When is winter in spain: The climate in Spain | spain.info

The climate in Spain | spain.info

What’s the temperature in Spain?

The weather

©

Gabin Allanwood

Where the sunshine follows you through every season

Spain is a country with a mild climate all year round but still preserves its seasonal contrasts. Here you can check the average temperatures and hours of sunshine in some of the main destinations. We also advise you on what type of clothing to bring for each season and provide you with more information on the weather in Spain.

Map

Temperatures in Spain

Are you interested in finding out about the weather in the main Spanish cities? We will tell you the average temperatures during each season and how many hours of sunshine there are. Any time of year is a good time to travel to Spain!

  • Winter

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Autumn

Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

January – March 12º / 4º 173 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

April – June 23º / 12º 271 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

July – September 30º / 18º 315 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

October – December 14º / 7º 156 Hours

  • Winter

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Autumn

Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

January – March 15º / 6º 173 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

April – June 21º / 13º 248 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

July – September 28º / 19º 260 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

October – December 18º / 9º 156 Hours

  • Winter

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Autumn

Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

January – March 18º / 7º 196 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

April – June 24º / 14º 275 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

July – September 30º / 20º 295 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

October – December 18º / 11º 185 Hours

  • Winter

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Autumn

Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

January – March 15º / 6º 105 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

April – June 21º / 8º 162 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

July – September 25º / 15º 175 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

October – December 17º / 8º 97 Hours

  • Winter

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Autumn

Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

January – March 21º / 15º 201 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

April – June 24º / 18º 261 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

July – September 27º / 21º 283 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

October – December 24º / 18º 195 Hours

  • Winter

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Autumn

Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

January – March 18º / 8º 194 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

April – June 25º / 14º 288 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

July – September 30º / 20º 306 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

October – December 21º / 12º 182 Hours

  • Winter

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Autumn

Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

January – March 16º / 9º 181 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

April – June 23º / 15º 279 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

July – September 29º / 21º 296 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

October – December 20º / 13º 172 Hours

  • Winter

  • Spring

  • Summer

  • Autumn

Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

January – March 13º / 5º 119 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

April – June 19º / 9º 192 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

July – September 24º / 13º 221 Hours
Month

Maximum/

Minimum (ºC)

Sunshine

(Hours)

October – December 15º / 7º 104 Hours

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The weather in Spain

Spain is a sunny country with around 3,000 hours of sunshine every year. The temperatures are mild, but there are still differences depending on the seasons and areas of the country. The mildest temperatures are in spring and autumn, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors practically the whole day long. Maximum temperatures are reached during the months of July and August, which are hot and dry throughout the whole country. The coldest temperatures occur during the months of December, January and February, which are the months with the most rainfall, mainly in the north of Spain.-It is essential to pack:-Sunglasses, which you will use all year round.-Comfortable footwear, especially if you visit museums, go sightseeing in cities or hike in nature.-A light, comfortable backpack to carry your things, for example, sunglasses, sun cream, a bottle of water and a small travel umbrella for any eventuality.

    Spring – from March to June

    Many people would agree that this is the best season for visiting Spain. The sun is almost always out and every day there are more hours of sunshine for enjoying the outdoors during strolls, evenings on the terraces, nature getaways…Take short-sleeve tops, or long-sleeve tops in thin materials, jeans and brightly coloured dresses. Accessories, such as sunglasses, a sun hat, a pashmina and some sandals may be good travelling companions for enjoying sunny mornings and afternoons. A popular saying (“En abril, aguas mil” (April showers)) warns us to also pack a small travel umbrella for the occasional brief but intense showers.  

    Summer – from June to September

    The months of June, July, August and September are the hottest and driest. Daytime temperatures are usually over 30 degrees centigrade. In inland areas and in the south, temperatures may be over 20 degrees at night. The north has a milder climate with cooler temperatures and some rainfall in regions such as Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria.The essential thing to pack for summer in Spain is swimwear for enjoying the beach. We recommend wearing light-coloured clothing. White clothing is also a prominent part of Ibiza fashion. These garments are flattering and comfortable in thin, floaty fabrics, such as linen and cotton. For footwear, sandals or flip flops are usually worn. Sleeveless styles and shorts are also common. 

