You’ve probably seen the postcards. Golden sand, a blindingly blue Mediterranean, and someone sipping sangria in a tank top. It’s a beautiful image. It’s also kinda a lie—or at least, it's only about 25% of the story.
If you pack nothing but shorts for a trip to Madrid in January, you are going to have a very bad time. I’ve seen tourists shivering in light hoodies near the Puerta del Sol because they thought "Spain" was synonymous with "Tropical." It isn’t.
Actually, Spain is one of the most climatically diverse countries in all of Europe. We’re talking thirteen different Köppen climate types. You can go from a misty, emerald-green forest in Galicia that feels like Ireland to a sun-baked desert in Almería that looks like the setting of a Spaghetti Western in just a few hours. Understanding what weather in Spain actually looks like across its different regions is the difference between a dream vacation and a week spent buying emergency sweaters at Zara.
✨ Don't miss: Munich Time Now: Why Getting it Right Matters for Your Bavaria Trip
The North is basically the Pacific Northwest
Most people forget the "Green Spain" (España Verde) exists. This is the Atlantic coast—Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country.
It rains. A lot.
In places like San Sebastián or Bilbao, you get a maritime climate. This means mild winters but also very cool, humid summers. While the rest of the country is melting in 40°C (104°F) heat, the north stays a comfortable 22°C to 25°C. Honestly, if you hate sweating, this is where you should be in July. But bring an umbrella. Even in the height of summer, a random Atlantic front can roll in and turn the sky grey for three days.
According to data from AEMET (Spain’s State Meteorological Agency), cities like Vigo receive more annual rainfall than London. Let that sink in. The trade-off is some of the best seafood in the world and landscapes so lush they don't even look real.
The "Frying Pan" of Andalusia
If the north is the freezer, the south is the oven.
Andalusia is where the classic Spanish weather stereotypes come from. Seville, Córdoba, and Jerez make up what locals call the sartén (the frying pan). In 2025, Spain saw its hottest summer on record, with temperatures in Jerez de la Frontera hitting a staggering 45.8°C (114.4°F) in August.
When people ask about what weather in Spain is like in the summer, they usually mean this heat. It is a dry, relentless heat. You don't walk around at 2 PM. You just don't. The streets are empty because everyone is hiding behind thick stone walls or under heavy air conditioning.
Coastal Relief vs. Inland Intensity
There’s a huge difference between being on the coast and being thirty miles inland.
- Costa del Sol: Places like Málaga or Marbella benefit from sea breezes. It's still hot, but it’s breathable.
- Seville: It’s a beautiful city, but in July, it feels like someone is holding a hairdryer to your face.
- Almería: Home to the Tabernas Desert. It’s the only actual desert in Europe. If you go here, expect arid, dusty, and intense sun.
Madrid and the Central Plateau: "Nine Months of Winter, Three Months of Hell"
There is an old saying about the weather in Madrid: Nueve meses de invierno y tres de infierno. It’s an exaggeration, but not by much.
Madrid sits on a high plateau (the Meseta) at about 650 meters above sea level. Because it’s so far from the ocean, it doesn't get that moderating "sea effect." The result? Extreme swings.
In winter, the air is crisp, dry, and biting. Nighttime temperatures in January frequently dip toward 0°C (32°F). I’ve seen it snow in Madrid more often than people expect. But come July, the "hell" kicks in. The dry heat can be exhausting, though unlike the humid coast, it does cool down significantly once the sun sets.
If you are visiting the capital, the shoulder seasons—specifically May and October—are the "Goldilocks" months. Everything is just right.
The "Eternal Spring" of the Canary Islands
If you want to escape the winter entirely, you have to leave the mainland.
The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, etc.) are geographically closer to Africa than Europe. They have a subtropical climate that stays between 18°C and 25°C almost year-round. It is genuinely the closest thing to a perfect climate I’ve ever experienced.
However, even there, you have microclimates. The north of Tenerife is often cloudy and green, while the south is a dry, sun-scorched moonscape. This is due to the "trade winds" hitting the mountains and dumping moisture on one side.
What’s changing? (The 2026 Reality)
We have to talk about the shift. Climate change isn't a future problem for Spain; it's a current one. The "desertification" of the south is real.
Summers are getting longer. What used to be a hot July and August has now bled into June and September. In 2025, heatwaves started earlier than ever before. This is making "shoulder season" travel even more popular. People who used to visit in June are now aiming for May or even late April to avoid the 40-degree peaks.
Also, the Mediterranean Sea is warming up. This sounds nice for swimmers, but it leads to a phenomenon called the Gota Fría (the Cold Drop) in the autumn. When that warm sea air hits a cold front from the Atlantic, it creates torrential, flash-flood style rain, especially around Valencia and the Balearic Islands.
Planning Your Trip Based on the Forecast
If you’re trying to figure out what weather in Spain works for your specific vibe, don't look at the national average. It’s a useless number.
For Beach Lovers
Go to the Mediterranean coast (Alicante, Valencia, Costa Brava) between June and September. If you want a quieter beach experience with warm water, October is actually the "secret" month. The sea has been baking all summer and stays warm long after the crowds leave.
For Hikers and Nature Nerds
The Picos de Europa in the north are incredible in late spring. You’ll see wildflowers and snow-capped peaks at the same time. Just be prepared for mud.
For City Break Sightseeing
Seville and Granada are best in March and April. You get the orange blossoms (the smell is incredible) and the temperatures are in the low 20s. In May, the Córdoba Patios Festival is a must-see, but the heat starts to creep up.
For Winter Sun
Stick to the Canary Islands or the southern tip of Andalusia around Tarifa. You won't be swimming in the ocean on the mainland in January (unless you're very brave), but you can definitely sit outside in a t-shirt at lunch.
Actionable Next Steps
To make sure the weather doesn't ruin your trip, do these three things:
- Check AEMET, not your default phone app. The Spanish national weather service is far more accurate for local microclimates and specific wind patterns like the Levante.
- Layers are non-negotiable. Even in the south, a desert-like climate means temperatures drop fast once the sun goes down. A light linen jacket is your best friend.
- Book accommodation with "Climatización." In many older Spanish buildings, you might have heat but no A/C, or vice-versa. Ensure your hotel or rental specifically lists both if you’re traveling in the transition months of May or October.
Spain is beautiful precisely because it isn't just one big sun-drenched beach. It’s a rugged, snowy, rainy, dusty, and vibrant peninsula that demands you pay attention to the sky.