Summer travel to Barcelona, Madrid and Granada

Yvonne, you live in Sacramento, right? Other than the lack of a delta breeze it’s pretty much the same. The more south you go (Granada) the hotter it gets. If you can travel in November it will certainly be cooler. Our daughter is a teacher so we always travel to Europe when it’s pretty hot. So far we have not melted although my daughter forgot to keep up with fluids and had a faint in Croatia.

Alan, yes we do live in Sacramento, but we do outdoor activities early in the morning and then stay in air conditioned houses or buildings. Thank you for your reply.

I avoid southern Spain mid-May through mid-September if possible, but if that’s when you can go, don’t let the heat stop you. Early November wouldn’t be bad at all. A plus to going in November would be fewer tourists and probably less expensive air fare and hotel costs.

And you can manage the heat the same way. So, for example, see the Parc Guell, the block of discord and other largely outdoor sites in Barcelona early in the day, the Picasso museum in the afternoon, then chill for the hot afternoon. We spent many happy afternoons in Spain (in July) at outdoor cafe’s, and then a siesta. Remember you’ll be eating dinner at 10, and it’s cooler by then. Madrid has wonderful museums, The Prado is a do not miss. Now Granada will be hot and the Alhambra involves a lot of walking and no AC. So, a morning visit would be best.

I'd expect Granada and Madrid to be a lot like Sacramento. The Alhambra takes at least 1/2 day to see, there's little shade and lots of up/downhill walking between the various buildings and through the gardens. If you're planning to go this year, Alhambra tickets are selling out for July and August and most morning tickets are gone. Barcelona is generally more pleasant weather, significantly less hot, albeit somewhat humid. Given the choice, I wouldn't think twice about choosing November over summer. Also, while there are always lots of tourists in Spain there will be many fewer in November, especially in Barcelona, since the summer cruise season will be over.

To all of you who replied, thank you. We will wait until November when it is cooler and after my husband has hip surgery. We finally realized that he has too much pain to travel in August even though he was willing to give it a try. So surgery first and then travel. Thank you

My husband and I are going to Spain in November, mostly Andalusia but also Madrid for day trips. I have booked all my hotels and I have booked based on recommendations and RS guidebook and the hotels/inns are crazy inexpensive. I've looked at the typical November weather and I know we'll be wearing spring/summer clothes. I went to Barcelona January 2017 which is also somewhat off season. I did not find hotels to be as inexpensive but I could find reasonable places. In January in Barcelona, we were in long sleeved shirts/pants or leggings/skirts and jackets morning and evening. We loved the weather at that time.

Yvonne - you and your husband should check with his primary doctor (who knows him best) and his surgeon before booking anything. If he is having hip surgery this summer, he may not be ready for the rigors of walking on the stone and cobblestone surfaces of Spain by November. I worked in hospitals for over 30 years. Hip surgery is significant and requires recovery time. Each surgery is different and each patient is different, but I encourage your husband to be fully recovered before he goes.
I enjoy Spain and am going again this year, but always safety first!