If there’s one thing that the summer season is synonymous with, it’s got to be sunshine. When dreaming of summer days ahead, thoughts of hot, sunny days will always be front and centre. Travelling to Spain in July is like visiting the land of the sun, with beautiful weather to be expected nearly every day.
Allow yourself to indulge in long summer days spent seaside or exploring ancient castles and plazas. Get happily lost amid the orange trees of the south and the winding city roads with restaurant patios calling your name. The summertime is to be enjoyed fully, and Spain in July is just the place to do it.
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Where to Go in Spain in July
Spain experiences a massive influx of visitors during July, and there’s an excellent reason for it: the weather is impeccable, and the experiences are just as good. When deciding where to go and what to do, you should make a checklist of the types of adventures and sights that interest you most.
Are you a history or art buff? Spain is resplendent with architecture that reflects its storied past. Cities like Seville and Málaga stand as testaments to time, where you’ll see Roman elements, Islamic structures, Moorish castles, and even more cultural influences that blend together to make Spain what it is today. Our 8-Day Highlights of Andalucia trip is a fantastic way to experience these sights.
Are you a sunseeker who’s keen on sunbathing? You’ll be happy to know that Spain is loaded with sandy beaches and water that’s ripe for jumping right into. You’ll feel completely at ease as you bask in the sun along the coasts, or on the Balearic or Canary islands. Our 11-Day Marvellous Mediterranean Summer trip might just be the perfect option for you!
Read on to find out more about these must-see regions and must-do experiences!
What to Do / Best Places to Visit / Unique Experiences
When you travel to Spain in July, you’re opening yourself up to a wide variety of activities. The fantastic summer weather makes for an easy and carefree holiday, as you need not worry about rain or poor weather marring an experience. From wine country in the north to the shimmering sea further south, all of Spain is at your fingertips.
Designer Journeys’ network of in-destination Local Designers will use their expert knowledge, local insight and travel planning skills to design your ultimate Spain experience. Begin designing your journey today!
Planning to Visit Spain in July?
Wine Country Escape
If you’re looking to let your tastebuds guide you while on holiday to Spain in July, look no further than wine country. Spain is the third-largest producer of wine across the world, with wineries spread across the entire country. While this makes for seemingly endless destination options, we recommend you travel to Rioja in northern Spain.
July is the perfect time to visit this world-famous wine region that’s existed since Roman times. Rioja has over 500 wineries and is known for its quality wines. You can even stay at hotels on the winery property, creating a truly indulgent, effortless, and delicious experience. Of course, you’ll want equally tasty pairings to go with your wine, and that is where pinchos come in (small morsels similar to tapas). Delicious gastronomy is the focus of our 7-Day Scrumptious North of Spain Tour trip.
As mouth-watering as Rioja is, the region also offers views of rolling green and golden fields and mountain backdrops, dotted with hidden villages and heaps of history. A visit to Rioja isn’t complete without visiting its ancient sites, including San Millán de la Cogolla’s monasteries, Yuso and Suso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sunny Beach Holiday
If you’re travelling to Spain in July, it’s a safe bet that you’re there to take advantage of the sunny skies and delightfully hot weather. There’s no better match for hot weather than refreshing dips in salty seas, and you’ve got plenty of worthy options when deciding which Spanish beaches to lie upon.
Visiting Barcelona will give you access to both city sites and beaches. You can stroll the Gothic Quarter in the morning, enjoy breakfast on one of Barcelona’s many patios, and then unwind at the beach under the hot midday sun. There’s a good reason why Spain in July is one of the most popular times to visit the country, but if the crowds of Barcelona aren’t to your tastes, you can still find a welcome beach respite further south.
Hop on a ferry and enjoy island life for a true summer feeling. The Balearic Islands, consisting of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, offer a beautiful summer adventure in the Meditteranean. You can swim, sail, snorkel, and soak up as much sun as you’d like. The islands will be buzzing with summer vibes, making them a popular and bustling destination. Ibiza and Mallorca will be the most lively, and Menorca and Formentera offer a little more quiet.
Historic and Architectural Discoveries
If you’re craving the summer heat and want to mix sun and sand with architectural marvels, the region of Andalucia is where you should head. Málaga is a city situated on Spain’s Costa del Sol, featuring sandy beaches and ancient Moorish architecture, like the Málaga Cathedral and the Alcazaba, a massive fortified palace.
