Spain

April to June and September to October are ideal for cities and most of the coast: warm, not extreme. July and August are very hot inland (Madrid, Seville, Córdoba) and busiest on Mediterranean beaches; the north (Galicia, Basque Country) stays greener and cooler. Winter is mild on the south coast and in the Canaries, colder on the meseta. Semana Santa and August festivities mean crowds and closed shops in places—plan around them if you prefer quiet. Island groups (Balearics, Canaries) each have their own microclimate—check the island, not only the mainland forecast. Mountain areas can still see snow in spring while the coast is already swimming weather.

A classic first trip is Madrid → Andalusia (Seville, Granada, Córdoba) or Barcelona with a Costa Brava or Balearic side trip. Trains (AVE) link Madrid with Barcelona, Seville and Málaga. The north—San Sebastián, Bilbao, Santiago—offers a different, rainier flavour. Mix one big city, one historic inland town and a few coast days rather than racing every highlight. Evening life starts late; plan heavy sightseeing for mornings and keep late afternoons freer. If you only have a long weekend, pick either Madrid or Barcelona and do it properly instead of both.

Andalusian courtyards and tiled patios shine in shade; harsh noon sun flattens plazas. Barcelona’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell need timed tickets and patience for clean angles. Golden hour on Mediterranean seafronts is reliable. In Madrid, parks and rooftop views beat midday streets. Interior courtyards and tiled lobbies are often cooler and more interesting at midday than the open plaza glare. Keep location enabled on coastal drives and island hops so beaches and towns separate cleanly on your map.