Spain is celebrated for its mild climate and pleasant year-round weather. However, if you’re hankering for some winter sun, you’ll want to know exactly what the warmest places in Spain in winter are.
While much of Spain is not as hot as say, Morocco or Tunisia during the winter months, Spain is easily accessible from most hubs around Europe and if you are coming from snow and wind, you’ll find solace in the Spanish sunshine during the winter in most places south of Madrid.
This post has you covered with where to go for the best winter climate in Spain.
Warmest Places in Spain in Winter
This guide covers the hottest places in Spain in November, December, January, and February. We’ve focused on a mixture of seaside resorts, historic cities, and otherworldly islands where you can get your vitamin sea!
1. Barcelona
One of the most-visited cities in Spain, Barcelona enthralls with its Gaudí architecture, beaches, and Catalan cuisine. There are so many great things to pack into a Barcelona itinerary.
While it’s not the number one hottest, Barcelona is still one of the warmest places in Spain in winter. Daytime temperatures linger between 46-64°F (8-18°C) but you’ll need to pack for cooler mornings and chilly evenings.
Even on the shortest day of the year, Barcelona still receives nine hours of daylight. Meanwhile, although December is officially the windiest month of the year, it’s tame and rarely gets up to great speeds.
The perk of visiting Barcelona during the winter months is that this popular city will feel significantly quieter. We’d still encourage you to pre-book major attractions, such as La Sagrada Família, to avoid having to wait in long lines. But in general, the attractions and restaurants will be less crowded and you’ll not have to worry about pre-purchasing tours and tickets.
In addition to cheaper accommodation rates, there are a number of free things to do in Barcelona. Which makes it the perfect pick for a city break on a budget!
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to swim in the sea in Barcelona during the winter months. That being said, the beaches are still ideal for a walk or a churros picnic and you can look forward to exploring the Parc Güell and Montjuïc without breaking a sweat.
What’s the weather like in winter in Barcelona?
Average high temperature: 57°F/14°C
Average low temperature: 41°F/5°C
The hottest month in winter: November (54°F/12°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January (47°F/8°C average)
The stunning Seville Cathedral.
2. Seville
Marking the southern segment of the mainland, the autonomous community of Andalusia offers the overall best winter climate in mainland Spain.
Sunny skies and agreeable weather make winter almost more attractive for getting around the sights of Seville, the Andalusian capital. In fact, Seville is on equal footing with Barcelona when it comes to unique architecture – courtesy of the region’s Moorish background.
A typical Seville itinerary should include a visit to the Real Alcázar de Sevilla to learn about the city’s Moorish architecture and history. Elsewhere, you have Seville Cathedral to pore over plus countless palaces, villas, and museums to explore. Furthermore, you can take in the sights of Parque de María Luisa with its marvelous Plaza de España.
As Seville enjoys an average daily temperature of 51-58°F (10.5-14°C) during winter and highs upward of 59°F (15°C), you can explore comfortably without overheating.
In contrast, the height of summer sees temperatures pushing into the high 90s. With the absence of an ocean breeze, it can feel a little too hot – so winter is far more agreeable!
Besides familiarizing yourself with the aesthetic of the city, Seville is bursting with tapas bars and theaters where you can watch a flamenco show.
Although the exact place of origin is unknown, the performance art has strong ties to Seville. In fact, there is a museum dedicated to flamenco right in town.
In addition, the hip (and heated!) Mercado Lonja del Barranco is perfect for a bite to eat in the evening with river views and seasonal fare.
What’s the weather like in winter in Seville?
Average high temperature: 61°F/16°C
Average low temperature: 45°F/7°C
The hottest month in winter: November (58°F/14°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January (51°F/10.5°C average)
3. València
Located on the eastern coast in the autonomous community of València, the city of València is the heart of Mediterranean Spain and is one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
The city is known for its curious fusion of old and new architecture. Contemporary structures mark the City of Arts and Sciences while the Old Town showcases medieval and Gothic builds.
Although, if you’re a food-motivated traveler, you’ll probably be more excited to hear that València is to thank for giving us paella. In addition to making your way around the restaurants, taking a cooking class is one of the most interesting things to do in València.
