Skip to content
wheretotravel.info
Spain

Spain travel guide

Big-city culture, Andalusian history and island escapes, best in spring and autumn

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 city-hopping trips. Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba each reward a few days, and islands like Ibiza and Lanzarote add a change of pace. The best months overall are April, May, October and November. One honest limit: July and August are not among the best months for any city here except Lanzarote. Spain is also big, at 505,992 km², so pick one or two regions rather than trying to see it all in one trip.

  • Moorish heritage across Andalusia

    Granada, Córdoba and Sevilla sit close together in the south. Plan half a day for the Alhambra in Granada, 1–2 hours for the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba and half a day for Plaza de España and Seville's old town. Córdoba and Sevilla are at their best in February, April, October and November.

  • Two landmark sights in Barcelona

    Barcelona has the Sagrada Família and Park Güell, and each needs about 1–2 hours. You can see both in one day and still have time for the rest of the city. The best months to go are April, May, June and October.

  • The Prado and Madrid's mild seasons

    Madrid, the capital, is home to the Prado Museum. Allow 2–3 hours, or more if you love art. The city's best months are April, May, September and October, so a spring or early autumn trip works well.

  • A different Spain in the north

    The north has its own languages and sights. Spain's official languages include Catalan, Basque, Galician and Aranese as well as Spanish. See the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in the Basque Country in 2–3 hours, or Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia in 1–2 hours.

  • Good options in most seasons

    For the country as a whole, the best months are April, May, October and November. Lanzarote is different: its best months are June to September. Alicante and Malaga also rate December among their best months, which makes them a good choice for a winter break.

Is Spain right for you?

Great for

  • Spring city breaks in Madrid: May highs near 24°C with about 12.6 sun hours a day
  • Autumn trips: October is a best month for Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Sevilla and more
  • Winter trips to Sevilla or Cordoba, which list February among their best months
  • Summer trips to Lanzarote, where July and August are the best months
  • Travellers curious about languages: Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician and Aranese are all spoken

Less ideal for

  • Summer sightseeing in Madrid: July highs average 34°C and August 33°C
  • Travellers wanting mild winter days in Madrid: January highs near 10°C, lows near 1°C
  • Anyone who hates rain: Madrid averages 9 rain days in March and April, and 66 mm in October

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 Madrid data for 2015–2024, May and October are the best months: May has highs of 24°C and 12.6 hours of sun, and October has mild 22°C days, though with 8.6 rain days. April and November also score well, but avoid July and August if you can, when highs of 34°C and 33°C make sightseeing hard work.

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.

  • Madrid and the Mediterranean south

    Madrid, Alicante, Granada, Ibiza, Malaga

    Hot summers with July highs near 32°C and mild winters with January highs around 14°C. Rain falls on about 62 days a year. The best months are April, May, September and October, when it is warm but not too hot.

    Best: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

  • Barcelona

    Barcelona

    The mildest summers of the mainland regions, with July highs around 28.5°C and January highs near 13°C. It is the wettest region here, with about 84 rain days a year. The best months are April, May, June and October.

    Best: Apr, May, Jun, Oct

  • Seville and Córdoba

    Cordoba, Sevilla

    The hottest region, with July highs around 37°C, which is too hot for comfortable sightseeing. January highs reach about 15°C, and rain falls on about 59 days a year. The best months are February, April, October and November.

    Best: Feb, Apr, Oct, Nov

  • Lanzarote

    Lanzarote

    Mild all year, with January highs around 18.5°C and July highs near 24.5°C. It is very dry, with only about 23 rain days a year. The best months are June, July, August and September, but winter is also warm.

    Best: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Where to go in Spain

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Madrid and the classic cities of Andalusia

  1. Day 1–2

    Madrid

    Start in the capital. Give the Prado Museum 2–3 hours on day 1, then use the rest of your time to walk the centre at your own pace.

  2. Day 3

    Cordoba

    Take the train south. Plan 1–2 hours for the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, then explore the old streets around it.

