Best time to visit Spain

Best for: winter sun seekers and quiet city streets

The wintertime is off season for Spain, so January sees few crowds and varied weather depending on whether you’re in the snowy north or sunny south.

Spain’s beach resorts are typically closed during the winter, but this is a great time to explore the major sites throughout the country without the major crowds and have a more immersive experience surrounded by locals.

Best for: low season perks and Carnival cheer

Along the southern coast, temperatures in February are mild and you may be able to score great deals compared to the high rates of the summer. The popular Costa del Sol region will be quiet and crowd-free, but with the sunshine and pleasant temps, it’ll feel nothing like ‘winter’.

Things pick up mid- to late February with Carnival, a festival celebrating the last day of indulgence before Lent begins. There are dozens of lively and colorful events across Spain, with parties in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona filled with parades, costumes, music and dancing.

Best for: museums to yourself and the start of spring

March is a sweet spot between the slow wake-up from winter and the frenzied arrival of the busy season. The days are mild and sunny, making it pleasant for sightseeing and walking through historic cities and parks filled with cherry blossoms.

This is also a great month to enjoy museums and attractions more intimately, as crowds are typically lower. Traditionally busy sites like Granada’s Alhambra will be slow, so take a few hours to take it in distraction-free.

Best for: festivals, fiestas and ferias

Spain’s culture is on full display in April as the country comes alive with several festivals. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is an epic festival that takes place in the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Each region observes Semana differently, with events taking place in all major cities.

Two weeks after Semana, The Seville Fair (Feria de Abril) begins in the Andalusian city. This weeklong extravaganza features dancing, parades, bullfights and parties with women in brightly colored traditional flamenco dresses.

Best for: walking, trekking and the Camino de Santiago  

With mellow temperatures and blooming flowers, May is the perfect time to take a walking or trekking trip. Spain has many regions great for walking and one of the most famous walking routes in the world exists here: the Camino de Santiago.  

If you’d rather not hike in the beaming sun and want the walking routes to be a bit quieter, this is the best time to take on the pilgrimage of the Camino. It’s also a lovely time to visit Valencia’s green spaces and Turia Gardens.  

Best for: amazing weather and spending time outdoors

June is arguably one of the best months to visit Spain for guaranteed good weather and long days to take advantage of the best the country has to offer. Temperatures average between 69°F and 77°F, which is ideal for leisurely strolls, tapas on terraces and cold sangria.

This is a great time for an all-encompassing trip since you’re likely to have great weather in every region. If relaxing at the beach is on the agenda, head south to Andalusia before the hordes of summer tourists roll in.

Best for: beach towns, nightlife and embracing the chaos  

Coastal towns come alive in July with travelers and locals escaping the hot cities. The beaches in the south may be packed but if you don’t mind crowds, a summer vacation in southern Spain can be a worthy experience.  

The Andalusia region is well-known for whitewashed buildings, Blue Flag beaches, all-day sunshine and lively nightlife. We suggest you pack some patience and flexibility, but you’ll be in good hands with your local leader.  

Best for: cooling off up north

Instead of heading to the beach with the rest of the country, consider a trip to one of Spain’s northern regions, like Basque Country, Asturias or Galicia. This part of the country is known for rolling green hills and historic cities and villages.

The town of San Sebastian is the best of all worlds – it's said to be the food capital of Spain, has a beautiful beach with clear water to cool down in and an Old Town to explore. This is the time to sit back with a plate of pintxos and a cold beer and take it slow.

Best for: quieter beach days and multi-country trips

Summer officially ends in September but days remain sunny and temperatures stay high, making it a great time to visit beaches in Valencia, watch flamenco dancers in Seville, walk the Camino or unwind in the Catalonian wine region.

It’s also a great time to add neighboring Portugal to your Spanish adventure. With warm weather in Lisbon and the Algarve, you can enjoy the best of both worlds after the busy season.

Best for: harvest season and historic landmarks

October offers comfortable, mild weather and fewer crowds in major cities like Madrid, where you can enjoy authentic local life without the summer buzz of tourists. It’s harvest season across the country, so you’ll find festivals and events celebrating wine production, making it the perfect time to visit wine vineyards.

Andalusia is especially pleasant during this time, ideal for hiking, squeezing in some last few beach days and visiting Moorish landmarks like the Alhambra and Mezquita without the heat or the crowds.

Best for: quiet holidays and trips to the south

November is a quiet month all around, with cool weather keeping crowds at bay and few festivals stirring the locals up. If you plan on sightseeing, temps average around 57°F, dropping steadily, so layer up as you discover the real Spain outside the traditional landmarks.

When you’re ready to skip out of the cold, combine your holiday with a trip to Morocco where the temps will be a little warmer. Traveling from Madrid to Morocco will have you enjoying Spanish tapas in Salamanca, relaxing on idyllic beaches in Portugal's Algarve, and marveling at medinas and mosques in Marrakech.

Best for: Christmas markets

The weather is cold but the spirits are high with the arrival of Navidad (the festive season) in December. Christmas markets pop up around the country with the most famous being Barcelona’s Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia and Madrid’s Mercado de Navidad de Plaza Mayor.

Throughout the country, you’ll find lively vendors, epic light displays and plenty of dulces (sweets). If you plan on ringing in the New Year, tradition will have you eating 12 grapes at midnight for good luck!