When is the best time to visit Spain?
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. 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.
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
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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 if 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!
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One of the very best travel experiences I have ever had. We even got updates once at 3 am! He also made one change in one day’s itinerary to accommodate our wishes which was very wonderful. For business, I have traveled to Europe, Russia, all over Asia and South Africa but was blown away by all the beautiful sites in Argentina and Chile.
All the little touches made by our Enchanting Travel consultant, Amelia Edwards, were noticed and recognized by my wife and I. Thank you for making our milestone trip (25th wedding anniversary) such a memorable one! We look forward to engaging Enchanting Travels again for our next South American adventure!!
This was my first adventure as a solo traveler. But while I may have traveled on my own, I was never alone. I was well taken care of by a superb team of planners, trip coordinators, guides and drivers.
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