Driving Report through Andulsia
 

I just came back from a trip from/to Lisbon by car through Andalusia and I would like to share some of my experiences with those who plan to drive there the first time.

Driving on freeway (120km/h limit) and major two-lane highway (100 km/h limit) in Spain is simple and easy. Roads are well built, paved, marked, and signs are clear. Two-lane highway often provides additional passing lane at a long hill climb. Sometimes you find the road to all yourself and you are driving at 140 km on a two-lane highway before you realize it. So be careful.

Directions are indicated by name of cities to that direction, not south or north. So remember the name of major cities in your direction, or you might find yourself driving the other way.

It is not a problem to reach a monumental site from highway. There are signs that lead you there. If you plan to drive into a town, plan from a monument. At least you know where you start.

While it is quite easy and simple to drive on a highway, it is not so in towns and cities. Do not be fooled with street maps with wide street pictures. Many are NARROW and I mean it! Street names are posted on a wall of a building so you cannot read it, and you may have to drive into ?No Traffic? signed street to reach your hotel (this happened to me, and it was perfectly legal). If you plan to drive to your hotel in town, contact to the hotel and get a driving instruction even if you find the hotel on a web map. Without a local knowledge it is almost impossible to get there.

While you are in town, leave your car in a garage (I am sure you will) and use a cab. It is cheap and there are plenty.

I drove around Andalusia since I rented a car in Lisbon and I was not allowed to drop it off in Spain. It cost me 10 to 16 Euro a day to park in a big city, 1/3 to 1/2 of my car rental cost! It would be wise to rent a car when you leave a major city, and drop it off when you reach another major city. Some rental companies do not charge for one-way rental.

Driving in Portugal is a little bit confusing. There is practically no highway number sign other than on a freeway. So once you get off from a freeway following the sign saying N247 this way, it is difficult to be certain that you are actually on N247. There are brown monument guide signs for major ones, so these are good to follow, but once you are near it there is no more signs and you tend to miss the final turn.

Happy driving!

Hello tadaoji: Thanks for the tips. We are mid-60 and have rented a car for 2 weeks , middle Feb. It will be our 4th trip to Spain (Andalucia).How did you find the roundabouts? Any difficulties figuring these out? We have toured by bus before. Never paid much attention to road signs ect.Glad you enjoyed your trip.
Gail

I actually liked the roundabout for two reasons. One is that it is the best place to make a U turn, very handy when you find yourself going a wrong direction. Two is you can just keep circling until you figure out the right direction. Only difficulty is you have to learn the timing to step into it, but it is not that bad.

Hi again tadaoji: Thanks.If I understand well, priority is given to the first one entering the roundabout?Can*t be too complicated.Right?

You do not have to stop before entering to a roundabout. Enter when you can as long as you do not force the cars coming from your left to brake, they have the right of way. Unlike a 4-way stop cross section, all cars from all directions may enter the roundabout at the same time, only the cars in the roundabout already have the right of way.