A guide to some of the best things to do in Andalucia in July
Andalucia in July offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for complete relaxation, an exciting array of sports, or family-friendly attractions, summer is the best time of year to visit Andalucia.
Long, sunny days give you ample opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful places in Andalucia while all of the popular tourist attractions will be open for you to discover.
Whether you’re looking for activity suggestions for a 1 week itinerary in Andalucia, or whether you’re planning for a longer stay, here are our recommendations of some of the top things to do in Andalucia, Spain during the summer months.
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Top Things To Do In Andalucia in July
- Feria de Julio in Malaga
- Surfing And Kitesurfing In Tarifa
- Sierra Nevada National Park
- International Polo Tournament in Sotogrande
- Golfing in Southern Spain
Andalucia in July
1. Attend the Feria de Julio in Malaga
Spain is famous for its Ferias, or fairs, which take place in various resorts over the summer months.
If you’re visiting Andalucia in July, you should head to the Malaga province for the Estepona Feria at the beginning of the month.
This week-long holiday sees the town filled with color, music, parades, folklore shows, and dancing. You can really experience the best of Andalucia by day and by night.
During the daytime, you’ll find tourists and locals alike in the local bars, listening to live music, dancing, and drinking manzanilla wine.
When the sun goes down, the activity moves to the fairground with its attractions and booths to delight all ages.
The opening and closing events are especially popular. The fair’s opening gala sees the crowning of the fair’s Queens.
Meanwhile, the final evening sees traditional horse-drawn processions.
Opening times: This year’s Estepona Feria will be held between the 2nd and 7th July 2024. Activities take place throughout the day and night.
2. Soak Up the Sun on Andalucía’s Stunning Beaches
Summer in Andalucia is the perfect time to relax on one of the coastline’s stunning beaches.
In fact, many people believe that this activity is one of their favorite things to do in Andalucia, thanks to the gorgeous weather.
The region boasts countless beautiful beaches along its 600 miles of coast, so whether you’re looking for complete peace and quiet or a more lively scene, you’re sure to find the ideal spot for you to soak up the rays.
Malaga’s Playa La Malagueta is the perfect choice if you’re looking for close proximity to the town.
Right in the heart of the city, this urban beach is just steps away from restaurants and bars when you’re ready to take a break from sunbathing.
Alternatively, head to Cadiz’s Playa de Bolonia to experience a more authentic setting with white sand, turquoise waters, and an amazing sand dune to explore.
3. Indulge in Authentic Andalucían Cuisine
No matter when you travel to Andalucia, you should always make a point of indulging in some authentic Andalucian cuisine.
There are some amazing summer dishes that simply have to be tasted, including the best tomato gazpacho, boquerones en vinagre, Spanish rice pudding, and albondigas the famous Spanish meatballs.
If sweet treats are more to your taste, there’s a special Spanish flan recipe you must try, as well as the Tocino de Cielo or Turron that are just some of the popular desserts that will tantalize your tastebuds.
Taking a tapas tour is a popular thing to do when visiting Andalucia, or you could have a more substantial meal in a restaurant.
Why not visit one of the local food markets where you can sample ready-made snacks or buy authentic local ingredients to make your own Spanish-inspired meals?
4. Wander Through Picturesque White Villages
The white villages in Andalucia are a must-see when you’re in this region. These characteristic villages in Andalucia boast plenty of local charm and are especially beautiful to wander through.
Ronda is one of the best places to visit in Andalucia for its authentic appearance.
It’s especially famous for its panoramic views, which can be enjoyed from its 98m-high bridge.
Frigiliana and Casares are two of the other top white villages to explore.
With their fascinating history and architecture, they’re the perfect place to take a relaxing stroll in the afternoon.
You can easily drive to these villages if you’re staying near Malaga, but an alternative option is to take an organized tour.
These tours can take a full day and will give you greater insight into their culture and history.
5. Sierra Nevada National Park and El Torcal de Antequera
If you’re looking for places to take hikes in Andalucia, the Sierra Nevada National Park, and the El Torcal de Antquera Park should be top of your list of things to see in Andalucia, Spain.
The Sierra Nevada is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is home to a wealth of flora and fauna.
You can follow one of the hiking trails or participate in some fun activities like orienteering, caving, hot air ballooning, or taking a ride in a 4×4 vehicle.
