The weather in Granada

Andalucia 333 days of sunshine a year

While glorious sunshine is not something that can be guaranteed, Andalucía is said to enjoy 333 days of sunshine a year.

It is also said that the Spanish wouldn’t bet on the weather before the 10th of June hence the famous saying Hasta el 40 de mayo no te quites el sayo Don’t take your raincoat off until May 40th!

The Seasons

Spring

Expect gloriously warm and sunny days and green hillsides bursting with colour and pretty almond blossom. The wetter the winter the more colourful the spring. This is the perfect time to visit the Alhambra and go walking in the mountains.

Semana Santa or Easter week is perhaps the most important week in the Spanish religious calendar. And, with the Alhambra Palace for a backdrop, Granada puts on one of Spain’s most spectacular events.

Summer
It is a long, hot and steamy summer in the city and this is when Spaniards head for the coast. You will find it cooler, and less humid in the mountains but rather scorched and barren after the riot of spring. Unfortunately hill fires are not uncommon.

Summer is the season of late nights and ferias, tinto de verano, and tapas on the beach. It is the season for swimming (pools are open in July and August) sunhats and siestas.

Autumn
This is the most fleeting season of all in Andalucía and a wonderful time to go out into the mountains. Bright, crisp sunny days are very welcome after the hazy heat of the summer. Bonfires burn in the valleys after the summer ban and for a brief time autumnal trees set the hillsides spectacularly ablaze with colour too.

This is also a good time to explore the city when the temperatures are good for sightseeing and you can still enjoy an al fresco lunch.

Winter
There is an inevitable yet somehow always shocking drop in temperatures around the end of October. Think roasted chestnuts, olive picking and glorious sunsets.

Now is the time to take advantage of the snow pursuits in the Sierra Nevada or check out the Christmas markets in Granada. Sunny days are still beautiful on the coast, where the winter is milder than in the mountains, but you might find yourselves enjoying churros con chocolate on the beach rather than helados.

Temperatures

Rainfall