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Spain

Spain travel guide

Cities, coastline and mountains across 505,992 km2, with mild spring and autumn weather in most regions

Best: Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Photo: Chensiyuan / Wikimedia Commons

Capital
Madrid
Languages
Catalan, Basque, Galician
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112
Entry
EU and Schengen area

Why visit Spain

Spain suits travellers who want to mix city breaks with beach time or hiking, from Madrid and Barcelona to the Mediterranean coast. May, October, April and November bring the mildest, driest conditions in most cities. One honest limitation: Spain's climate varies a lot by region, so a month that's pleasant in Granada or Malaga may not suit Lanzarote, where July, August, June and September work better.

  • Landmark architecture across several cities

    Spain packs serious sights into a small area. In Barcelona, the Sagrada Família takes 1–2 hours and Park Güell another 1–2 hours. Granada's Alhambra fills half a day, and Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum takes 2–3 hours, so a multi-city trip rarely feels rushed.

  • Moorish and medieval history in Andalusia

    Córdoba's Mosque-Cathedral and Seville's Plaza de España and old town each need 1–2 hours and half a day to see properly. Both cities also suit cooler-season visits, with February listed among Córdoba's and Seville's best months.

  • Spring and autumn for comfortable sightseeing

    May, October, April and November come up repeatedly as best months across Madrid, Granada, Barcelona, Málaga and Córdoba. This spread means you can plan a trip touching several regions in the same shoulder-season window without hitting peak summer heat.

  • Coastal and island options beyond the mainland

    Ibiza's best months run April to June and October, while Lanzarote peaks June to September, giving warm-weather travellers two different windows depending on whether they want spring or full summer heat.

  • Art and museums in the capital

    Madrid's Prado Museum needs 2–3 hours, and the city's own best months-May, September, October and April-line up with the wider national pattern, making it an easy base for gallery time plus day trips.

Is Spain right for you?

Great for

  • Spring or autumn city breaks in Madrid, when highs sit around 19-24°C in April and May
  • Travellers who like dry, sunny summers: Madrid gets just 1 rain day and 7mm of rain in July
  • Shoulder-season trips in October or November to Malaga, Granada or Cordoba for milder, less rainy weeks
  • Sun-seekers heading to Lanzarote in July or August for the warmest, sunniest stretch
  • Multi-city planning, since Madrid, Barcelona, Granada and Alicante all share May as a top month

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in Madrid in July, when highs average 34.4°C
  • Visitors wanting guaranteed sun in spring, since March and April each bring 9 rain days in Madrid
  • Trips timed for low rainfall in autumn, as October averages 66mm of rain and 8.6 rain days in Madrid

Spain right now: October

8.6/10
Avg high
22°C
Avg low
11°C
Rain days
9

Averages for Madrid.

Weather by month

Based on data for Madrid, May and October stand out, with highs around 24°C and 21°C, moderate rain, and plenty of sun, while April, September, November and December also score well. July and August are the toughest months, with highs of 34°C and 33°C and intense sun, making midday heat the main challenge for travellers.

Average highs and lows in Madrid by month January: high 10°C, low 1°C , 7 rain days . February: high 13°C, low 3°C , 5 rain days . March: high 16°C, low 5°C , 9 rain days . April: high 19°C, low 7°C , 9 rain days . May: high 24°C, low 12°C , 6 rain days . June: high 30°C, low 16°C , 5 rain days . July: high 34°C, low 20°C , 1 rain days . August: high 33°C, low 20°C , 2 rain days . September: high 27°C, low 15°C , 5 rain days . October: high 22°C, low 11°C , 9 rain days . November: high 15°C, low 6°C , 8 rain days . December: high 12°C, low 3°C , 7 rain days . 10°C 1°C JAN 7d 13°C 3°C FEB 5d 16°C 5°C MAR 9d 19°C 7°C APR 9d 24°C 12°C MAY 6d 30°C 16°C JUN 5d 34°C 20°C JUL 1d 33°C 20°C AUG 2d 27°C 15°C SEP 5d 22°C 11°C OCT 9d 15°C 6°C NOV 8d 12°C 3°C DEC 7d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Madrid · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Spain: month-by-month weather →

Spain's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Central and Southeast Spain

    Madrid, Alicante, Granada, Ibiza, Malaga

    Madrid, Alicante, Granada, Ibiza and Malaga share hot, dry summers and mild winters. January highs average 14.3°C, July hits 32.2°C, with just 61.5 rain days a year. Best months are April, May, September and October.