A trip to Andalucia wouldn’t be complete without visiting its capital city, Seville. You’ll be in a heartland of passionate Spanish culture, experiencing traditional flamenco music and dance against a backdrop of Seville’s rich architectural history stemming from Moorish, Islamic, and Roman influences among others. Witnessing Seville’s Plaza de España and the Triana district is a must-see for anyone visiting Spain in July. Travelling to Seville is one of the highlights of our 5-Day History & Heritage of Andalusia trip.
Festivals / Special Events
The Festival of Santiago Apóstol
Known in English as Saint James Day, this festival celebrates the patron Saint of all of Spain. The best place to experience this lively festival is in the city of Santiago de Compostela, where the excitement lasts for 15 days.
Journey to the Galicia region in northern Spain to attend this celebration that has the whole city come alive and together in revelry. Religious aspects of the festival, like a grand mass held in the city’s ancient cathedral, are coupled with street performances, energising live music, parades, and fireworks.
A highlight of the festivities occurs on July 25th as the festival culminates in its most exciting display. Inside the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the botafumeiro (intricate metal censer hung from the ceiling) is swung through the cathedral, filling the space with the smell of incense. Outside, people gather in the Plaza del Obradoiro as light projections are cast upon the cathedral, creating a magical scene as fireworks erupt above.
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Grec Festival of Barcelona
Running for the entire month of July, the Grec Festival of Barcelona is a festival celebrating international theatre, dance, music, and circus performances. It’s named for the open-air theatre that acts as the festivals’ main venue, though shows are held at various locations throughout the city.
You’ll be swept up in the excitement as Barcelona welcomes and celebrates talents from all over the world. Each day you can experience a new art form, like German theatre or Portuguese dancing. It’s an eclectic and fun festival with something to everyone’s taste. And when speaking of taste, be sure to explore the vast array of food on offer in Barcelona, one of the highlights of our 4-Day Barcelona, A Modernist & Gastronomic City trip.
Córdoba Guitar Festival
If you’re a lover of music, you’ll be glad to head to Córdoba during your trip to Spain in July. Every year for the first two weeks of July, Córdoba transforms itself into a city-wide celebration of the guitar. Internationally recognized, the Córdoba Guitar Festival features two ways of celebrating the guitar: an instructional aspect and a performance aspect.
You can roam the cobblestone streets, stopping to learn about guitar making, as well as the various guitar music styles, like flamenco, classical, and ancient techniques. The performance aspect features guitar displays and concerts all over the city. You’ll be able to enjoy the sounds of expert and talented musicians as they perform in architectural wonders like the Castle of Christian Monarchs and Córdoba’s Royal Stables. You can sway and dance to the music in the warm summer heat, enjoying the long summer days to the fullest. Córdoba is just one of many stops along the way of our 13-Day Wonders of Spain trip.
Weather
When you travel to Spain in July you can safely assume what the daily weather report will be: hot, hot, hot. You’re in for a treat, with sunny skies being nearly guaranteed throughout the month and very little rain in sight.
Inland and southern regions will see the most heat. In Barcelona, you’ll see daily high averages of 29ºC and average lows around 23ºC, while things are hotter down south in Andalucia, which averages 31ºC as its daily high. If you head north to Rioja wine country, things get a bit cooler at an average of 26ºC as the daily high.
Overall, travelling to Spain in July means you’ll experience high heat and high humidity. You’re best off wearing light and loose clothing, and packing comfortable and walkable sandals for you to take in all of the incredible sights.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The currency used in Spain is the Euro. At the time of writing, $1 USD is equivalent to €0.95.
- Travelling to Spain in July is popular! Since it’s high season, you’ll want to book your stays and experiences in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.
- If you’re travelling from outside of the EU, you’ll need a short-stay visa. This is their general tourist visa which allows you to visit and travel throughout Spain for 90 days.
- Meals in Spain may be taken later than you’re used to! Generally, breakfast starts at 10 am, lunch is at 2-3 pm, and dinner goes on late into the evening.
- Tipping isn’t necessary in Spain, though it is highly appreciated – especially in tourist areas.
- Spanish is the main language in Spain, however, there are other languages spoken in their respective regions.
- We have a handy guide about all things Spain that you can check out here!
You won’t be disappointed by travelling to Spain in July. It’s a true summer holiday that will feel like you’re living in a post-card worthy oasis. Take in the ancient history of Spain’s culturally diverse architecture, unwind with world-renowned wine and food, and feel the warm hug of sea breezes as you dip your toes into the soft sand. You get to decide the type of adventures and experiences you’ll have, and our Local Designers in Spain make it so convenient to design the trip of your dreams. Connect with our Local Designers now to experience Spain the way you want to.
