Want to go to Andalucia in February?
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 February: quick answers
Is the weather fine in Andalucia in February? Is this a good time to visit?
February is a surprising month in Andalucia. Temperatures are already milder than in the rest of Europe, with daytime averages of 16°C to 18°C on the coast. The sunshine is more intense than in January: you can expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. This can be a great time to explore major cultural cities without the summer heat and queues. It’s also Carnival month, one of the region’s liveliest events. Evenings remain cool and mountainous areas retain their wintry character, with snow on the heights of the Sierra Nevada.
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Travelling to Andalucia in February: summary of conditions
Temperatures
Temperatures remain mild. On the coast, the thermometer reads between 16°C and 18°C (61°F and 64°F) during the day. Inland, Sevilla and Cordoba reach 15°C to 17°C in the afternoon. Nights remain cool, around 6°C to 9°C. The Sierra Nevada maintains winter conditions that are ideal for skiing until April.
Water temperatures
In February, the Mediterranean Sea registers between 14°C and 16°C (57°F and 61°F) on the Costa del Sol. On the Atlantic side, towards Cadiz, temperatures are comparable. Swimming is not very popular at this time of year, except for water sports enthusiasts used to cool waters.
Crowds and prizes
February still belongs to the low tourist season. Major sites such asGranada’s Alhambra or Sevilla’s cathedral can be visited in very comfortable conditions. That’s the experience we had! Accommodation prices remain attractive, often 30% to 40% lower than in high season. Please note, however, that the Carnival period, particularly in Cadiz, attracts an influx of visitors: book in advance if you’re traveling at this time.
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
Major tourist attractions, museums and monuments operate normally in February. Opening hours are generally from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with some sites closing between 2 and 4 p.m. for lunch – a local custom you’ll need to anticipate in your organization. A few chiringuitos (beach restaurants) remain closed until spring, but the establishments in town are maintaining their usual activity.
Length of day
Daylight hours average 10.30 hours. The days are considerably longer than in January, giving you more time to explore the region.
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Best attractions in Andalucia in February
February offers particularly pleasant conditions for discovering Andalucia’s heritage. We particularly appreciated it:
- Granada’s Alhambra, a jewel of Nasrid architecture
- Sevilla Cathedral and Alcázar
- Cordoba’s Mezquita-Catedral
- White villages like Ronda or Arcos de la Frontera
- Granada’s historic Albaicín district
- The sherry cellars of Jerez de la Frontera
- Doñana Natural Park
- Sierra Nevada ski resorts
- Málaga’s 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 February – weather forecast
The Andalusian climate in February is more varied than you might imagine from northern Europe. The coast is already enjoying mild spring weather on certain days, while the inland areas are still enjoying cool mornings. The Sierra Nevada mountains remain under snow. We observed changing conditions in the space of a single day: generous sunshine at midday, overcast skies in the late afternoon.
On the coast
The Costa del Sol and Costa de la Luz are enjoying warmer temperatures than in January. The thermometer regularly exceeds 17°C during the day. The sea breezes remain present but are milder. We were able to enjoy sunny terraces from mid-day onwards. Evenings cool off quickly after sunset: warm clothing is still essential.
Inland
Inland cities such as Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada still experience cool mornings, sometimes misty in the valleys. Afternoons are milder, reaching 16°C to 17°C. Nights can drop to around 4°C in Granada. This thermal amplitude makes it very pleasant to visit monuments in the middle of the day.
In the mountains
The Sierra Nevada remains snow-covered in February. In fact, it’s one of the best months for skiing in the eponymous resort, Europe’s southernmost. Temperatures at altitude drop well below 0°C at night. The villages of the Alpujarras, these whitewashed hamlets clinging to the foothills of the sierra, offer a striking contrast to the gentle coastline less than 2 hours away.
February temperatures in Andalucia
Temperatures are slightly higher than in January, depending on the city. Here are the averages for Andalucia’s main destinations.
Weather in Sevilla
- Average daytime temperatures: 17°C (63°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 7°C (45°F)
Temperature in Málaga
- Average daytime temperatures: 18°C (64°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 9°C (48°F)
Temperature in Granada
- Average daytime temperatures: 14°C (57°F)
- Average night-time temperature: 4°C (39°F)
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Rain and Wind
February remains a wet month in Andalucia, in line with the winter season. However, rainfall was slightly less than in January. Showers are often brief and intense, followed by fine sunny spells. We’ve found that the weather can change rapidly from one hour to the next, especially in inland areas.
