Spain is one of the easiest countries in Europe to travel around: fast trains link the big cities, the food is a reason to go in itself, and you can choose between art museums, Moorish palaces, mountain villages and a very long coastline. The weather ranges from a hot, dry interior to a green, rainy north, and the clock has its quirks, with late sunsets on the mainland and a different time on the Canary Islands.
Spain for visitors
Most first trips combine two or three big cities. Madrid, on the high central plateau, has the Prado and some of the best art museums in Europe, and a late-night street life. Barcelona, on the Mediterranean in Catalonia, mixes a medieval old town and a beach with the buildings of Gaudí, including the Sagrada Família.
Andalusia and the coasts
Andalusia, in the south, has Seville's cathedral and old quarter, the Alhambra palace in Granada, the great mosque-cathedral of Córdoba, and white hill towns in between. The Mediterranean coast, from the Costa Brava near the French border down through Valencia to the Costa del Sol around Málaga, is lined with beach resorts, some quiet, many very developed.
The islands
The Balearic Islands, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, sit off the east coast and are mostly summer destinations. The Canary Islands are a different world, far out in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa: volcanic landscapes, black and golden beaches, and mild weather all year, which makes them a winter-sun favourite. Tenerife's volcano, Teide, is the highest peak in Spain.
The green north
The Atlantic north, from Galicia through Asturias and Cantabria to the Basque Country, looks nothing like the south: green hills, rocky coast, cool summers and a lot of rain. San Sebastián is known for its food and Bilbao for the Guggenheim museum. Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia, is the end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrim routes. The Pyrenees, along the French border, offer hiking in summer and skiing in winter.
Getting around
Spain has one of the largest high-speed rail networks in the world, linking Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia and the north in a few hours. Long-distance buses fill the gaps. A car is the best way to see rural Andalusia, the north and inland villages, and flights and ferries serve the islands.
Time in Spain
Spain uses 2 UTC offsets. The mainland, the Balearic Islands and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the North African coast are on Central European Time; the capital's zone is Europe/Madrid, currently UTC+1. The Canary Islands are on Western European Time, one hour behind the mainland, currently UTC±0.
Both parts of the country follow the European Union rule: clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October. On the mainland that means UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 in summer. The next change to summer time is on 28 March 2027, and the next return to standard time is on 31 October 2027. The Canaries change on the same dates, so the one-hour gap stays all year.
Mainland Spain was on the same time as Britain until 1940, when it moved to Central European Time and stayed there ([1]). Because much of Spain lies west of Greenwich, the clock runs well ahead of the sun: sunrise and sunset come late, especially in Galicia, and so do lunch and dinner. Right now Madrid is 1 hour ahead of London and 6 hours ahead of New York, while the Canaries are the same time as London. Our post on social jet lag looks at what living ahead of the sun does to sleep.
Climate and weather
Spain has several climates. The Mediterranean coast and the Balearics have hot, dry summers and mild winters. The interior, including Madrid, sits high on a plateau, the Meseta, with hot summers, cold nights in winter and little rain; inland Andalusia, around Seville and Córdoba, has some of the hottest summers in Europe. The south-east around Almería is semi-arid, close to desert. The Atlantic north has an oceanic climate: mild, green and rainy, with no real dry season. The Canary Islands are subtropical and mild in every month, though the mountains can be cold.
In Madrid, average highs range from 10°C in January to 33°C in July. The city gets only about 417 mm of rain a year, and October is the wettest month in Madrid. It is also very sunny, with about 2,929 hours of sunshine a year, most of them in summer.
- Madrid
- London
Show the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 160 | 184 | 220 | 247 | 293 | 332 | 372 | 344 | 256 | 208 | 165 | 147 |
| London | 61 | 79 | 124 | 177 | 208 | 208 | 218 | 202 | 157 | 115 | 71 | 55 |
Madrid gets far more sun than London in every month. The Madrid guide has the full table and the seasons month by month. Summer heatwaves are common in the interior and the south; our guide to extreme heat has tips for planning around them.
Best time to visit Spain
For cities and touring, spring and autumn are the best seasons: warm, sunny days in Madrid, Andalusia and on the coasts, without the summer heat. Andalusia is at its best in spring, and the Holy Week processions around Easter fill Seville and other southern cities.
Summer is beach season on the Mediterranean and the Balearics, and the best time for the green north and the Pyrenees, which stay cooler. It is also the hottest time inland and the busiest on the coast, especially in August, when Spanish families are on holiday.
Winter is quiet and mild on the Mediterranean coast, cold but bright in Madrid, and good for skiing in the Sierra Nevada and the Pyrenees. The Canary Islands are the main winter-sun destination, and their high season runs through the European winter.
Practical facts
- Capital: Madrid.
- Population: about 48 million (UN World Population Prospects 2024, 2023 estimate).
- Currency: euro (EUR). Cards, including contactless payment, are accepted almost everywhere; a little cash helps in small bars and village shops.
- Language: Spanish (Castilian). Catalan, Galician and Basque are also official in their regions, and you will see them on signs. English is common in tourist areas, less so in the countryside.
- Calling code: +34.
- Tipping: not expected. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is common. Meals run late: lunch in the mid-afternoon, dinner late in the evening.
- Driving: on the right.
- Emergency number: 112 for ambulance, fire and police ([2]).
Plan your trip with hoyoopin
- Madrid city guide: the dry plateau climate month by month, summer heat and crisp winters, what to pack, and why Madrid's evenings are so long.
- World Clock: mainland Spain and the Canaries next to your own time.
- Weather: live conditions and the forecast for Barcelona, Seville, the islands or any other town in Spain.
- Europe: time zones and key facts for every country on the continent.
- Further reading: the best cities for remote work weather, which compares Madrid, Valencia and Lisbon.
Frequently asked questions
What time zone is Spain in?
Mainland Spain, the Balearics, Ceuta and Melilla use Central European Time, currently UTC+1, with the IANA identifier Europe/Madrid. The Canary Islands are one hour behind, on UTC±0 right now.
Is the time different in the Canary Islands?
Yes. The Canaries are always one hour behind mainland Spain, and on the same time as the United Kingdom and Portugal.
Does Spain have daylight saving time?
Yes. Clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October, on the mainland and in the Canaries. The next change to summer time is on 28 March 2027.
When is the best time to visit Spain?
Spring and autumn suit cities and touring; summer suits the beaches and the north; winter suits the Canary Islands and the ski resorts.
Sources
- tz database, Europe file (Time::OlsonTZ::Data mirror): the Europe/Madrid entry shows Western European time until 16 March 1940, then Central European time.
- GOV.UK: Spain, getting help: 112 for ambulance, fire and police.