A whole lot of sunshine, beautiful beaches, stunning architecture, delectable cuisine and some of the world’s most popular religious and cultural festivals – what’s not to love about Spain?
There is a vibrancy to the country, which extends across its culture, nightlife, and cuisine, making it arguably among the most popular destinations in Europe. Exploring Barcelona, sampling Basque cuisine or hiking in Andalusia are some of the top acitivities in Spain for visitors, all of which is best done during the warmer months.
While its beaches are a huge draw in the summer and one of the top attractions of Spain, it can get crowded and hot around this time. The best time to visit Spain is usually during Spring (April and May) and Fall (September and October). The weather in Spain is pleasant during those months – it is not as hot as it is in summer (when temperatures usually average in the 80s) and not as crowded as well. Before you start planning your Spain vacations, learn more about the weather and highlights by month, from our destination experts.
Best Time To Visit
This chart shows travel ratings for each month. Use Tab to explore individual month ratings, then navigate to month selection below.
Most Ideal
Low Season
overview
January paves the way for the high season. The average highs hover in the mid 50s (℉) and lows can drop to freezing and below. Some parts of the country even witness snowfall. In the smaller towns, some of the attractions may be closed.
we recommend
Enjoy the festivities of Dia de Los Reyes Magos (Epiphany/Three Kings Day)
overview
Cold, gloomy conditions continue through this month. Major cities such as Barcelona and Madrid tend to get fewer visitors around this time; so you could head here for a winter vacation with fewer crowds.
we recommend
Head to the Canary Islands for some sun
Enjoy the flamenco festival in Jerez and the Carnival festivities in Cádiz
overview
Though the nights continue to remain cold, day temperatures begin to rise. Crowds are still thin, so this could be a good time to plan a visit to popular attractions.
we recommend
Enjoy the vibrant Las Fallas festival in Valencia
Explore the museums and other sights and sounds of Madrid
overview
Spring has set in by this time: expect rising temperatures and sunny days – the temperature usually averages around the mid 60s, though it can sometimes drop to the mid 40s at night time.
we recommend
Participate in some of Spain’s biggest festivals: the Holy Week festivities or Semana Santa, in the week leading up to Easter, as well as the Feria de Abril festivities in Seville, two weeks after Semana Santa
Visit the Alhambra and other popular attractions in Granada
overview
Much like April, May is a great time to visit Spain. Expect plenty of sunshine and pleasant conditions – the temperatures in Barcelona are usually in the mid 60s.
we recommend
Go on a walking tour of Barcelona
Take in the sights of Cordoba
overview
This is the peak season in Spain. At most beach destinations, the temperatures will average in the high 70s to the early 80s. This is also school vacation time in Spain, so popular tourist destinations can be crowded.
we recommend
Enjoy sunbathing on the beaches of Spain and a range of watersports
Maximize your time indoors by visiting museums in Barcelona and Madrid
overview
Expect high temperatures, sunshine and large crowds. It can get very hot in cities like Madrid, so remember to stay hydrated. This is an extremely busy month being the peak of the tourist season.
we recommend
Head out on an evening food tour in Barcelona or Madrid
Watch a football match in Barcelona
overview
August continues to be hot, humid, sunny and crowded across most of Spain. Keep yourself hydrated and wear a cap/hat and plenty of sunscreen. The beaches will be busy at this time of the year as well.
we recommend
Go on a culinary tour in San Sebastian
Head to the town of Bunol to participate in the La Tomatina festivities, one of Spain’s biggest celebrations
overview
This is among the best times to visit Spain. The crowds reduce and the fiery heat of summer begins to abate gradually through the month.
we recommend
Head to Catalonia to participate in two big festivals: La Mercé and Festa de Santa Tecla
Enjoy a wine tour in the La Rioja region, as this is the start of the wine harvest season in the country
overview
Temperatures begin to drop and you can expect some amount of rain, especially towards the end of the month as winter approaches. This is still a good month to visit the country as there is a fair bit of sunshine. Expect daily temperatures to average around the 70s across the country.
we recommend
Take advantage of the fewer crowds and explore popular attractions in Barcelona and Madrid
If you enjoy surfing, head to places such as the Basque region and Bilbao to make the most of the great swells
overview
Temperatures drop throughout the country and you can expect a fair amount of rainfall as well.
we recommend
Take advantage of the cooler weather and go on a walking tour in Seville
overview
Expect it to be cold across most of the country with occasional bursts of rainfall; cities like Madrid usually see temperatures in the 50s. It can get busy around Christmas and New Year’s eve.
we recommend
Go skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Enjoy Christmas festivities across the country, especially the Christmas markets in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor
What to Pack for Spain
Irrespective of when you travel, comfortable walking shoes are an absolute must, as you will likely embark on walking tours and many of the smaller towns have cobbled stone streets. If you plan to visit churches and museums, make sure that your stomach and shoulders are covered to show respect for local customs. Spanish people love wearing sunglasses and you’ll find this a useful practice too, especially in the scorching summer months!
Spring: Carry layers – light cotton clothes to wear during the day and a sweater or jacket for chilly evenings and nights. Carry an umbrella for the occasional spring showers.
Summer: It gets very hot in Spain during summer especially in cities such as Madrid. Carry lightweight breathable clothing, a hat/cap, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen. Summer dresses, shorts, and short-sleeved clothes are a good idea around this time.
Fall: Carry layers – lightweight clothes for the day and a warm shawl or sweater for the evenings. This is also the time Spain experiences a fair amount of rainfall, so carry adequate rain gear.
Winter: Winters can get cold and rainy, so make sure you pack adequate warm clothes. Temperatures average in the mid 50s, though the rainfall and grey conditions make it seem much colder. Carry layers, including plenty of raingear as Spain sees a good amount of rainfall during winter.
From beautiful landscapes and cultural hotspots to culinary gems, there’s much to explore in Spain. Plan your vacation now!
Spain, like most countries in Europe, is extremely safe and welcoming, every year millions of people visit and enjoy the country incident-free. Here are a few things you should always keep in mind.
Whether you’re interested in medieval palaces or treating your taste buds with exceptional food and wine, expect a fantastic vacation with an abundance of things to experience. Here’s our travel guide to see you through the journey.
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We used Enchanting Travels to help us plan a big graduation trip for my two sons. There was 6 of us in total and we had the perfect blend of activity/tours/sightseeing as well as free time to explore Spain and Switzerland. We had a perfect trip; all the details were thought of and there were no worries or stress throughout our travels. I would recommend them to anyone looking for help planning a European vacation!
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USA
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David Cook
USA
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Tracy George
USA
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USA
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Pablo Paramo Sierra
Mexico
This experience was great! I can’t say enough positive things. The accommodations were beautiful and interactions with everyone was also helpful and pleasant.
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USA
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