Best time to visit Spain
April to June and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.
April to June and September to October
Spring and early autumn are the most-named windows: mild weather and fewer crowds than July and August. Timing differs by region.
- “The best time to visit Spain is April to June and September to October for most of the country” next-stop-anywhere.com
- “Spring is the best time to travel to Spain overall” jaywaytravel.com
- “We recommend travelling in during spring and autumn when the weather is still very pleasant and popular sites are less busy.” jacadatravel.com
6 of the 10 travel guides we read name these months.
Spain month by month
Average high and low in Madrid, and days with rain
JanuaryChecking fares…Mild temperatures without much rain; northern slopes are covered in snow for winter sports.Winter is low season, with the lowest city accommodation prices of the year and few tourists.Cabalgata de Reyes Magos · Almond blossom seasonFebruaryChecking fares…Few public holidays and lighter foot traffic mean quiet attractions.
MarchChecking fares…A transitional month with changeable weather; rain is likelier but does not linger.Las Fallas in Valencia parades wood and papier-mache sculptures before burning them.Las Fallas
Best timeAprilChecking fares…Drier than March, with temperatures rising to about 70F.Seville's April Fair fills plazas with flamenco, folk music and sherry tastings.April showers can bring quick rain in central and northern regions.Feria de Abril · Moros y Cristianos
Best timeMayChecking fares…Good weather and hiking, with highs of 79F in select regions.Madrid celebrates the Feast Day of Saint Isidro every May.Cordoba's patio festival in the first half of May fills courtyards with flowers.Feria del Caballo · Festival of the Patios
Best timeJuneChecking fares…Top summer pick: longest days, warming sea, and crowds only arrive in July.Early summer is good for Mallorca's beaches with less busy hotels than July and August.The wine fight, La Batalla de Vino, happens in Haro at the end of June.Hogueras de San Juan
JulyChecking fares…Pamplona's Running of the Bulls and other summer festivals peak.San Fermin in Pamplona runs 6 to 14 July.Coasts and islands are busiest, and inland Andalusia and Madrid are very hot.San Fermin (running of the bulls) · Rapa das Bestas
AugustChecking fares…Beaches and streets are busier than usual; Andalusia is scorching.The Tomatina in Bunol is on the last Wednesday of August.Some small restaurants close for their own holidays.La Tomatina
Best timeSeptemberChecking fares…The summer rush eases by mid-September and the sea stays warm for swimming through October.Late September starts the wine harvest in La Rioja.Spaniards are back from August holidays, so cities are less touristy and livelier.Festes de la Mercè · Spanish Grand Prix
Best timeOctoberChecking fares…Fewer tourists and mild temperatures.Saffron harvest in Castilla La Mancha runs from late October to mid-November.Fiestas del Pilar · Fiesta de la Rosa del AzafránNovemberChecking fares…Low season: milder than most of Europe, rain is common, crowds are smaller.Calcot season around Barcelona runs from November to April.
DecemberChecking fares…Christmas is the main festival, with festive markets and lights.Winter days are short, with sunset around 6 pm.Twelve grapes at Puerta del Sol
Weather: Madrid averages from Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (1991 to 2020 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.
Every date to Spain from your city
Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.
What's on in Spain
Festivals and seasons through the year
- Cabalgata de Reyes Magos
Almond blossom season
Carnival of Cádiz- Las Fallas
- Feria de Abril
Moros y Cristianos- Feria del Caballo
Festival of the Patios- Hogueras de San Juan
- San Fermin (running of the bulls)
Rapa das Bestas- La Tomatina
- Festes de la Mercè
Spanish Grand Prix- Fiestas del Pilar
Fiesta de la Rosa del Azafrán- Twelve grapes at Puerta del Sol
Busy, quiet and what to watch for
Busiest
- July, August and early SeptemberBulk of travelers arrive and the south is very hot.
- July and August on the coastBusiest and most expensive on the coasts and islands.
Quietest
- Winter (December to March)Fewest tourists and lowest city accommodation prices.
Watch for
- July and AugustAndalusia can be very hot, making city breaks unpleasant.
- Summer heatwavesPlan outdoor sightseeing before 11am and after 6pm.
- WinterCold waves can close roads with ice and snow, including inland.
- Semana SantaHotels in Seville, Malaga and Granada sell out months ahead.
- Winter to springThe Balearic Islands are too cold for beaches until summer.
Questions people ask
- Is winter a good time to visit Spain?
- Yes for museums, fewer crowds, skiing and winter sun in the south and Canaries; interior cities are chilly and days are short.
- What is the 90 day rule for visiting Spain?
- US passport holders can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism without a visa.
More about Spain
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