BuffaloGirl

I am just beginning to plan a trip to Andalucia, Spain next year (2025). Myself, husband, SIL and BIL. I was planning on May, as it seems to be the sweet spot weather wise. Unfortunately, BIL cannot go in May for several reasons. We aren't going without him, so now looking at April or June.

It is important to us to have a few days of relaxation near the water with a beach and beautiful scenery. We will be coming off a long, cold winter in Buffalo, NY , so beach time is a necessity as we will be in desperate need of vitamin D.

With this in mind would you choose mid April or early June? If April, will Easter impact our time there (not just the beach but the cities as well)? Will it be too chilly for sitting on the beach or poolside? Does June present with intense heat and more visitors? I don't have an itinerary yet but looking at Seville, white villages, Granada, and Nerja area or Marbella area.

I will have a million more questions but I need my beach time figured out before I continue with my planning LOL! Thanks for any input!

amsdon

Cadiz is also great.
It was very warm in April. You make it more rain in the Spring. Honestly in October is amazing too.

KarenWoo

I would be concerned about the heat in June. Summer in Andalusia is blazing hot! Temps in 90’s and 100’s. I personally think June is uncomfortable for sightseeing. But I can’t speak to going to the beach in April. Not sure if it’s warm enough. We don’t usually go to the beaches in Europe. You should check weather websites for temps in April for last 5 years or so.

MyriamC

For my husband and myself April and October are perfect. June may be very, very hot, especially in cities like Granada, Córdoba and Sevilla.

kja

For climate information, consult https://weatherspark.com/
I thought the Rough Guide especially good for Andalusia.

Kiddo

My husband and I were in Andalusia the last 2 weeks of this past April. It was very warm. In fact, in Ronda while we were waiting for our tour guide, we saw two older gentlemen collapse in the square. We were not interested in beaches, but I would say air temperature wise it was warm enough; however, I don't know what the water temperature would be like.

danon

Easter falls on the 20st …The Holy Week is huge in Andalusia : crowds , processions, hotel rates through the roof.
I don’t know much about beaches. Andalusia in June may be a bit unpleasant ,unless you don’t mind hot weather. My first visit to Andalusia was in August many years ago.
I survived. I was young.🙂

BuffaloGirl

This is all very helpful. Thank you!

BuffaloGirl

I'm thinking April is better than June based on the above comments. Do a lot of stores, restaurants, historic sights close during Easter week?

danon

We were in Seville for the first few days of la Semana Santa…if I remember correctly everything was open.
You may wish to search for information on specific towns and dates.
Since it is a major holiday many people are on the move.
Perhaps , the week after the festivities would make travel easier . And the hotel rates may be more reasonable.

bilboburgler

Marbella has many antis, me included. A long history of over development, gangsters and Arab princes dodging their governments.
But
Málaga is just so much nicer

KarenWoo

Malaga is wonderful! There is so much to see and do in Malaga such as the Malaga Catedral, Alcazaba, Castillo de Gibralfaro, Atarazanas Mercado, many art museum (including the Picasso Museum), seaside promenade, etc. The historic center is tastefully restored with pedestrianized lanes, beautiful architecture, cafes, restaurants, shops.

Maribel

April.
By June Andalucía can become extremely hot. On May 30 and 31 of this year it reached 40 degrees in Sevilla.
I can't begin. to stress enough how the weather is heating up, sometimes dangerously, in southern Spain in the summer.
Here is the info about Seville's temperatures this past June-

https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/...th=6&year=2024

You can use www.timeanddate for worldwide weather, put in your city in the search box, then click on "past weather" and scroll down and choose your month. Very revealing.

BuffaloGirl

Thanks, everyone, for the additional info. Gangsters and Arab princes didn't cross my mind LOL. I don't want to do too many cities. Was hoping to fly in or out of Madrid (I know, it's not in Andalucia). Madrid plus Seville and possibly Granada...not sure if I want to add another city. But I will keep it in mind as I start to piece together an itinerary!

margo_oz

I've been in Andalucía a couple of times in April. Yes, Easter seriously impacts things - but that's what makes it fantastic! The processions are wonderful. So different to home.

I had no interest in beaches (I live in Sydney) - but I recall the weather was comfortable, not overly hot. I'm not sure how this would translate to swimming weather.

kja

Cordoba's Mezquita is a gem. It would be a shame to be so close and miss it.

MyriamC

The Arab princes have gone. You will now hear a lot of Russian in Marbella.
If you don't want to do too many cities but still enjoy some beachtime, Málaga not only has museums, narrow alleys and beautiful buildings but also a lovely beach called La Malagueta.

Maribel

Easter week, Semana Santa, does impact somewhat museum and monument openings, for example, in Sevilla, as all the processions must pass through the cathedral, so the cathedral will have truncated hours and will some museums and the Triana market also had truncated hours on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which are official bank holidays. But restaurants and shops are wide open.
I know this because I spend this year's Easter Week in Sevilla and Málaga, and shops and restaurants were open. But for dining, because of the crowds, one must have reservations, and the tapas bars will be packed to the rafters, as everyone is out on the streets chasing the processions.

Pre Palm Sunday (viernes de dolores and sábado de pasión) I spent in Córdoba and everything was wide open as well. Please consider including Córdoba, as it's wonderful. And consider visiting the Cathedral-Mosque both during the day and for its evening sound and light tour, "The Soul of Córdoba", which is magical. The "Soul of Córdoba" visit isn't given every night in low season. There are sometimes two passes per evening, or at other times, just one at 10 pm (my tour started at 10:30 in March), but warning, it's very popular and does sell out. One can buy tickets for this two months ahead. For the day visit to the Cathedral, to avoid disappointment and some long lines, one can secure tickets online the day before. Or just arrive early, between 8:30 and 9 am and use the ticket machines that accept credit cards.

https://mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es/en/

BuffaloGirl

That sounds fabulous! Thank you.