Driving in Andalucia – 25 essential tips (+video)

Driving in Andalucia - Essentials to know + video

Essentials to know before driving in Andalucia

If you don't want to read the entire article, here are the major points to be aware of about driving in Andalucia:

• Minimum age in 18 (but 21 for renting a car)
• Driving in on the right side of the road
• Roads are overall in good conditions
• Streets is old towns and villages can be very narrow, don't choose a wide car
• Part of the country is mountainous
• National speed limits are - 120 km/h on dual carriageways and motorways, 90 km/h on all other roads and 30 km/h in built-up areas.
• There are a few toll roads in Andalucia (you can pay with cash and credit card)
• In case of accident - emergency number: 112

Video

Below is a short video to give you a taste of what driving in Andalucia looks like:

• on motorways,
• on main roads,
• on mountain roads,
• in towns and villages,
• on unpaved roads,
• ...

Where I get my rental car

I always compare prices right away on Discovercars.com.
This is one of the best customer-rated comparison sites on the market.
I have found really great deals and I think the platform super easy to use. I can filter based on my criteria.

Plus, they have a practical coverage option at great price that will cover you in case of damage to the outside of the car.

Check out their current car rental deals in Spain.

Need more help renting a car in Andalucia? Read my 36 tips for a worry-free experience.

Getting around Andalucia - by car or not?

Do you need a car in Andalucia?

• No, if you only want to stay and visit the cities of Sevilla or Granada
• No, if you are planning to lay on the beaches of Costa del sol all day
• Yes, if you you want to enjoy the variety of sceneries Andalucia has to offer
• Yes, if you want to have the freedom to adapt your program to the weather or avoid the crowded times,
• Yes, if you want to enjoy the gems off the beaten path

Overall, I think renting a car is the best way to explore the island and see all the best things to do, plus off the beaten path locations.

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your road trip around Andalucia:

Is driving in Andalucia safe? Is it easy?

There is no need to worry, it is not that difficult.
Remember that only people who had a scare tend to write about it online, all the people who had no problems don't.

Here is my analysis of the situation:

On the positive side:

• Roads are overall in good conditions,
• Mountain roads I have taken always had protection on the side,
• Speed limits were generally respected.

On the negative side:

• Streets in old villages can be very narrow and impressive
• Strong rain can start abruptly and limit visibility

In my personal experience:
I have not felt unsafe during my stay.

Getting around Andalucia without a car

You can see a little bit of Andalucia without a car, but you will be very limited

• Organized tours - You can land in Malaga, stay at a beach town and book a few excursions to nearby attractions on Costa del Sol 
• Organized tours - You can stay in Seville or Granada and book day trips to attractions in the areas - see options
• Public transportation - you can take buses or trains between the main towns and explore a little more. But you will be limited in what you can see.

Driving times in Andalucia Map

Below is a map of the driving times you can expect around Andalucia:

#1 to 6 - Spanish Driving Rules

Let's start with general rules and regulations you should be aware of:

#1 - License requirement / Age - Do I need an international driver's permit?

To drive in Spain you need a valid driving licence from your country.

• People with EU licenses can drive on their holidays with only their valid national licenses
• All other nationalities must have an International Driving Permit (on top of their national license)

You must be 18 years of age (but know that many rental companies may have other age requirements).

It is also mandatory to always have the vehicle registration documents as well as a valid ID, such as your passport, with you.

#2 - Side of the road

Driving is on the right side of the road.
It is very important to remember it on one lane roads when you have to give way!

#3 - General behavior rules

• Seatbelts are mandatory for all
• No cell phone while driving
• Kids under 12 cannot seat in the front of the car
• Do not wear flip-flops to drive
• Overtaking can only be done on the left side

#4 - Alcohol and driving

The legal alcohol limit here is 0.05%. Driving under the influence is considered a serious offence.
I always recommend not drinking at all if you are driving.