    Best: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

  • Barcelona Coast

    Barcelona

    Barcelona has milder summers than the south, with July highs of 28.5°C against 13.4°C in January. It's the wettest region on this list at 84.1 rain days a year. Best months are April, May, June and October.

    Best: Apr, May, Jun, Oct

  • Guadalquivir Valley

    Cordoba, Sevilla

    Cordoba and Sevilla see Spain's most intense summer heat, with July highs averaging 37.4°C, while January stays mild at 15.3°C. Rain is light at 58.6 days a year. Best months are February, April, October and November, avoiding peak summer heat.

    Best: Feb, Apr, Oct, Nov

  • Canary Islands (Lanzarote)

    Lanzarote

    Lanzarote stays warm year-round with little swing between seasons: January highs of 18.5°C and July highs of only 24.5°C. It's the driest region here, with just 22.8 rain days a year. Best months run from June to September.

    Best: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Where to go in Spain

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Madrid to Andalusia in a Week

  1. Day 1–3

    Madrid

    Start in the capital. Spend a morning at the Prado Museum, which takes 2–3 hours, then explore the old town. May, September, October and April are the best months to visit.

  2. Day 4

    Cordoba

    Visit the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a 1–2 hour stop. Córdoba is at its best in February, October, November or April.

  3. Day 5–6

    Sevilla

    See Plaza de España and the old town, a half-day outing. Sevilla's best months are February, April, November and October.

  4. Day 7

    Granada

    Spend your last day at the Alhambra, which takes about half a day to see properly. May, October, April and November are the recommended months here.

10 days

Grand Tour of Spain's Cities

  1. Day 1–3

    Madrid

    Begin with the Prado Museum, a 2–3 hour visit, and wander the capital's streets. Best visited in April, May, September or October.

  2. Day 4–5

    Barcelona

    See the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, each taking 1–2 hours. April, May, June and October are Barcelona's best months.

  3. Day 6–7

    Sevilla

    Explore Plaza de España and the old town over a half-day. Sevilla is pleasant in February, April, October and November.

  4. Day 8

    Cordoba

    Spend a day at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a 1–2 hour visit. Best months are February, April, October and November.

  5. Day 9–10

    Granada

    Finish with a half-day at the Alhambra and explore the surrounding streets. Visit in April, May, October or November for the best weather.

Getting around Spain

Typical journey times and fares between the main places.

Route By Time Price
Madrid → Barcelona Three operators: Renfe AVE/Avlo, iryo and OUIGO, 35+ departures a day. Fares start at 9 EUR (OUIGO), 15 EUR (iryo), 17 EUR (Renfe) in advance; walk-up fares reach 90 EUR or more. Atocha to Barcelona Sants. train 2 h 30 min 9–90 EUR ↗
Madrid → Sevilla Renfe AVE, Atocha to Sevilla Santa Justa. Around 27.30 EUR if booked about a month ahead; same-day average 77.10 EUR. OUIGO and iryo also run this line. train 2 h 30 min 27.3–77.1 EUR ↗
Madrid → Cordoba Renfe AVE/Avlo plus OUIGO and iryo, about 40 trains a day. Minimum fare 24.78 EUR, average 72.71 EUR. Easy as a day trip from Madrid or a stop on the way to Sevilla. train 1 h 45 min 24.78–72.71 EUR ↗
Madrid → Malaga Renfe AVE to Malaga Maria Zambrano, in the city centre next to the bus station. Minimum fare 28.72 EUR, average 101.54 EUR, so book early. Official route page: renfe.com/es/en/inspirate/rutas/madrid-malaga. train 2 h 44 min 28.72–101.54 EUR ↗
Madrid → Alicante Renfe AVE/Avlo, OUIGO and iryo to Alicante Terminal, 10 minutes' walk from the beach. Fares 29-140 EUR; booking 21 days ahead saves about 35% on average. train 2 h 22 min 29–140 EUR ↗
Sevilla → Cordoba About 28 trains a day (Renfe AVE and Avant, plus OUIGO and iryo), average 42 minutes. Trainline's US site lists fares from USD 8.42; Avant tickets are the cheapest and rarely sell out. Good as a day trip either way. train 42 min 8.42 USD ↗
Granada → Sevilla ALSA runs 12 buses a day; 3 hours direct, up to 5 hours on services with more stops. From 12 EUR. Check the timetable before booking, as the slow runs cost the same time-wise as a half day. bus 3 h 12 EUR ↗
Malaga → Granada ALSA runs about 40 buses a day, 1h30 direct and up to 2h30 with stops, from 8 EUR. Some services start at Malaga Airport. The bus beats the train on this route. bus 1 h 30 min 8 EUR ↗

