Best Time to Visit Spain and Portugal

For most travelers, the best time to visit Spain and Portugal is spring or autumn. From April to early June, and again in September and October, days are warm and sunny and evenings are pleasant for a stroll. The biggest summer crowds are also not in full swing. Summer brings long days and lively beach towns but real heat inland. Winter is quiet, cool and easy on the budget.

This guide covers Spain and Portugal weather by month and by season, plus crowd levels and packing tips. It focuses on Lisbon, Seville, Granada, Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona, so you can choose the trip that suits you.

Spain and Portugal Weather at a Glance

Spain and Portugal share the Iberian Peninsula, but the weather changes a lot between the coast and the interior.

• Lisbon and the Atlantic coast: Ocean breezes keep Lisbon fairly mild. Summers are warm rather than scorching. Winter is cool and is the rainiest time of year.
• Seville, Córdoba and Andalusia: The south is the hottest part of the region. Spring and autumn are lovely, and winters are mild and often sunny. Midsummer afternoons can be extremely hot.
• Madrid, Toledo and central Spain: Madrid sits on a high inland plateau. It swings between hot, dry summers and chilly winters.
• Granada: With the Sierra Nevada mountains nearby, Granada has warm days for much of the year but crisp nights in the cooler months.
• Valencia and Barcelona: The Mediterranean coast is sunny, with gentle winters and warm, humid summers.

The short version: if you want comfortable sightseeing weather everywhere on one trip, aim for spring or autumn.

Season by Season

Spring (March to May)

Spring is one of the most rewarding times to visit. The countryside turns green, wildflowers line the roads, and orange blossoms scent the streets of Seville. Temperatures climb steadily. March can still feel cool, especially in Madrid and Granada, while May often feels like early summer in Andalusia.

This is ideal weather for walking tours. You can explore the gardens of the Alhambra, wander Lisbon’s hilly neighborhoods or tour Toledo’s medieval streets without fighting the heat. Rain showers are possible, especially in Lisbon and early in the season, but they rarely last all day.

Crowds build as spring goes on. Easter and Holy Week are a major time for celebrations in Spain, especially in Seville, so expect busy streets and higher hotel prices around that holiday. Late April and May are popular for good reason, so plan ahead.

Caravan’s 2027 tour departures include dates in April and May.

Summer (June to August)

Summer means long, sunny days, late sunsets and a lively mood in every city. It is also the hottest and busiest time of year.

Along the coasts, the heat is easier to handle. Lisbon stays fairly pleasant thanks to Atlantic breezes, and Barcelona and Valencia are warm and humid with beaches close by. Inland is a different story. Seville, Córdoba and Madrid can be extremely hot in July and August. Locals adjust their day: they head out in the cool of the morning, rest in the afternoon and eat dinner late.

If you travel in summer, plan sightseeing for the morning, drink plenty of water and wear a hat. Many Spanish and Portuguese families take their own vacations in August, so beach towns fill up and some small, family-run shops in the cities close for a break.

June is a good compromise. Days are long and warm, but the peak heat usually comes later. Caravan’s 2027 departures include June and July dates.

Autumn (September to November)

For many travelers, autumn is the sweet spot. The summer heat fades through September, the sea is still warm, and by October most cities are warm by day and pleasant in the evening. School vacations are over, so crowds start to thin.

Autumn is also harvest season. Vineyards across both countries bring in their grapes, which makes it a wonderful time to visit wine country, such as the Utiel-Requena region on the way from Madrid to Valencia. Markets overflow with fresh produce, and the soft, golden light is perfect for photos.

September can still be hot in Seville and Córdoba, especially early in the month. October is comfortable almost everywhere. Rain becomes more likely as the season goes on, and by November Lisbon and much of the region see cooler, wetter and shorter days.

If you want good weather with a little more breathing room, autumn is hard to beat. Caravan’s 2027 departures include September dates and several in October.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is the quietest season in Spain and Portugal, and it has real advantages. Lines at major sights are shorter, hotel rates are often lower, and you will share the cobblestone streets mostly with locals.

The weather depends on where you are. Seville and Portugal’s Algarve coast are the mildest, with plenty of sunny days. Lisbon is cool and sees the most rain of the year. Madrid and Granada are cold, especially at night, and the Sierra Nevada above Granada often has snow. Barcelona and Valencia stay fairly mild.

Days are short, so you have fewer daylight hours for sightseeing, and some seasonal and beach businesses close or keep shorter hours. On the bright side, the holiday season brings festive lights and markets to many cities.

