Fancy a trip to Andalucia in April?
Find out if the region is right for you at this time of year, with our comprehensive guide to climate, travel conditions, crowds, prices, attractions and events.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Travelling to Andalucia in April: quick answers
Is the weather fine in Andalucia in April? Is this a good time to visit?
In our opinion, April is one of the most attractive months to visit Andalucia. Spring is in full swing: temperatures reach 22°C to 25°C inland during the day, gardens are in full bloom and light takes on a golden quality not found in summer. It’s also the month of Holy Week, when it doesn’t fall in March, and of the Feria de Abril in Sevilla, two events of remarkable visual and cultural intensity. In practical terms, the days are noticeably longer, with over 13 hours of daylight at the end of the month. On the other hand, tourist numbers rise sharply, especially around these major festivals: book your accommodation and entrance tickets in advance. Evenings remain cool at the beginning of the month, but a light jacket is more than sufficient.
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Travelling to Andalucia in April: summary of conditions
Temperatures
Temperatures are pleasant and rising throughout the month. On the coast, the thermometer reads between 20°C and 23°C (68°F and 73°F) during the day. Inland, Sevilla and Cordoba reach 22°C to 25°C in the afternoon. Nights are also getting warmer: expect 11°C to 14°C depending on the town. The Sierra Nevada still retains snow on its peaks at the start of the month, but skiing conditions are generally over.
Water temperatures
In April, the Mediterranean Sea registers between 16°C and 18°C (61°F and 64°F) on the Costa del Sol. On the Atlantic side, towards Cadiz, temperatures remain comparable. At the end of the month, the most adventurous visitors will be able to go swimming, although the majority will have to wait a few more weeks.
Crowds and prizes
April marks the start of the high tourist season. Major sites such asGranada’s Alhambra and Sevilla’s cathedral are often fully booked several weeks in advance. Accommodation prices are significantly higher than in winter, especially during Holy Week and the Feria de Abril. Outside these event periods, prices remain reasonable by summer standards.
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
Opening conditions
All tourist attractions, museums and monuments are in full swing in April. Opening hours are generally from 9am to 7pm, with some sites staying open later at the end of the month. Beach chiringuitos are gradually reopening all along the coast. Some sites may have exceptional opening times during Holy Week: check in advance if you plan to visit monuments during this period.
Length of day
Daylight hours average 1:30 pm. The days lengthen considerably throughout the month, giving you plenty of time to explore the region and enjoy evenings on the terrace.
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Best attractions in Andalucia in April
April is ideal for visiting Andalusian heritage. We particularly enjoyed that month:
- Granada’s Alhambra, a jewel of Nasrid architecture, in all its springtime splendor
- Sevilla’s Cathedral and Alcázar, with gardens in full bloom
- Cordoba’s Mezquita-Catedral and its orange-blossom patio
- White villages like Ronda or Arcos de la Frontera, lined with wild flowers
- Granada’s historic Albaicín district
- The sherry cellars of Jerez de la Frontera
- Doñana Natural Park, in the midst of spring migration
- The first dolphin and whale watching trips off the Costa del Sol
- Málaga city and museums
- Historic Arab baths in several cities
- …. See the Andalucia’s top attractions.
And lots of activities like these:
FUN in Andalucia: activities
- Cooking course in Sevilla
- Canyoning from the Costa del Sol
- Caminito del Rey guided hike
Climate in Andalucia in April – weather forecast
The Andalusian climate in April is that of an assertive spring, with increasing heat inland and constant mildness on the coast. Sunny days prevail, although brief, sudden showers are still possible. We were struck by the quality of the light in April: softer than in summer, it magnifies the ochre hues of the facades and the white of the villages. Vegetation is at its greenest and in full bloom.
On the coast
The Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz enjoy very pleasant temperatures in April, including the city of Malaga. The thermometer regularly reaches 21°C to 23°C during the day. The sea breeze soothes even the hottest afternoons. We were able to take full advantage of the terraces and coastal promenades, without the stifling heat that characterizes July and August. The beaches are starting to get crowded, even if the sea remains cool for most bathers.
Inland
Inland cities such as Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada enjoy their most pleasant weather of the year in April. Afternoons reach 22°C to 25°C, with golden light and abundant sunshine. The flower-filled patios of Cordoban houses are covered with geraniums and bougainvillea. Evening walks are still possible without warm clothing in the second half of the year, with night-time temperatures around 13°C to 14°C.
In the mountains
The Sierra Nevada still has snow at altitude in early April, but the ski season is generally over. The lower slopes are covered with dense spring vegetation. In April, the villages of the Alpujarras offer a spectacle of successive flowerings: cherry and plum trees take over from almond trees. Hiking on the trails of the Alpujarras is particularly recommended this month, with ideal temperatures and lush vegetation. Less than 1 hour’s drive from Granada.
April temperatures in Andalucia
Temperatures are still rising compared with March. Here are the averages for Andalucia’s main destinations.
Weather in Sevilla
- Average daytime temperatures: 23°C (73°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 12°C (54°F)
Temperature in Málaga
- Average daytime temperatures: 22°C (72°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 13°C (55°F)
Temperature in Granada
- Average daytime temperatures: 19°C (66°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 8°C (46°F)
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Rain and Wind
April remains a month when showers are possible, although rainfall is still lower than in March. Rainfall generally comes in the form of brief, sometimes intense showers, typical of the Mediterranean climate, before the skies quickly clear. We’ve rarely seen a full-day shower in April: just expect it and don’t be surprised.
