Spain
The best time to visit
When to go to Spain
Go in April to June or September to October for warm, comfortable weather and lighter crowds. July and August are hot, especially inland, and winter is mild on the coast but cool in the centre.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Madrid. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around May.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
The quietest, cheapest stretch of the year.
In short
The year at a glance
Spain saves its best for spring and autumn. Madrid, high on the central plateau, anchors the ratings, and there July and August can be fierce and dry while April to June and September to October are warm and easygoing. The festival calendar, from Holy Week to the spring fairs, peaks in spring.
Climates vary widely: the Mediterranean coast and Barcelona are milder, the south around Seville is the hottest, and the green north stays cooler and wetter. Winter is gentle along the coast and in the south, which is why the Costa del Sol and the Canary Islands draw sun-seekers year round.
Month by month
Spain month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Madrid.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°C / 50°F | 2°C / 36°F | 33 mm | Good 55 | Cool and dry. |
| February | 13°C / 55°F | 3°C / 37°F | 35 mm | Great 69 | Cool and dry. |
| March | 17°C / 63°F | 5°C / 41°F | 26 mm | Ideal 88 | Mild and dry. |
| April | 19°C / 66°F | 7°C / 45°F | 37 mm | Ideal 96 | Mild and dry. |
| May | 24°C / 75°F | 11°C / 52°F | 43 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Madrid hotels in May |
| June | 30°C / 86°F | 16°C / 61°F | 21 mm | Ideal 93 | Hot and dry. |
| July | 34°C / 93°F | 19°C / 66°F | 11 mm | Great 73 | Very hot and dry. |
| August | 33°C / 91°F | 19°C / 66°F | 10 mm | Ideal 80 | Hot and dry. |
| September | 28°C / 82°F | 15°C / 59°F | 23 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Madrid hotels in September |
| October | 20°C / 68°F | 10°C / 50°F | 49 mm | Ideal 98 | Mild and dry. Madrid hotels in October |
| November | 14°C / 57°F | 6°C / 43°F | 47 mm | Ideal 75 | Cool and dry. |
| December | 10°C / 50°F | 3°C / 37°F | 41 mm | Good 57 | Cool and dry. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Madrid and the centre
Hot, dry summers and cold, clear winters on the high plateau. Spring and autumn are the best of the year.
Barcelona and the coast
Milder and made for the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to October, mixing city and beach.
Seville and the south
The hottest corner of the country, glorious in spring and autumn and best avoided at the height of summer.
Go for
Best time to visit Spain for
Cities and culture
April to June and September to October for Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, with warm days and manageable crowds.
Beaches
June and September along the Mediterranean, with warm seas before and after the August peak.
Festivals
Spring for Holy Week processions and Seville's April Fair, two of the country's great spectacles.
Winter sun
The Canary Islands and the southern coast stay mild through winter, a warm escape from northern Europe.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Holy Week and fairs, April
Semana Santa processions and Seville's Feria fill the spring calendar across the south.
Beach season, June and Sep
Warm seas and long days on the Mediterranean, on either side of the August crowds.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Spain
Compare hotels and rentals around Madrid, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions