When to ride in Spain: Seasonality cycles and weather
The great thing about Spain for motorcycle riders is that it offers year round riding in most regions of the country, no need to winterize your bike and stick it in the shed for three months until the defrost. However, there are seasonal periods that are better than others. Temperatures rarely make it below freezing unless you’re in the mountains, even the ski resort (La Molina Resort) near Barcelona, which is 2,000 meters (~6,500 ft.) in altitude, averages 5-7 °C (41-45°F) in the day during the winter months.
Given that Spain is the second most visited country in Europe, and the world, if you intend on combining a motorcycle tour with traveling to one of the major cities or areas in Spain, then tourism flow becomes a consideration as well. As residents of Barcelona, we prefer to flee the city from the tourism and the heat. So if you can avoid it, we don't recommend late July or August for riding because of those factors. It's not a deal breaker by any stretch, just not ideal conditions.
Here are some weather and seasonal considerations to make when planning a motorcycle tour in Spain on your own or with a touring company.
General weather considerations
Temperature
This seems obvious. You want to wear warmer clothing during the cold months and lighter gear during the summer months. It’s important to note the temperature swings between day and evening, how that changes throughout the year, and the geography.
Wear gear suitable for the coldest temperatures you expect to encounter
Bring over jacket/pants (trousers) rain gear - if you’re UK-based, you should already own this
Sunlight
Something we may not think of initially, but an important factor when riding in new terrain, especially if that terrain is difficult and lacks proper street lighting. And if we’re riding in the late autumn, winter, or early spring periods, the sun’s heat is a key consideration to factor in.
Naturally, you will be able to ride longer during the summer than you would during the winter. This is even more pronounced if you’re riding in the mountains, which many of our tours do. It could shave off an hour or two from the sunset time, which is about 5:30 (17:30) in mid-November.
Coast vs Inland vs Mountain Regions
The main factors that lead to differences in temperature between these three region types is humidity and altitude. Areas with higher humidity levels, like the coast, have more consistent temperatures throughout the year, as well as within the day - moisture in the air acts as an insulator keeping the heat from escaping in the evening. With winters being more moderate in temperature, it makes coastal riding a year round possibility.
The inland regions of Spain, with relatively low humidity levels, don’t receive the benefits that the coastal regions do. It gets very warm during the summer and cold in the winter - temperature can hit 40°C (104°F) in August and dip down to 20°C (68°F) in the evening. So it’s important to consider this when packing for a motorcycle tour in the interior of the country, you want the ability to add layers underneath your summer jacket when the sun goes down.
For the mountain regions, where altitude comes into play, these areas are generally cooler year round and although the temperature doesn’t swing as hard as the inland region, the potential for rapid altitude changes will bring rapid temperature changes. Also, you will be subject to microclimates where you can easily ride into a patch of fog, rain, hail, or clouds without warning. Adjust your riding behavior and pack gear accordingly - extra layer of clothes and overclothes rain gear.
Weather Conditions and Ideal Riding Seasons for Spain’s Regions
Northern region: Atlantic Coast
Mild climate throughout the year with little variation. Summer temperatures average around 18-25°C (64-77°F) and the winter averages around 8-12°C (46-54°F). Rainfall is common throughout the year, with particularly heavy rains in autumn and winter. Humidity levels are high, and cloudy days are common, contributing to lush, green landscapes.
Warm weather gear: Jun-Sep
Cold weather gear: Nov-Mar
Rain gear: Year-round, especially Oct-Mar
Eastern region: Mediterranean Coast
Hot summers with higher humidity levels in August, temperatures averaging 25-32°C (77-90°F), but rarely rains. Winters are mild, generally staying around 10-15°C (50-59°F). Rainfall is moderate, primarily occurring in autumn and early spring. Summers are very sunny with very little precipitation.
Warm weather gear: May-Oct
Cold weather gear: Dec-Feb
Rain gear: Oct-Nov, Apr
Central region: Madrid
Hot, dry summers and cooler winters. Summer temperatures often reach 30-35°C (86-95°F), with low humidity and intense sunlight. Winters average around 5-10°C (41-50°F), with occasional frost but rarely snow. Rainfall is low, mostly occurring in spring and autumn, while summers are typically very dry. Our
Warm weather gear: May-Sep
Cold weather gear: Nov-Mar
Rain gear: Apr-May, Oct-Nov
Mountain region: Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada
Significant seasonal variation due to high altitudes. Winters are cold, averaging -5 to 5°C (23-41°F) with heavy snowfall, particularly in the Pyrenees. Summer temperatures are mild, ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F). Rain and snow are common year-round, especially at higher elevations.
Warm weather gear: Jul-Aug
Cold weather gear: Oct-Apr
Rain gear: Year-round, frequent Oct-Apr
Side note: we’ve curated a self-guided tour in the Pyrenees Mountains that you can upload to your mobile or dedicated GPS device
Southern region: Andalucía
Hot Mediterranean climate with scorching summers, often reaching 35-40°C (95-104°F) or more, especially inland. Winters are mild, averaging 10-15°C (50-59°F), with occasional rain. Rainfall is sparse and primarily occurs in winter, making summers long, dry, and very sunny. Coastal areas benefit from sea breezes, but inland regions can experience extreme heat.
Warm weather gear: Apr-Oct
Cold weather gear: Dec-Feb
Rain gear: Nov-Feb