The sweet spot for visiting Spain is typically spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October): warm but not unbearably hot, lively but not excessively crowded, and ideal for both cities and beaches. Summer is beach heaven but comes with heat, crowds, and higher prices, while winter is perfect if you’re chasing Christmas vibes, cheap flights, or ski trips rather than pool days.
Why Spain Is Year-Round
Spain works in every season; it just offers a different personality depending on when you go.
In spring and autumn, you get comfy temps, local life in full swing, and easier sightseeing days.
Summer is for beaches, late nights, and festivals.
Winter is ideal if you’re on a budget, like cooler weather, or want to ski plus city-hop.
This guide will help you match when to visit Spain with how you like to travel: beaches, cities, food, festivals, or “cheapest possible but still fun.”
Spain’s Main Climate Zones
Spain’s weather isn’t one-size-fits-all, so where you go matters as much as when.
Mediterranean coast (Barcelona, Valencia, Costa Brava, Costa del Sol)
Mild winters, hot dry summers, and loads of sunny days. Great for beaches from late May to September.
Inland (Madrid, Castile, Zaragoza)
Big temperature swings: very hot in summer, chilly or cold in winter. Spring and autumn are usually best for city breaks here.
Northern Spain – Atlantic climate (Galicia, Asturias, Basque Country)
Cooler, greener, and wetter. Summers are warm but rarely roasting, making it a dream if you hate extreme heat.
Southern Spain (Andalusia – Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Málaga)
Scorching summers, gentle winters. Perfect for winter sun and spring trips, but July–August can feel like walking into an oven, especially inland.
Geography is key: mountains (Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, Picos de Europa) cool things down and bring snow in winter, while the flat inland plateaus trap both summer heat and winter cold.
Best Time to Visit Spain by Season
Spring (March to May)
Weather: Mild to warm, usually 15–25°C in many cities by April–May.
Best for: Sightseeing, city breaks, first-time visits, and Andalusia.
Top cities: Seville, Córdoba, Granada, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia.
Festivals (dates vary by year):
Semana Santa (Holy Week – March/April): huge religious processions, especially in Seville, Málaga, and Valladolid.
Feria de Abril (Seville): flamenco dresses, horses, casetas (private tents), and non-stop partying.
Pros:
Comfortable temps for walking all day.
Cities and monuments look great with spring light and blooming parks.
Lots of festivals, but not as brutally hot as summer in the south.
Cons:
Semana Santa and Feria mean big crowds and higher prices in certain cities.
The weather can be a bit unpredictable in the north (rain is common).
Ideal if you want classic “Spain in my imagination” – tapas, plazas, churches, old towns – without melting.
Summer (June to August)
Weather: Hot to very hot. Inland cities can easily hit 35–40°C; coastal areas are cooler but still warm.
Best for: Beaches, nightlife, festivals, and islands.
Coastal vs inland:
Inland (Madrid, Seville, Córdoba): sightseeing in the middle of the day can feel brutal.
Coasts (Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Balearic Islands): perfect for swimming and late-night dinners.
Top beach & summer spots:
- Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca).
- Northern beaches (San Sebastián, Asturias, Galicia) for a cooler, greener summer.
Big summer festivals:
- San Fermín (Pamplona, early July) – famous for the running of the bulls.
- La Tomatina (Buñol, near Valencia, late August) – giant tomato fight.
- Loads of music festivals (Primavera Sound often late May/June, others across the summer).
Pros:
- Guaranteed beach weather in most places.
- Lively nights, terraces packed, long days, huge festival calendar.
Cons:
- Crowded and expensive in tourist hotspots.
- Inland cities can be uncomfortable in the afternoon – you’ll understand siesta culture quickly.
- Need to book early for popular areas and islands.
Best if your priority is beach + nightlife + festivals, and you don’t mind paying peak prices.
Autumn (September to November)
Weather: Warm in September, comfy and fresher in October, cooler by November.
Best for: City breaks, wine tourism, hiking, and food trips.
Highlights:
September: still beach-friendly in most of Spain.
October–November: perfect for wandering cities, visiting vineyards, and eating your way around the country.
Food & wine:
- Grape harvest (vendimia) in regions like La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Penedès (Catalonia), and Rías Baixas (Galicia).
- Food festivals, chestnuts, mushrooms, and comfort food begin to show up on menus.
Pros:
- Fewer crowds after August, often lower prices.
- Still warm enough for beaches in early autumn, especially in the south and islands.
- Ideal balance of good weather + manageable tourists.
Cons:
- Weather gets more changeable, especially in the north.
- Some seasonal beach businesses start closing by late October.
Perfect if you like good weather, good food, and fewer people than roasting yourself on a beach.
Winter (December to February)
Weather:
Inland: chilly, can be very cold at night.
North: damp and grey, mild-cold.
South & Mediterranean: mild days, cool nights.
Canary Islands: spring-like all winter (often 18–24°C).
Best for: Budget travel, Christmas markets, New Year, skiing, and sunny breaks in the south or Canaries.
Highlights:
- Christmas in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville: lights, markets, Three Kings parades on January 5.
- Skiing in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada.
- Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura) for proper “winter sun.”
Pros:
- Cheapest time of the year, except Christmas/New Year.
- Fewer tourists at main landmarks.
- Great if you prefer cool over hot weather.
Cons:
- Not ideal for mainland beaches unless you’re okay just walking, not swimming.
