We just spent a week in Andalucia with our 20 yo daughter this past March and loved it!! Weather wise in Feb. southern Spain is probably a better choice than Italy. We flew into Granada and out of Seville (when I checked prices I found it more efficient and not anymore expensive then flying into Madrid and taking the train to Granada or Seville). We spent 2 nights in Granada, 2 nights Cordoba and 4 nights Seville. We just took trains from one city to the next. Here is a link to my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/andaluciaprovencechurros-tapas-salmorejo-croissants-foie-le-pigeon.cfm

I fear you might be disappointed.

Gibraltar is just a large rock with nasty monkeys - really nothing to see.

Southern Spain has some very dramaticc scenery - but it's definitely not pretty. (This is the dry, dusty, rocky area in which the Clint Eastwood "spaghetti westerns" were filmed. Some of the cities have very interesting areas - but don;t expect a soft and green countryside.

To be fair there is a huge maount to see and do - we have been several times and loved Andalusia - but for the culture and the sea - not the hills and mountains.

And there is me thinking that the spaghetti westerns were filmed in Almería which is a very small part of Andalusia.

Yes most Andalusia is very beautiful.

Second ribeirasacra, most of Andalucía is very beautiful, especially the inland and mountain regions.

The well known Serranía de Ronda, just inland and west of Málaga city (huge int airport and connected to Madrid with the high speed AVE train, 2h 30 mins). http://www.google.no/search?q=Serrania+de+Ronda&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=O1EmUIfGO9Ck4ATn_4EI&ved=0CF8QsAQ&biw=1600&bih=805

I love Axarquía just east of Málaga: http://www.rusticblue.com/axarquia.htm

Perhaps visit quite spectacular Alhama de Granada, midway between Málaga and Granada: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/spain/5278449/Alhama-de-Granada-Spain-my-kind-of-town.html

And the Alpujarras area South from Granada is famous for its beauty and tranquility. Can of course be cold in February in the higher areas: http://www.rusticblue.com/las_alpujarras.htm

Go skiing in Sierra Nevada close to Granada in the morning (Europes most southern ski resort, nov-april) and have a cold dip in the Med an hour away in the afternoon: http://www.andalucia.com/sports/ski.htm

The desert areas is, as ribeira says, in the most western part of Andalucía. Has got its own charm: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/spain/andalucia/9083721/Almeria-Andalucia.html

5 min video of the beauty of different parts of Andalucía: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgr87Ti6gd4

In February, the statistics of past 16 years say highs at 60-68F and five hours sun pr day on the coast (Málaga). Rainfall about one out of four days.

Inland in Sevilla the statistics say average highs of 60-70F and 6 hours sun pr. day.

Inland Granada is on higher altitude, and the average high is 58-66 and average low 30-42F!!! Six hours sun pr. day and two days with rainfall/snow pr. week. wetteronline.de

Seems that nytraveler has triggered some nice responses.

I agree that Andalucia's scenery IS beautiful - with mountains, coastline, olive and orange orchards.

Compared to Italy, Andalucia will be warmer - expect spring-like weather - and much cheaper. Especially food and beverages are very inexpensive in Spain.

There is much to do and to see. Historical cities with picturesque Jewish quarters and grand cathedrals and magnificent palaces.

In any case, see the Alhambra in Granada (you need to acquire tickets online several months before you go), Sevilla, Cordoba.

Carmona is a charming town with authentic atmosphere. There are several white towns in Andalucia, Ronda is probably the prettiest one. Visit a Sherry Bodega in Jerez and stroll along the nearby beach of Sanlucar de Barrameda where the Spanish ships started to explore America. Cape Trafalgar is another ineresting destination.

And for the teens a jeep tour that starts from Novo Sancti Petri (south of Cadiz) might be most enjoyable. Usually the tours stop in Vejer de la Frontera, another beautiful white town.

