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Spain - Things to Do in Spain in February

Things to Do in Spain in February

February weather, activities, events & insider tips

February Weather in Spain

14°C (57°F) High Temp
3°C (37°F) Low Temp
0.0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is February Right for You?

Advantages

  • Significantly fewer tourists than summer months - major attractions like the Alhambra, Sagrada Familia, and Prado Museum have 40-50% fewer visitors, meaning shorter queues and better photo opportunities without crowds
  • Hotel rates drop 30-45% compared to peak season - you'll find four-star accommodations in Barcelona or Madrid for 60-90 euros per night that would cost 140-180 euros in July, and you can actually get last-minute bookings at popular properties
  • Almond blossoms transform the Mediterranean coast and interior valleys into pink-white landscapes, particularly spectacular in Mallorca, the Jerte Valley, and around Granada - locals consider this one of Spain's most photogenic seasons
  • Carnival celebrations reach their peak in late February, especially in Cádiz and Tenerife, offering authentic cultural experiences that aren't overly touristified yet draw massive local participation

Considerations

  • Northern Spain gets genuinely cold and wet - Santiago de Compostela averages 15-18 rainy days in February with temperatures around 8-13°C (46-55°F), making coastal walks along the Camino routes pretty miserable without proper gear
  • Beach weather is essentially nonexistent - even in southern Andalusia, sea temperatures hover around 14-15°C (57-59°F) and you'll need a jacket most evenings, so this isn't the trip for swimming or sunbathing
  • Some coastal restaurants and tourist services in smaller towns shut down entirely during low season, particularly along the Costa Brava and Costa del Sol, limiting dining options outside major cities

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Best Activities in February

Alhambra and Granada Exploration

February is actually ideal for the Alhambra complex - cooler temperatures make the 2-3 hour walking tour through the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife gardens far more comfortable than summer's heat. The almond trees in the surrounding hills bloom in late February, creating stunning views from the fortress walls. With fewer visitors, you'll get better timed-entry slots and can linger in the intricate palace rooms without being rushed by crowds behind you.

Booking Tip: Book Alhambra tickets exactly 60 days in advance when they release online - they still sell out even in February, just not within minutes like summer. Tickets typically cost 14-19 euros depending on what sections you include. Morning slots around 9-10am offer the best light for photography and you'll avoid tour groups that tend to arrive after 11am.

Madrid Museum Circuit

Madrid's Golden Triangle museums - the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza - are perfect February destinations. Indoor cultural activities make sense when it's 8-10°C (46-50°F) outside, and you'll actually be able to stand in front of Guernica or Las Meninas without elbowing through crowds. The city's cafe culture thrives in winter, so you can warm up with chocolate con churros at historic spots between museum visits.

Booking Tip: Free admission hours exist at all three museums but attract locals too - worth paying the 12-15 euros for flexibility. Book 3-5 days ahead for skip-the-line access. Dedicate 2.5-3 hours per museum minimum. The Prado's collection is overwhelming, so consider a guided tour for your first visit to hit the highlights efficiently.

Seville Walking and Tapas Routes

Seville in February offers the best walking weather of the year - daytime temperatures around 16-18°C (61-64°F) mean you can explore the Santa Cruz quarter's narrow streets, the Real Alcázar gardens, and riverside promenades without the brutal summer heat that makes afternoon walks genuinely unpleasant. Orange trees throughout the city are loaded with fruit, filling streets with citrus scent. Tapas culture is year-round, but winter brings seasonal dishes like espinacas con garbanzos and oxtail stew.

Booking Tip: The Real Alcázar requires advance booking even in February - purchase 3-7 days ahead for 13.50 euros. For tapas experiences, look for walking food tours that hit 4-5 traditional bars over 3-4 hours, typically costing 60-85 euros including food and drinks. Evening tours starting around 7pm align with local dining schedules.

Barcelona Gothic Quarter and Modernist Architecture Tours

February's mild temperatures around 13-15°C (55-59°F) make Barcelona's architectural walks comfortable - you'll spend hours outdoors moving between Gaudí's Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell without overheating. The lower sun angle in winter actually creates better shadows and definition on the intricate facades, improving photography. Fewer tourists mean you can appreciate the Gothic Quarter's medieval streets without constant crowding.

Booking Tip: Sagrada Familia tickets should be booked 10-14 days ahead even in low season - basic entry costs around 26 euros, add 10 euros for tower access. Consider combination tickets covering multiple Gaudí sites for 45-65 euros. Morning visits around 9-10am offer the best light filtering through the basilica's stained glass. Walking tours covering multiple buildings typically run 3-4 hours and cost 25-40 euros.

Basque Country Food and Wine Experiences

San Sebastian and Bilbao in February lean into their strengths - pintxos bars, cider houses, and indoor markets. Yes, it's rainy and cool around 10-14°C (50-57°F), but that's exactly when locals pack into traditional sidrerías for multi-course cider house meals and crowd the bars of Parte Vieja for evening pintxos crawls. February is prime season for percebes (goose barnacles) and the tail end of wild mushroom season. The Basque Country's food culture is genuinely year-round, not weather-dependent.

Booking Tip: Pintxos walking tours typically cost 90-120 euros for 3-4 hours including food and drinks at 4-6 bars - book 5-7 days ahead. Traditional cider house experiences run 50-70 euros for the full meal and should be reserved at least a week in advance as they're popular with locals. Wine tours to Rioja Alavesa are available year-round, usually 100-140 euros for full-day experiences including 2-3 wineries.