Staying connected

If your phone plan doesn't include Spain, an eSIM set up before you leave gives you data on arrival.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

La Latina and Los Austrias

Madrid

Good for food and tapas, atmosphere, couples

The oldest part of Madrid, with sloping lanes, small squares and one of the city's best concentrations of tapas bars, especially along Cava Baja. Good for evenings on foot and for Sunday mornings at the Rastro flea market. Two honest drawbacks: the streets are steep in places, and Sundays are busy and noisy from late morning onwards.

See hotels in La Latina and Los Austrias (Booking.com)

Centro

Alicante

Good for first-timers, shopping, transport links

The modern city centre around the Rambla de Méndez Núñez, the Explanada promenade and the Mercado Central puts most sights, shops and tram stops within walking distance. It is a practical base for a first visit, with easy access to both the old town and the beach. Main roads carry heavy traffic, so street-facing rooms can be noisy.

Barri Gòtic

Barcelona

Good for first-timers, sightseeing on foot

This is the medieval core next to La Rambla, with narrow lanes, the cathedral and old squares. You can walk to most central sights and the seafront from here. Streets are crowded with visitors by day, and some lanes stay noisy late at night.

Judería

Cordoba

Good for first-timers, sightseeing on foot

This is the old Jewish quarter, a maze of narrow whitewashed lanes right beside the Mezquita-Catedral. You can walk to most of the main sights in minutes. Day-trippers and tour groups fill the streets from mid-morning, and cars and taxis can't reach many doors.

Centro

Granada

Good for first-timers, short stays, shoppers

The flat area around the Cathedral, Plaza Bib-Rambla and Calle Reyes Católicos puts you within walking distance of most sights, tapas bars and bus links. It is the easiest base for getting around without hills. Streets can be noisy late at night and crowded during the day.

Santa Eulària des Riu

Ibiza

Good for families, couples, quiet

A calmer town on the east coast with a seafront promenade, a small marina and a good choice of restaurants. It suits travellers who want beaches and evening strolls rather than clubs. Nightlife is limited, and it is a longer trip to the west coast sunset spots.

Playa Blanca

Lanzarote

Good for families, couples, quiet

A calmer resort on the southern tip, with a seafront promenade and a short drive to the Papagayo beaches. Ferries leave from here to Fuerteventura, which makes day trips easy. It is spread out and far from the northern sights, so you will need a car or long bus rides to see the rest of the island.

Centro Histórico

Malaga

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, food lovers

The old town holds the cathedral, the Alcazaba, the Picasso Museum and the main tapas streets, all within walking distance. It is the easiest base if you want to see the main sights without using transport. Bars stay open late, so streets can be noisy at night, especially at weekends.

Santa Cruz

Sevilla

Good for first-timers, sightseeing

The old Jewish quarter is a maze of narrow lanes and small squares right beside the Cathedral and the Real Alcázar. You can walk to the main sights in minutes. The drawback is crowds of tour groups by day, and the tight streets make arriving by taxi with luggage awkward.