Winter suits travelers who love museums like Madrid’s Prado, don’t mind wearing a jacket and want the most elbow room. Caravan’s 2027 departures are scheduled for spring, summer and autumn, not winter.

Month-by-Month Guide

Use this table to compare typical daytime conditions in Madrid, Lisbon and Seville, along with crowd levels. Here is what the weather words mean:

• Cold: winter coat weather, especially at night
• Cool: jacket or sweater weather
• Mild: light layers
• Warm: short sleeves
• Hot: plan breaks out of the midday sun
• Very hot: plan your day around the afternoon heat

Month	Madrid	Lisbon	Seville	Crowds	Notes
January	Cold	Cool	Mild	Low	Quietest month; rainy in Lisbon; good for museums
February	Cool	Cool	Mild	Low	Days getting longer; good hotel value
March	Mild	Mild	Warm	Moderate	Spring arrives; cool evenings inland
April	Mild	Mild	Warm	High around Easter	Wildflowers; busy during Holy Week; Caravan departures
May	Warm	Warm	Hot	Moderate to high	Great all-around month; Caravan departures
June	Hot	Warm	Very hot	High	Long days; heat builds inland; Caravan departures
July	Very hot	Hot	Very hot	Very high	Sightsee early; coasts are busy; Caravan departures
August	Very hot	Hot	Very hot	Very high	Local vacation month; beaches packed
September	Warm	Warm	Hot	Moderate to high	Warm sea; grape harvest; Caravan departures
October	Mild	Warm	Warm	Moderate	Comfortable almost everywhere; Caravan departures
November	Cool	Mild	Mild	Low	Rainier; good hotel rates
December	Cold	Cool	Mild	Low, busier at holidays	Festive lights; short days

For monthly high and low temperatures and rainfall in Lisbon, Seville, Granada, Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona, see the Weather & Clothing chart on the Caravan Spain and Portugal tour page.

Best Time for Fewer Crowds and Lower Prices

If avoiding crowds and saving money are high on your list, timing makes a big difference.

• Best balance: May, late September and October pair good weather with crowds that are easier to manage than in midsummer.
• Lowest prices: November through February, apart from the holidays, is usually the least expensive time to visit, especially for hotels.
• Busiest and priciest: July, August and Easter week see the highest demand.

Whatever month you choose, plan early. Timed tickets for popular sights such as the Alhambra and the Sagrada Familia are in high demand. To meet local rules for those two sites, Caravan guests must provide passport information when booking and book at least 90 days before the tour starts.

Airfare is not included or sold by Caravan, so booking early also gives you more choice of flights for the date you prefer.

What to Pack by Season

In any season, bring comfortable, broken-in walking shoes. Sightseeing in these historic cities often means cobblestones, uneven surfaces, stairs and the occasional hill. Some churches and cathedrals ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees, so a light scarf or shawl is handy year-round. And check your passport: U.S. travelers need one that is valid for six months after the date they enter.

• Spring: Light layers, a sweater or light jacket for evenings, a compact umbrella and sunglasses.
• Summer: Breathable cotton or linen, a sun hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. Pack a swimsuit, too. Most hotels on Caravan’s tour have an outdoor or rooftop pool. Add a light layer for air-conditioned buses and museums.
• Autumn: A mix of summer clothes and layers, plus a light rain jacket for later in the season.
• Winter: A warm coat, sweaters, waterproof shoes, and a scarf and gloves for chilly evenings in Madrid and Granada.

Tour Spain and Portugal With Caravan

Caravan’s 14-day Spain and Portugal tour runs when the weather is at its most comfortable. 2027 departures are scheduled in April, May, June, July, September and October, with prices from USD $2,895 per person.

Your trip begins in Lisbon, then heads south through Portugal’s Algarve to historic Faro before crossing into Spain. You will tour Seville’s Royal Alcázar and cathedral, Córdoba’s Mosque-Cathedral, the Alhambra in Granada, medieval Toledo and Madrid’s Prado Museum. Then enjoy a vineyard visit in the Utiel-Requena wine country, Valencia and the seaside town of Peniscola, ending in Barcelona with a tour of the Sagrada Familia. The tour is fully guided and includes most meals, all hotels and all activities.

Travelers have chosen Caravan since 1952, and our tours sell out fast. Call 1-800-CARAVAN or 312-321-9800, check availability and reserve online, or order a free Caravan brochure.