    Autumn – from September to December

    The temperature starts to drop and it is colder first thing in the morning and late afternoon. Warm clothing, a light scarf and jackets or blazers start to become necessary. At this time of year there are still many sunny days, especially from Madrid towards the south.Many people recommend taking several layers of light clothing rather than heavy or very warm coats. This way, you can easily adapt to any time of the day. For example, when the evening comes, you may feel colder in mountain areas, or in coastal regions due to the humidity. There are occasional storms and flurries of cold weather in autumn.

    Ambroz Valley (Extremadura)

    ©

    Margarita Ramos Hernández

    Winter – from December to March

    These are the coldest months. Even though Spain is not a rainy country, we recommend that you carry an umbrella. In the north, rainfall is frequent during these months. Across the rest of the country, there may be several rainy days. A rain jacket may be a good idea.We recommend that you pack warm clothing and accessories, such as a scarf and gloves. Across most of the country, waterproof boots are not really necessary, and comfortable footwear tends to be recommended, perhaps boots, and thicker socks. Garments made of warm fabrics like wool, flannel and fleece, thermal underwear, tights and winter coats are required, especially in rural environments. If you go to the Canary Islands, winter is very different and you won’t need more than a light jacket. 

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    Holidays in Spain during the winter

    Gardens and Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso with snow. Segovia

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    Plans to show that the cold is no excuse

    Winter, which officially starts around 21 December and ends around 21 March, is a great time to travel to Spain for many reasons. For one thing, you can enjoy everything you love about winter, but it’s usually sunny, with milder temperatures than most of Europe and not much rain. In many places cold weather means snow and winter sports, and everywhere there are traditional seasonal dishes to warm you up. And if you would really rather skip winter and go straight to spring, you can visit the Canary Islands to enjoy a perpetual gentle 24 degrees centigrade and spend some pleasant days on the beach.This season is full of traditions that you will love: from the fun carnivals to Christmas and Easter Week, which is often held between winter and spring. We are going to tell you about some of the travel plans that make Spain a fantastic winter destination.

    Go to my favourites

    Urban tourism in large cities

    The calendar of big cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia, Seville and Malaga overflow with options. Escape to one or more of them this winter, and as well as sightseeing you’ll find infinite possibilities for entertainment, such as a musical at one of the theatres on Madrid’s Gran Vía, a Barça football match in Barcelona, the latest exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, an opera at the Palau des Arts in Valencia, a flamenco show at a “tablao” in Seville, or rediscover the works of Picasso in his birthplace of Malaga with temporary exhibitions at the Picasso Museum. All these cities have international airports and most of them have high-speed train connections.

    Casa Batlló, Barcelona

    ©

    ChristianSchd

    Fly to the Canary Islands: An average of 24°C in winter

    These islands off the south-eastern cost of the Iberian Peninsula (less than three hours by plane from Madrid) boast what many describe as one of the best climates in the world. The average temperature is around 24 degrees centigrade, so even in winter most people wear summer clothes. Thanks to the mild climate, winter is as good a time as any to explore the landscapes of their four National Parks or to have special experiences like seeing out the year with a swim and sunbathing on 31 December on one of their beautiful beaches.

    A beach in La Palma

    ©

    Turismo de La Palma

    Experiencing our Merry Christmas

    From the end of November, you can already feel the Christmas atmosphere in Spain. The streets are adorned with lots of lights and decorated Christmas trees, and the squares in many cities are full of markets selling all types of traditional foods and crafts, fairs and ice-skating rinks. If you decide to spend Christmas here, you can have some truly Spanish experiences: seeing enormous nativity scenes, running the famous San Silvestre Vallecana race, eating 12 grapes during the 12 strokes of midnight on 31 December to see out the year (we call New Year’s Eve “Nochevieja”), receiving gifts from the Three Kings on 6 January. ..and why do we call it “sweet Christmas”? Because sweet treats, such as “turrón”, “polvorones” and marzipan, are an essential part of the festivities.