- Rainfall in Sevilla: 60 to 75 mm
(5 to 6 days on average) - Rainfall in Málaga: 65 to 80 mm
(over 6 days on average) - Rainfall in Granada: 45 to 60 mm
(over 5 days on average)
Snow remains on the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. In lowland towns, it remains very rare. Granada may occasionally receive a few flakes on the coldest nights, without affecting travel around town.
The prevailing winds blow from the west, carrying Atlantic humidity. The levante, a dry and sometimes strong easterly wind, can affect the Costa del Sol in February. On the whole, windy conditions remain moderate on the coast and do not prevent outings.
Sunshine
In February, daylight hours vary from 10:15 to 11:15.
Sunrise is around 7.50am and sunset around 6.45pm.
Sunshine levels are significantly up on January. We counted an average of 6 to 7 hours of sunshine a day. The Mediterranean coast remains the most favored area. Foggy mornings in the inland valleys generally give way to clear skies by mid-day. The soft winter light makes the ochre and white facades of Andalucia’s towns particularly striking.
Longer days mean more comprehensive visits. In the late afternoon, the low-angled light sublimates the monuments: it’s a great time to photograph Sevilla’s Plaza de España or Granada’s ramparts.
Water temperature – bathing in Andalucia in February
Bathing in the sea is rarely practiced in February, even if milder days can make you want to get closer to the shore. Heated hotel pools and Arab baths, of which there are many in Granada, Sevilla and Cordoba, are good alternatives for enjoying the water in comfortable surroundings.
- Water temperature in Málaga: 15°C (59°F) on average
- Water temperature in Marbella: 15°C (59°F) on average
- Average water temperature in Cadiz: 15°C (59°F)
Crowds and other conditions
February remained generally quiet for tourists, with the exception of Carnival week. Outside this period, you can visit the major sites without any constraints: we booked the Alhambra a few days in advance, which would be impossible in summer or spring. The historic centers are alive with authentic local atmosphere, with morning markets and lively tapas bars in the evenings.
Orange trees are still loaded with fruit at the beginning of the month, perfuming the streets of Sevilla and Cordoba. The first almond blossoms appear in the countryside at the end of the month, heralding the arrival of spring. And Andalucia people maintain their own rhythm of life: evening meals rarely start before 9pm, and local restaurants stay lively until 11pm or midnight.
Winter sports in Sierra Nevada
February is one of the best months to ski in the Sierra Nevada. The resort, located 30km from Granada, generally offers good snow conditions and over 100km of pistes. We found the combination of skiing in the morning and visiting the Alhambra in the afternoon particularly appealing. Views of the Mediterranean on a clear day are an unexpected bonus. The resort is well-equipped and accessible in less than 1 hour from the center of Granada.
February events in Andalucia
- Cadiz Carnival: one of the most famous in Spain, it takes place over ten days around mid-February. The streets of the old town come alive with costumed groups, the “chirigotas”, singing satirical lyrics. The event attracts visitors from all over Spain: book your accommodation and transport well in advance if you wish to attend.
- Festival de Flamenco de Jerez: this benchmark festival kicks off at the end of January and continues into February. In Jerez de la Frontera, it brings together the most renowned flamenco artists in historic halls and bodegas. Jerez is considered one of the cradles of flamenco, alongside Sevilla and Cadiz.
- Almond blossom in the Alpujarra: from the end of the month, the slopes of the Alpujarras, the mountain villages at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, are covered in white almond blossom. It’s an unobtrusive natural spectacle, but one much appreciated by visitors looking to get away from the big cities.
- San Blas Festival (February 3): in many Andalucia villages, this patron saint’s day is celebrated with local processions and craft markets, especially in the rural areas of Granada and Jaén.
February 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 February, rates remain attractive for most of the month. Beware, however, of Carnival week in Cadiz, when accommodation in and around the city fills up fast and prices rise significantly.
Other months
When to go to Andalucia, other months…
- Andalucia in January
- Andalucia in March
- Andalucia in April
- 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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