My husband and I are looking to book the Best of Spain tour in 2018 and wanted to know if there is a best time of year to go. We would want to avoid the heat of the summer and are not interested in the running of the bulls. We are thinking the fall, but want to confirm if there any festivals, events (such as the prancing horses, etc.) that we may want to be sure not to miss.
Any suggestions?
A great tour, you will love it! Remember Spain gets hotter the further south you go. We're somewhat accustomed to heat as we live in an area where summer days are often over 100F. We traveled end of June/early July to accommodate our daughters teaching schedule. Granada and Sevilla were hot! It takes a toll on your ability to enjoy very long days. We compensated with long afternoons at sidewalk cafes drinking cava. Hey, somebody has to do it! Anyway, I would avoid late June, July, August if I had the freedom to do so. If you get Helen as a guide, jackpot!
There are a lot of great festivals, but sometimes these can be a double-edged sword. Often very busy and the processions in religious festivals can make it hard to see the sights. I've been to minor ones (saints days in local towns) and it's a great cultural experience but also a limiting factor to touring. I do want to go to Seville for Easter week, but I've been to the city before so won't mind missing the "normal tourist stuff" in favor of the gazillion events and processions.
I've been to Spain in late May/early June and October. Both are great times. I'd avoid the heat of summer, especially in the south. October was great both times. September can still be pretty hot. By mid-October in Seville (one of the hottest points) I was wearing pants and short-sleeve shirts comfortably.
We were in Barcelona, Granada, Sevilla and Madrid in early June this year and all but Barcelona were very hot (90+ with Sevilla and Madrid at 100 or just over). I thought the temps would be 85-90 but clearly I was wrong.
If you are looking at autumn ...
Sep 10–Sep 23 (Mo-Su)
Sep 17–Sep 30 (Mo-Su)
Sep 24–Oct 7 (Mo-Su)
Oct 1–Oct 14 (Mo-Su)
Oct 8–Oct 21 (Mo-Su)
Go earlier if you like some warmth, later if you are adverse to it.
I think the 'prancing horses' is in Seville or Cordoba. Check their schedule before committing. I think Rick's guidebook also lists key events....though you can also search festivals per city.
If trying to avoid crowds, high season runs until Oct 31 in the south and tourist numbers start to grow in late-March, early April. However, Easter and just after are big festival times in Seville but the weather hasn't quite topped the mercury yet.
Debbie,
Although I've not taken the tour you're considering, I have visited most of the cities you'll be visiting.
My trips have been in the Fall (late September - October).
Given the tour dates ( posted by David above) I'd choose the ones in October.
When we visited Andalucia in October ( 2015) the weather was still warm/ hot in Córdoba, Granada and Sevilla and I wore skirts the whole time there.
We did experience some showers while in Córdoba though.
Enjoy your tour!
What's your tolerance for heat? The tour ends in Sevilla. Temps there in April can vary a lot within a range of (highs) in high 60s to low 80s. In May it'll be about 10 degrees warmer. Late October is probably like early May.
The big festivals in Andalucia are Semana Santa, last week of March next year, Feria in Sevilla which starts about 2 weeks later, and the horse fair in Jerez and patio fair in Cordoba, usually around May 1. There are horse shows in Jerez and Cordoba several times a week throughout the year.
Thanks everyone! These comments were very help. I will check the event schedules for approximately September 10, 2018.
I am a little nervous given the recent terror attacks. I know that there is always that risk to matter where you travel. I live near Boston and never expected the bombing of the Boston Marathon right here in my home turf. I will act on faith and “keep on traveling’”.
Thanks again!
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We are not afraid.
Yes, we must not be afraid. It is what they want. Thanks!