You say you are traveling "families" which hints that children will be traveling with you but you don't say what ages as that can make a big difference. My middle school aged kids LOVED Italy and though they did not travel with us to southern Spain (a more recent trip)I'm pretty sure they would not have liked it as much as Italy. Then again, February, could have weather challenges.

Although we liked Spain (Spring 2011 visited Barcelona, Sevilla, Ronda and Granada in 9 days, flying between BCN and Sevilla) it seemed that most of the 'sights' were cathedrals which can get old and the entrance fees were outrageous! I don't think young children or teens would be all that fascinated with so many cathedrals, great scenary, nor with Sherry Bodegas (but they might like the Spanish horse riding school in Jerez) That said, these places were very picturesque, especially the white villages of Andalucia and Ronda. I think that kids or teens would most like Barcelona but with only one week, you couldn't really combine that with Andalucia.

A week is a very short time for Spain as it is a large Country. If Andalucia is your goal, then I question why fly into Madrid. Alternatively you could consider Madrid combined with Barcelona and some nice day trips from Madrid, such as Toledo, even Cordoba, or others via bus tours. Of the places we visited, I think Barcelona would have the greatest variety and appeal to kids of many ages.

By the way, if it is Southern Spain you want, I'd consider a vist to Nerja (south from Granda) rather than Gibraltar or Cadiz, to get in beach time in a not-so-built-up part of the Costa del Sol (have Paella at Ayo's)....

Sorry - I now see your header ("teenagers")...so my comments still stand...

Both Madrid and Barcelona will be very cold in February.

I don't want to give the wrong impression. We have been to Andalusia several times and love it - for the unique culture, historical sights and beaches. But many people go there expecting to find warm weather and a soft, green, agricultural countryside. In fact,much of the area is mountainous, it's rocky, tens to be quite dry and much of the countryside is very rough and gray with limited vegetation. Obviously there are different types of beauty - but southern Spain is very different from northern europe (which can be heavily agricultural or else beautifully wooded areas).

I think the youtube video above is a very fair representation - and would be surprising to many people - very different from their expectations.

Both you and your teenagers should go up to the spectacular Torcal limestone rock formations just north of Málaga and visit the prehistoric caves in Nerja just east of Málaga. Lived people here 25 000 years ago.
Torcal: http://www.andalucia.com/antequera/torcal/home.htm
Nerja caves: http://www.cuevadenerja.es/index.php?lenguaje=en

I can highly recommend Michael Jacobs book "Andalucia" as an introduction to the regions immensely rich Phoenician, Roman, Moslem, Jewish, Christian and Gypsy history and culture. Also lots of great tips about places outside the beaten tourist track. Much more than "cathedrals" to say the least. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andalucia-Pallas-guides-Michael-Jacobs/dp/1873429789

Can't imagine visiting Spain without seeing Alhambra in Granada, Cordoba, and Sevilla. Barcelona is an exciting city with lots to do. We flew from Barcelona to Granada and then drove to other parts of Andalucia. With so much to see and a limited time don't waste it on Gibraltar. One afternoon is all it takes and while it's interesting, it's not anywhere close to being as awesome as the others I mentioned. You didn't say how old your teens are or what their interests are. Some teens find historical things interesting and others only want to spend time in the hotel pool. Try to get them engaged in the planning sessions beforehand so they will be invested in the trip.

nytraveler is right. If you think southern California type desert is beautiful you will think Andalucia is beautiful. If somebody wants a beach vacation I suggest Cape cod or Hawaii. What Andalucia does have is architecturally beautiful cities and small villages and a fantastic, ancient and passionate culture which we don't really have here in the U.S. That's why it's my favorite place to travel.

We visited Spain, including Andalusia for an all-too-brief visit with our teen daughter (13yo) last year in October, during her fall break. We all loved it. We enjoyed the many historic sights in Andalusia - the Alhambra in Granada, Mesquita in Cordoba, all sorts of beautiful places in Sevilla, and we focused on the great museums in Madrid because we're into that. We loved the food, the tapas, the cafe culture (don't know how many outdoor cafes there will be in February).

