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Because of its large size, temperatures can vary across Spain. It can be stifling hot in summer in cities in Andalucia and in Madrid but temperate in northern hillier regions. In winter the north can be incredibly cold and wet but quite mild in the south. Generally you can expect a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, wet winters. Pack according to the area you are travelling. Spaniards measure temperature in Celsius, not Fahrenheit.
Check out our weather links for more information.
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REGIONS
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Spain lies along the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal. Over half the country is vast, elevated tablelands or mesetas. There are five major mountain ranges and the average altitude is the highest in Europe after Switzerland. Having said that there is a range of landscapes from the deserts of Andalucía to the green wetlands of Galicia; the hot dry plains of Castilla-La Mancha to the snowcaps of Picos de Europa and Pyrenees. In fact this variety of landscapes has created one of the most varied climates in Europe. The Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Morocco, belong to Spain but Gibaltar remains a Brittish territory. Generally speaking you can expect the following climate in these regions:
Central plateua: hot dry summers, cold winters. Rain in spring and autumn. Mountains surrounding have higher rainfall and heavy winter snowfalls.
Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia: maritime climate, cool summers, mild winters. Often cloudy and wet.
Mediterranean coast: moderate with rain in spring and autumn. Murcia is particularly hot with low rainfall and heat haze in summer.
Atlantic coast: cooler summers, heavy rainfall in winter. Inland summers are hotter and there’s less rain.
Balearic Islands: maritime climate with wet winters, dry and warm summers.
Canary Islands: mild in coastal areas but hot inland during the day and cold at night.
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WHEN TO VISIT
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While it’s good to base your visit on the best weather there are events and things to do at all times of the year and generally there is good weather to be found somewhere. However generally the best time, in regards weather, to visit Spain is May, June and September. Consider also April and October in the south.
In July and August European and Spanish tourists are holidaying and the heat can be extreme, up to 45 degrees Celsius in Andalucia and Madrid. A lot of the big cities also close services down over this time and can be virtually deserted. In the north, and on the Balearic Islands, summer temperatures of around 30°C are standard.
In winter the north is wet with constant rain or snow. Galicia and the Pyrenees are snowy. Madrid suffers extremes of heat in summer and cold in winter and freezes in December, January and February. The north is best in summer, Andalucia in spring, the centre in autumn and the south in winter.
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CLOTHING
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Lightweight cottons and linens are worn during the summer, except in the mountains. Lightweight to mediumweights are worn in the south during winter, while warmer clothes are worn elsewhere. Alpine wear is advised for winter mountain resorts.
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BP Spain Guide 