    Puerta del Sol square in Madrid at Christmas

    ©

    Paolo Giocoso. Madrid Destino

    Going shopping and enjoying the sales

    If you enjoy shopping, take note: the main sales period in Spain takes place in winter. They normally begin on 7 January, although certain cities like Madrid bring them forward, to as early as 1 January. Depending on the region of Spain they may go on longer and even last until the end of March.

    Shop window in Madrid

    A romantic trip?

    Why not? St. Valentine’s Day comes around on 14 February and can be an excellent excuse to gift someone a romantic getaway in Spain. What experiences are especially romantic? It depends on what you like, but there are always safe bets, such as a ride in a horse-drawn carriage around the old quarter in Seville, seeing the sun set over the Alhambra in Granada dusted with snow, a night-time stroll by the Royal Palace in Madrid, spending the night in a castle or palace (many Parador Hotels are restored heritage buildings) or curling up by the fire in a country guesthouse or a cosy little hotel in an enchanting village, such as Aínsa, Albarracín, Ronda, etc. There are hundreds of them!

    The Alhambra, Granada

    ©

    Turismo de Andalucía

    Getting to know the two most traditional fiestas

    These traditional events are as old as they are fascinating. In February, the whole country celebrates Carnival. This is a time for fancy dress costumes and partying in the streets. The most popular Carnivals are in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands), Cadiz (in Andalusia), Águilas (in the Murcia region) and Xinzo de Limia (in Ourense, Galicia). After Carnival, in late March or April, Holy Week, is one of the most traditional and deeply felt events on Spain’s calendar, filling the streets with passion, religious processions and the sound of drums. The Easter traditions in Andalusia, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Cantabria, the Community of Valencia and the Region of Murcia are especially well-known.

    Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

    ©

    Philippe Teuwen

    Enjoy nature in winter.

    “Spring: is the season of flowers” – that’s what we have always heard since we were little… But this is not entirely true, as two of the most beautiful floral spectacles in Spain take place in winter. The first features hundreds of varieties of camellias in Galicia, filling with colour the gardens of “pazos” or country houses such as the Pazo de Rubiáns (Vilagarcía de Arousa, Pontevedra) and the Pazo de San Lourenzo (Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña). The second is the flowering of thousands of almond trees on the island of Mallorca in early February. This is also a great time to enjoy the Balearic Islands in peace and quiet. Meanwhile, winter still lingers among the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees (in Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre) and Sierra Nevada (in Granada, Andalusia), and in many other places. There are also major ski resorts here where you can enjoy winter sports.

    Almond trees in blossom, Mallorca

    Warming your appetite.

    Going to Spain in winter and not having churros with hot chocolatewould be a mistake… and the numbers of charming cafés where you can enjoy them are increasing all the time. While we are on the subject of eating, winter in Spain is synonymous with roast chestnuts and hearty, delicious dishes: cocido madrileño (a traditional stew from Madrid), fabada asturiana (a pork and bean stew from Asturias), caldo gallego (a Galician broth made with chorizo and turnip greens), escudella catalana (a typical Catalan chicken-based broth with galets, a type of pasta) and more. There are even several festivals devoted to specific products, such as the Festival de la Exaltación del Botillo, in the town of Bembibre in Leon, which celebrates botillo, a local cured meat speciality rather like chorizo. As we say here, qué aproveche (enjoy)!

    Churros with hot chocolate

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    Holidays in Spain in winter | spain.info

    The snow-covered gardens of the palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso Segovia

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    Ideas that prove that the cold is no problem for holidays

    Winter, which lasts roughly from December 21st to March 21st, is great for a trip to Spain for many reasons. First of all, you will be able to enjoy all the distinctive features of winter, but with bright sunshine and without extremely low temperatures and rains. When temperatures drop, you can enjoy the snow, do winter sports, and try lots of new foods to keep warm. And if you prefer a winter more like spring, then visit the Canary Islands and take advantage of the average annual temperature of 24 degrees Celsius to spend a few pleasant days on the beach. At this time of the year, you can get acquainted with various traditions that you will surely enjoy: this fun carnivals, Christmas and even Easter, which is often celebrated at the very end of winter or the beginning of spring. We will share with you some of the ideas that make Spain great for winter tourism.

