Travelling to Spain in winter
Often when people think of Spain, they typically picture hot sunny summer beaches and scorching sun-soaked cities but in fact winter can be a great time to enjoy travelling to Spain. With fewer crowds, exploring Spain during the winter months can provide a much more authentic local Spanish experience making it a perfect time to explore this wonderfully diverse country.
However, whilst Spain does generally have milder temperatures than most of Europe during the winter, it is really worth being prepared as cities, particularly in the North can be cold and even in the south of Spain, milder days can soon become pretty chilly when the sun goes down or the rain sets in! Here’s our top tips when travelling to Spain during the winter…
Packing tips
Layer Up: The key here is versatility…pack vests, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, cardigans and maybe even some thermals – especially if you are heading to Northern Spain.
A thick coat is a must: There’s a common Spanish proverb about wearing coats in Spain which refers to the notoriously changeable winter weather. ‘Hasta el 40 de mayo, no te quites el sayo’ translates as don’t take off your coat until the 40th May!’ meaning you really can’t rely on the Spanish weather being consistently warm until early June…so take a coat!
Extra outerwear is ideal: A warm scarf is an easy item to pack for additional cosiness and warmth if needed. A hat and gloves would be worth popping into your bag too for the colder regions in northern Spain.
Don’t forget your accessories: Sunglasses for those beautiful sunny days & an umbrella in case the rain arrives.
Footwear essentials: Whichever Spanish region you travel to, it’s likely that your travels will involve lots of walking so comfortable trainers or boots are perfect for pounding the Spanish streets. Save the sandals and open toe shoes for the summer months!
Slippers or warm indoor shoes are an excellent idea for wandering around your room in. It is commonplace for Spanish rooms to be tiled and as many rooms don’t have heating, the floors will be COLD!
For more packing tips, check out our guide to packing light for a one week trip!
Enjoy the Spanish winter sunshine
Even through the winter months, most areas within Spain will have some nice, sunny periods during the day but as there are fewer hours of daylight at this time of year, you really should make the most of it! Consider starting your sightseeing earlier in the day, prioritise outdoor activities when the sun is up and think about leaving museums or galleries until later in the afternoon.
Get outside: When you’ve got some free time, go to the park, go for a run, lay on a park bench. Do anything to get yourself outside and give yourself a vitamin D boost whilst taking in some warmth from the beautiful Spanish sunshine.
Enjoy seasonal foods: Restaurants and bars throughout Spain have plenty of outdoor seating so enjoy a warming seasonal Spanish meal such as cocido (a traditional stew), caldo gallego (hearty soup) or churros con chocolate. Usually there’ll be some outdoor heaters and maybe even blankets for the chilly early evenings, so why not sample the local Spanish cuisine or a coffee alfresco if you can!
Cosy Bedtime
Whichever area in Spain you visit, you’ll quickly realise that your apartment or bedroom may not be adequately insulated for the winter months and if you aren’t lucky enough to have central heating, you may be freezing during the night!
Warm Pjs’s are key because whilst the cool tiled floors are perfect for high summer they are less so in January and February. Thick warm socks could also be very welcome addition during the chilly night times.
Blankets and layers are essential and if you have room in your suitcase, an empty hot water bottle might be a perfect inclusion so you can warm a cold bed. If you can’t fit a blanket into your baggage, ask at your accommodation and they should be able to provide you with sufficient bedding for the winter nights.
So…
Travelling to Spain during the winter can be a wonderful time to discover Spain’s charm and practice living like a local in a generally quieter, calmer atmosphere. With a bit of forward planning, you’ll have a fabulous time and be ready to make the most of your Spanish adventures whilst remaining warm & dry!
And if you’re thinking of planning a study trip to Spain, why not let Blue Stamp take care of the details? Browse our solo courses in Spain or get in contact with one of our travel consultants!
