Best time to visit southern Spain?

I can't get Spain out of my mind! We did Madrid and north in late September/early October. When is the best time to visit the south? (Again, I'm sure we'll want to include Madrid.)

Although Spain is wonderful year round, I would say it is an amazing place to be in the spring time. In the south there are many festivals and ferias in the spring that can't be beat. I'd say try April or May.

BK

I visited Andalucía (Granada, Córdoba, Ronda) in May (last week of the month) last year and I think I couldn´t have chosen a better time. Everything was so green and all the flowers were blooming. It was really BEAUTIFUL! One more advantage is that the temperature is still very pleasent compared with July/August, the main tourist season.

Obvious answer: Any time you can.
Seriously, though, I, too, went to southern Spain in mid-May (2000), and thought it a great time to visit: nice weather and not yet the high tourist season. So, I agree with Tia, la Finlandesa Bonita

Ah, to be in Andalucia now that Spring is here! That is the best time without doubt, unless you want to spend all day at the beach, or want warm nights. And, apart from around Easter itself, it's not even busy. I got married 4 years ago in Malaga in mid-April. My wife and I paid for the wedding and after that we had no money left. So for our "honeymoon" trip we caught a slow bus to Ronda, carrying bocadillos made with my ma-in-law's tortilla. We stayed at a cheap hostal, and spent a few days days walking in the countryside around Ronda. The weather was wonderful, the fields and roadsides carpeted in flowers, and everything enveloped in this marvellous golden light. I remember a siesta in the shade of an olive tree, looking across the fields to the Tajo of Ronda in the distance, thinking this is as near to paradise as I'll get in this life.

Well, I'm starting to ramble, but you get the picture!

[ 02-20-2002: Message edited by: El Boqueron ]

And if you´re not convinced yet... here´s a link to my album with some pics from the trip.
Andalucía

[ 02-20-2002: Message edited by: Tia ]

Consider me convinced! It's been years since we've visited the south and always later in the year (September, October, November). Since we have some other "obligations" for this year (trip to Hawaii for a wedding), we will put Spain on hold and hope to visit Andalucia, etc. next spring, perhaps April or May. Although we have a big anniversary coming up this April, I don't see any way to spend it in Spain (unless the airlines start giving away tickets)!

Tia, I loved your pictures. thanks for sharing them with us! Carol, I hope you have a wonderful trip. I am so envious!

Been in Anadalucia in various times of the year, February, May, June and in August. I enjoyed all times but May may be the best ambient temperatures. Forget jumping in the Med in May though.

cubatex

Well, I'll work on plans for next May but it seems SO far away! Please, if anyone sees cheap fares from SFO to MAD, let me know. I try to watch for them but sometimes there's a last minute deal.

Buy a lottery ticket, Carole, and dream! Several of Andalucia's Spring celebrations are tied to the Ecclesiastical calender: Semana Santa; Sevilla's Feria de abril (two weeks after Semana Santa); Feria del Campo (aka romeria de la Virgen del Rocio). Some, like the Feria de la Primavera or the Jerez horse shows are not. There are more: like the fair in Puerto Réal (Cadiz) that seems to follow el Puerto de Santa Maria's feria de la Primavera by a week or two.

It gets very hot in the summer in Andalucia (inland) - the spring is more bearable even though it was more than 90 farenheit when we were there for Semana Santa one year (Apr 5). April & May are probably the most temperate months. Stay for Pentecost Sunday (May 19 this year) for el Rocio.

Tia - thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures! I'm now crying into my coffee - "adopted" homesickness has hit big time!

You´re welcome Nicole and Puna!
Sharing the pics is the least I can do. I´m only 'paying back' all the good advice, usefull info and great stories I´ve found on MMboard.
Have a nice weekend, everyone!
Tia

hey everybody?

tia the best time for visiting andalucia is winter.madrid is best in may or october.take note that i am basing my criteria on climate.which is important to take in mind.but actually i would to any region of spain at any season,month and time of year.

saludos

hey everybody?

tia the best time for visiting andalucia is winter.madrid is best in may or october.take note that i am basing my criteria on climate.which is important to take in mind.but actually i would to any region of spain at any season,month and time of year.

saludos

Hey Carole-

Check out the iberia website. I just found fares for $290 r/t from JFK, so I'm sure there are specials from other airports too. (I haven't tried to actually see if the dates I want are available, but they are advertising them and you could call and see if they can help you out...) I think the fare says you have to buy by 2/28 though...

Oh, and being GranadaGirl, I feel I have to chime in on the best time to visit Granada/Andalucia even though it's been nearly beaten to death already!! Although it's beautiful ALL YEAR, I'd particularly choose March/April/May...once June/July/August come around it's waaaaay hot & humid...and in the spring the gardens & Generalife at the Alhambra are so beautiful. If you haven't been to Granada for a while, there's also a fairly new park on the Camino de Ronda (across town from the Alhambra, near HiperCor!) which is dedicated to Federico Garcia Lorca. We were there for Semana Santa last year, and it was already beautiful, I can only imagine how gorgeous it'll be at the end of April and May!!!

Buena suerte!!

-GG