The climate
varies tremendously in Spain, due to its large size. Visitors can generally
expect a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild,
rainy winters.
The vast central
plateau, or Meseta, has a continental climate with hot, dry summers and
cold winters. Rain generally falls in spring and autumn. The mountains
surrounding the plateau have a higher rainfall and often experience heavy
snowfalls in winter.
North of the
Cantabrian mountains, the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia
have a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The weather
is often cloudy with frequent rainfall.
On the Mediterranean
coast, the climate is moderate with rain in spring and autumn. Murcia has
an almost African climate and is characterized by numerous palm trees.
Rainfall is low and the calina, or heat haze, is common during summer.
On the Atlantic
coast, the summers are cooler and fairly heavy rainfall occurs during winter.
Inland, the summers are hot and the rainfall decreases.
The Balearic
islands have a maritime climate, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers.
The Canary
Islands have an even warmer climate. The coastal areas are fairly mild,
but the interior, especially in arid areas of Tenerife, can get very hot
during the day with cold nights. Mount Teide is often snowcapped in winter
and the vast majority of rain falls in winter.
Required clothing:
Light- to mediumweights and rainwear, according to the season
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