Anniversary trip to Andalucia region and Barcelona

I hope so, that's when we are going! We leave in a couple of weeks for Toledo, Segovia and Andalucia. I can tell you that weather doesn't impact enjoyment of a larger city as it does a more rural setting. I was in Barcelona at the end of December, beginning of January, and daily highs were high 50s-low 60s. I don't think lows were below 40s. We found the weather wonderful for sightseeing. It was typically sunny. The research I've done for our upcoming trip to Andalucia seems to indicate highs in the low 70s and lows about 40. In planning the trip, I've found hotel prices to be exceptional and I don't anticipate it to be as crowded as peak season. The only place I've reserved for in Andalucia is the Alhambra. For Barcelona, I'd reserve tickets for all Gaudi sights, especially Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and Casa Mila. I'm told that you should reserve tickets for the art museum as well. When we were in Barcelona, we took a side trip to Montserrat which was just wonderful and we also spent three days in Girona/Besalu which is about an hour from Barcelona by train.

You did not say which places in Andalucia you are visiting. Of all the places we visited the Mezquita in Córdoba really stands out. You can do this as a day trip from Sevilla, short train ride, or overnight.

I would think that Seville would still be quite warm in November. We were there last year at the end of September and early October. The temps were in the 90's. Seville was the hottest of all the places we visited on that trip.

You ask about places to visit. If you haven't already done so, I strongly recommend buying several guidebooks. Are you going to Granada? If so, you need to purchase your Alhambra tickets ASAP, if you haven't done so. For Cordoba, the Mezquita is amazing, but we also enjoyed the Alacazar, Roman Bridge, wandering around the Juderia, and Palacio de Viana. For Seville, the Royal Alcazar was a highlight, as well as the cathedral, Casa de Pilates, Triana, Barrio Santa Cruz, and seeing a Flamenco show.

We visited Barcelona in October 2010, and temps and weather were very pleasant. Sunny and comfortable temps for sightseeing. We didn't have to purchase any tickets in advance in 2010, but from what I've been reading, I think tourism to Barcelona has increased greatly because people are always recommending purchasing tickets in advance for the Gaudi sites.

To clarify Jules's comment about pre-purchasing tickets to the "art museum" in Barcelona, that's probably a reference to the Picasso Museum, which is often a madhouse. Tickets to that museum pretty often sell out. Any time a sight is selling timed tickets, that's a red flag.

As recently as 2016 I walked right into the Miro Museum, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) and several others. I can't guarantee that there would never be a wait at the Miro or MNAC, but I think a long wait would be unlikely unless there was a very high-demand special exhibition running.

How long is your trip? It's quite a distance from Barcelona to Andalucia. Of course, you could fly from Barcelona to Seville or Granada quite easily.

I don't know about weather. I think you can do everything in November that you would do any other time.

What are your interests?

Hi Rizell,

We are planning to stay in Spain for 12 - 14 days. We would like to fly to Madrid and travel from there. We would like to explore historical places, local attractions, and experience local culture and food. I recently found about andalucia region and have started reading about that place.

Thanks,
Vinay

This is October. Are you talking about next month and you just discovered there is an area called Andalucia? I hope you are realy planning for 2019! Don’t fly into Madrid and plan on Barcelona then Andalucia, you are backtracking (get a map). Fly open jaw into Barcelona out of Sevilla. The high speed train from Barcelona to Madrid is fast and inexpensive.

Thanks, @acraven, I got sidetracked and I'm glad you clarified. Also in Barcelona, I enjoyed walking the Ramblas well enough, but really enjoyed the little side trip into the Boqueria. It is visually appealing and a great place to get a snack of fruits, nuts, gelato, a juice or even a meal.