Spain in winter: where to go, weather and what to do

Warmest places

The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria) have days around 20–22 °C all winter. On the mainland, Málaga and the Costa del Sol are the warmest, with about 17 °C, and Seville and Valencia reach about 16 °C.

Skiing in Sierra Nevada

Europe's southernmost big ski resort is about 45 minutes from Granada. The season usually runs from late November or December to April, depending on the snow.

Cities in winter

Madrid is cold (around 0–10 °C) but often sunny and dry; museums and Christmas lights make it a great winter city. The north (Bilbao, San Sebastián, Santiago) is greener, wetter and cooler.

Festivals

Christmas lasts until the Three Kings on 6 January, the winter sales start on 7 January, and February brings carnival — Cádiz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife hold two of the biggest.

Good to know

• Days are short in December: plan sights for the morning and early afternoon.
• Many beach hotels on the islands are open all year, but some coastal towns on the mainland are quiet in winter.
• Pack layers: houses and older hotels in Spain are not always well heated.
• Book Sierra Nevada and Canary Island trips early for Christmas and New Year.

Questions

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