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Best Times to Visit Spain : Everything You Need To Know

Best Times to Visit Spain : Everything You Need To Know
Latest posts by Alexandra Gavrilescu (see all)

Spain is a gorgeous country that deserves at least one visit. The climate in Spain is more than pleasant, being mostly dry and quite mild all year round. However, the summer months are hot, especially if you plan your vacation in one of the country’s southern areas. Let’s face it! Most tourists come to Spain to enjoy its beaches but this European country has so many other interesting things to see.

Therefore, there’s something to enjoy regardless of the month or period in which you plan to visit Spain. Even during winter, you will rarely experience temperatures that are lower than 10 degrees Celsius. In the north, the weather can become colder and wet but the south will always be pleasant.

Best Times to Visit Spain – When Should You Go to Spain?

In my opinion, after doing thorough research, I strongly believe that it’s best to go to Spain in fall or spring. These two seasons are the best ones to plan a trip there because the weather is neither hot nor cold (it’s mild), the streets aren’t full of tourists, and you will still have a lot of activities to do to keep yourself occupied and entertained.

So, if you were to visit the country in spring, you can pick any of the three months, from March to May. During autumn, the best months are September and October, but you can also visit in November if you don’t mind the weather becoming slightly colder.

During these periods, you will also benefit from lower accommodation prices. The final choice is yours, obviously, but I would definitely opt for April or May to visit Spain since these months come with warm weather that’s also good if you want to go to the beach. During spring there are also numerous events and festivals that you could attend.

Traveling to Spain – a Month-by-Month Guide

Here are some important events and things to know based on the period in which you plan to visit Spain.

1. January and February

Spain is quiet at the beginning of the year. So, if you go there during this time, you will experience fewer crowds but also fewer activities. Still, most businesses remain open. January comes with many great discounts, promotions, and other deals that you could benefit from.

On the 6th of January, Spain celebrates the Three Kings’ Day. There will be street parades and public figures will offer treats and sweets to all the children who attend this event.

In February, there’s the Carnival which involves fancy dresses, large parties, and a lot of sangria. Ole!

2. March and April

By now, the weather starts to become warmer and more enjoyable. Therefore, the streets in Spain start to buzz with more tourists, events, and activities. However, they are still less crowded than during summer. Many people choose to visit Spain during the Holy Week or as they call it, Semana Santa. You will be able to attend numerous street parades.

In March, there’s the Jerez Festival when many people go to this location to enjoy days of flamenco dance and music and you can even learn flamenco from experienced professional dancers.

In April, there’s the Feria de Abril when Seville organizes its popular annual fair. The celebration is full of dancing, drinking, good food, and carnival rides. The Spanish people normally wear traditional gowns for the event.

3. May

In May, temperatures in Spain continue to rise and they become great if you plan to go to the beach. The entire country becomes vibrant with flowers, locals, and tourists alike. Spanish people love to spend plenty of time outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. As a tourist, you can engage in numerous appealing activities such as sightseeing and hiking. The beaches are still pleasant since they’re not overrun with tourists yet.

4. June, July, and August

All three summer months are too crowded and too hot for my taste. Both Spanish locals and tourists will venture to the coast whenever they want to escape from the hot urban atmosphere. The coastline offers dreamy beaches and cooler weather. Despite the crowds and the heat, you shouldn’t avoid this period since it’s a time of entertaining events and festivals.

Many summer festivities revolve around the country’s wine and traditional food. On the 29th of June, Spain celebrated the Batalla del Vino which means the Battle of Wine. It takes place in La Rioja and locals douse each other using red wine. As you can already tell, it isn’t a real fight.

In June and July, Granada organizes one of the country’s most important and largest art festivals, called the International Dance and Music Festival. It’s dedicated to flamenco but it also features other types of dances and music genres.

5. September and October

After the crowded summer months, Spain finally starts to quiet down in the fall. The weather begins to be pleasant again and many tourists are gone by now. Spain is more peaceful during September and October. However, you should not worry about getting bored because the country remains quite vibrant.

In September, you can attend the Bienal de Flamenco which is held in Seville, every other year. This important flamenco festival attracts many professional performers who come from all over Spain. In this very month, there’s also a week of concerts and parades, called Fiestas de San Mateo or St. Matthew’s Feast. It occurs at the same time as the grape harvest.

6. November and December

As winter approaches, Spain has cooler weather and emptier streets. But you still can find numerous enjoyable activities. Many large cities hold jazz festivals in November. In December, you will be able to enjoy the bright Christmas decorations that can be seen on numerous streets all over Spain.