Compared to Italy, which we have visited quite a few times, there were fewer tourists (which we liked); we found the Spanish to be pleasantly helpful (but more reserved than Americans, which we find true of much of Europe); the beauty of the geography was a drier, more arid type of beauty; and the food maybe a tad less appealing to us, but much better than we expected.

I would say that yes, there's more than enough to do, but dependent of course on your interests.

The truth is Andalucia it has almost everything. Its a very large area. You can find the dehesa in Huelva where you could think you are in the english coutryside. You can find the desert in Almeria and the second largest natural park in Europe, that is located in Jaen, The Sierra de Cazorla, full of trees and waterfalls. Or you can Sky in the highest mountains in all iberian peninsula, the Sierra Nevada in Granada. I think some people get a wrong impresion of Andalucia because the main freeways go through some of the driest zones. But all the provinces has their own sierras with high mountains and mediterranean forest, and tons of rivers. Here some pics of what I described:

Sierra de Cazorla in Jaen: http://www.escapadafindesemana.net/wp-content/uploads/cazorla-5.jpg

Sierra Cazorla: http://www.escapadasfindesemana.net/wp-content/uploads/cazorla-escapada-con-encanto-casa-rural-hotel-oferta-barata.jpg

Sierra Cazorla: http://www.ruralsierrasol.es/fotografiasalojamiento/400/Hotel-Spa-Sierra-de-Cazorla--------_10742.jpg

Dehesa in Huelva: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrX1CRcMLl8/TbVBc9YyD1I/AAAAAAAACQ0/c2SCgVJGJ0Y/s1600/P5030032.JPG
http://www.jamon-iberico-jabugo.es/graficos/dehesa-jabugo.JPG

Desierto de tabernas in Almeria: http://www.eldomingoenelvalle.com/imgElementos/41_Desierto-de-Tabernas_90.jpg

Parque natural de los Alcorconales in Cádiz: http://static.photaki.com/canuto-en-los-alcornocales-cadiz_21703.jpg

Parque de los Alcornocales, Cádiz: http://sientecadiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/alcornocales-690x457.jpg

Sierra de Sevilla: http://sobreandalucia.com/wp-content/uploads/parque-natural-sierra-norte-de-sevilla.jpg

Sierra de Córdoba: http://www.aromeo.net/archives/panoramica.JPG

Sierra Nevada in Granada: http://www.andaluciaturismodigital.com/imagenes/upload/sierra_nevada_2.jpg

Torcal de Antequera, Málaga, an amazing natural structure that can be seen in lots of movies: http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/averroes/mochiladigital/contenidos/unidades_didacticas_20/torcal/torcal_laminas.jpg

Sierra de las Nieves, Málaga: http://www.comunidadism.es/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/pinsapar.jpg

So Andalucia its not only a place full of beautiful cities and little towns. Its also a place full of terrific and varied scenery.

Sorry where I put a link for Dehesa there´s one also for sierra de cazorla. The second one is the Dehesa.

Oh, how could I forget Doñana National Park, in the provinces of Huelva and Sevilla. The park is a very large area of marsh, shallow streams, and sand dunes. Its a World Heritage Site. It can be visited although is a very restringed area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do%C3%B1ana_National_Park

http://patrimonio-humanidad.com/albums/album43/PA231013_donana_panorama.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hxGpnSs0pBc/TUQBztX4s1I/AAAAAAAAAzA/V7LpdqncwvQ/s1600/parque_nacional_donana_lince_iberico%255B1%255D.jpg

Sorry for the multiple responses. I think it should be possible to edit past replies.

I see that the OP has not returned but I am really benefitting from her question as I will be there with teens in Oct/Nov and am finding the answers very informative for me! Thanks !

thanks so much. We have decided on Italy after all of that. Just trying to find decent fares.
Thanks again-

If I knew...

Anyway, you dont know what you´re missing.