When is the Best Time to Visit Spain? (And When Should You Avoid?)

Question: When is the Best Time to Visit Spain? (And When Should You Avoid?)

Answer: On this page you will find general information on when the best time to visit Spain is, but note that this is also the most popular time too. For some this is an attraction as they want to be with lots of other tourists, while others can't think of anything worse than a crowded beach.

The important things to consider when deciding when to visit Spain are the weather and the events that are going on.

See also:

• Events in Spain
• Weather in Spain
• When to Visit Spain for a month-by-month breakdown of visiting Spain.

Visiting Spain in Summer

Advantages of Visiting Spain in Summer
• The weather is warm.
• Some tours only operate in the summer. Disadvantages of Visiting Spain in Summer
• The weather is too hot in many places.
• Many cities are deserted in summer.
• There are tourists everywhere.

July and August are the busiest periods for international travelers, so if you want to go somewhere where you won't hear too much English, the Costa Brava at this time of year is not the place to be. In many ways, this isn't the best time to come to Spain, especially to internal cities like Madrid and Seville, as the Spanish evacuate these cities in the unbearably hot months and escape to the cooler coast.

It can be tempting for some to visit Spain at the hottest time of year so they can guarantee they get a tan. But you may regret this when you see just how hot it can get. June and September are more comfortable times to get bronzed (and don't rule out May and October).

If this is the only time of year you can travel but you don't like the idea of such intense heat, consider visiting the north of Spain instead. Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela are much cooler than cities to the south.

Weather in Spain in July
Weather in Spain in August

Visiting Spain in Winter

Advantages of Visiting Spain in Winter
• Less crowds
• Not so hot in the south
• More events going on
• Easier to book hotels at the last minute, allowing you to have a freer itinerary

  Disadvantages of Visiting Spain in Winter

• Bad weather in the north
• No beath weather in the south

If you like to city hop at your own pace, without having to book your accommodation months in advance, than travel in winter, especially if you're on a tight budget.

Other Popular Holidays in Spain

Easter (Semana Santa) is another popular time to travel in Spain, especially for the Spanish themselves, as is the week between Christmas and New Year. You might find it difficult to get accommodation during these times, so book in advance.

Semana Santa in Spain
Christmas in Spain

Spanish Public Holidays and 'Puentes'

Spain has a number of local festivals and finding accommodation can be difficult at these times. Of course, if you are in town specifically to see the event, then you have no choice, but if you aren't, avoid Valencia during Las Fallas and Tomatina (March and late August), Seville for Semana Santa (Easter) and their April fair and Pamplona during the bull run.

Many events are packed with festivities and are an essential time to visit, but others are more private affairs and you may find that nothing much is happening on these days.

Spain has national public holidays and regional ones. Take particular note of holidays that fall on a Thursday or Tuesday. The Spanish tend to take the Monday or Friday between this holiday and the weekend off work (this is called a 'puente' or 'bridge'). You may find a lot of things closed for all four of these days.

Find out more about Spanish Public Holidays.