This is also a great place to go if you’re looking for opportunities to do mountain cycling in Andalucia.
El Torcal de Antequera is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site with designated trails for hiking.
These are designed to suit all levels of ability, so whether you’re a seasoned walker or a casual tourist, you can still enjoy the scenery, which is especially unique and eye-catching.
There are also guided tours that give you a greater insight into the area and make sure you see all of the key sights. – Check out guided tours here.
6. Cool Off in Mountain Retreats
If you travel to Andalusia during the summer, the weather can be extremely hot and you might be in need of a spot to cool down.
The mountain retreats of Sierra de Grazalema and Sierra de las Nieves are an ideal solution, offering some welcome relief from the crowded coastal resorts of the region during the month of July. –
These stunning natural parks offer the opportunity to walk or bike in the splendor of nature, and there is a wealth of activities to try, including canyoning, horse riding, and canoeing.
If you’d rather take things easy, why not take a stroll in beautiful surroundings and then enjoy a picnic while indulging in the fantastic views of the scenery?
Taking a 4 x 4 tour is one of the best things to do here, with some including commentaries about local animal and plant life to give you a better insight into the region.
These tours will usually also include other visits to swimming spots, one of the white villages, or a typical local restaurant for a spot of lunch.
7. Surfing And Kitesurfing In Tarifa
If you’ve ever wanted to try kitesurfing, Tarifa is the place to do it.
Known as the windiest place in Europe, it’s easy to see why it’s a mecca for kitesurfers, and thanks to its year-round winds, this resort has several coastline spots where you can try your hand at this exciting sport.
Thanks to its windy climate, this resort is also a great place to try out windsurfing and surfing in Andalucia too, so if you love nothing more than getting into the water, a trip here is a must for your Andalucia itinerary.
Tarifa itself is especially pretty and well worth a visit, so when you’re tired of the waves, or if you’re not into water sports, there’s lots to enjoy in the town too.
Its whitewashed center is home to lovely boutiques, authentic restaurants, and ancient churches.
Meanwhile, the castle dates back to the 10th century and was once a Moorish fortress.
8. Visiting The Two Zaharas Of Cadiz: Zahara De La Sierra And Zahara De Los Atunes
Zahara de la Sierra is right in the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema National Park.
This pretty white village is a lovely place to take a peaceful stroll, do a little souvenir shopping, sip a drink in one of the village square bars, and enjoy the amazing views across the reservoir.
The reservoir itself is a great spot to head to if you’d like to hire a kayak and take to the water. It’s one of the most fun things to do in Andalucia with kids.
For a completely different experience, head to Zahara de los Atunes on the Costa de la Luz.
Fashionable yet charming, this pretty fishing town still boasts plenty of authentic atmosphere along with restaurants serving delicious cuisine and gorgeous beaches.
While Zahara de los Atunes does have some hotels, it’s a lot less touristy than most other coastal resorts, and its stunning beach is the perfect play to catch some rays.
If you stay here into the evening, you can enjoy some drinks in a local bar and then take in one of the open-air movies that are played during the summer months on the ruined walls of the palace.
9. International Polo Tournament in Sotogrande
If you’re wondering what to do in Andalucia during your stay in July, why not head to Sotogrande’s International Polo Tournament?
Even if you know nothing about this sport, there’s plenty to see and do, with children’s activities, luxury shopping, and gourmet dining on offer throughout the event.
As an added advantage, entry is completely free of charge too!
The venue opens during the afternoons for at least one, and often up to three matches for you to watch.
However, if you want to indulge in some non-sporting activities, you can sip a drink on the terrace, visit the Village retail therapy area, or take the little ones to the kids’ area.
Opening Times: Matches take place on different days and at various times, starting on some days as early as 5:30 PM. Check the schedule to make sure you don’t miss any of the action.
10. Discover Cueva del Tesoro
Only 20 minutes away from Malaga, the Cueva del Tesoro is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Andalucia.
Europe’s only marine cave available for visiting, the “Treasure Cave” hosts 30-minute-long guided tours to explore the amazing subterranean environment.
As Andalucia in July is pretty hot, a visit here is a good way to get out of the sunshine for a little while!
