Short answer: the best time to visit Spain is April to June and September to October, when most of the mainland is warm and sunny, the sea is swimmable by June and September, and hotels are cheaper than in high summer. July and August are best for the beaches, the islands and the green north coast, but they are the hottest, busiest and most expensive months, with 40 °C (104 °F) heat inland. The Canary Islands are warm all year and best for winter sun.
Spain stretches from the rainy Atlantic north to the dry south coast and two sets of islands, so the right month depends on where you go. This guide covers the weather, crowds, prices and festivals in every month as of October 2026, with the best season for each region and for beaches, hiking and skiing. For entry, trains and costs, see our Spain travel guide, and plan your days with our AI trip planner.
Best time to visit Spain at a glance
| Goal | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| City breaks (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville) | April to June, mid-September to October | Warm days, cool nights, little rain and lower prices than summer |
| Andalusia | March to May, October to November | Seville and Córdoba pass 40 °C (104 °F) in July and August |
| Mainland beaches and the Balearics | June and September | Warm sea, long days and fewer crowds than July–August |
| Lowest prices | November to February (not Christmas) | Hotels averaged about €116 a night in January 2026 against €167 in August |
| North coast (Basque Country, Galicia) | June to September | Mildest, driest months in the wettest part of Spain |
| Winter sun | October to April | The Canaries stay around 21–24 °C (70–75 °F) by day |
| Hiking | April to June and September to October; high mountains July to September | Not too hot, and high trails free of snow in summer |
| Skiing | December to April | Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees |
| Festivals | March to April, July | Las Fallas, Holy Week, the April Fair and San Fermín |
Spain weather month by month
Weather month by month
The table shows the monthly averages for Madrid, the capital, from the 1991–2020 climate normals of AEMET, Spain’s state weather agency, at its Madrid Retiro station: average daily highs and lows and days with at least 1 mm of rain. Madrid ranges from about 10 °C (50 °F) by day in January to 33 °C (92 °F) in July, with only about 1.5 rainy days a month in midsummer. The coasts are milder in winter and the north is far wetter: San Sebastián averages about 141 rainy days a year, while Santa Cruz de Tenerife sees only 2–5 a month even in winter. Our country guide has a season-by-season table for eight regions.
Spain month by month
January
Cool and mostly sunny inland, with Madrid around 10 °C (50 °F) by day and near freezing at night, and mild on the south coast, where Málaga averages about 17 °C (63 °F). The Three Kings parades fill the streets on the evening of 5 January, and 6 January is a holiday. After that it is one of the cheapest months of the year, and peak season for the Canary Islands and the ski slopes.
February
Still cool, with almond blossom in Andalusia and Mallorca and the first spring-like days in the south. Carnival is the big event: in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the city has moved its 2027 carnival later, with the street celebrations expected from 19 to 28 February 2027, and Cádiz and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria hold their own. Prices stay low on the mainland.
March
Spring starts early in the south, with Seville warming to the low 20s °C (70s °F). Las Fallas fills Valencia from 15 to 19 March, with daily firecracker shows and the burning of the giant figures on the night of the 19th. In 2027, Holy Week falls in March (21 to 28 March), so expect full hotels and higher prices in Andalusia at the end of the month.
April
One of the best months for Andalusia and the cities: orange blossom in Seville, green countryside, highs around 19 °C (66 °F) in Madrid and 24 °C (75 °F) in Seville. Seville’s April Fair is expected from 12 to 18 April 2027, and Barcelona celebrates Sant Jordi with books and roses on 23 April. Showers are possible, and the sea is still cool.
May
Warm almost everywhere, with Madrid around 23 °C (74 °F), long evenings and wildflowers in the mountains. Córdoba’s patio festival opens private flower-filled courtyards. Beach bars and boat trips are open on the Costa del Sol and the islands, and crowds are still moderate. A strong candidate for the best single month.
