Does it snow in Spain? Everything you need to know

Spain is one of my favorite places to visit and although it is known for its sunny summers, it does have different seasons and it can get freezing in certain areas. I have gone to Spain during the peak of wintertime and it does vary depending on the location. 

In this post, I am going to talk about where it snows in Spain and everything you need to know to prepare for your trip during winter time.

Does it snow in Spain? best places to visit for snowfall in Spain

Spain’s mountains are often the first place people think of when looking for snow in Spain. Many European ski resorts are located in the mountains of Spain! and receive an average annual snowfall of about 5 inches. 

In some of the bigger cities, you’ll only see flurries or light dustings every few years. it’s rarer to see snow in these cities than in other parts of Spain because their temperatures are so mild during winter when cold fronts come through from northern Europe.

If you are looking for snow in Spain, you will want to go to the following places:

The Pyrenees:

The Pyrenees is a small charming village that is located only about a 1-hour drive from Barcelona. If you are looking for a true winter vacation and want snow in Spain, I recommend going to the Pyrenees. 

This place is popular for its skiing, snowboarding, and hiking trails. This is a great area if you are looking to enjoy a bit of nature and the mountains. The weather does vary but during the December-January season, it can be an average of six degrees Fahrenheit, which are the coldest months in Spain.

The Pyrenees, which is one of the most popular mountainous regions in Spain, has snow for about 6 months. The season will start in October and end around March! But depending on the area, it might be warmer in some places or even colder with more snow!!

Sierra Nevada (Granada):

If you are looking for snow in Spain, this is the snowiest place you will be able to find. Located in the Andalucia province, Sierra Nevada is another winter wonderland. They are known to have one of the most important ski resorts in Europe with the third tallest mountain. 

You can get to Sierra Nevada via train or you can also rent a car. If it is snowing a lot, I recommend taking the train instead of a car! The conditions can get a bit icy and it can get dangerous.

Avila:

Located about 2 hours away from Madrid by train, Avila is truly a unique and incredible place to visit. One of the most famous and magnificent parts of the city is the medieval wall surrounding the city. 

There are so many incredible things to visit, from the wall, cathedrals, castled, etc. The most amazing view is during winter time. If you are looking for snow in Spain, you will be able to find a winter wonderland in Avila. 

The city looks incredibly covered in snow and if you are looking for a sightseeing trip during the winter, I recommend visiting vila. There will be plenty of snow days if you go between December – February! If you want a bit more adventure, there are also some fun activities to do nearby.

Lleida:

If you are looking for a new destination in Catalonia with plenty of snow and ski slopes, Lleida is a great place to visit. This city has many incredible characteristics including a park in the center of the city. 

During wintertime, you can find the city covered with snow and it is amazing walking through the park and the center. There are also a lot of hiking trails or fun excursions like dog sledding and snowmobiles.

Burgos:

Surrounded by the amazing Castilla fields and incredible sunsets! This small city has a lot of unique things to see, from the famous Santiago trail and the cathedral world heritage site. 

If you are looking to see snow in Spain, Burgos experiences snowfall between January and March. This small city offers the perfect snowy wonderland! You will be able to see the whole city covered in white. It is known to be one of the coldest places in Spain, so it is perfect if you are looking for a fun snow adventure.

Huesca:

Home to one of the most popular ski resorts in Spain. If you are looking for a fun ski trip, this will be a great place to visit. Not only will you enjoy spectacular slopes! There is also a lot of nightlife to enjoy. 

For a fun and more upbeat trip! Huesca will be a fun plan if you are looking for snow in Spain. There are a few ski resorts to visit, but the most popular is Formigal. This place has a unique atmosphere, while there is not much sightseeing to enjoy. You will have a blast during wintertime. 

Snow falls between November through March. If you are looking for the most snowfall then January would be the best time to visit and you can take advantage of the low season. It will be cheaper if you go at the end of January. 

Leon:

While it is not the #1  snowiest city in Spain, it is one of the top places to visit when looking for snow in Spain. You will experience a very cold winter in Leon with quite a few snowy days. 

Not only can you enjoy the winter wonderland, but Leon is a very important city due to its legendary history. You can enjoy a variety of sightseeing from cathedrals, palaces, museums, and the famous plaza.

If you want to experience the snowfall, the best time to visit is during January. That is when they experience the most snow days during the year.

Segovia:

Known for its famous aqueducts and medieval architecture. This city has a lot of unique things to see. Definitely, a great day trip if you are in Madrid, only a short 1-hour train ride!! 

While it does not snow during the whole winter season or as much as other cities mentioned. The cold season does last a few months! You can see the most snowfall at the end of January.

