Best Time To Visit Spain

The winter months of January and February are the offseasons in Spain. The hotel accommodations are cheaper, and there isn’t much to do in the cities. The days are short and cold, and the crowds are minimal. January starts with Three Kings Day, which is relatively one of the most talked about festivals in Spain. However, the San Sebastian Festival is the most significant event of the month. February remains chilly and gloomy, especially in the northern parts of Spain, like Bilbao, Galicia and Madrid. In November, it rains almost every single day.

August can be the shoulder season for tourists wishing to visit Spain. Although the temperature is on the warmer side, and some of the shops might still be closed for the heat, there are still a few festivities that can be enjoyed during this month in Spain. To enjoy the famous bullfighting or to be a part of the Tomatino festival are some of the primary reasons that people travel to Spain during August.

Weather in Spring
Spring is the peak season in Spain. These months are essentially fun in Spain and the best time to visit the beaches as well. The weather is good enough to get a tan but not that hot which could burn out your skin! Easter falls in Spring, which is a great time to enjoy in the country with several festivities happening all around. The weather is very amiable, with stunning flowers blossoming all around. The day hours are the best to be out and experience the fun and frolic in some of the major cities in Spain.

The magnificent parades and fireworks in the Las Fallas in Valencia in mid-March, the spectacular processions of the Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Andalucía during mid-April, the famous bullfights and zarzuelas all throughout May in Madrid, the April Fair in Seville, the Feria Del Caballo (horse pageantry) in Jerez de Frontera, the courtyard competition in Cordoba in May, are just some of the significant revelries that one can be a part of during this time in Spain.

These months are the most humid, hot and crowded in Spain. The accommodations in the coastal areas are quite expensive too. Some shops even close down completely in August and locals head to the coastal regions. Due to this, a lot of sight-seeing spots are closed. However, art galleries, museums and other such touristy places remain open during summers as well During these months; the temperature often reaches above 45 degrees Celsius. However, if you are there during this time, you can be a part of festivities, like the Battle of Wine in La Rioja and enjoy a wine-drenched celebration of San Pedro’s Feast. You can experience the running of the bulls in Pamplona or celebrate the famous Tomatina Festival in Buñol with the locals in August. However, planning ahead of the crowd is essential to be able to enjoy these festivities at full swing.

These months are the most beautiful in Spain with yellow and orange hues all around! The weather is neither too hot nor too cold and hence, perfect for sightseeing. The hotels and other accommodation options are not so expensive either. Coastal areas like Barcelona and Costa Del Sol can still be in your itinerary during this time as the weather remains comfortable. This is also the time to experience some of the most important festivals in Spain. The biggest Flamenco festival is held during September which is known as Bienal de Flamenco, where a host of Flamenco dancers and musicians come to Seville to be a part of the same. Little San Fermin is also celebrated in Pamplona with colourful parades and concerts. Fires de Sant Narcis revels during October-end in Girona with fireworks, processions, and human-tower building acts.

Weather in Winter
The coldest time of the year is in January. December and February are also colder months which make the temperature best for skiing in the hills. The climate is generally cold and dry, but it is milder compared to the other countries. These are the off-months in Spain with very fewer activities to be a part of. However, if you are in Andalucía, you can still bear the temperature with a bit of sunshine and have a good time in Spain. High altitude cities like Madrid, Salamanca and Toledo are too cold to visit. Galicia, situated in the North Western part of Spain, experiences the most significant amount of rain during this time. Spain, however, gets its fair share of snow sometimes as well. In January 2006, it snowed heavily. Sierra Nevada Mountains does experience snowfall at times during winters. However, Salamanca and Madrid are too dry with blue skies even on these months.

Events and Festivals in Winter
Winter is the season of several carnivals and parties in and around Barcelona and Santa Cruz Tenerife. Apart from the freezing temperature, you can enjoy a few festivals like Cartagena Jazz Festival on all weekends of November. Sevilla European Film Festival happens anytime during November. Also, you can be a part of some of the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in some of the major cities of Spain. The Three Kings Day is celebrated in January and February is all about carnivals in various parts of the country.