Granada features a Mediterranean-continental climate with hot, dry summers and cool, variable winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, scarce rainfall, and dramatic temperature swings between day and night. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, making them the best seasons to visit, while summer heat and winter chills are moderated by Granada’s elevation and mountain proximity.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Granada’s climate is shaped by its inland location at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, resulting in four distinct seasons and notable temperature contrasts. Summers (June–August) are hot and dry, with average highs reaching 34–36°C, and heatwaves occasionally pushing temperatures above 40°C. Despite the daytime heat, nights are relatively cool (15–20°C), thanks to the city’s elevation around 700 metres. July and August are the sunniest and driest months, with nearly 12 hours of sunshine per day and almost no rainfall. Humidity is low, making the heat more bearable, but midday sun can be intense.
Winters (December–February) are cool to cold, with average highs of 13–15°C and lows near 2–4°C. Frost is frequent, and snow falls 1–2 days per year, though a white blanket over the city is rare. Rainfall is scarce, but most common in winter, with January and February being the wettest months. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most pleasant seasons, with mild days (18–25°C), cool nights, and variable weather. These periods see more rain than summer but still enjoy long sunny days and blooming gardens or vibrant autumn foliage. Granada receives about 350 mm of rain annually and over 2,800 hours of sunshine, with significant daily temperature swings – sometimes over 20°C between day and night. Winds are generally light, but can be brisk during storms or when Atlantic fronts arrive.
| Average climate data for Granada, Spain | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 10 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 24 | 20 | 13 | 12 | 30 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 32 | 43 | 52 | 50 | 29 | 13 | 4 | 10 | 25 | 32 | 51 | 44 | 386 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 10 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 118 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 74 | 70 | 69 | 58 | 49 | 42 | 46 | 58 | 63 | 70 | 74 | 62 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 31 | 31 | 33 | 33 | 21 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 16 | 22 | 30 | 27 | 23 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
The best time to visit Granada is in spring (mid-April to mid-June) and autumn (mid-September to mid-October), when temperatures are mild (18–27°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events. These seasons offer ideal weather for sightseeing, enjoying gardens in bloom, and exploring the city’s historic sites without the extreme summer heat.
The least favourable time to visit is during the peak of summer (July–August), when daytime temperatures frequently exceed 36°C and sightseeing can be uncomfortable under the intense sun. Winter (December–February) is also less ideal for some, due to cold nights, frequent frost, and occasional rain, though it offers a quieter, more atmospheric city experience.
Granada has a Mediterranean-continental climate with hot, dry summers and cool, variable winters. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, with scarce rainfall and abundant sunshine most of the year.
Summer temperatures in Granada often reach 34–36°C, with heatwaves pushing highs above 40°C. However, nights are cooler (15–20°C) due to the city’s elevation and dry air.
Snow is not rare but usually light, falling 1–2 days per year. A white blanket over the city is uncommon, but the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains offer reliable snow and skiing in winter.
Rain is most common in winter (November–February), though annual rainfall is low at about 350 mm. Summer is very dry, with almost no rain from June to August.
Granada enjoys over 2,800 hours of sunshine annually. July and August are the sunniest months, with up to 12 hours of sunshine per day, while even winter offers 5 hours daily.
Pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a light jacket. For winter, a warm jumper and waterproof coat are useful for cold nights and occasional rain.
Granada is generally dry, with low humidity in summer and moderate humidity in winter. Winds are usually light, but can be brisk during storms or when Atlantic fronts arrive.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (30.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (9.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (17.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (2.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 9.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is March (52.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (4 mm). Over the whole year there are 386.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (16.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (3.8 days). Over the whole year there are 118.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (8.9 mm). The months with the least snowfall are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 15 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, July and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 2.1 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (73.9 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (41.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 62.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (9.6 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is September (6.2 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.8 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (33.5 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (8.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 22.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 11.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 7.1 h). Over the whole year there are 8.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 6). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.2.