On the other hand, València embraces the spirit of Christmas with German-style markets, an ice rink, and festive decor. Plus, restaurants get a seasonal makeover with hot chocolate and varieties of turrón widely available.
València experiences 300+ days of sunshine and mild, dry winters. Average temperatures range from 52-58°F (11-14°C). In fact, València is one of the hottest places in Spain in November on the mainland.
Despite it being its coldest month, València still delivers the best weather in Spain in January with a daily average of 60°F (15.5°C).
Unfortunately, you’ll not manage to swim at the beaches of València during winter. Temperatures plummet below 57°F (14°C) in February, and gradually warm up from March.
What’s the weather like in winter in València?
Average high temperature: 63°F/17°C
Average low temperature: 46°F/8°C
The hottest month in winter: November (66°F/19°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January (60°F/15.5°C average)
The Arts and Sciences Museum in Valencia, Spain.
4. Málaga
Málaga, another city from the Andalusian region, is always reliable for being one of the warmest places in Spain in winter. After all, this area is called the Costa del Sol for good reason!
As with Seville, Málaga is rich in Moorish architecture such as the Alcazaba. Whereas the Real Alcázar de Sevilla was used as a royal residence, the hilltop Alcazaba was intended as a citadel.
In addition to the Alcazaba, Málaga has a baroque cathedral with Moorish origins. Just as with Seville’s cathedral, the Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga originally served as a mosque. We recommend taking a tour so that you don’t miss out on the history behind the place of worship.
If you do run into inclement weather during your winter escape to Málaga, the city has a wonderful array of museums. As the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, the Museo Picasso Málaga is one of the star attractions but you’ll also find a museum dedicated to local wine-making as well as several art galleries.
Málaga has the benefit of occupying a seaside location. For that reason, tourism at the resort city peaks in summer but just as with Barcelona, you can never go wrong with a sandy stroll where you can digest the sights of the city.
Last but not least, Málaga is known for its vibrant nightlife that ranges from low-key tapas bars to jazz joints and nightclubs. It’s quieter during the winter months but the atmosphere is still delightful.
Not that you’ll run out of things to do in Málaga, however, there are several day trips from Málaga. These vary from the slightly nerve-wracking cliffside walk, Caminito del Rey, to nearby towns also blessed with the best winter climate in Spain.
What’s the weather like in winter in Málaga?
Average high temperature: 63°F/17°C
Average low temperature: 46°F/8°C
The hottest month in winter: November (59°F/15°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January (53°F/11.5°C average)
5. Marbella
As mentioned, it’s easy to visit some of the other warmest places in Spain in winter as a day trip while vacationing at Málaga. However, the smaller resort town of Marbella on the Costa del Sol is ideal for a longer stay.
Flanked by long, golden beaches, the Sierra Blanca Mountains rise in the background of Marbella. The water temperature can drop as low as 59°F (15°C) during the winter months which does put swimming off the table.
Centered on the postcard-pretty Plaza de los Naranjos, Marbella’s Old Town is a network of winding alleys and whitewashed buildings.
With the average daytime temperature lingering in the mid-high 50s (15-16°C), you can spend sunny afternoons sipping on sangria and keeping an eye out for vacationing celebrities who frequent this glamorous vacation spot.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that some smaller restaurants and bars will close for this period. However, ample hotels and eateries remain open to cater to winter sun seekers.
Marbella and its Andalusian neighbors Málaga and Seville constitute some of the hottest places in Spain in November.
What’s the weather like in winter in Marbella?
Average high temperature: 61°F/16°C
Average low temperature: 46°F/8°C
The hottest month in winter: November (59°F/15°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January (53°F/11.4°C average)
6. Murcia
Located inland at the southern end of the Costa Blanca, Murcia is one of the warmest places in Spain in winter for avoiding crowds.
Sandwiched between the more popular destinations of Alicante, Benidorm, and Màlaga, Murcia is often overlooked in favor of its beachy neighbors. That applies even more so during the colder season.
The Cathedral de Murcia is the centerpiece of the city, showcasing an assortment of architectural orders including renaissance, baroque, Gothic, and rococo. This backs onto the Plaza de las Flores where period buildings house cafes, tapas bars, and florists.