Let’s Resume & Temperatures by Month

  • January is the perfect time for winter activities;  the average temperature ranges between 7 and 15 degrees Celsius. There are very few tourists around and the accommodation price is low;
  • February is party time in Spain with their Carnival and Festival de Jerez. Temperatures range between 10 and 16-17 degrees Celsius. It’s a quiet period and the weather is rainy;
  • March is a great choice if you want to attend many amazing Spanish festivals and engage in unique experiences. The temperature is 15-20 degrees Celsius which makes the weather perfect for hiking. The streets are not crowded yet but the weather during this time is pretty unpredictable;
  • In April, most tourists choose to engage in outdoor adventure activities because the weather is favorable, with temperatures ranging between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius. While the weather is comfortable, Spain isn’t crowded during this period. You can do plenty of sightseeing or go on hiking trails;
  • May comes with perfect weather conditions and this month is also the beginning of the bullfight season. The weather is truly beautiful, with temperatures of 21-27 degrees Celsius. This means you can opt to go hiking or relax at the beach;
  • In June is when Spain really starts to heat up. The warm weather, with average temperatures of around 25-32 degrees Celsius, attracts many people who love kite surfing. All coffee shops, restaurants, and terraces are full around this time. You can almost forget about the rain since June features sunshine every single day;
  • The peak season is represented by July, when all the places, terraces, and beaches are swarming with tourists. All businesses are open all day and there are numerous events and festivals that take place in July. However, this month comes with higher accommodation prices. The average temperature in July is 26-37 degrees Celsius;
  • In August it’s time to enjoy all the beautiful beaches that Spain has to offer. It’s the perfect time for tanning, with temperatures averaging 26-37 degrees Celsius. In this month, the perfect place to visit is the Basque country. Popular places all over Spain will be packed with visitors but most of them normally choose to go to the islands. So, if you want to avoid the crowds, you should visit Granada or Seville instead;
  • September is when the high season winds down and the grape harvest starts. Most inland cities and towns are finally cooling down and temperatures range between 23 and 32 degrees Celsius;
  • If you want to visit Andalusia, October should be your chosen month of the year since you will experience pleasant weather and way fewer tourists. Some people like to surf in several locations in Northern Spain;
  • November is considered off-season and you can wander the cities at your own pace quietly. It’s a truly relaxing experience. The temperature is 12-18 degrees Celsius;
  • In December, you can celebrate the entire winter holiday season but with a Spanish twist. There are plenty of Christmas markets to visit and the temperature averages between 7 and 15 degrees Celsius.

Best Time to Visit Spain – Based on the Season

Spain is a popular travel destination due to its wonderful beaches, sunny summer weather, festivals, and other lively events.

a. June to August – High Season

The high season in Spain is great if you want to enjoy a number of music festivals. But pay attention to the prices because the cost of accommodation can increase and hotels might become 50% more expensive during this time. Some areas of inland Spain go through the low season during these months so there are fewer tourists and more attractive pricing offers.

Visitors should expect sunny, warm, and dry weather but the coastal areas feature increased humidity.

b. September to October, March to May – Shoulder Season

The Spanish shoulder season is great for all of you who want to avoid crowds. It’s still a good time to visit the country since the weather remains clear and mild. On the other hand, prices aren’t more affordable yet because of local festivals. There will be fewer fellow hikers on the hiking trails. However, the weather starts to become more unpredictable.

c. November to February – Low Season

Off-season in Spain features colder weather in the central areas of the country and a lot of rain along the coastline. During this period, you should expect fewer activities, especially in smaller towns, more lunchtime breaks that Spaniards like to take, and shorter working hours for many touristic businesses.

Best Time to Visit Spain – Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What Period Is Considered Spain’s Peak Season?

Answer: Spain’s touristic peak season is summer, especially the period that starts around the middle of June and ends when September comes. It’s also the most crowded and busiest period in the country. The weather is very hot. My suggestion is to visit Spain either in early fall or in May before spring ends. That way, you will enjoy fewer crowds and milder temperatures.

Question: When Should You Visit Spain If You Want Cheaper Prices?

Answer: It also depends on your preferences. I imagine that budget isn’t the only aspect you’re considering when planning a vacation. The cheapest month, however, is February but there aren’t many entertaining things to do since it isn’t a period of festivals or events. Still, you can go sightseeing in the country’s major cities, if you don’t mind the cold.

The peak season in Spain lasts for two whole months: June and July. This is a period of higher prices, more crowds, and numerous festivities.

Question: How Is the Weather in Spain in the Summer?

Answer: Some of us, including myself, would consider the weather in summer to be brutally hot in Spain. Spring is a better choice if you plan to see a lot of places and don’t really like sunbathing on the beach without doing anything else. At times, however, March can also be a bit crisp in terms of temperatures.

Question: What Airline Company Should You Opt for Your Trip to Spain?

Answer: There are several airlines that have flights to and from Spain. But the go-to company that many tourists choose to fly with is the country’s national airline, Iberia Airlines. It’s a reliable airline and member of the OWA (One World Alliance). OWA also includes other reputable airlines such as British Airways and American Airlines.

Best Time to Visit Spain – Final Thoughts

Spain is a great place to visit. In this country, you can enjoy numerous things and attend plenty of fun events. Spain has beautiful beaches, world-class museums, and amazing architecture. Its vibrant Fiestas along with the delicious local cuisine attract millions of visitors each year. In Spain, you will find countless varieties of landscapes, customs, wine, and food.

And, if you’re going to Spain, you might also include Portugal in your traveling plans, since it’s Spain’s neighbor.