Best Time to Visit Spain for Weather, Festivals, & More
If you’re trying to figure out the best time to visit Spain, the honest answer is that it depends on where you’re going and what kind of trip you want.
Spain is a big country, and the weather can feel totally different in the north compared to the south.
I first came to Spain to study abroad in Alicante back in 2011, and now that I live in Barcelona full time, I’ve experienced every season more than once.
There are clear sweet spots and a few months I personally avoid. So let’s break it down in a way that actually helps you plan your perfect trip.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Spain?
The best time to visit Spain overall is May, June, or September.
These months usually bring warm weather, sunny days, and fewer crowds than July and August.
It’s that perfect balance where you can explore cities comfortably, enjoy outdoor terraces, and still hit the beach.
If you’re planning to visit multiple cities in Spain on one trip, late spring and early fall are usually your safest bet.
But at the same time, Spain’s climate is diverse and relatively mild even in the winter, so there’s not really a bad time of year to visit.
Best Months to Travel to Spain: Quick Summary
Here’s a quick summary of the best months to visit Spain to help you decide:
- Best overall months: May, June, September
- Best time to visit Spain for weather: May, June, September
- Best time to visit Spain for beaches: June to September
- Best for fewer crowds: April, May, October
- Cheapest months: January and February
- Worst time to visit Spain (for heat + closures): August
Spain’s Travel Seasons Explained
Here’s a breakdown of the typical travel seasons in Spain:
High Season
High season in Spain runs from late June through August.
This is when European holidays are in full swing, beaches are busy, and prices are at their highest.
The top cities in Spain like Barcelona and Madrid are packed, and coastal towns fill up fast.
Now, the month of August deserves a special mention.
It’s one of the most popular times to visit Spain, but it’s also when many locals go on vacation. Some smaller, family-run restaurants and neighborhood businesses close for the entire month.
There’s still a lot open, especially in tourist areas, but you may notice certain local spots shuttered until September.
Shoulder Season
Shoulder season in Spain falls in April to May and September to October.
This is my personal favorite time to travel in Spain. You get warm days, manageable crowds, and better hotel prices.
You can sit outside at a cafe without melting, and popular attractions feel a bit calmer.
If someone asks me the best time to go to Spain, this is what I usually recommend.
Low Season
Low season in Spain is November through March, excluding the Christmas period, which can still draw some crowds.
Prices drop, tourist crowds thin out, and the weather varies depending on the region.
That said, December can still be a really enjoyable time to visit for Christmas markets.
Spain’s markets aren’t quite on the same level as Germany or Prague, but I genuinely get excited every year when they pop up around Christmas time in Barcelona.
The lights, sweets, and festive stands make winter feel special, even if you need a jacket.
Best Times to Visit Spain for Good Weather
If your main priority is good weather, aim for visiting Spain in May, June, or September.
These months usually bring sunny skies and comfortable temperatures across most of the country.
July and August are very sunny too, but in inland cities the heat can be extreme.
If you want to visit in summer, I’d recommend going to a coastal city to make the heat more bearable.
Best Times to Visit Spain for Beaches
If you actually want to swim in the ocean, June through September is the best time to visit Spain for beach time.
Despite what most people think, the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters are not warm all year-round. In spring, the sea can still feel pretty frigid.
By late June, the water warms up enough to comfortably swim, and July and August are peak beach months.
In places like Barcelona or the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca, beaches are lively and social.
Now, if you don’t plan on swimming, shoulder season can still be a great time to enjoy sunny beach days without getting in the water.
You can still walk along the shore, relax on the sand, and hit up a beachfront chiringuito (beach bar).
Best Times to Visit Spain for Festivals
If you’re interested in experiencing Spain’s culture, here are some of the major festivals in Spain and when they typically take place:
- Las Fallas (March in Valencia): Giant over-the-top sculptures take over the city for days and then get set on fire in massive bonfires that light up the entire night.
- Semana Santa (March or April across Spain): This is Holy Week, and cities across Spain hold slow, dramatic religious processions. If you really want to experience it at its most intense, Seville is one of the top places to see it.
- Feria de Abril (April/May in Seville): A full week of flamenco dresses, dancing, horse parades, music, and late nights inside colorful striped tents called casetas.
- Fiesta de San Isidro (May in Madrid): Madrid celebrates its patron saint with traditional outfits, dancing in the streets, food stalls, and concerts in local parks.
- San Fermín (July in Pamplona): The running of the bulls festival, plus nonstop street parties where everyone wears white with red scarves.
- La Tomatina (Late August in Buñol): Basically a giant tomato fight where thousands of people throw tomatoes at each other until the whole town turns red.
- La Mercè (September in Barcelona): Barcelona’s biggest festival with human tower competitions, giant parade figures, fireworks, and free concerts all over the city.
