The essentials
When to go to Spain, in brief
April to June: the prime window
Mild spring, 20-28°C, breathable cities and a flowering countryside. May is arguably the best month, ideal weather everywhere.
September-October: the other window
Heat easing off (20-26°C), sea still warm, grape harvest. September rivals May for the best-month title.
July-August, inland furnace
Seville and Cordoba top 35°C, Madrid swelters. The coasts stay livable but jammed with people.
Coast vs inland
The Mediterranean coast tempers the heat; the interior (Madrid, Andalusia) burns in summer and chills in winter.
Andalusia and the Canaries in winter
The South holds 10-16°C from December to February. The Canaries offer a permanent spring, swimming included.
Festivals to plan around
Las Fallas (15-19 March), Holy Week (29 March-5 Apr), Feria de Abril (21-26 Apr), San Fermín (6-14 July), Tomatina (26 Aug).
The verdict
The best periods
Apr - June
Mild spring, livable cities, flowering countryside. The best window to combine Madrid, Andalusia and the coast. Book 1 to 2 months ahead.
Sept - Oct
Heat easing, sea still warm, grape harvest. September is one of the best months, mild climate and dropping crowds.
Jul - Aug
Inland furnace (35°C+ in Seville, Cordoba, Madrid), jammed coasts, highest prices. Best kept to beaches, early morning.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
6 to 14°C
Mild south, ski north
7 to 16°C
Mild, few crowds
10 to 18°C
Las Fallas, spring
12 to 21°C
Holy Week, Feria
16 to 25°C
The best month
20 to 30°C
Warm, beaches
24 to 36°C
Inland furnace
25 to 37°C
Very hot, crowded
21 to 30°C
Ideal, warm sea
16 to 24°C
Mild, harvest
10 to 18°C
Cool, calm
7 to 15°C
Mild south, markets
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andalusia (Seville, Granada) | Apr-June, Sept-Oct: 22-30°C | Jul-Aug: 35°C+; winter: 10-16°C | Ideal spring & autumn |
| Madrid & center | May, Sept-Oct: 20-28°C | Scorching summer; cold winter | Ideal May, September |
| Mediterranean coast (Barcelona) | June-Sept: 25-30°C, swimming | Mild winter, 12-16°C | Ideal June & September |
| Canary Islands | Year-round: 20-28°C | Permanent spring, swimming | Ideal year-round |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Las Fallas
Giant cardboard sculptures burned in the streets of Valencia, nonstop fireworks and firecrackers. Blazing finale the night of the 19th.
🇪🇸 Valencia
Holy Week (Semana Santa)
Solemn processions across Spain, the most striking in Seville and Malaga. Hooded brotherhoods and carried statues.
🇪🇸 Nationwide
San Fermín (running of the bulls)
A run ahead of the bulls through the streets of Pamplona each morning. Festive and risky, nine days of nonstop party.
🇪🇸 Pamplona
La Tomatina
A giant tomato fight in the streets of Buñol, the last Wednesday of August. One hour of red pulp over thousands of participants.
🇪🇸 Buñol (Valencia)
Our analysis
Spain hinges on the contrast between coast and inland. The shoulder seasons, April-June or September-October, work everywhere. Summer turns Seville and Madrid into a furnace while the coast jams up. May and September are the safe bets.
Spring and autumn, the best windows
From April to June, the country shakes off winter: 20 to 28°C, breathable cities, a flowering countryside. May is arguably the best month, with ideal weather from north to south and the great Andalusian ferias.
From September to October, the heat eases off (20 to 26°C), the sea stays warm and the summer crowds clear out. It is also harvest season in Rioja and Castile. September rivals May for the title of best month of the year.
The scorching summer and the South’s mild winter
July and August pose a real problem inland: Seville and Cordoba top 35°C, Madrid swelters. The coasts stay livable but jammed with people and inflated prices. Keep summer for the beaches, and visit the cities early in the morning.
Winter rewards those who pick the right spot. Andalusia holds 10 to 16°C from December to February, perfect for art cities in peace. The Canaries offer a permanent spring, swimming included. And the north of the country flips to skiing, in the Sierra Nevada as in the Pyrenees.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Spain? +
From April to June and September to October: 20-28°C, livable cities and fewer crowds. May and September are the best months, ideal weather everywhere.
What is the worst time to visit Spain? +
July and August inland: Seville, Cordoba and Madrid top 35°C. The coasts stay livable but jammed with people and pricey.
When to go to the beach in Spain? +
June to September on the Mediterranean (Costa Brava, Costa del Sol), when the sea reaches 22-26°C. In the Canaries, swimming is possible year-round.
Can you visit Spain in winter? +
Yes. Andalusia stays mild (10-16°C) and the Canaries offer a permanent spring. The center and north are colder, perfect for skiing in the Sierra Nevada or Pyrenees.
Coast or inland, what is the difference? +
The Mediterranean coast tempers the heat and stays mild in winter. The interior (Madrid, Andalusia) burns in summer (35°C+) and chills markedly in winter.
Do you need to book far ahead? +
For the big festivals (Las Fallas, Feria de Abril, San Fermín), book two to three months ahead. Outside events, one to two months is enough in spring and autumn.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026