If you like digging into history while traveling, you can swing by the Murcia Archaeological Museum which walks you chronologically through settlements in the wider Murcia region.
Murcia is beautifully green with urban parks and riverside reserves popular with the students at this university city. Although at its peak in summer, the 18th-century Jardín de Floridablanca is a peaceful spot to add to your winter itinerary. Mild winters make it easy to spend most of the day outdoors.
While staying in Murcia, it’s easy to take day trips to the nearby Alicante and Cartagena either via train or as part of a tour.
Alternatively, you can rent a car and head to the coast and nearby valleys, or visit the smaller towns in the mountains. The pilgrimage site of Caravaca de la Cruz has a history spanning Neolithic, Roman, and medieval as well as hot springs.
Meanwhile, the saltwater lagoon of Mar Menor is only a 30-minute drive.
What’s the weather like in winter in Murcia?
Average high temperature: 62.5°F/17°C
Average low temperature: 42°F/5.5°C
The hottest month in winter: November (57°F/14°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January (50°F/10°C average)
Views of Alicante from the Santa Barbara Castle.
7. Alicante
Alicante is often referred to as the best place to visit in Spain in the winter. There are tons of great things to do in Alicante and it’s a great base for exploring the Costa Blanca.
It has one of the mildest and sunniest climates in all of Spain throughout the year and the temperatures rarely dip lower than 15 degrees Celsius (60 Degrees Fahrenheit).
Alicante is popular both with international and domestic tourists and while many people flood these beaches in the summer months, it doesn’t calm down much in the winter thanks to its mild climate.
Alicante has stunning beaches, a fantastic public transport network, and great tapas spots. It also has unique day trips to explore like the palm trees of Elche or the hiking trails along the Costa Blanca.
What’s the weather like in winter in Alicante?
Average high temperature: 63°F/17°C
Average low temperature: 50°F/10°C
The hottest month in winter: November (66°F/19°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January (60°F/15.5°C average)
Malaga is one of the warmest places in Spain in winter and also one of the most beautiful.
8. The Canary Islands
Although the Canary Islands belong to Spain, they are geographically closer to Africa. For that reason, the archipelago consistently provides the best winter climate in Spain with the hottest temperatures overall. They also receive the highest number of sunny days per year, averaging 320 across the eight islands.
The inhabited islands consist of Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Graciosa. All benefit from volcanic landscapes, forested peaks, gorgeous beaches, and a fusion of Spanish and Moroccan cuisine. However, you’ll need to do your research carefully to choose the best Canary Island for your travel style.
As the largest of the Canaries, Tenerife caters well to all types of travelers. The accommodation and dining scene is varied to suit couples, families, and differing budgets. Meanwhile, there are hiking trails and historical towns to explore during the day and a lively nightlife scene in the evening.
With an average high of 72°F (22°C), Gran Canaria is the hottest part of Spain in December. This island features a striking mix of black and white sand beaches, popular for both swimming and surfing. In fact, winter marks the high season for surfing.
Fuerteventura dazzles with its Mars-like interiors, rolling sand dunes, and world-class conditions for watersports. This is one of the best places to head for surfing, windsurfing, and waterskiing.
Sea temperatures across the islands sit at around 68°F (20°C) during the winter months. Therefore, it is comfortable to swim in the crystal clear water of the Canaries – but you might want to wait until the day heats up. Snorkeling and diving excursions are still possible in winter but you’ll need a wetsuit.
If you fancy getting off the beaten track, the remaining islands are less developed with family-run accommodations and untamed landscapes.
What’s the weather like in winter in the Canary Islands?
Tenerife
Average high temperature: 73°F/23°C
Average low temperature: 57°F/14°C
The hottest month in winter: November (70°F/24.5°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January/February (65°F/18°C average)
Gran Canaria
Average high temperature: 71°F/21.5°C
Average low temperature: 60°F/15.5°C
The hottest month in winter: November (70°F/24.5°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January/February (64°F/18°C average)
Fuerteventura
Average high temperature: 71°F/21.5°C
Average low temperature: 59°F (15°C)
The hottest month in winter: November (70°F/24.5°C average)
The coldest month in winter: January/February (64°F/18°C average)