- Christmas Markets (December across Spain): City squares fill with wooden stalls selling sweets, holiday decorations, and nativity figurines, and it just feels festive even if it’s not snowing.
If you’re planning a trip around a specific festival, make sure to book early. Hotels fill up fast and prices can go way up.
Best Times to Visit Spain to Save Money
The cheapest time to travel to Spain is typically January and February, after the holiday season.
Flights and hotels tend to be more affordable, especially in major cities.
You’ll trade beach weather for lower prices, but if your focus is on Spain’s museums, food, and city exploring, winter can still be a nice time to visit.
Just make sure to add layers to your Spain packing list.
Shoulder season also offers good value. You won’t get extremely cheap prices, but you’ll often find better deals than in July or August.
Visiting Spain by Region
Spain isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how timing changes by region:
Best Time to Visit Northern Spain
The best time to visit northern Spain is actually in summer. This is when it’s sunnier, warmer, and you can comfortably swim in the sea.
The rest of the year is usually pretty rainy and cold.
If you’re visiting outside of summer, bring an umbrella, a raincoat, and waterproof shoes. It’s beautiful up there, but it’s usually pretty wet.
Best Time to Visit Southern Spain
The best time to visit southern Spain is in spring or fall, especially April, May, and September or October.
These months are usually warm and sunny but still comfortable enough to actually enjoy walking around and exploring.
It’s important to know that cities in southern Spain get extremely hot in summer, especially in inland cities like Seville and Granada.
Triple-digit temperatures are normal, and 100 to 120°F days are not unusual.
Now, I’ve visited Seville in July and it wasn’t impossible, but I came with an electronic hand fan and even an umbrella for shade.
Best Time to Visit Madrid
The best time to visit Madrid is May, June, or September. These months bring sunny skies and warm temperatures without the intense summer heat.
Because Madrid sits right in the center of the country, it experiences more extreme temperatures than coastal cities like Barcelona.
Summers can be very hot, especially in July and August, and winters are noticeably colder.
Visiting in late spring or early fall lets you explore the parks, neighborhoods, and outdoor terraces comfortably without dealing with the harshest weather.
Best Time to Visit Barcelona
The best time to visit Barcelona is in May, June, and September, which are some of my favorite months of the year.
The weather is warm but manageable, and the city starts to get lively with more festivals and outdoor events.
Summer in Barcelona is also a fun time of year to visit but it is hot and crowded.
Winter in Barcelona is relatively mild and kind of feels like fall in many other places, which can be a nice surprise if you’re escaping colder climates.
Best Time to Visit the Balearic Islands
The best time to visit the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, or Formentera) is late May through September, when the weather is warm and beach days are actually enjoyable.
Places like Mallorca and Ibiza are very seasonal, and during the winter months some resorts, beach clubs, and restaurants close down completely.
It’s much quieter from November through March, which can be nice if you want a slower and cooler trip, but you won’t get the full island atmosphere.
If you’re going for that classic Mediterranean beach experience, aim for summer or early fall.
Best Time to Visit the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are different from mainland Spain.
Thanks to their location off the coast of Africa, they have mild weather year-round.
Winter is actually a great time to visit if you’re chasing sunshine.
It’s one of the few places in Spain where you can enjoy warm temperatures in January.
When Is the Worst Time to Visit Spain?
If I had to choose, I’d say August is probably the worst time to visit Spain.
It’s hot, crowded, and many local family-run restaurants close for the entire month to go on vacation.
There’s still a good amount of things open, but you may notice some neighborhood spots shuttered.
Visiting Spain: FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Spain:
What is the best month to visit Spain?
May, June, and September are generally the best months to visit Spain for good weather and manageable crowds.
What month is the cheapest to go to Spain?
January and February are usually the cheapest months to visit Spain, excluding holiday periods.
When is the rainy season in Spain?
Spain’s rainy season generally runs from October to February. Northern Spain tends to be the wettest year-round, while southern Spain and the Mediterranean coast get most of their rain in late fall and early winter.
Does it snow in Spain?
Yes, it does snow in parts of Spain, especially in the mountains and northern regions during winter, but major cities like Barcelona and Seville rarely see snow.
Can you swim in the ocean in Spain year-round?
Not comfortably in most regions. June through September is best for swimming, though the Canary Islands stay milder year-round.
When is the most expensive time to visit Spain?
July and August are typically the most expensive due to high season demand.
Final Thoughts: Best Time of Year to Visit Spain
I hope this guide has made it easier to decide the best time to travel to Spain for your trip!
If you want the best overall balance of weather, crowds, and value, May, June, and September are hard to beat.
Spain is incredible year-round, but timing can completely change your experience.
Plan around what matters most to you, and you’ll have an unforgettable time here.
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