Soria:

A small town but one of the snowiest places in Spain. If you are looking for a true winter wonderland and want snow in Spain. Soria is definitely at the top of the list!

You can see the most snow during January and February! But it can snow up to Match, with plenty of cold fronts during the winter season. 

Does it snow in Madrid?

It has! Snow is not very common in Madrid. It does get very cold and you might see snow flurries or even a small amount of snow during the end of December or early January. 

If it does snow, it is usually not enough that you will see snow in the streets. There are times when it gets chilly and snow will accumulate. But it usually does not last very long! It is not the standard but it is also not uncommon.

How often does it snow in Madrid?

You will be able to see a little bit of snow for about 3 days out of the year. But it will not last very long and it is usually some snow flurries that you can see in the air. Winters in Madrid are cold and dry but not freezing.

Ski resorts near Madrid

There are a few ski resorts outside of Madrid, but you can enjoy different winter activities such as ice skating or tubing! If you do want to see snowfall or travel to a Ski resort, there are some places in the mountains nearby.

There are a lot of places to ski with plenty of snow in Spain. If you are planning a day trip, you can take a train from the city to the outside areas or you can spend the night at the ski resort. If you are looking to spend the least amount of $$$, a day trip will be the cheapest.

For a fun winter sports adventure I recommend the following Ski resorts:

La Pinilla Ski Resort:

Located in Segovia, La Pinilla ski resort is a great place if you are looking to spend your time skiing or snowboarding. While the mountain does have 24 trails, this mountain is catered towards intermediate or advanced! So if you have never gone to a ski resort, this mountain might be too experienced. 

There are many awesome activities such as Hiking trails, snowmobiles, etc. If you are looking for snow in Spain experience, the best time to come here would be the end of January or the beginning of February. 

The best way to get here is by taking a bus directly from Madrid or renting a car. There really isn’t a direct train for you to get to this station! But the bus will take less than 2 hours and it will cost you around $40 USD. 

The price for the ski pass is around $35 USD.

Navacerrada: 

Located in the community of Madrid, this is a ski resort where you can enjoy a variety of winter sports. Getting to this location is easiest by car, less than 1 hour away from the center of Madrid. You can take the metro from Madrid, but it will take you about 3 hours to get to the final stop. 

This ski resort has about 19 trails and it is great for Intermediate skiers or even beginners. If you want to travel during the winter peak, the best time to go would be the beginning of March. That is the snowiest time to visit for you to enjoy ay winter activities. 

The price for the ski pass is around $30 USD.

Valdesqui Ski Resort:

I would recommend this ski resort out of all the others. This ski resort is located in Madrid and it is the largest out of all the ones mentioned. The majority of the Ski slopes are for beginners, so this would be an awesome place if you are trying to ski for the first time. 

You can get to this location quite easily There is a Renfe train station nearby and get on a free shuttle if you are a skier or snowboarder. You can also get a bus to the mountain or rent a car! I always recommend using other methods instead of a car if you are not used to driving in the snow. The price for the ski pass is around $43 USD.

Does it snow in Barcelona?

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a coastal city with a Mediterranean climate. It doesn’t get much snowfall if at all. Barcelona has an oceanic climate: it’s warm year-round with hot summers and mild winters (depending on how far inland you go).

Barcelona winters are so mild that if you’re traveling from December through March then you will not have to layer up as much. There have been times where It does get a bit chilly during the winter and there are a few snow flurries, but it is rare.

Ski resorts near Barcelona to visit during the snow season

While snow does not fall in Barcelona during the peak of wintertime. There are a few areas near Barcelona where you can enjoy snow in Spain. The resorts are not located in Barcelona, but you can get there within a few short hours. 

Each resort is about 2 hours away, you can go during a day trip to save some $$. But you can also stay at the resorts, it will be an amazing winter experience. 

If you are trying to find a good ski resort, I recommend going to the following:

La Molina Ski Resort:

La Molina is a ski resort in the Pyrenees that is near Barcelona. It’s a popular ski resort for Catalans and it’s also a good place to go for a day trip from Barcelona.

It’s located about an hour south of Barcelona and it has a bus route that goes from the city. You will be able to get to the city in less than 3 hours. The resort has 15 lifts, 54 slopes, and good snow conditions.

The resort has two mountains, one for beginners and intermediates and another for advanced skiers. It also has a few other winter sports if you are not a big fan of the slopes!

The price for the ski pass is around $20 USD.

Port del Comte:

This ski resort is also located in the Pyrenees. Getting to this location is a bit longer if using a bus or train. It will take you around 3-4 hours on a bus or you can use a card and get there in less than 2 hours. 