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Food to try in Spain

Paella

A rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan, traditionally made with rabbit, chicken, and beans in Valencia. Seafood versions are common along the Mediterranean coast.

Jamón ibérico

Cured ham from black Iberian pigs, sliced thin and served as a tapa or starter. It is found in bars and restaurants across the country.

Tortilla española

A thick omelette made with eggs, potatoes, and sometimes onion. It is served warm or at room temperature, often as a tapa.

Gazpacho

A cold soup made from raw tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, garlic, and olive oil. It comes from Andalusia and is popular in summer when temperatures are high.

Pulpo a la gallega

Boiled octopus sliced and seasoned with paprika, olive oil, and coarse salt. It is a specialty of Galicia in the northwest.

Churros con chocolate

Fried dough pastries served with a cup of thick hot chocolate for dipping. They are eaten as a breakfast or late-night snack in cafés across Spain.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Spain uses plug types C and F, with a voltage of 230 V. Bring a travel adapter if your plugs are different. Check that your devices work at 230 V before you plug them in.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in Spain. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at roundabouts and when you turn at junctions.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for police, ambulance or fire. It is free and works from any phone, including mobiles from other countries.
  • Currency: Spain uses the Euro. Cards are widely accepted, but carry a little cash for small shops, markets and rural areas.
  • Languages: Spanish is spoken everywhere. Some regions also have their own official language: Catalan, Basque, Galician or Aranese. Street signs and menus may use the local language, sometimes next to Spanish.
  • Phone code and time: The country calling code is +34. Spain has 2 time zones, UTC and UTC+01:00, so check the local time if you travel between regions or book connecting transport.
  • Tipping: Tipping is not expected in Spain. Locals often round up the bill or leave small change in bars and restaurants. A larger tip is a choice for very good service, not a rule.
  • Pickpockets: Pickpocketing is common in crowded tourist areas, on public transport and at busy stations in big cities. Keep your phone and wallet in a closed bag in front of you, and don't leave them on café tables.

Spain: frequently asked questions

Is Spain good to visit in August?

August in Spain is workable but hot, scoring 5.8 out of 10. In Madrid, daytime highs hit 33.4°C with only 1.7 rain days, so it's dry and sunny but tough for sightseeing in the midday heat. Coastal cities like Malaga or Ibiza are more comfortable than inland Madrid this month.

When is the best time to visit Spain?

The best months are May, October, April and November, all scoring 8.5 or higher. May in Madrid brings highs of 24.4°C and just 6.3 rain days, while October offers 21.5°C highs with more rain, 66 mm over 8.6 days. These shoulder months avoid the extreme summer heat while keeping sunshine hours above 8.

How hot does it get in Spain in summer?

Madrid reaches its hottest in July, with an average high of 34.4°C and lows around 20.2°C at night. Rain is scarce then too, with just 1 rain day and 7 mm for the whole month. August stays nearly as hot, at 33.4°C, so July and August are the driest, sunniest, and hottest months.

What's the rainiest time of year in Spain?

October is the wettest month in Madrid, with 66 mm of rain spread over 8.6 days. March, April and November also see notable rainfall, each with around 58–59 mm and 7.8–9 rain days. By contrast, July has almost no rain at all, just 7 mm.

How long does it take to travel between major Spanish cities?

Train journeys are quick: Madrid to Barcelona takes 2 h 30 min, Madrid to Cordoba 1 h 45 min, and Sevilla to Cordoba just 42 min. Buses connect smaller hops too, like Malaga to Granada in 1 h 30 min for 8 EUR. This makes multi-city trips across Spain easy without flying.

Is February a good time to visit southern Spain?

Yes, February works well for Sevilla and Cordoba, both listing it among their best months. Madrid's February is mild, with highs of 13.3°C and lows of 2.6°C, cooler than the south but still scoring 8 out of 10 overall for the country. It's a quieter, cooler alternative to the busy spring months.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Spain.