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When to go to Spain

It depends on what you want: art cities in spring, beaches in summer, the Canaries in winter. Here is how to choose the right time, month by month.

Spain is large and varied: the climate differs greatly between the green, rainy Atlantic north, the continental interior with cold winters and scorching summers, the mild, sunny Mediterranean coast and the Canaries' eternal spring. See Spain's climate.

By region

  • Andalusia (Seville, Córdoba, Granada): best in spring, March to May, when orange trees blossom and the great festivals are held, and in autumn. In July and August inland temperatures often exceed 40°C.
  • Madrid and Castile: spring and autumn are ideal; summer is very hot and dry, winter cold but sunny.
  • Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast: May to October for the sea; all year for the cities.
  • The north (Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia): summer is the best season, with pleasant temperatures; it rains often the rest of the year.
  • Balearics: May to October; Majorca also has a lovely spring for hiking and cycling.
  • Canaries: all year, but above all in winter, when they are Europe's warmest destination.
  • Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada: summer for hiking, December to April for skiing.

Month by month

  • January and February: low season, good prices, the Cádiz carnival and that of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
  • March: Valencia's Fallas, 15-19 March.
  • April: Holy Week and Seville's April Fair; high prices at Easter.
  • May: Córdoba's patios, the Horse Fair in Jerez, San Isidro in Madrid; one of the best months of all.
  • June: San Juan nights, Corpus Christi, the first beach days.
  • July: San Fermín, the Wine Battle, music festivals; high season begins.
  • August: the most crowded and expensive month on the coasts, while big cities empty; the Tomatina in Buñol and many village fiestas.
  • September: the sea is still warm, crowds thin, grape harvest in La Rioja.
  • October and November: mild autumn in the south, ideal for cities and nature.
  • December: Christmas lights and markets, see Christmas in Spain.

Tips

  • In summer heat, visit monuments and museums early in the morning and rest at midday, as the Spanish do.
  • At Easter, in August and during the big festivals, book accommodation and tickets for the Alhambra, the Sagrada Família and museums well ahead.
  • Many seaside hotels close in winter, but the cities stay lively all year.

See also Spanish festivals, itineraries and travelling to Spain.