Travel Tips

In Andalusia there are 4 domestic airports (Almería, Cordoba, Granada and Jerez de la Frontera (Cadiz province), and 2 international airports (Malaga and Seville) which offer flights to and from the main Spanish cities, and other overseas destinations, with Spanish and foreign airlines. 

Andalusia is one of the warmest regions anywhere in Europe. It has a warm, Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers and mild winters with infrequent precipitation. If there is one characteristic trait of Andalusia’s atmosphere, it is its light. The high proportion of hours of sunshine marks the cheerful, hospitable character of the region’s people.

Since 1 January 2002, Spain/Andalusia has been using the Euro, the legal currency of the European Economic Community. The Euro is sub-divided into 100 cents. Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, 1 and 2 Euro. Notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.

The majority of banks open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-2/2.30pm. Only a few branches open on Saturday mornings. Throughout Andalusia there are cashpoints available 24 hours a day, most of which: Servired, 4B and Euro 6000, offer international service (Visa, MasterCard)

You can change money at any bank, although there are also bureaux de change in some tourist areas, airports, railway stations, etc., and many tourist establishments also offer this service.

Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Master Card, 4B...), displaying the corresponding signs at the entrance to the establishment. Traveler's checks, accompanied by a passport, are also accepted in most tourist establishments in Andalusia.

We should mention that in some establishments (restaurants, shops…), payment with 100, 200 and 500 Euro notes is not accepted.

The importance of the Spanish language throughout the world has become a great incentive for coming to spend some time in Andalusia. Students from the five continents choose our destination for learning Spanish and, at the same time, discovering their culture, customs and land.

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, after English. This is in addition to the favorable conditions of the destination: the mild climate, the lifestyle in the south, the leisure options… Andalusia is the ideal place for learning this language.

It is advisable to take out a medical insurance policy.

In any case, you should contact the relevant office in your country of origin for full details regarding current requirements to receive medical care in Andalusia/Spain.

To travel to Andalusia/Spain, you do not need vaccinations against any illness, although, as in any part of the world, it is advisable to have your tetanus vaccination up to date if you are going to be in contact with nature and the countryside.

Medicines can be purchased at chemists, which are marked by a green cross. Bear in mind that only a doctor should prescribe the correct medication for each case.

When paying for bars, cafés, restaurants, hotels and taxis, it is common to leave a tip, in addition to the bill, or to round the total up, as long as you are satisfied with the service.

Andalusia is in the south of the Iberian peninsula. You can get to Andalusia by air, sea or land (car, train, bus or taxi).

By air:

In Andalusia there are 4 domestic airports: Almería, Cordoba, Granada-Jaén and Jerez de la Frontera (Cadizprovince), and 2 international airports: Malaga and Sevillewhich offer flights to and from the main Spanish cities, and other overseas destinations, with Spanish and foreign airlines.

By sea:

Andalusia has 836 Km of coastline, with more than 30 marinas, 2 estuary ports, and 15 commercial ports. Special mention should be made of Algeciras Port (Spain’s largest in overall traffic), Malaga Port (the Iberian peninsula’s second busiest for cruise ships), Almería Port and Cadiz Port.

As well as travelling aboard a cruise liner, you can also get to these ports on scheduled services from Ceuta, Melilla, the Canary Islands and north African cities. Before travelling, it is advisable to get full details of routes and conditions from your travel agent or ferry/liner company.

By land:  

1. By car:

The main road route into Andalusia is on the A-4/E-05 through the Despeñaperros Nature Reserve (Jaén province), although there is also good access on the A-92N in Vélez-Rubio and the A-7/E-15 in Huércal-Overa (Almería province), the N-433 in Rosal de la Frontera and the N-630 in Santa Olalla del Cala (Huelva province), the N-432 in Fuente-Obejuna and the N-420 in Cardeña (Cordoba province), etc.

All the different municipalities in Andalusia are connected by the National, Regional or Provincial Road Networks. The Cadiz-Seville section of the AP-4 and Malaga-Guadiaro section of the AP-7 are toll motorways, and there are other major motorways linking the main cities of Andalusia. It is important to remember that:

-The maximum speed limit for any vehicle is 120 Kph, with lower limits on certain roads. You should always respect speed limits in each case.
-Use of seatbelts is obligatory for all passengers in motor vehicles.
-Use of helmets is obligatory when riding motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles.
-Telephones may only be used with "hands free" systems while driving.
-Children under 3 years must be strapped into a suitable seat for their weight and height.
-A reflective jacket must be used when getting out of the car on the road or the hard shoulder.
-If your car is stopped on the road or hard shoulder, use of warning triangles is obligatory.
-In general, the maximum alcohol level permitted is 0.5 g/litre in the blood, and 0.25 mg/litre of air (breathalyser).

2. By train:

The Spanish National Railways Network (RENFE) offers a full range of services interconnecting the major cities of Andalusia and many smaller municipalities: there are Regional Services ("Cercanías") between many towns and villages in the provinces of Malaga and Cadiz, and Medium and Long Distance services throughout Andalusia and the rest of Spain. There is also a High Speed Service (AVE) to Cordoba, Seville and Malaga. There are special rates available for students, groups, over 60s, return tickets, etc.

There are currently metro/underground building works underway in Málaga and Granada.

3.  By bus:

There are many bus companies operating in Andalusia. They offer an extensive network of services with spacious, comfortable coaches, running to many towns and villages, some of which do not have rail services. These companies usually have an information and booking office at the main bus stations, or they have a customer service telephone number. It is advisable to contact the corresponding company in advance to check conditions on specific routes.

Within cities, there are municipal bus services running between different urban areas during the day, with a few special services by night. Single tickets cost around 1 Euro, and this is reduced if you purchase a Bonobús (card valid for 10 journeys) from the corresponding vending machines, or at "estancos" (licensed tobacco/stamp shops).

4.  By taxi:

All cities in Andalusia have full taxi services offering urban and inter-urban transport at any time of the day or night. You can find taxi ranks in different areas of the city and at the main communications hubs (stations, airports, shopping centers, etc.). You can also order taxis by phone. Tariffs are fixed by the local council in question, and there are sometimes additional supplements payable in specific cases (nocturnal service, public holidays, etc.). You can request a receipt for the amount payable. 

Travelling to Andalusia is easy. Documentation required varies according to the country you com from.

If you are from the USA, you need a valid passport to enter Andalusia/Spain, and you will be entitled to stay up to a maximum of 90 days.

Given that conditions may vary, we suggest that you contact the Spanish Embassy or Consulate to verify these requirements before you start your trip.

Andalusia has a predominantly warm, Mediterranean climate: mild winters with irregular precipitations, and dry, hot, sunny summers, which become more extreme as you move inland from the coast.

The average year-round temperature is approximately 18ºC, and there are more than 300 days of sunshine per year, with January being the coldest month and August the hottest.

The rich, varied biodiversity here means that in Andalusia you can go from the desert climate of Tabernas (Almería) to the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Granada) or the marshlands of the Doñana National Park (Huelva).