The best places to visit in Spain during shoulder season
Tourists seeking pleasant climatic conditions, free from harsh temperatures and humidity, such as during the summer, opt for Spain’s shoulder seasons and specific locations that offer the best climatic conditions for comfort, exploration and culture
The shoulder periods in Spain – the spring (March to June) and early autumn (September to October) – produce a unique period for casual travel. The months offer a balance between enjoyable temperatures and light visitor traffic, making them appealing, especially to those for whom midsummer is too taxing.
UV radiation is reduced, temperatures are pleasant and warm and conditions are ideal for extended stays and outdoor exploration. If you’re interested in travelling to Spain during shoulder season but aren’t sure where to go, Spainholiday.com have ranked the best places to visit in Spain during shoulder season based on temperature, humidity and UV levels.
Spring destinations offering comfortable climates
Between March and June, seafront cities in the Mediterranean spring to near the top of the climate league tables. Spring is characterised by pleasant temperatures, for the most part between high teens and mid-twenties (°C), so urban tours, sea excursions and culture breaks aren't spoiled by the oppressive heat.
The temperature, discomfort from humidity and UV index ranking of cities revealed that the two towns were often ranked favourably. In Spainholiday.com’s ranking, Valencia and Castellón de la Plana feature in first and second place, respectively, both boasting even climate conditions that permit extended periods spent outdoors with minimal weather-related distress.
Tradition, innovation and a gentle spring
Valencia is not just distinctive in its architecture and food, but its climate during the shoulder season is also advantageous. Spring in Valencia is characterised by low precipitation, soft sunshine and low humidity.
The climate allows visitors to walk easily around the historical quarter, the City of Arts and Sciences and the seafront promenade during the day. Public spaces, such as Turia Gardens, a reclaimed dried riverbed converted into an urban park, provide ample space for shaded walks and biking.
Coastal spots such as Malvarrosa Beach remain usable during the non-summer season and offer sea breezes to balance Valencia’s climate during spring. Cultural festivals, such as Las Fallas in March, add a note of tradition to the journey and gastronomy. The latter, especially in variants like paella Valenciana, can be savoured from outdoor terraces under temperate skies.
Low-key and climate-friendly
Just north of Valencia, Castellón de la Plana presents a low-key destination with a strong spring climate profile. Characterised by its high comfort index derived from its moderate temperatures and low humidity, this destination has a relaxed urban setting and access to nature. The town’s proximity to the Desert de les Palmes Natural Park gives a good reason for visitors planning days out for walks or drives with scenic views along the coast.
Beaches like Playa del Gurugú offer quiet areas for basking and taking walks, with milder UV conditions allowing more days out without discomfort. Catering to fewer international visitors during the shoulder season, Castellón enjoys a local atmosphere, making exploring market districts, neighbourhoods and ancient monuments even more viable and accessible.
Autumn comfort without the heaviness of summer
For September and October trips, southeast destinations are still warm but shed the heat and humidity of high summer. Those cities, such as Alicante and Murcia, exhibit predictable temperature consistency, with the highest daytime temperatures typically in the mid-20s and less rainfall compared to northern Spain.
Murcia’s interior climate offers a dry heat that is more tolerable during autumn, particularly in mid-September. Cultural sites like the Cathedral of Murcia or the Roman Theatre in Cartagena can be visited without excessive exposure to the sun. Al fresco coffee shops and public squares remain open but much less crowded, encouraging a more tempered visitor pace.
Alicante’s seafront setting ensures access to late beach activity until October and sea temperatures remain regularly swimmable in early autumn. The city has blue skies and dependable day warmth and UV levels begin to tail off, a welcome dividend for people prone to sunshine fatigue.
It’s even more pleasant to walk along the Explanada de España or explore Santa Bárbara Castle when the temperatures are temperate and the humidity is low. Autumn evenings call for more relaxing al fresco dinners and less tourism shows a more conducive environment for cross-cultural meetings.
Using weather data in planning travels
While traditional travel books focus on places and points of interest, seasonal climatological records are becoming increasingly helpful to visitors seeking maximum convenience. The UV index and discomforts from humidity now wield just as much impact in vacation planning as average temperature. Well-performing destinations in all three measures not only permit physical comfort but also offer more practical and flexible travel experiences.
The flow of transportation is smoother, fewer reservations are needed in restaurants and locals are more accommodating for local dealings. Choosing a balanced Spanish city’s climate indicators during its shoulder season can transform a good holiday into a great one, through not spectacular incidents or performances but through the subtle advantages of climate, space and time.
The shoulder seasons of Spain offer a soft caress of travel, in which the sunshine continues to dominate but not overpoweringly. The spring cities like Valencia and Castellón de la Plana and the autumn cities like Murcia and Alicante mix climatic comfort, culture-laced aspects and sparse crowds. For warm and genuine adventure-seekers, these locations offer what the shoulder season promises: a silent joy without climatic extremes.
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