The short answer
- Best overall: April to June and mid-September to October. Warm, long days, fewer crowds than summer.
- Beaches: June to September on the Mediterranean; July and August in the north, where the sea is cooler.
- Cities in the south: March to May and October to November. July and August in Seville and Córdoba are extremely hot.
- Winter sun: the Canary Islands, then Málaga and the Costa del Sol, Almería and Alicante.
- Skiing: December to March in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada.
By region
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Andalusia (inland) | March to May, October to November | July and August heat |
| Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca | All year | August crowds |
| Madrid and central Spain | April to June, September to October | August heat, cold January nights |
| Barcelona and Catalonia | May, June, September | August crowds |
| Basque Country, Galicia, Asturias | June to September | Rainy winters |
| Balearic Islands | May to June, September to October | July and August crowds and prices |
| Canary Islands | All year | Nothing in particular |
Prices
Flights and hotels peak in July, August, Easter week and around big fiestas. January to March (outside the Canaries and ski resorts) and November are the cheapest months.
Official sources: AEMET
