Weather in Spain: Climate, Seasons, and Practical Tips to Prepare Your Stay
Want to know the current weather in Spain? Check real-time forecasts on the official site: Weather Spain – Met Office.
☀️ 1. Understanding Spain’s climate: diversity and contrasts
Spain enjoys a Mediterranean climate across much of its territory, but its geographic diversity creates several distinct climate zones:
- Mediterranean climate: East Coast, Andalusia, Balearic Islands. Hot summers (35°C+), mild winters, rare rainfall.
- Oceanic climate: North (Galicia, Basque Country): mild and humid, frequent rain.
- Continental climate: Center (Madrid, Castile): cold winters, very hot summers.
- Mountain climate: Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada: snow in winter, cool summers.
- Subtropical climate: Canary Islands: mild year-round, stable temperatures (20-28°C).
🗓️ 2. Seasons in Spain: what you need to know
Here is a season-by-season overview to help you pick your dates:
Spring (March to May)
Ideal for discovering Andalusia, Barcelona, or Madrid. Pleasant temperatures, flowers, events like Holy Week.
Summer (June to August)
Very hot in the south and center. Perfect for beaches (Costa Brava, Costa del Sol), but avoid inland cities in July-August.
Autumn (September to November)
Still warm in September, beautiful colors in the north. Fewer tourists.
Winter (December to February)
Mild in the south (Seville, Malaga), snow in the mountains, good season to visit major cities without crowds.
Temperature table
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 6 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 19 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 7 |
| Barcelona | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 14 | 11 |
| Seville | 11 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 27 | 33 | 33 | 28 | 22 | 16 | 12 |
| Valencia | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 25 | 21 | 16 | 12 |
| Bilbao | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 9 |
| Malaga | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 25 | 21 | 17 | 13 |
| Las Palmas (Canaries) | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 20 |
📍 3. Weather by region: where to go and when?
Andalusia
Ideal in spring and autumn. Very hot summers (up to 45°C in Seville). Mild winters.
Mediterranean Coast (Valencia, Barcelona, Murcia)
Pleasant climate year-round. Hot summers, mild winters.
Northern Spain (Galicia, Basque Country)
Oceanic climate: frequent rain but moderate temperatures. Perfect in summer to escape the heat.
Madrid and inland
Scorching summers, cold winters. Spring and autumn recommended.
Balearic Islands
Mediterranean climate. Best season: May to September.
Canary Islands
Subtropical climate. Very pleasant year-round. Ideal for winter.
🧳 4. Practical tips based on the weather
- Pack light, breathable clothes for summer, especially in the south.
- Bring a raincoat if visiting the north or Galicia.
- Sunscreen and a hat are essential in summer, even in cities.
- In winter, a coat is necessary in Madrid or Burgos, but not in Malaga.
📅 5. Best times to visit Spain based on your preferences
- For the beach: June to September on the east and south coasts.
- For city visits: April-May and September-October.
- For hiking: Spring in the north, autumn in the south.
- To avoid crowds: November to March (excluding holidays).