    Go to my bookmarks

    Urban tourism in big cities

    Event calendars of big cities such as Madrid , Barcelona , Bilbao , Valencia , Seville and Malaga these months are full of interesting events. Head to one or more of these cities to visit the main attractions and take advantage of virtually limitless leisure and entertainment options: musicals in the theaters of Gran Vía in Madrid, FC Barcelona football match, temporary exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, opera at the Palace of Arts in Valencia, flamenco and tablao shows in Seville or temporary exhibitions at the Picasso Museum in his native Malaga. In addition, all of these cities have international airports, and most of them also have high-speed rail links.

    Casa Batlló, Barcelona

    ©

    Christian Schd

    Head to the Canary Islands: average winter temperatures are 24°C

    Located southwest of the Iberian Peninsula (less than three hours flight from Madrid), these islands are considered by many to have one of the best climates in the world. The average annual temperature is 24 degrees Celsius and you can almost always wear short sleeves in winter. Thanks warm climate in the middle of winter, you can admire the landscapes of four national parks or celebrate the New Year on December 31 on one of the beautiful beaches.

    Beach on the island of Palma.

    ©

    Turismo de La Palma

    Get to know our Christmas traditions

    From the end of November, the Christmas atmosphere reigns in Spain. Festive illuminations turn on in the streets, and markets are held in the squares of many cities where you can buy a variety of typical products, and skating rinks open. If you decide to spend Christmas here, you can experience a purely Spanish experience: see huge nativity scenes, try your hand at race “San Silvestre Vallecana” , eat 12 grapes at midnight on December 31, receive gifts from three Magi on January 6… And, of course, try the traditional Christmas sweets! After all, these holidays are not complete without such sweets as “turron”, “polvorony” and marzipan.

    Puerta del Sol in Madrid at Christmas

    ©

    Paolo Giocoso. Madrid Destino

    Go shopping and take advantage of the

    sales If you love shopping, please note that the main sales time in Spain is winter. Usually they start on January 7, although in some cities, for example, in Madrid, they can start even earlier, on January 1. Depending on the region of Spain, they can last longer and cover the period until the end of March.

    Showcase in Madrid

    Traveling with your loved one?

    Why not? On February 14, Spain celebrates Valentine’s Day , and this can be a great occasion to relax in Spain as a couple. Are you looking for the most romantic experience? There are experiences for all tastes, but a ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the old town of Seville, a sunset in front of the snow-covered Alhambra in Granada, a night walk in front of the Royal Palace in Madrid will be an almost win-win choice. You can also spend the night in an old castle or palace (many Paradores hotels are restored monuments) or sit by the fireplace in a village inn or in a cozy little hotel in some village: Ainsa, Albarracin, Ronda … There are many!

    Alhambra, Granada

    ©

    Turismo de Andalucia

    Getting to know two of the most traditional holidays

    They are not similar to each other, and this will make getting to know them even more interesting. In February, the whole country celebrates carnival , the main goal of which is to have a great time. This holiday is characterized by carnival costumes, humor, variety of colors and fun on the streets. Some of the most popular carnivals take place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands), Cadiz (in Andalusia), Aguilas (in the Murcia region) and Chinso de Limia (Orense, Galicia). A little later (at the end of March or at the beginning of April), Easter . This is one of the most traditional holidays in Spain, which fills the streets with a special atmosphere, religious processions and the sound of drums. These holidays are especially famous in Andalusia, Aragon, Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Cantabria, the Valencian Community and the region of Murcia.

    Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival

    ©

    Philippe Teuwen

    Enjoy winter nature

    “Spring is the time of flowers”. We are all familiar with this statement from childhood. However, this is not entirely true, as two of the most beautiful blooms in Spain take place in winter. The first of these is the flowering of hundreds of varieties of camellias in Galicia , which fill with different colors the gardens of typical “pasos” estates, such as Rubians (Vilagarcia de Arousa, province of Pontevedra) and San Lourenzo (Santiago de Compostela, province of La -Coruña). The second is the flowering of 90,020 thousand almond trees on the island of Mallorca at the beginning of February. In addition, this time of year is great for enjoying the tranquility of the Balearic Islands. However, in Spain you can also see typical winter landscapes, such as snow-capped peaks in the Pyrenees (in Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre), on the Sierra Nevada mountain range (in the province of Granada, Andalusia) and in other places. Important ski resorts await you, where you can practice winter sports.

