The Best Time to Visit Spain (2024)

Spain is a popular European destination that should be on everyone's bucket list. A truly stunning country with something for every kind of traveler, there is never a bad time to jet off to this vacation hot spot. With iconic cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, plus legendary islands like Ibiza and Tenerife, this country does not disappoint.

That said, if you are looking for the best time to visit Spain, then you should opt for a spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) getaway. At these times, you'll likely find fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations, and the best weather - especially if you plan on hitting the beach.

Whenever you decide to go, use this guide to help plan your trip to this country known for its rich culture, pristine beaches, delicious food, and endless things to do.

Popular Events and Festivals

Spain has events throughout the year that attract visitors from all around the world, especially during spring and summer.If you plan on traveling to attend one of these, get an early start on booking accommodations, which fill up quickly.If you're not trying to attend these events, go elsewhere in the country when they're happening or wait to travel at a different time to avoid dealing with the crowds and high prices in these areas. See a more complete list of events by month below.

Spain also has national public holidays and regional ones. Take particular note of holidays that fall on a Thursday or Tuesday, as the Spanish tend to take the Monday or Friday between this holiday and the weekend off work (this is called a 'puente' or 'bridge'). You may find a lot of things closed during these extended weekends.

The Weather in Spain

Temperatures in Spain typically don't dip too low, even in winter when the lows hover in the 40- to 50-degrees F range country-wide. But summers, on the other hand, can get really hot, with highs creeping into the low to mid-90s in some places.

For this reason, it can actually be best to visit the beaches during the shoulder seasons in late spring/early summer (May or early June) or late summer (August to September, even October) to avoid the extreme heat. While temperatures are a little more unpredictable during these times (be prepared for the occasional rain shower), average temps still go up to the high 70s or low 80s, making them an ideal time for beach days and also days to sightsee and explore the cities as well.

If the hot summer months of July and Augustare the only time you can travel, consider visiting the north of Spainwhere temps don't soar quite as high (highs reaching the upper 70s in the summer), such asBilbaoandSantiago de Compostela.

Peak Season in Spain

For tourism, peak season is typically during the summer months, particularly July and August, and that's evident from the higher prices for hotels, possibly flights, and other accommodations in the cities. So, if you're looking to travel at this time, book on the earlier side to avoid paying whatever higher prices are left as it gets closer.

And just because it's peak season for tourists, that doesn't necessarily mean it's overwhelmingly crowded. A lot of locals, especially people from the inland cities, actually leave the country or head to the coast to escape the heat. However, this also means that many local businesses in the same towns might be shut down temporarily to give their employees vacation.

January

This is still off-season for Spain, so crowds should be relatively minimal and hotels and other accommodations are usually cheaper.

Events to check out:

• January begins withThree Kings Daycelebrations on the 6th, followed by a number of interesting celebrations in theBalearic Islands.
• The San Sebastian festivalin the city of the same name, with its Tamborrada drumming, is the biggest event of the month.

February

Weather around the country is still pretty chilly, especially in Madrid and the northern parts of Spain, such as Galicia and Bilbao where temperatures stay in the 40s to 50s. It's also the rainy season for this area, with rain every day or every other. Barcelona is less wet but has comparable temperatures to northern cities. Andalusia is the warmest, with days reaching highs in the mid-60s.

Events to check out:

• February is carnivalmonth, a celebration to mark the start of Lent,with the biggesteventsappearing in Cadiz and theCanary Islands.
• The Festival de Jerez, one of the most prominent flamenco festivals in the country, happens in the city of Jerez.

March

You might get some warm weather in Andalusia, or you might not, but it's worth packing sunblockandsomething to keep the chill out, just in case.

Events to check out:

• In March, Valencia is home toLas Fallas, a weeklong eventmostly known for its giant, crafted figurines that are paraded through town and then set on fire.
• Semana Santa, a.k.a Holy Week, isa religiouscelebrationwith processionsin the streets put on by local brotherhoods.Ittakes place throughout several cities in Spain during Easter, lasting about a week or longer, depending on the location.
• Sant Medir festival: During March in Barcelona, horses, carriages, trucks, and more wind their way through the streets of the Gracia neighborhood, throwing candy and other sweet treats to the eager spectators lining the sides of the roads.