June
Early summer: hot inland (about 29 °C / 85 °F in Madrid), warm at the coast and the first comfortable sea days. Midsummer, San Juan, brings bonfires and beach parties on the night of 23 June, especially along the Mediterranean. Prices climb toward July, but June is often the best beach month, with long days and fewer crowds than high summer.
July
Peak summer. Inland Spain is very hot, with Madrid averaging 33 °C (92 °F) and Seville and Córdoba regularly above 40 °C (104 °F). Pamplona’s San Fermín runs from 6 to 14 July. Beaches, the islands and the cool north coast are full, and hotel prices are high. Sightsee early and late, as locals do.
August
The hottest, busiest and most expensive month on the coasts and islands, when many Spaniards take their own holidays; some family-run restaurants in the cities close for part of the month. Local fiestas fill towns everywhere, and La Tomatina takes place in Buñol on the last Wednesday of August (ticketed). Go north, to San Sebastián or Galicia, for milder weather.
September
Summer heat fades, the sea is at its warmest and the crowds thin after the first week: one of the best months for the beaches and the islands. The grape harvest begins in La Rioja and Jerez, and Barcelona’s La Mercè festival falls around 24 September. Late in the month, autumn storms can arrive on the Mediterranean coast.
October
Warm, golden days inland (about 20 °C / 68 °F in Madrid) and still swimmable seas in the south and the Balearics in the first half of the month. Prices drop. October is often the wettest month on the Mediterranean coast, sometimes in sudden, violent storms (DANA), so check AEMET warnings. 12 October is a national holiday.
November
Quiet and cheap on the mainland, with mild, sunny days in Andalusia and on the Costa del Sol and the first cold nights inland. Rain increases in the north and on the Atlantic coast. The Canary Islands’ winter season begins, and the Sierra Nevada ski season can open late in the month if snow allows.
December
Cool and short-dayed, with Christmas lights and markets in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. The 6 and 8 December holidays make a busy long weekend. Madrid’s Puerta del Sol is the place for New Year’s Eve, when Spaniards eat twelve grapes on the twelve chimes of midnight. The ski season gets going and the Canaries are busy.
Best time to visit by region
Madrid and central Spain
April to June and mid-September to October. Summers are dry and hot, and winters cool and sunny with cold nights. Day trips to Toledo, Segovia and Salamanca follow the same pattern; Segovia, at about 1,000 m (3,300 ft), is colder in winter. See our Madrid guide.
Barcelona and Catalonia
May to June and September to October, for sightseeing plus swimming; June and September are the sweet spot. October is Barcelona’s wettest month, often in short, heavy downpours. See Barcelona, Catalonia, the Costa Brava, Sitges and Girona.
Andalusia
March to May and October to November, with highs of about 22–27 °C (72–81 °F) in spring. Summer is fierce inland, but the coast stays bearable: the Costa del Sol is good from April to October and mild in winter. Granada is best from April to May and late September to October, with frosty winter nights. See also Córdoba, Ronda and our Andalusia guide.
Valencia and the Costa Blanca
April to June and September to October; Alicante and Benidorm are among Europe’s sunniest places, with mild winters. Autumn storms can bring very heavy rain, as on 29 October 2024 near Valencia. See our Valencia guide.
The north: Basque Country, Galicia and the Picos de Europa
June to September, the mildest and driest months in Spain’s greenest region. Even in summer, about one day in three brings some rain to San Sebastián, so pack a jacket. See San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, the Rías Baixas and the Picos de Europa.
The Balearic Islands
May to June and September to early October, for warm seas without the July and August crowds. Mallorca is best for beach plus hiking in May, June, late September and October, and Ibiza‘s big clubs close from about November to March. See also Menorca and Formentera.
The Canary Islands
All year, with daytime highs of about 21–29 °C (70–84 °F). October to April is the high season for winter sun; summer is warm and breezy rather than scorching. See Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma and La Gomera.
Best time for beaches, hiking, skiing and festivals
Beaches
June and September on the mainland and the Balearics, when the sea is warm and the beaches are calmer than in July and August. The sea is warmest from July to September. In the Canaries, the beaches work all year, though the sea is coolest, about 18 °C (64 °F), in late winter. See our beaches guide.
Hiking
Spring and autumn for Andalusia, Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana and the Canaries; July to September for the high Pyrenees, the Picos de Europa and the summits of the Sierra Nevada. Avoid long walks in the southern heat in July and August. See our hiking guide.
Skiing
The Sierra Nevada, above Granada, usually opens in late November or early December and runs to late April, snow permitting; the Pyrenees have a similar season. Prices are highest over Christmas, Carnival weekends and Easter.
Festivals
Las Fallas (15–19 March), Holy Week (21–28 March 2027), the April Fair in Seville (expected 12–18 April 2027) and San Fermín (6–14 July) are the big ones. Book months ahead and expect higher prices.
Seasons to plan around
Summer heat and wildfires
In July and August, temperatures in Seville, Córdoba and Madrid regularly reach 40 °C (104 °F) during heat waves. Plan sightseeing for the morning and evening and rest in the hottest hours. Wildfires are a risk in hot, dry summers; follow local alerts, and never light fires or barbecues in the countryside.
Autumn storms on the Mediterranean
From September to November, sudden, violent storms (DANA or gota fría) can bring a month’s rain in a few hours to the Valencia region, Catalonia and the Balearics. Check AEMET weather warnings and follow Civil Protection advice when heavy rain is forecast.
Holy Week, holidays and August
Easter (Holy Week) and long weekends around national holidays (6 January, 12 October, 6 and 8 December) fill hotels, especially in Andalusia. In August, many locals are on holiday, the coasts are full and some city restaurants close.
How long to stay
Ten days is a good first trip: Madrid, Andalusia and Barcelona by high-speed train. Add four or five days for an island. Our Spain travel guide has 5-, 7-, 10- and 14-day itineraries.
Best time to visit Spain: FAQ
What is the best month to visit Spain?
May and late September are hard to beat: warm, sunny days across most of the country, a swimmable sea in the south and on the islands, and lower prices than in July and August.
What is the cheapest month to go to Spain?
January and February, apart from the holidays. According to INE, Spain’s statistics office, the average hotel room cost about €116 a night in January 2026 against about €167 in August 2026.
What is the rainiest month in Spain?
It varies by region. On the Mediterranean coast, October is usually the wettest month; in the north, November is wettest, with about 200 mm (7.9 in) in San Sebastián. Summer is very dry across most of the country.
Is August a good time to visit Spain?
For the beaches, the islands and the north coast, yes, but it is the busiest and most expensive month, and inland cities can pass 40 °C (104 °F). If you can, go in June or September instead.
Is Spain warm in winter?
The south coast and the Canary Islands are. Málaga averages about 17 °C (63 °F) by day in January and Tenerife about 21–22 °C (70–72 °F), while Madrid averages about 10 °C (50 °F), with cold nights.
When is Holy Week in Spain in 2027?
From Palm Sunday, 21 March, to Easter Sunday, 28 March 2027, with the biggest processions in Seville, Málaga and Granada.
Sources · last reviewed 4 Oct 2026
Researched and last reviewed by TravelerCenter on 8 October 2026. Temperatures, rainfall and rainy days come from AEMET, Spain’s state weather agency (1991–2020 normals, and 1981–2010 tables where newer ones were not published), as used in our country and destination guides. Hotel prices come from INE, Spain’s National Statistics Institute. The Sierra Nevada season comes from the resort and its usual pattern; Holy Week dates from the calendar; and fixed festival dates are long-standing. Seville’s 2027 April Fair dates and the Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnival dates come from press reports of the city councils’ calendars and are flagged for checking. Weather varies from year to year, so check AEMET’s forecast and the organizers before you travel.
Also: AEMET normals 1991–2020, Madrid, Retiro (climate)
Data: Natural Earth (PUBLIC DOMAIN) · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)