Before you go · Andalusia
Andalusia essentials
The practical things worth knowing before you arrive, so you can spend your time enjoying the south.
Updated October 2026
Entry: EES and ETIAS
The EU’s Entry/Exit System has been fully in operation at all Schengen external borders since 10 April 2026: non-EU visitors are registered digitally, and passports are no longer stamped (European Commission).
ETIAS, the EU’s travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is not yet in operation; the EU will announce its start date months ahead. Check travel-europe.europa.eu before you travel.
Booking the big sights
Book the Alhambra, the Real Alcázar and the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba on their official websites, well ahead in spring and autumn. Alhambra tickets are in your name, and the time for the Nasrid Palaces is fixed.
Money and tipping
Spain uses the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, though small bars may prefer cash for small amounts. Tipping is modest: rounding up or leaving a little for good service is usual.
Weather and seasons
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit. July and August are very hot inland, in Seville and Córdoba especially; plan sightseeing for the morning and evening. Holy Week 2027 runs from 21 to 28 March, and the cities fill up then and for Seville’s April Fair.
Etiquette
Dress respectfully in churches and the Mosque-Cathedral, with shoulders and knees covered. Andalusians eat late: lunch from about 2pm and dinner from about 9pm.
Questions and answers
Do I need ETIAS to visit Spain?
Not yet. ETIAS is not in operation; the EU will announce a start date months in advance. Non-EU visitors are registered at the border by the Entry/Exit System, in operation since 10 April 2026.
How do I get Alhambra tickets?
Only on the official Alhambra ticket website. Tickets are in your name: bring the original passport or ID you used to book. The Nasrid Palaces time on your ticket is fixed.
When is Holy Week in 2027?
From Palm Sunday, 21 March, to Easter Sunday, 28 March 2027.
Rules change: check official sources such as travel-europe.europa.eu and each monument’s own website before you travel.