Spain

Splendid Spain is on everyone’s list of places they want to visit at least once in their lifetime. But the beauty of visiting a place like Spain is in knowing the best time to visit because weather matters, especially depending on what you’re planning to do. If you want to lounge on the beach, then you want to make sure the sun is shining brightly. If you want to explore the cities and monuments, you want to have cool and pleasant weather. 

Since Spain has a number of different climatic conditions, when you go will certainly influence the kind of holiday you have. Typically speaking, Spring (March to May) or Fall (September to November) are considered to be the best times to visit Spain. But it’s also a good idea to know when prices are low, when crowds are minimal, so here’s a list of the best times to visit Spain.

Peak Season – The months of March to May are considered the best time to visit Spain when Spring is in the air.

Shoulder Season – August 

Low Season – January and February

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Spain In Spring (March to May)

Temperature – The temperature in spring is pleasant but there are fluctuations where it can get a little really cold at 9°C but as it goes higher, it can reach a comfortable 24°C.

Weather – The weather of Spain in spring is just perfect for those who want to enjoy the beautiful weather and it’s no wonder that this is also considered to be the peak season for travellers in Spain. From March to May, the weather is warm and toasty and the beaches are perfect. Spring is indeed the best season to visit Spain if you want to be enthralled by the lushness of the country with flowers and all sorts of gorgeousness sprouting around you.

Significance – Since Easter takes place during this time, it’s an excellent time to enjoy the many festivities that spring up around the many cities. Cities like Valencia have wonderful parades and fireworks lighting up the sky in mid-March, while somewhere during mid-April, Andalucía sees the many brilliant processions that take place during the Semana Santa.

Why you should visit now – There are plenty of delightful things you can join in, during this time like the April Fair in Seville, Cordoba’s Courtyard Competition and Feria Del Caballo to name just a few. Spain is vibrant and beautiful during this time and the festive feeling in the air never dissipates. Visit during the spring season to experience a holiday in its truest sense.

Things to know before the visit – As this is high season in Spain, it’s bound to be crowded as tourists from all over the world converge here. Tickets will be priced high especially because of the many local festivals during this time. Weather can be a little unpredictable during this time.

Tips – If you’re planning to visit Spain during spring, then do bear in mind that it can get a little cold, so be prepared with warm clothing. It’s also a good idea to pack some wet weather gear also, just in case. It’s also a good idea to dress in layers so you can cope with the temperature changes. It’s always a good idea to bring sturdy shoes, sweaters, a light jacket and scarves.

Spain In Summer (June to August)

Temperature – Summer in Spain varies between 18 to 30°C.

Weather – Spain during summer is quite an interesting experience. The weather is hot and humid and the crowds are aplenty especially in coastal areas. In parts of inland Spain, it’s considered the low season. Many people plan their trip to the country during the months of June to August.

Significance – Why you should visit now – The good thing about visiting Spain at this time is that there are several interesting festivals that you can be a part of, such as the Battle of Wine in La Rioja or San Pedro’s Feast. Summer is also the time when you can indulge in the famed Tomatina festival in Buñol. If you want to visit places like museums and art galleries, these are open and can be a respite from the heat which can go higher than 45 degrees Celsius.

Things to know before the visit – In some parts of Spain, summer is considered a high season and thus, there are crowds everywhere. Tickets and accommodation prices can also go up drastically at this time, so book ahead. The beaches in Barcelona are fun and night-time concerts in Seville are most amazing. Summer is filled with activities and fiestas in Spain and it’s no wonder people love to visit this European country during this time.

Tips – If you’re travelling to Spain in summer, don’t forget to pack some linen clothing as this can be quite comfortable and breathable. Remember to carry lots of sunscreens especially if you plan to be on the beach and make sure you have the right kind of footwear for summer. Shoes and flipflops are all fine but if you plan to rent a car, do remember that it’s illegal to drive in flipflops or sandals. Also, do remember to wear sunglasses and a hat during summer.