April

The whole country is slowly warming up, but the weather could be quite unpredictable wherever you are. April should see some warm weather in Andalusia, and sunbathing might be possible, but nothing is guaranteed at this time of year. Because the weather is decent (but still might not be suitable for the beach yet), schools are still in session. What's more, it's not yet peak season for tourists, this is a good time to check out local attractions in whatever city you're visiting, such as museums, cultural centers, cathedrals, etc., that might be more crowded in later months.

Events to check out:

• The Feria de Abril, the spring fair that celebrates the people and traditions of Seville, typically happens in April, as it is held two weeks after Easter.
• Madrid hosts several music festivals, around this time of year, featuring nightly concerts of a variety of music.

May

Hot in the south and warm in much of the rest of the country, though Madrid can remain changeable throughout May and the north and north-west can still expect some cool days.

Events to check out:

• There are a number of local festivals in Spain in May, usually celebrating each area's local traditions and customs,including the Festival de San Isidro in Madrid and the Feria de Patios and Feria de las Cruces in Cordoba.
• Madrid hosts the Madrid Open, the country's largest tennis tournament.
• Lleida is home to the Aplec del Caragol, where 12 tons of snails are eaten in this culinary festival.

June

June is much more reliable weather-wise, with glorious sunshine and warm weather in most of the country. As the weather starts to warm up, though, some local businesses might begin to shut down to take their own vacation in the summer. However, major tourist attractions and museums are typically open year-round, with the exception of major holidays in some cases.

Events to check out:

• Granada hosts the Water and Ham Festival, which is basically just a gigantic water fight.
• Madrid hosts PHoto España, the city's largest photo exhibition.

July

The weather is hot, hot, hot! Central locations like Seville and Madrid are ghost towns, as the locals migrate to the coast to cool off in the sea.

Events to check out:

• San Fermin, more commonlyknownby one of its events, therunning of the bulls, happens everyyear in Pamplona from July 6th to July 14th.
• Horse racing on the beach at Sanlucar de Barrameda is also a popular event this month.

August

It's still very hot this month, especially in the inland cities, so some local restaurants and businesses might still be closed in those places.

Events to check out:

• Another well-known event,Tomatina, is a festival where thousands of people throw tomatoes at each other. Thishappens onthe last Wednesday of August in the town of Buñol.
• Feria de Malaga, perhaps Andalusia's biggest summer festival, includes concerts, dancing, great food, and more.
• The Basque region also holds a large festival, Semana Grande, in Bilbao and San Sebastian, that's packed with events like fireworks, bullfighting, and more.

September

It can still be quite warm in September (and far more bearable than in August). However, the later you plan your visit for in September, the more unreliable the weather is likely to be.

Events to check out:

• Festa de la Mercéhappens in Barcelona, one of the city's biggest festivals of the year that celebrates the city's patron saint with wine fairs, fireworks, and other events.
• San Sebastian also hosts one of the world's largest film festivals at this time.
• Theregion ofLa Rioja, Spain's famous wine region, holds its grape harvest celebration.

October

The weather gets steadily cooler during the end of September and into October. Still, weather-wise, this is one of the best times to visit central cities such as Madrid and Salamanca, which are usually unbearably hot in summer and also some of the coldest in the winter.

Events to check out:

• Catch the Bienal de Flamenco,Spain'sbiggest flamenco festival, held every two years.
• The Week of Architecturecelebration hasexhibits, children's workshops, and events held in Madrid's most famous buildings.
• Tarragona hosts an annual "human castle building" competition, where large teams of people transform themselves into castles by stacking high on top of each other.

November

Matters wind down in November as the country gets ready for Christmas, but there are still eventsthis month worth noting. This time of the year is when fall turns to winter, and the weather will change accordingly. It is sunny and chilly in the south, just chilly (mid-40s to 60s) in the rest of the country.

Events to check out:

• Jazz fans will enjoy the festivals inMadrid,Granada, andBarcelonathis month.
• There are several beverage tastings held across the country, such as International Sherry Week in Jerez, Feast of the Orujo in Potes, and the San Andres Festival on the island of Tenerife.
• Several film festivals are held around the country, including Madrid —see a full list here.

December

Smaller cities and towns might be more low-key or mostly shut down during the holidays. And Christmas Day itself, you're unlikely to find many restaurants or bars open at all, as this is a family holiday. Weather is still getting colder, with the inland cities (typically the coldest) only reaching the low 50s during the day. You might see some snow in December, but that's more likely in January or February.

Events to check out:

• December is dominated byChristmas and themany eventsassociated with it, several local events per week, especially in Madrid and Barcelona.