for the season, and occasional rain (December and January see 4–6 rainy days per month, though rarely all day).
Festivals & Events Worth Planning Around
- Semana Santa (March/April) — Seville, Córdoba, Granada: world-class religious processions
- Feria de Abril (April) — Seville: the Spring Fair, 6 days of flamenco, horses, and sherry
- Festival de los Patios (May) — Córdoba: private courtyards opened to the public, UNESCO recognised
- International Guitar Festival (July) — Córdoba: world-class classical and flamenco guitar
- Bienal de Flamenco (September, even years) — Seville: the world's most important flamenco festival
- Vendimia (September) — Jerez: grape harvest festivals throughout the sherry-producing region
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