  3. Day 4–5

    Sevilla

    Sevilla is a short train ride from Cordoba. Spend half a day at Plaza de España and the old town, and keep the second day free.

  4. Day 6–7

    Granada

    Go on to Granada by bus. Book the Alhambra ahead and allow half a day. April and October are among the best months for every stop on this route.

10 days

Barcelona to Malaga through Madrid and Andalusia

  1. Day 1–2

    Barcelona

    Spend 1–2 hours each at the Sagrada Família and Park Güell. Book both ahead, and use the rest of your time to explore the city on foot.

  2. Day 3–4

    Madrid

    Take the train to the capital. Plan 2–3 hours for the Prado Museum, and keep the second day for walking the centre.

  3. Day 5

    Cordoba

    A single day is enough for most visitors. Allow 1–2 hours for the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, then walk the old town around it.

  4. Day 6–7

    Sevilla

    Give half a day to Plaza de España and Seville old town. Use the second day to explore more slowly.

  5. Day 8–9

    Granada

    Take the bus from Sevilla. Plan half a day for the Alhambra and book tickets early. Spend the other day in the town below it.

  6. Day 10

    Malaga

    End with a short bus ride to Malaga, which has a train link back to Madrid. October is among the best months for every city on this route.

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.

Hotel links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Food to try in Spain

Paella

A rice dish cooked in a wide, flat pan, often with chicken, rabbit or seafood. It comes from the Valencia region, and locals usually eat it at lunch rather than dinner.

Tortilla española

A thick omelette made with potatoes, eggs and often onion. You will find it in bars across Spain, served as a tapa or in a sandwich.

Gazpacho

A cold soup of blended tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, garlic and olive oil. It comes from Andalusia in the south and is mostly eaten in hot weather.

Jamón ibérico

Cured ham from Iberian pigs, cut into very thin slices. It is served on its own or with bread in bars and restaurants across the country.

Pintxos

Small snacks, often on a slice of bread and held with a stick. They are typical of bars in the Basque Country, where people move from bar to bar in the evening.

Churros con chocolate

Fried strips of dough dipped in thick hot chocolate. Spaniards eat them for breakfast or as a snack, and some cafés serve them late at night.

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

When is the best time to visit Spain?

May, October, April and November are the best months to visit Spain. May scores highest at 8.8, followed by October at 8.6, April at 8.5 and November at 8.2. In Madrid, May has highs around 24°C and 12.6 hours of sun a day. October is a little cooler at about 22°C, but it is also the wettest month there.

Is Spain good to visit in August?

August is only an OK month for most of Spain, with a score of 5.8. In Madrid, daytime highs average 33.4°C and nights stay near 20°C. July is even hotter at 34.4°C. Sightseeing in the afternoon is hard in this heat. Lanzarote is the exception: July and August are among its best months.

Is Spain worth visiting in winter?

Yes, winter is a good time for Spain, especially the south. December scores 7.7 and February scores 8. Madrid is cold, though, with January highs of about 10°C and lows near 1°C. Malaga and Alicante list December among their best months. Sevilla and Cordoba list February among theirs.

What is the rainiest month in Madrid?

October is the wettest month in Madrid, with about 66 mm of rain over 8.6 days. March and April have slightly more rainy days, 9 each, but a little less rain in total. July is the driest month, with just 1 rainy day and 7 mm of rain on average.

Is it easy to travel between Spanish cities by train?

Yes, fast trains link Madrid with most major cities. Madrid to Barcelona or Sevilla takes about 2 h 30 min. Madrid to Cordoba takes 1 h 45 min, and Madrid to Malaga takes 2 h 44 min. Fares to Barcelona range from 9 to 90 EUR. Some routes in the south run by bus. Malaga to Granada takes 1 h 30 min and costs about 8 EUR.

What plugs, currency and emergency number does Spain use?

Spain uses type C and F plugs at 230 V, and the currency is the Euro. The emergency number is 112. Cars drive on the right. Spanish is spoken everywhere, and Catalan, Basque, Galician and Aranese are also official languages in some regions.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Spain.