- Shorter days and some rainy spells, especially up north.
Solid choice if you’re on a budget, avoiding heat, or combining cities with skiing or the Canaries.
Best Time by Travel Style
Best Time for Sightseeing
You want: walking tours, museums, old towns, no heatstroke.
Best months: April, May, late September, October.
Best cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Salamanca.
Tips:
Avoid midday in Andalusia from June to August if you can.
Travel in shoulder months (April–May, Sept–Oct) for easier queues, nicer temps, and better hotel prices.
Best Time for Beach Holidays
You want: sun, sea, and not freezing when you get in the water.
Best months (mainland & Balearics): late May to late September.
Mediterranean coast (Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol):
June–early July and September are perfect if you want good weather and fewer crowds.
Atlantic/North coast (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country):
July–August for the warmest, safest bet on beach weather.
Canary Islands:
Pretty much all year. If in doubt, go to the Canaries.
Best Time for Festivals & Events
You want: maximum culture, weird traditions, and parties.
Spring: Semana Santa, Feria de Abril, Las Fallas (Valencia, en marzo).
Summer: San Fermín, La Tomatina, tons of music festivals and local fiesta mayores.
Autumn: Wine harvest parties, regional local fairs.
Winter: Christmas markets, New Year’s, Three Kings in January, Carnival (often in February).
If your priority is festivals, pick your dream event (e.g., La Tomatina or Semana Santa) and plan the rest of the trip around those dates.
Best Time for Budget Travelers
You want: cheap flights and hotels, still a good experience.
- Cheapest months:
- November, January, February (excluding Christmas/New Year and long weekends).
- Late January is often especially quiet.
- Good balance months (shoulder season): March, April (excluding Holy Week), October, early November.
Money-saving tips:
- Fly midweek if you can.
- Avoid major holiday periods and big festival dates in target cities.
- Look at secondary airports and smaller cities (e.g., Málaga instead of Marbella, Girona instead of central Barcelona for some trips).
Best Time for Food & Wine Lovers
You want: local food culture, markets, wine regions, seasonal dishes.
- Wine harvest: roughly September–October in most wine regions.
- Best food months:
- Autumn for mushrooms, game, and hearty dishes.
- Spring for lighter dishes and fresh produce.
- Regions to focus on: La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, Penedès, Basque Country (pintxos heaven all year).
Month-by-Month Snapshot
Very quick feel for each month:
January: Cold inland, mild in the south, cheap, great for cities, sales, and Three Kings.
February: Still wintery, good prices, Carnival in many places.
March: Warming up, Las Fallas in Valencia, early spring vibes.
April: Prime time – Semana Santa, Feria de Abril (some years), great for Andalusia and cities.
May: One of the best months overall – warm, bright, not peak crowds yet.
June: Beach season begins, nice combo of sightseeing + sea.
July: Hot, busy, beach and festival central.
August: Hottest, most crowded, but pure summer fun; some locals leave big cities.
September: Still summery, fewer crowds, great for both beaches and cities.
October: Ideal for city breaks, wine trips, and comfortable exploring.
November: Quiet, cool, cheap – good for low-key city hops.
December: Christmas markets, lights, festive mood; mild south, cold inland.
“Worst” Time to Visit (Depending on You)
There’s no absolute worst time, but there are periods that can be rough:
- Mid-July to late August in inland cities like Seville, Córdoba, or Madrid if you hate heat.
- Around major holidays (Semana Santa, Christmas/New Year, some long weekends) if you’re very budget-sensitive or crowd-avoidant.
- Rainy late autumn/winter in the north if your mood tanks with grey, wet weather.
If you can only travel in peak summer, just adapt: focus on the coasts and north, do sightseeing early/late, and embrace long, lazy lunches and siestas.
Practical Travel Tips by Season
Packing:
Spring/Autumn: layers, light jacket, comfy walking shoes, umbrella just in case.
Summer: light clothes, hat, sunscreen, reusable water bottle, sandals.
Winter: coat for inland, lighter layers for south and coasts, warmer gear for mountains.
Booking:
Reserve early for July–August, Easter, Christmas/New Year, and big festivals.
For shoulder season, you can often wait a bit longer, but booking in advance still helps with better prices.
Transport:
Trains (especially high-speed) are great between big cities.
Buses cover smaller towns well.
For rural areas or wine regions, renting a car gives you more freedom.
Regional advice:
Andalusia: Visit in spring or autumn if you can.
Madrid & central Spain: Spring and autumn are ideal.
Barcelona & Mediterranean coast: Nearly year-round, but best from April to October.
North (Basque Country, Asturias, Galicia): May–September for your best bet on nice weather.
Canaries: When in doubt, they’re almost always a good idea.
FAQ
What is the best month to visit Spain?
If only one? May or September. Great weather, fewer crowds than peak summer, and loads of things open and running.
Is Spain expensive during peak season?
Yes, especially in July–August and during major festivals. Expect higher prices on flights, hotels, and popular coastal areas.
When is the rainy season in Spain?
North: rain is spread throughout the year, but more in autumn–winter.
Central & Mediterranean: more rain in autumn and spring, summers are usually dry.
Can you visit Spain in winter?
Absolutely. It’s great for budgets, Christmas markets, city breaks, skiing, and winter sun in the south or the Canary Islands.
Best time for first-time travelers?
April–May or September–October. You’ll get a bit of everything: good weather, manageable crowds, and a more relaxed introduction to the country.