As you might guess from the name, there is a legend that there is treasure hidden somewhere in this cave.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been found yet, but there is some prehistoric art inside the caves (which, as yet, is in an area that you aren’t permitted to visit, sadly), while the display room showcases some items that have been discovered inside.
Opening Times: Open daily from 10 am – 1 pm and then from 3 pm – 5 pm.
11. Golfing in Southern Spain
Summer can be the best time to visit Andalucia, Spain if you want to take advantage of the area’s stunning golf courses.
There are almost 120 different courses in this part of Spain, so you’ll be spoiled for choice, no matter which province you head to.
In fact, the Andalucia region is the top tourist destination in Europe for golfers thanks to its high-quality courses, which all boast stunning landscapes.
Whether you’re a pro or an amateur, you can find a green to suit your level of skill.
Cadiz and Malaga provinces have most greens for you to choose from, with Huelva and Almeria having some especially challenging courses to enjoy.
If you want to try the most prestigious courses, head to Valderrama, Finca Cortesin, or La Reserva de Sotogrande, all of which have hosted international competitions in recent years.
12. Experience Flamenco in Its Birthplace
Flamenco originates from this part of Southern Spain, with each Andalucian province having its own unique style of the art form.
Whether you love dance or music, you’ll be amazed by an authentic Flamenco performance, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy one.
The most common way to experience Flamenco is to head to a Tablao. These can be found in coastal resorts such as Marbella, Malaga, and Torremolinos, and in major cities such as Granada and Seville.
If you’re heading to Granada, you should certainly head to the Sacromonte caves where you can be entertained in truly authentic style. – Check out the guided tour here.
An alternative way to see a Flamenco show is to go to a Flamenco Pena. You can find a Pena Flamenca in almost every town, and they’re the best option if you want a more traditional experience.
Even better, there’s rarely any entry fee for these venues, and drinks are at the same prices as found in local bars.
Summer is the best time to visit Andalucia if you want to experience flamenco at a Feria.
Almost every Andalucia summer fair will feature traditional performances of flamenco in the Caseta municipal.
There are also Flamenco Festivals in Andalucia during the summer months, so you’ll be spoiled for choice if you want to experience this beautiful art form during your stay.
Final thoughts on Andalucia in July
If you’re trying to decide when to visit Andalucia, July could be the perfect month for you to arrange your vacation.
Many people find that summer is the best time to visit Southern Spain, thanks to the beautiful hot and sunny weather at this time of the year.
All of the attractions are also open for you to discover, and there are more festivals and events to enjoy during these months.
Although if you visit Andalucia in July, you can expect the tourist hotspots to be very busy with peak crowds, there are many places you can go that are off the beaten track where you can find a little peace and quiet.
Heading into the Sierra Nevada mountains, to one of the quiet coves outside the main tourist areas, or the less popular white villages will help you to enjoy a more peaceful and authentic experience.
No matter what you enjoy, whether you prefer a relaxing stay or an action-packed holiday, Andalucia in July has something for everyone, so book your trip today!
FAQ about Andalucia in July
What is the weather like in Andalucia in July?
As you might expect for Southern Spain, Andalucia in July is pretty hot.
Even the coastal resorts with their sea breezes can get up to 35 degrees Celsius during the summer months, and the inland towns like Seville and Granada can feel even hotter.
You can expect it to be pretty dry, too, as there’s only an 8% chance of clouds on any given July day.
What is the best thing to do with kids in Andalucia in July?
If you’re heading to Andalucia in July with the kids in tow, a visit to one of the area’s waterparks, like Aqualand Torremolinos, is a must-do, while Fuengirola’s BioPark is a great place to get up close and personal to a host of wildlife.
The Texas Hollywood Park in the Almeria desert is also great for little ones, and if all else fails, there’s always the beach!
What should I eat in Andalucia in July?
No matter when you visit Andalucia, trying the local tapas is an absolute must.
Some of the most popular options include tortillas, meatballs (or albondigas), and boquerones (or anchovies), all of which bring an authentic taste of the region.
Hola, I’m Paulina! Together with my team, we are passionate about Southern Spain. Here we share all you need to know for great times in Southern Spain with the best places to visit, stay and, of course, the best food to eat.
Let’s dive in and explore Southern Spain’s outdoors, food and culture con pasión!