When is the Best Time of the Year to Vacation in Spain?
With its temperature ranges, festivals, and geography, Spain is an all-around versatile place to go on a vacation. In fact, with its generally mild climate, Spain adapts itself to the demands of the most intrepid traveler. Choosing the best time of the year to vacation in Spain is all a matter of deciding what you want to do there. Are you going to ski, or lie on the beach? Or perhaps you're interested in doing a lot of shopping on your jaunt and couldn't care less about the slopes.
What About that Rain in Spain?
With its mountains, plains, and valleys, Spain's climate is extremely versatile. With two out of four sides being coastal, the country largely captures a mild coastal climate, especially on its Mediterranean side. However, it can be rainy or arid depending on when you go, or even snowing. With swooping mountains in the Catalan and Madrid areas of Spain, it stays cold enough for skiing throughout the winter months, if that's what you're looking for. With slopes in mind, many consider winter the best time of the year to go on vacation in Spain.
What To Wear
During summer, the majority of Spain tends to run towards the arid end of things. It's not uncommon to look out from your Eurorail train and see cacti growing along the roadside. Many people would compare it to a southern California climate, and in fact, Spain currently contends with similar drought concerns. If you choose to go from September to May it's a good idea to bring rain gear with you, because the rainy season starts in early fall and lasts throughout the winter. Make the best of Spain while vacationing throughout the year to ensure time well spent.
Be Aware
Traveling in July and August can be extremely hot for those not properly prepared! But be aware: in Europe, grown men don't generally wear shorts. While it's important to remain comfortable, the wise traveler knows that wearing baggy cargo shorts and a t-shirt in the many sacred architectural spaces in Spain will be a great way of attracting stares and even scoffs. And although Spain is a largely very progressive country, even now women should consider skirts or nice slacks in order to appear culturally sensitive. Keeping this in mind will ensure that when you pick the best time of the year to vacation in Spain, you'll leave a good impression.
Crowds and Costs
Despite the heat, summer can be the best time of year to vacation in Spain for students, especially from the US. If you feel as though you'd rather avoid this crowd, you may want to go during the other 3/4 of the year-but be advised that there are bound to be twentysomething backpackers at any time! Having a large tourist flow is great for the local economy, but unfortunately it also tends to drive up prices. In order to enjoy lower rates and fewer crowds, some consider spring or fall, when the students are in school and the winter vacationers are still at home, the best time of year for a Spain vacation.