#5 - Mandatory equipment to have in your car

In Spain, the following pieces of equipment must be available in the car:

• 2 Warning triangles 
• Reflective vest or jacket
• Spare wheel and tools to change it
• First aid kit (advised, not mandatory)
• Flashlight (advised, not mandatory)
• Children under 18kg (39.7 pounds) in weight must be in child seats
• Children under 135cm (4.4ft) tall should be in the rear seats on a booster.

#6 - Mandatory insurance in Spain

The only mandatory insurance in Spain is: unlimited third-party liability insurance - it is automatically included in the price of all car rentals.
If you are visiting with your own car, don't forget to bring proof of insurance.

#7 to 13 - Roads conditions and Road Signs in Andalucia

#7 - Conditions of Motorways and fast roads

• The motorways and fast roads are in good conditions
• Lanes are clearly marked
• Drive on the right lane, unless overtaking
• Overtaking is always on the left side
• There are some tunnels - nothing scary, they are wide and well lit

#8 - Conditions of other roads to enjoy

Overall, I have found the road in good conditions.
Most of them are wide with clear lanes.

In the mountain, roads can be sometimes a little bit more narrow. But there was always trees, railing or wall to protect on a drop side.

#9 - Unpaved roads

There are a few famous attractions that are accessible only via unpaved road.
The most famous is Playa de Monsul, a beach in Cabo de Gata.
However, the gravel road is maintained and it is not that bad. You can reach it with a 2WD. Just know, that for those few km, you might not be covered by the rental car insurance.

#10 - Driving in towns & villages

For me, the most difficult part is following the GPS inside old towns and villages and ended up in front of very narrow streets.
This is why I don't recommend renting a car that is too wide.

#11 - Speed limit & signs

• Speed limits are indicated on circular signs with red border and a number
• Speed limits are in kilometers per hour
• National speed limits are - 120 km/h on dual carriageways and motorways, 90 km/h on all other roads and 30 to 50 km/h in built-up areas.

#12 - Other road signs in Andalucia

The road signs are classic in latin letters, nothing specific to know.
There are plenty of signs to indicate directions. Although sometimes in the countryside, they can be missing. 

Points of interest are indicated on brown signs.

#13 - Tolls in Andalucia

There are a few toll roads in Andalucia. You can easily avoid them.
They are :

• AP-4 -  Sevilla to Cadiz (now free)
• AP-7 - Fuengirola with Algeciras via Marbella and Estepona
• AP-46 - Malaga to Villanueva de Cauche

They are identified by AP (Autopista Paeje) while the motorways without tolls are just A.

You can pay with cash or card. So you don't need a pass or stickers from the rental company.

You are generally required to take a ticket when you enter the motorway, and then settle the amount of the toll at another booth when exiting.

#14 to 16 - How to drive safely

#14 - Know the potential dangers

Apart from you driving too fast, the main dangers on the Andalusian roads are:

• The animals
  In the mountains and the countryside, you can have animals appearing on the side or on roads. Pay attention!
• Pouring rain
  Andalucia can be subject to intense rainfalls and flashfloods.

#15 - Specific driving tips

Some specifics to Andalucia driving are:

• In old villages, there can be narrow sharp turn. But look up, there are often mirrors to help you see.
• Don't plan too much - There is much to see an do everywhere on the territory. Planning a road trip is not easy. Make sure to select really your top places to see.

#16 - What to do in case of accident

In case there are people hurt or there is a conflict, the emergency number in 112 is:
The best order of actions is:

• contact emergency services
• contact the police
• contact your rental provider

#17 to 18 - Parking in Andalucia

#17 - Parking in towns

• Blue lines indicate that you have to pay in a nearby parking meter or automatic machine.
• Yellow lines mean that only disabled people are allowed to park 
• Parking in town can be expensive. There is hardly any free parking areas.
• Overall underground carparks are you best bet to avoid getting lost in narrow streets - they are generally safer and very common in all the large cities

#18 - Parking at attractions

• Parking at attractions vary greatly
• I depends if you are in a town or not
• Some beaches have free parking, others require paiement
• Some attractions have free parking, others require paiement
• Overall, if you are visiting a very popular place, go early to easily find parking.

