We are in the beginning stages of planning our first trip to Spain. I am a teacher and we are locked into to 17 days beginning March 18th or 17 days beginning June 18th. We have the Rick Steves Spain book and have consulted the appendix for the average daily temperatures. We love sitting in nice weather sipping wine and eating good food. We are wanting
opinions or experiences with the temperature and the amount of rain during these two time periods. We will be starting in Madrid then traveling to Granada, Ronda and ending our trip in Sevilla.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I was there a few years ago at the beginning of May and the weather was gorgeous... just starting to get hot... afternoons a few days were in the high 80s. I would not have wanted to go any later. Can't comment on the rain, but I don't mind being out at a café if the weather is a little cool. I prefer that to the heat and chaos of the crowds. I have been to Europe a number of times during March and have always had really nice weather. Spring, not summer!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Sevilla will be the warmest place you mention.
For your earliest date, March 18, the historical averages are 48-69F.
For your latest date, July 5, the historical averages are 66-95F.
Unfortunately it's a bit 'rock' and 'hard place' for you.
Personally I would go June as I firmly believe you need a little 'heat' when in Spain - it adds to the atmosphere.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15591 posts
I've been to those places twice in February. I had lots of sunshine the first time and only needed a jacket - part of the time. While it was somewhat chilly and rainy on my second visit, it was never really cold and I did have days when I sat in the sun, sipping wine and eating tapas. For someone who is used to PacNW weather, I'd recommend March over late June. Andalusia is the hottest, driest place in Europe, so you're likely to have good weather in March and very hot weather in June. Think LA in March, Vegas in June. . . For a more accurate idea of what the weather can be, go to wunderground.com and with a little bit of effort (they improved the site awhile back), you can get to the trip planner pages and then to historical data by day for the last several years for any 2-week period.
Semana Santa is from March 20-26 next year (I'm guessing that the Easter holidays are when you can take time off). That is something very special to see in Spain. In Seville it's high season. You could either avoid it or enjoy it. I think it's not celebrated so much in other parts of Andalusia or in Madrid. It's easy to get around the area by train. I flew round-trip to Madrid, landed early in the day and spent my first 2 nights in Cordoba, then made kind of a circle with Granada and Madrid at the end.