Things to Do in Spain in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Spain
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Nearly perfect temperatures for walking cities - daytime highs around 24°C (75°F) mean you can comfortably explore Madrid or Seville for 6-8 hours without overheating, unlike the brutal 38°C (100°F) summers when locals hide indoors between 2-6pm
- Shoulder season pricing drops accommodation costs 30-40% compared to peak summer - a decent three-star hotel in Barcelona that costs €180 in July runs €110-120 in May, and flight prices from the US typically drop €150-200 per ticket
- Spring produce hits markets at peak quality - white asparagus season in Navarra, strawberries from Huelva, artichokes in Valencia, and the tail end of orange season means you're eating Spain at its absolute freshest
- Longer daylight without summer's intensity - sunset around 9:15pm gives you extended evening hours for terrace dining and paseos, but morning temps around 11-13°C (52-55°F) mean you can actually sleep without air conditioning cranked to maximum
Considerations
- Unpredictable weather swings require layered packing - you might need a sweater at 9am when it's 13°C (55°F), shorts by 2pm at 24°C (75°F), then a light jacket again by 10pm. Those 10 rainy days are scattered randomly, not predictable weekend vs weekday patterns
- Major festivals cluster in other months - you'll miss Semana Santa (March-April), summer music festivals, and fall harvest celebrations. May is actually pretty quiet on the festival calendar outside a few regional events
- Northern coast stays genuinely chilly and wet - San Sebastian and Bilbao average 15-18°C (59-64°F) with frequent drizzle. If you're planning a Basque Country trip expecting Mediterranean warmth, you'll be disappointed and underpacked
Best Activities in May
Camino de Santiago Walking Routes
May offers ideal conditions for the pilgrimage routes - temperatures in the 18-22°C (64-72°F) range during the day make for comfortable 20-25 km (12-15 mile) walking days without the July heat exhaustion risk. The Camino Frances sees moderate crowds now, not the shoulder-to-shoulder summer masses. Wildflowers bloom across Galician meadows, and albergues are open but not packed. The occasional rain shower actually feels refreshing rather than miserable, and morning mist in the mountains creates genuinely atmospheric walking conditions.
Andalusian White Village Hiking
The Pueblos Blancos region around Ronda and Grazalema hits peak hiking season in May before summer heat makes trails genuinely dangerous. Temperatures in mountain villages stay around 20-23°C (68-73°F), wildflowers cover hillsides, and rivers still run from spring melt. The Garganta Verde gorge trail and Pinsapar forest routes are accessible without winter mud but before summer drought. You'll encounter mostly Spanish hikers doing weekend trips, not tour groups. Morning starts around 8am give you cool conditions for the first 3-4 hours of climbing.
Madrid Museum Marathon Days
May weather makes Madrid's museum triangle actually pleasant - you can walk the 1.2 km (0.75 miles) between Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza without melting. Crowds thin out after Easter week tourists leave but before summer vacation masses arrive. The Prado's free evening hours (6-8pm weekdays) mean shorter lines, and Retiro Park next door is perfect for 5pm breaks between museums when you need fresh air. Spring light through the Reina Sofia's glass atrium is genuinely better than winter gloom or summer glare.
Barcelona Modernisme Architecture Walking
May offers comfortable temperatures for 4-5 hour walking tours through Eixample's Modernisme district without the 32°C (90°F) summer heat that makes afternoon walks miserable. Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, and La Pedrera all have better natural light in spring than winter for photography. The 70% humidity sounds high but feels manageable at 24°C (75°F) - you'll want breathable clothing but won't be drenched in sweat. Park Guell's outdoor terraces are actually enjoyable in May rather than brutally exposed sun traps.
Rioja Wine Region Cycling Tours
May hits the sweet spot for Rioja cycling - vineyards show bright green new growth, temperatures stay around 20-24°C (68-75°F) for comfortable riding, and bodegas aren't yet packed with summer tour groups. The 25-35 km (15-22 mile) routes between Haro, Laguardia, and Briones pass through rolling hills that are challenging but not brutal in this weather. You'll see actual vineyard work happening - pruning, canopy management - rather than just tourist-ready scenery. Evening temperatures around 15°C (59°F) make terrace dining at wineries genuinely pleasant.
Valencia City Beach Combination Days
Valencia's unique advantage in May is genuinely comfortable beach weather - 23-25°C (73-77°F) air temps and 19°C (66°F) water means you can actually swim without a wetsuit, unlike Barcelona's still-cold 17°C (63°F) water. The 3 km (1.9 mile) beachfront connects directly to the City of Arts and Sciences via bike paths, making morning beach and afternoon culture days actually practical. Crowds stay local-heavy rather than tourist-dominated, and beach restaurants serve lunch menus for €12-15 that summer tourists pay €25 for. The UV index of 8 requires real sun protection but isn't the brutal 10+ of July-August.
May Events & Festivals
Feria de Cordoba
Cordoba's spring fair typically runs late May and rivals Seville's more famous April fair with less tourist chaos. Locals dress in traditional flamenco attire, casetas serve fino sherry and fried fish, and the fairground lights up along the Guadalquivir River. Unlike Seville's fair where many casetas are private, Cordoba's tend to be more accessible to visitors. You'll see actual locals celebrating rather than performing for tourists. Evening is when the fair truly activates - arrive after 10pm for the full atmosphere.
Patios de Cordoba Festival
The first two weeks of May bring Cordoba's famous patio competition when residents open their flower-filled courtyards to visitors. These aren't tourist attractions - they're actual homes decorated with hundreds of potted geraniums, jasmine, and carnations in traditional Andalusian style. The festival creates a rare opportunity to see private spaces normally closed to outsiders. Peak visiting hours are 11am-2pm and 6-10pm when patios are officially open. Crowds cluster around the most famous patios, but wandering side streets in the Alcazar Viejo neighborhood reveals quieter gems.
San Isidro Festival Madrid
Madrid's patron saint festival around May 15th brings traditional celebrations to Pradera de San Isidro park - locals in traditional chulapo dress, outdoor concerts, bullfighting season kicks off at Las Ventas, and rosquillas (ring-shaped pastries) appear in every bakery. It's genuinely local rather than tourist-oriented, which means events are in Spanish and crowds are Madrid families having picnics. The bullfighting is controversial and not for everyone, but the festival represents authentic Madrid culture if you're interested in seeing how locals celebrate rather than manufactured tourist events.