#18 to 19 - Gas station

#18 - Fuels and their names

• Petrol station in Spanish is  "estación de servicio"
• Petrol is on green pump - called "gasolina" and if unleaded "gasolina sin plomo"
• Diesel is on Black pump called "gasoil"
• See the concentration of electric car charging station, where you are going in Spain on this website

#19 - Management of gas stations

Petrol stations are available throughout the region of Andalucia.
You can pay by cash or credit card.

#20 - Most beautiful roads in Andalucia

If you want to drive on the most beautiful roads in Andalucia, don't miss:

• CA-9104 up to Puerto de las Palomas overlooking Embalse de Zahara el Gastor 
• A-402 through Zafarraya
• All the roads around Grazalema and Montejaque
• A-319 through Sierras de Carzola Natural Park
• Roads around Embalse de Negratin
• and many more...

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your road trip around Andalucia:

#21 to 25 - Renting a car in Andalucia

Below is a snapshot with the main things to know.
You can learn more on my article about renting a car in Spain.

#21 - Type of car to rent

• Transmission
  Most cars in Andalucia have manual transmission. You will pay more for automatic and they are fewer options.
• Size
  My main recommendation is to not pick a large car. There are many narrow roads where you can have to cross path with other cars and with bus. Driving a narrow car is less stressful.
• Power
  All cars will be able to drive all around the island. There are not very steep roads. However, It will be more comfortable in the mountains, if you don't choose the smallest engine.
• No need for a 4WD

#22 - Where to rent

Cars can be rented for all major towns, airports and ports.

If you plan on visiting a major town near the airport (e.g. Barcelona, Sevilla...), I recommend renting the car before or after, so as not be bothered by the car while in town.

The main car rental hubs in Mainland Spain are: 

• Malaga airport - see car rental deals
• Barcelona airport - see car rental deals
• Alicante airport - see car rental deals
• Madrid Airport - see car rental deals
• Sevilla Airport - see car rental deals
• Barcelona train station - see car rental deals
• Malaga train station - see car rental deals

#23 - Best rental car company

When reading reviews, don't forget that on Tripadvisor or Google for example, anyone can write a review even if they have not used the company. 

On the platform Discovercars.com, each rental company has a mark on 10 points. This is an average of the marks given by actual customers.
On the search page, you have a filter to select only the best rated ones.

Some of the best rated rental car companies in Spain are:

• Sixt
• National
• Alamo
• Enterprise

I have personally used Enterprise at Sevilla Airport and it went smoothly.

Compare car rental prices

#24 - General tips for worry-free experience

• There is nothing special about renting a car in Andalucia - no specific scam or rules
• As everywhere, I recommend a thorough examination of the car before taking it (and take pictures) - and don't fall for extra insurance hard sell 
• Book early to get the best prices and the choice of cars

#25 - Crossing border

From Spain, you can:

•  take a ferry back to the Balearic islands (Ibiza, Mallorca...) - Ferry prices available here
• cross the border to visit Portugal or France

Most of the companies do not allow you to take a ferry. And you will be in big trouble if you do go and have a technical issue or accident.
For crossing borders, it depends.
Make sure to check the rules.

If renting with Discovercars.com, once you selected a car you can click on "Rental conditions" and then again "Rental conditions" or "Additional conditions" to find the "geographical restrictions".
If it is not documented, you can add the question to customer support.

Plan your Andalucia Itinerary

Want to see more of the best Andalucia has to offer?

• Best landscapes in Andalucia in 40 pictures - read article
• 24 best things to do in Andalucia - read article (to be published)
• 17 most beautiful white villages in Andalucia - read article
• 20 best beaches in Andalucia - read article
• 21+ best cities and towns in Andalucia - read article
• Best castles and forts in Andalucia - read article (to be published)
• Cordoba vs Sevilla vs Granada - where to go? - read article
• Tips to plan a road trip around Andalucia - read article

Planning a trip to Andalucia?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Inspired? Share it on your favorite platform!