The weather is probably one of the biggest reasons for moving to retire in Spain in the first place. Who wouldn’t love to relax in warm weather for most of the year and stroll along sandy beaches even in the middle of winter?
The Spain climate varies around the country but is widely regarded as one of the best in the world for a healthy and enjoyable retirement lifestyle.
The Climatic Regions
There are three main climatic regions in Spain. The first is the classic Mediterranean climate, where hot, dry winds sweep in from Africa and cooler, more humid weather comes from the East. The map below divides the Mediterranean zone into the larger hot area and a smaller slightly cooler area towards the northern Oceanic climate region.
The second region is the Oceanic one in the North of Spain. This leads to milder and wetter weather in places like Galicia and Asturias. Finally, the semi-arid climate in the South East of the country has a long, dry summer.
There are other weather variants around Spain and the overall effect is of a diverse and fascinating country where every region has its own pros and cons. You will find great weather if you retire to Spain but the exact type of weather will depend upon where you go.
Temperature
The fact that most people already know about the Spanish climate is that the temperature gets really high in summer. Long, hot summer days are virtually guaranteed all over the country, while winter is often mild and very pleasant. The Southern part of the country tends to be hotter than the slightly milder North. For example, Andalucía has an average July and August temperature of 28°C (82°F) and in winter this drops to around of 11°C (52°F).
In the attractive Balearic Islands, Majorca and Ibiza have an average temperature not far below that of Andalucía, as does Barcelona. In Galicia, in the North, 18°C (64°F) is the average at the height of summer and January has an average of 7°C (45°F).
If you want a temperature that is almost constant all year-round then the spring-like Canary Islands are hard to beat. The fact that the temperature usually only varies between 17°C (62°F) and 24°C (75°F) means that some people call it the world’s perfect climate.
Most people who plan to retire in Spain head to the coast for the best temperatures. Places like Benidorm, Alicante and Malaga are ideal, with their glorious sunshine, long beaches and pleasant weather. Cities such as Seville, Madrid and Cordoba are absolutely fantastic for visiting but they can get stiflingly hot in the summer. Even the Spanish head away from the cities when it gets too hot during the month of August, when streams of city dwellers leave the steaming cities behind for a great time on the coast.
Winter in Spain is also very pleasant. In general terms, the further South you go the warmer the winter is, with the Canary Islands offering a magnificent winter spot where you can expect to forget all about cold weather during your retirement years. You might get the occasional cold spell in other parts of Southern Spain but on the whole you can expect fantastic, warm days even when your calendar is telling you that it really is winter.
The Rain
The rain in Spain varies greatly from one region to another. The wettest part of the country is around Galicia and Asturias. This is why there is a wonderfully lush and green landscape in this region.
Rain is far scarcer is many other parts of the country. For example, in the popular Andalucía coast you won’t expect to see a lot of rain at all. The South East part of Spain covering Almeria and Alicante has a semi arid climate with long dry spells.
Inland, the rain in Spain is generally concentrated around the spring and autumn months. The Canary Islands don’t receive much rain overall, although there are some humid areas in the archipelago.
The Spain Climate And Its Seasons
The seasons are fairly marked in Spain, with the temperature varying and the rain falling accordingly. Each of the four seasons here has its own special charms and pleasures.
For example, spring is often a time of clear skies and rising temperatures. This is when many holidaymakers choose to visit Spain and it is also an amazing time to live in the country. Summer can get really hot here and the most popular resorts get exciting and intensely busy. Fall can be warm and pleasant but without the intensity and the crowds of summer. Winter also has its advantages if you retire to Spain. At this time of year you can enjoy quiet beaches but with a very good chance of nice weather.
You will want to live in a house or apartment with air-conditioning in just about any part of Spain. This is essential in summer and may be useful at other times of year too. You may not need central heating in some parts of the country but should have at least a small heater at home for the coldest days and nights.
Related: Wealthiest Regions of Spain
Spain Climate Summary
Retiring in Spain is a perfect way of enjoying one of the planet’s most enviable climates. If you suffer from aches and pains when the cold weather starts up then this is an ideal country in which to feel younger, fitter and fuller of life. The Spain climate is ideal for living life to the full at any time of year.