Weather in Spain in the summer

By July, southern Spain is like Phoenix, AZ - well over 100 degrees and oppressive if you try to stay outdoors. June could be that hot or might not be so bad - depends on the year. I wouldn't go south in June or July because the potential for misery is too high.

In June and July, I would go north. In the higher elevations north, the weather can be nice, too hot, or even potentially cool - it's weather after all. The north coast Bilbao, Santander, San Sebastian, Santiago de Compostela are ideal destinations in July. They only get really nice during the main part of summer. In June, you can tour the rest of the north pretty comfortably - maybe a little too hot in lower elevations or a little too cool in higher elevations - hopefully nice.

When I once escaped the summer heat of Morocco, I found the north coast of Spain to be pleasantly much cooler, with even some rain. If you end up there as late as mid-August, then check the week-long fireworks festival in San Sebastian.

Central and southern Spain is very hot at this time. My wife and I just got back from a three week trip through southern France and northern Spain. If you have to go in the summer then northern Spain is the place.

Definitely concentrate on the northern mountainous areas and the sea coast - Bilbao, Santander, etc. The interior, Madrid, is very, very hot. So hot that many inhabitants take to the country to their 'country places'.

And this from a friend in Madrid, this morning, August 1

"If the families packing suitcases into cars in my barrio are representative, Madrid is going to be empty for the next few weeks. Great news! Easy to get seats on the metro, no queues for lunch, no traffic"

1. It's now summer. Why not scope out a few of the weather reporting stations for an idea for next year instead of getting anecdotal information of a couple of specific days sometime in the past.

2. You're actually interested in climate and extremes, not short-term weather patterns.