    Blooming almond trees, Mallorca

    Try winter specialties

    It would be a big mistake to visit Spain and not try the real hot chocolate churros … There are now more and more cozy cafes where you can enjoy this traditional treat. And since we are talking about food, it is necessary to mention that winter in Spain is the time for roasted chestnuts and dense and very tasty dishes: “cocido” in Madrid, Asturian “fabada”, “caldo” in Galician, Catalan escudella and many others. There are even holidays dedicated to a particular product, such as the Botillo Gastronomy Festival in Bembibre (Leon). So we wish you bon appetit!

    Churros with hot chocolate

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    Winter in Spain: what it is like

    Frosty winter is gradually entering its possessions in Russia. That is why we decided to tell you about how the winter months go in Spain. Moreover, at this time of the year, rest here is good in its own way.

    Weather

    Climatic conditions in different parts of Spain can vary significantly. But in any case, the Spanish winter bears little resemblance to ours – with its cold weather, snowdrifts knee-deep and higher, and sometimes the complete absence of the sun.

    In the north and northwest of the Kingdom of Spain, the weather is more humid, and the climate is considered maritime. But if you think that the north of Spain is the coldest place in winter, then you are wrong. The average air temperature from December to February is from +6°C to +8°C. And sometimes the thermometer rises even to +14°C. True, it often rains, since it is in winter in the northern regions that the maximum amount of precipitation falls.

    In most of the Mediterranean coast, the air temperature is almost the same as in the north (up to + 8 ° C). However, there is practically no precipitation (November and October are considered the rainiest months).

    It is even warmer on the southern and southeastern coasts. The temperature in winter is kept at the level of +8°C to +10°C, without precipitation.

    The farther from the sea, the less its influence, and the lower the temperature in the winter months. On average, the temperature in the central part barely reaches +3°C, without precipitation.

    According to forecasts of meteorologists, this winter (2017-2018) will be even warmer – not only in the south and southeast, but even in the north. The air temperature this time will exceed last year’s by 1-3 degrees.

    What to do in Spain in winter? Sports and sightseeing

    So, what to do in Spain on warm winter evenings and days? Firstly, you can do the same as thousands of tourists who flock here in the winter – go to see the local attractions. There are fewer tourists in winter than in summer and autumn, so there are no queues and large crowds on the streets, in museums, and entertainment venues. The Prado Gallery in Madrid, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the city of Gaudí are waiting for you!

    If you want an active holiday, head straight to one of the 30 Spanish ski resorts. The most famous of them are the Sierra Nevada, Formigal, Macella, La Molina and others. Sports fans will be able to get great pleasure by buying a ticket for a La Liga football match.

    Shopping

    From January 7, a grand sale starts in Spain, which lasts for 2 months. At the last stage, discounts can reach 90%! On the other hand, the closer to the start of the sale, the greater the choice, the more likely it is to find exactly your size, the right color, etc. Therefore, if you are in Spain this winter, we advise you not to wait for the last days of the sale, but to start visiting stores as soon as possible.

    According to many shopping lovers in Spain, the best city for this wonderful activity is Barcelona. In Barcelona itself, as well as in its surroundings, about 35,000 stores participate in the sale!

    Holidays and festivals

    In winter, a lot of cultural events are held in Spain – exhibitions, traveling exhibitions, festivals, folk holidays. We will not dwell on the peculiarities of celebrating the New Year in Spain, since a separate article is devoted to this. But there are plenty of other winter celebrations.

    So, on January 14, a parade of masks was held in Spain – a tradition that has been preserved since ancient times. In different parts of Spain, holidays can be celebrated in winter. Usually they are dedicated to the patrons of a particular region, Christian saints, famous compatriots, the change of seasons, achievements in sports, music … In a word, there is always a reason!

    Bright and cheerful costumes, temperamental music, a lot of fun and good mood – this is how the Spaniards celebrate their holidays. Some tourists deliberately travel to different cities in Spain in order to visit as many of these events as possible.

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