Andalusia, Spain’s southernmost region, has long been one of the country’s most popular travel destinations. It’s home to the Betic Mountains, some of Spain’s most fantastic beaches, and cities like Málaga, Seville and Granada, which promise brilliant bars, shops, and a striking, unique combination of Spanish and Moorish architecture in buckets.
But the region’s proximity to a high-pressure tectonic plate boundary means it experiences earthquakes. A smattering of tremors have struck the region this week, causing damage to buildings and some light injuries.
If you have a trip booked to southern Spain, here is everything you need to know about whether it’s safe to travel right now.
Where was the earthquake in Spain?
Three earthquakes were recorded in the Granada region on Tuesday August 18, the largest of which registered as a 4.7 magnitude tremor and hit at 10.37am local time. It had a surface-level epicenter (which means they’re felt more intensely) in the town of Gojar, which is around 10km away from Granada city.
Is it safe to travel to southern Spain?
Yes, it is safe to visit Andalusia, though some popular tourist sites have been temporarily closed. The three earthquakes have caused some damage to buildings and led to the closure of some museums and sports facilities – including the medieval Alhambra complex, one of the country’s most-visited attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and three people have been injured, though not seriously. That’s according to Reuters.
The Independent reports that along with the temporary closure of sports facilities and museums, local administrative buildings have closed and the city’s metro system is slowing its train speeds to 19km per hour as a precaution. Also, some hotels were evacuated, and there have been cracks found in residential buildings, according to the BBC.
The UK Government has not issued any special advice regarding travelling to Spain in light of the earthquakes, but you can find all general information on the official FCDO website.
Have flights to Spain been cancelled?
No – according to FlightRadar, operations at Granada Federico Garcia Lorca Airport remain unaffected by the earthquake, with the database showing departures and arrivals running as scheduled.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
It’s unlikely. You’ll need to check directly with your transport and accommodation providers, but rescheduling your trip when travelling to Spain has not been advised against is not something you’ll be entitled to for free.
The circumstances under which you can cancel without a penalty also depend on your insurance provider, and they have varying policies when it comes to payouts from natural disasters.
When was the last earthquake in Spain?
Spain has experienced a handful of notable earthquakes over the last five years, including another series of tremors in Granada in 2021.
But, why is the region so prone to quakes? Well, the converging boundary of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates produces a lot of pressure, and southern Spain absorbs this. What this means is pretty regular seismic activity, which is felt strongest along the Betic mountain range, which stretches across Andalusia (where Granada is located).
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