- Rainfall in Sevilla: 35 to 50 mm
(over 4 days on average) - Rainfall in Málaga: 40 to 55 mm
(4 to 5 days on average) - Rainfall in Granada: 30 to 45 mm
(over 4 days on average)
The snow is now confined to the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada. In lowland towns, it is totally absent in April. Night-time temperatures, even in Granada, remain well above 0°C.
The wind is moderate in April. The levante, a dry easterly wind, can blow occasionally on the Costa del Sol, but not excessively. Inland, conditions are generally calm. Windy days remain in the minority and do not prevent outdoor activities.
Sunshine
In April, daylight hours vary from 1:00 pm to 1:45 pm.
Sunrise is around 7:00 am and sunset around 8:45 pm at the end of the month.
Sunshine is excellent in April: we counted an average of 8 to 9 hours of sunshine a day. The Mediterranean coast and the major inland towns often enjoy clear skies. This is one of the best months of the year for photographing Andalucia, with the light still soft enough to avoid the harsh contrasts of summer. The long, bright evenings make it possible to organize terrace dinners even before sunset.
Generous daylight hours give you plenty of time to combine cultural visits in the morning with hiking or coastal walks in the afternoon. The warm, low-angled light at the end of the day is particularly favorable for discovering the narrow streets of Granada’s Albaicín or the banks of Sevilla’s Guadalquivir.
Water temperature – swimming in Andalucia in April
Sea bathing becomes possible for the more courageous at the end of April, especially on the Costa del Sol where the water gradually warms up. However, most visitors prefer to wait until May or June to dive in comfort. In the meantime, the Arab baths of the big cities and the heated swimming pools of hotels remain excellent alternatives.
- Water temperature in Málaga: 17°C (63°F) on average
- Water temperature in Marbella: 17°C (63°F) on average
- Average water temperature in Cadiz: 17°C (63°F)
Crowds and other conditions
April was a month of contrasts in terms of visitor numbers. Outside of the main holiday periods, the sites can be visited in good conditions, even if the crowds are much higher than in winter. We recommend booking the Alhambra several weeks in advance, whatever the dates of your stay in April: slots fill up very quickly at this time.
During Holy Week and the Feria de Abril in Sevilla, the situation is different: town centers are transformed, normal opening hours are disrupted and some businesses close during the processions. It’s a unique show, but you have to anticipate it. Orange blossom perfumes the streets of Sevilla and Cordoba, patios are decked out in their finest colors for the Patio Festival, and the surrounding countryside is lush green. Evening meals rarely start before 9pm, a local custom that makes for a pleasant change of pace.
Flowering and nature in April
April is the month when Andalucia displays all its floral wealth. The countryside is criss-crossed by fields of red poppies, white daisies and purple lavender, which line the roads between the white villages. In the gardens of Sevilla’s Real Alcázar, orange trees in bloom and rose beds offer an incomparable palette of colors and scents. We particularly enjoyed the mornings in these green spaces, before the visits intensified.
It’s also the high season for Cordoban patios. The Festival of the Patios of Cordoba, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is held in May, but the houses start flowering their courtyards at the end of April. The Doñana Natural Park also sees its biodiversity peak in April, with intense migratory activity: hundreds of bird species stop over in its wetlands. It’s a destination of choice for birdwatchers.
April events in Andalucia
- Semana Santa (Holy Week): when it doesn’t fall in March, Semana Santa takes place in April. This is Andalucia’s most important religious and cultural event. Sevilla’s processions are the most famous: brotherhoods in tunics parade for hours through the narrow streets of the old town, carrying floats of considerable artistic merit. Granada, Málaga and Cordoba also offer well-attended processions. Book your accommodation and transport several months in advance if you wish to attend.
- Sevilla’s Feria de Abril: two weeks after Holy Week, Sevilla transforms itself for its most emblematic fair. Hundreds of casetas (private and public stands) set up in the Los Remedios district, where Sevillians dance sevillanas, drink manzanilla and parade in traditional dress. Horse-drawn carriages and horsemen in Andalusian costume roam the aisles. The atmosphere is both festive and very local: it’s a festival that belongs first and foremost to the people of Seville, even if visitors are welcome in the public casetas.
- Feria del Caballo de Jerez: at the end of the month or beginning of May, Jerez de la Frontera celebrates its historic link with the horse. The fair is one of the most important in Spain for equestrian enthusiasts: dressage competitions, purebred Spanish horse shows and traditional entertainment keep the town alive for an entire week.
- Flamenco in Granada: in April, several of Granada’s peñas flamencas program flamenco shows in small venues, for an up-close-and-personal experience quite different from the touristy tablaos.
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April prices
As everywhere, prices vary depending on what you are looking for. Accommodation ranges from youth hostels to 5-star hotels. It is therefore difficult to give a budget. In April, fares are significantly higher than in winter, especially during Holy Week and the Feria de Abril in Sevilla. These two periods represent the biggest price peaks of the year for Sevillian accommodation. Outside these events, prices remain reasonable compared to July and August, and value for money remains favorable.
Other months
When to go to Andalucia, other months…
- Andalucia in January
- Andalucia in February
- Andalucia in March
- Andalucia in May
- Andalucia in June
- Andalucia in July
- Andalucia in August
- Andalucia in September
- Andalucia in October
- Andalucia in November
- Andalucia in December
Or read our article on when to go to Andalucia (coming soon).
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