Spain In Fall (September to October)

Temperature – During the fall, the temperature can be anywhere between 17 to 24°C.

Weather – The weather is actually perfect, as it’s neither too hot nor too cold. Sightseeing is naturally the focus among tourists during this time as the weather is so marvellous. During fall, there can be a few rain showers though.

Significance – Spain turns the most gorgeous shades of russet and yellow during Fall which is from September to October. Visiting coastal areas such as Barcelona and Costa del Sol should be on your list as it’s beautiful and quite perfect. Even hotels and other accommodation are quite reasonably priced at this time.

Why you should visit now – September sees the biggest Flamenco Festival, known as Bienal de Flamenco. There are several parades and concerts, fireworks, processions and several interesting events that take place, making this quite the best time to visit Spain. Madrid and Barcelona come alive during this time with plenty of cultural activities and you’ll find it the perfect time to visit museums and art galleries. Fall is also the time there is plenty of fresh produce and places like Catalunya is great for mushroom foraging. All sorts of delicious varieties of mushrooms can be found here and foraging is actually a popular activity by itself.

Things to know before the visit – As Spain has lots of public holidays and regional holidays, do make a note of these before you visit. This is especially significant if the holidays fall on Tuesdays or Thursdays as the Spanish will make it into a long weekend and you will find that most places are closed. It’s a good idea to be prepared for sudden rain showers as these can occur quite suddenly.

Tips – The weather starts out by being warm and then starts getting progressively cooler. Some cities like Madrid can actually be very hot and they are best avoided during this time. By October, you can start feeling the chill, so come prepared with warm clothes, scarves, jackets et al. Layering your clothes is a good way to meet the unpredictable weather in Spain. Book early as tourists tend to flock here during this time and you may not be able to get tickets or accommodation.

Spain In Winter (November to February)

Temperature – During winter, the temperature can fluctuate between 6 and 16°C but the cold is often manageable.

Weather – The winter months in Spain last from November to February with January being the coldest of them all. However, it’s nowhere as cold as most other European countries. Winter is considered to be the off-season in Spain and there’s not much to do by way of activities. Cities like Madrid and Toledo are quite cold while Galicia sees quite a bit of rain too. There’s also quite a bit of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Temperatures tend to be mild in Andalucía and the Mediterranean coast.

Significance – Although most beach areas are closed, those that remain open have relatively cheaper accommodation during this time. However, this doesn’t deter many travellers from coming to Spain as there are several festivals and carnivals they can enjoy. November sees the Jazz Festival take place during weekends while Sevilla European Film Festival takes place during November. If you do happen to be in Spain at the end of the year, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the amazing New Year’s celebrations taking place at this time.

Why you should visit now –  Since it’s the offseason, hotels are cheaper and so are flight tickets and there are minimal crowds. January also sees the celebration of Three Kings Day which is one of the most celebrated festivals of Spain. Typically, three politicians dress up as the three kings and distribute sweets across the various towns during this festival. It’s also the month of the San Sebastian festival which is quite popular.

Things to know before the visit – As the weather gets colder, you will find that most places are closed during this time in Spain. In December, Christmas takes precedence as do several other local events related to it. There are not that many activities to enjoy as well and most places tend to be closed. In places like Andalucía however, it remains warm and there’s quite a bit of sunshine to enjoy.

Tips –  In certain parts of Spain, it can get quite cold, so do remember to carry your warm clothes along with you. It’s also known to rain in some areas, so a small travel umbrella is actually a good idea. A warm scarf, a heavy overcoat and earmuffs will go a long way in assuaging the cold and making you feel comfortable.

Have you decided on what your best time to visit Spain is? Now all you have to do is pick from one of Thomas Cook’s exciting Spain Tour Packages and in no time at all, you’ll be sipping wine, nibbling on delicious tapas and enjoying the diversity that is Spain.