Valencia City of Arts and Sciences and Central Market

Valencia offers a middle ground between Barcelona's crowds and smaller cities' limited options. February temperatures around 15-17°C (59-63°F) make the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex comfortable for the 2-3 hours you'll spend exploring its exterior architecture and interior museums. The Central Market, one of Europe's largest, operates year-round and February brings seasonal produce and seafood. The city's famous paella originated as a winter dish, so you're eating it in its proper season.

Booking Tip: City of Arts and Sciences individual attraction tickets cost 8-11 euros each, or get combination passes for 36-42 euros covering multiple buildings. Book 3-5 days ahead. For paella experiences, look for cooking classes that include market visits, typically 65-90 euros for 3-4 hours. Avoid waterfront restaurants serving paella - locals eat it at inland establishments or in Albufera villages 10 km (6.2 miles) south.

February Events & Festivals

Late February (dates vary based on Easter calendar, typically last week of February into early March)

Cádiz Carnival

One of Spain's most famous Carnival celebrations, featuring satirical singing groups called chirigotas that perform elaborate musical comedy routines mocking politicians and current events. The entire city transforms into a street party with costumes, parades, and performances in theaters and plazas. Unlike many tourist-focused festivals, this draws primarily Spanish visitors who've been attending for decades, making it feel authentic rather than staged.

Late February (overlaps with Cádiz, dates shift based on Easter calendar)

Tenerife Carnival

Second only to Rio in scale among Spanish-speaking Carnival celebrations, Tenerife's version features massive street parades with elaborate costumes, Brazilian-style samba groups, and competitions for best costumes and performances. The main events happen in Santa Cruz, but celebrations spread across the island. Weather in Tenerife is warmer than mainland Spain - around 18-21°C (64-70°F) - making outdoor festivities more comfortable.

Throughout February, peak bloom typically mid-to-late February depending on weather

Almond Blossom Season

Not a single event but a natural phenomenon worth planning around - almond trees bloom throughout February across Mallorca, the Jerte Valley in Extremadura, and parts of Andalusia. Mallorca's interior villages like Sóller and the areas around Granada become particularly photogenic. Locals organize blossom-viewing walks and some villages hold small festivals celebrating the blooms, though these are low-key affairs rather than major tourist events.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layering pieces for 10-15°C (50-59°F) temperature swings between morning and afternoon - a merino wool base layer, fleece mid-layer, and windproof outer shell let you adjust as you move between cold morning museum queues and warmer afternoon sun
Waterproof jacket with hood - those 10 rainy days average 2-3 hours of rain each, not all-day downpours, but you'll get caught in showers. Skip umbrellas in windy coastal cities like San Sebastian or Barcelona
Comfortable waterproof walking shoes with actual tread - you'll cover 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily on cobblestones that get slippery when wet. Save the stylish leather shoes for dinner
SPF 50 sunscreen despite cool temperatures - UV index of 8 is legitimately high, and the cool air tricks you into thinking you're not getting sun exposure. Locals still wear sunscreen in February
Scarf and light gloves for northern Spain - if you're visiting Santiago, Bilbao, or mountain areas, morning temperatures around 3-5°C (37-41°F) make these essential, not optional
Reusable water bottle - Spain's tap water is safe and fountains exist throughout cities. Bottled water costs 1-2 euros repeatedly and creates unnecessary waste
European power adapter with at least two USB ports - Spain uses Type C and F plugs. Hotels often have limited outlets and you'll be charging phone, camera, and possibly tablet daily
Small daypack around 20-25 liters - large enough for layers you'll shed, water bottle, and purchases, but not so big you'll be annoyed carrying it through museums. Many attractions require bag checks for anything larger
Dressier outfit for evening - Spanish cities maintain standards for dinner even in casual tourist areas. Clean dark jeans and a collared shirt work for men, jeans and a nice top for women. You'll feel underdressed in athletic wear at restaurants after 8pm
Portable phone charger - you'll drain battery using maps, translation apps, and taking photos. A 10,000 mAh battery provides 2-3 full phone charges and costs 20-30 euros

Insider Knowledge

February is actually when many locals take city breaks within Spain - hotels in Madrid and Barcelona see domestic tourism from people escaping colder northern regions. This means you'll experience restaurants and attractions with more Spanish visitors than international tourists, which improves authenticity but means less English spoken in casual interactions.
Restaurant timing matters more in winter - lunch service runs 2-4pm and dinner 9-11pm year-round, but in February many kitchens close completely between services rather than offering continuous service like summer. Arriving at 5pm looking for dinner means waiting 3-4 hours or settling for tourist-trap places near major attractions.
The 70% humidity feels different at 14°C (57°F) than tropical humidity - it's not oppressive but creates a dampness that makes temperatures feel colder than the thermometer suggests. Locals call it 'penetrating cold' and it's why you see them bundled up when tourists in shorts wonder what the fuss is about.
Major museums offer free admission during specific hours but these attract massive crowds of locals - the Prado is free Monday-Saturday 6-8pm and Sundays 5-7pm, but you'll spend your time managing crowds rather than viewing art. The 15 euro ticket buys you space and time to actually see the collection properly.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming southern Spain will be warm enough for beach activities - even Málaga and Costa del Sol have sea temperatures around 14-15°C (57-59°F) and air temperatures requiring jackets most days. Pack for cool weather everywhere, not just northern cities.
Booking accommodations in beach resort towns like Marbella, Benidorm, or small Costa Brava villages - many hotels, restaurants, and services close entirely from November through March, leaving you with limited options and a ghost-town atmosphere. Stick to year-round cities.
Underestimating how early attractions sell out - even with 50% fewer tourists than summer, the Alhambra, Sagrada Familia, and major museums still reach capacity. Showing up hoping to buy same-day tickets means disappointment or waiting until the next day.

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Weather and seasonal patterns for Spain

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