considering that we have two school age children, who are 5 and 8 year old, what would be the best month to visit spain. the school ends mid jun and starts right after labor day in sep. since we are on the west coast of US, our trip would be a minimum of two weeks if not 3 full weeks. this includes arrival time and departure time. we usually like to travel in Aug, but we do understand the heat situation in spain. if Aug isn't the best time to visit spain, then what month would be better. Also, if there is a different country in Europe that would be better to visit in Aug, what country would you recommend. we love Europe so we are open to ideas. our kids love the beach, so if it has a beach then even better. We have already been to Greece, so that is not an option....
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4129 posts
Spain is a big country with varying climates, what places are you planning to visit?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
Andalusia and southern Spain is very hot. Barcelona cooler. Northern Spain more comfortable but it isn't Mediterranean Spain.
Posted by
OP
175 posts
my understanding is that Spain is divided in to North and South, ideally we would love to do all, but seems like 3 weeks will not be enough time. we really don't care which part of spain we go to, as we love to travel..... it seems like everyone is recommending North in the summer, we haven't researched enough to know exactly where to go.
Posted by
872 posts
We really enjoyed our 16 day trip to Spain in July. We spent a full week in Galicia and it was not enough time. I would think 2-3 weeks in northern Spain would make a very nice trip. Weather in Galicia was very pleasant. Madrid was hot. We flew in and out if Madrid, rented a car and headed north. We did not get any further east than Leon.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7024 posts
The first thing to do, as Carlos stated, is to figure out what you’d like to see. To me, if someone was only going to visit Spain once, I’d recommend Madrid, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Toledo, and Segovia. When my children were 10 and 14 we took them to those cities plus Merida, Pamplona, Santillana Del Mar and a few other smaller towns, all in 18 days. It was a lot of driving and not the type trip I would do today. During the summer months it is hot in much of Spain, but don’t let that stop you from going to southern cities. Just carry plenty of water when you go out.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4129 posts
The summer time is the perfect time to visit Northern Spain, which is often referred to as "Green Spain". It's quite the contrast compared to the south of the country, and looks more like Ireland mixed in with the Alps.
The north offers medieval villages and monasteries, picturesque wine regions, emerald waters of Bay of Biscay, culinary delights of the Basque country, Celtic culture of Galicia, and towering jagged peaks of the Picos de Europa. Something for everyone
I feel the north is best experienced with a car, which allows you to stop at the more off the beaten path sites. With 3 weeks, one can do a nice road-trip starting in San Sebastian and snaking along westwards to Santiago de Compostela, exploring the regions of the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia along the way.
For a taste of what northern Spain can offer, here is a nice little article from Lonely Planet, detailing Cantabria, one of the lesser known northern regions of Spain:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/travel-tips-and-articles/cantabria-discovering-spains-little-visited-north-coast/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d276a8bf
Next steps would be doing some research on what places specifically you are interested in as family and develop a skeleton itinerary.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23546 posts
Look at map. Spain in the summer can be damn hot and especially around the Med. And humidity can be an issue although not as bad a say Florida in the summer. We were in the same boat years ago so we always took off after the last day of school. August also has other issues with more European tourists. The last June through the first of July is not ideal but better than August.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1686 posts
I would not go to southern Spain during the summer months. The temps are VERY HOT. I really believe sightseeing would not be enjoyable at all. We were in Madrid, Toledo, and Andalucia mid-September to October 3 in 2017. Temps were in the 80's in Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, and Granada; 70's in Malaga on the Mediterranean; and 90 - 95 in Seville, and this was late September/early October. I have read trip reports on another travel forum written by people who were in Andalucia during the summer, and they wrote about 100 degree temps. They said within 10 minutes, they were covered in sweat. And returned to hotel for the afternoon. Doesn't sound enjoyable to me.
I agree with people who recommend northern Spain and/or Barcelona/Catalonia/Costa Brava.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
April is the best month. I'd try to see some of Easter week in either Zaragosa or Valladolid, then try to see some of April Fair in Seville. If you can't do both, pick one or the other.
I spent a full month and it wasn't too much time.