This ski resort is great for any level of skier. They have a combination of Easy, Intermediate, and advanced slopes for everyone to enjoy. 

The price for the ski pass is around $40 USD.

Does it snow in Spain FAQs:

Yes! There are many places where it snows in Spain and you can enjoy a variety of winter sports and fun snow days. Although it does not snow everywhere! There are quite a few cities that do experience an abundance of snow during the winter time. 

If you are looking for some great places to ski and snowboard there are a lot of different resorts for you to visit and can even go for a day trip. If you are thinking about planning a trip to Spain click here for an awesome list of the best places to visit.

How often does it snow in Spain?

Snow in Spain is quite common! Many cities in Spain will experience some form of snowfall during the winter months. The city of Madrid and Barcelona are two of the most popular destinations for travelers and you will experience cold weather and might even see a few snow flurries depending on the month. 

There are two main seasons: winter (November through March) and spring (April through June). During this period, temperatures will often be below freezing. If you are looking for a snow adventure, the best time to visit would be in January or the beginning of February.

Things to do in winter in Spain

If you are looking for fun snow activities, skiing is a fun adventure and popular in the north of the country and on mountain peaks where there are plenty of natural terrains accessible by road or rail.

Here are some things to do to enjoy the wintertime:

Skiing/Snowboarding:

If you are looking for awesome ski slopes for some sun skiing or snowboarding. There are a few around Spain. If you are in Madrid or Barcelona you will be able to have a fun day trip and get to the location in 2 hours or less. 

If you are a beginner, make sure you go to a slope that is newbie friendly! Some places are for intermediate or advanced only. 

Snowshoeing:

This is a great winter exercise. If you love hiking and would like to experience hiking in the snow, this will be a fun experience for you. You will need special gear! Like snowshoes, poles, and special attire. 

Ice skating:

Ice skating can be found in a lot of the major cities. There does not need to be snow, just a good skating rink! Madrid has a few places around the city and so does Barcelona. Ice skating is a fun winter sport that anyone can enjoy especially kids. 

Snowmobile: 

This is one of my favorite snow activities! It can seem scary, so make sure you are doing it in the right place under supervision. But Snowmobiles are a great adventurous sport to do with snow. There are not many places that have snowmobiles, you will need to visit an area that has a lot of snow in Spain. 

Tubing:

If you are not into extreme sports like skiing or snowmobiles, tubing is for you! You will need to find a great place with lots of snow. But ty[pically all the ski resorts have an area for tubing. This activity is a blast for all ages! It is worth a try. 

Spain and it’s Climatic Beauty

You can enjoy all four seasons in Spain. The summers are very warm and the winters can get very cold depending on your area of Spain. 

A typical temperature range is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 – 24 degrees Celsius).

If you are looking for snow in Spain, the best time to visit is December to March. For a warmer temperature, May or September. The summers are quite hot, so these months would be the best times for warmer but not overly hot climates

The Iberian Peninsula

The weather in the Iberian Peninsula can vary depending on where you are as there are different climatic zones throughout the area. Spain is in this stunning peninsula and one of the best places if you are looking for a great snow season but also a warm climate in Spain for the summer. however, it only occupies about 80% of the Iberian Peninsula. There are other 4 European countries in the Iberian Peninsula; Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar, which technically is a Brish territory.

The mountain range that separates Spain from France, the Pyrenees, creates a significant barrier and boundary between the two countries.  Spain experiences a snow season, and the amount of snowfall depends on the region and altitude. The higher mountain regions can get a few hours of snow per day, which is awesome for the several ski resorts found in the mountainous areas nearby. These resorts are frequently visited during the winter months by tourists who come to go skiing and enjoy all other winter sports.

The beauty of this area is that you can also find beautiful beaches, and sunny days since the weather in Spain, or rather in the Iberian Peninsula is pretty diverse. It has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, characteristic of the oceanic zones like found in cities such as Barcelona, Cantabria, and Ibiza which are also famous for their sandy beaches. 

Nonetheless, This area can also have heavy snow during winter when people can enjoy winter activities in cities around northern Spain or in the areas mentioned before. The climate in Spain can be significantly changing you will find gorgeous winter scenery, caused by the heavy snowfall, little precipitation, and occasional blizzards. Also, when the climatic conditions get extremely cold, it is common to see frost in the high mountains or in the northern regions of Spain like The Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Good to Know Before You Go

Does it snow in the Iberian Peninsula?

Yes! It is common for this peninsula to keep the temperature low and receive much snowfall during winter. However, there are many other countries in Europe that experience heavier snowfall.

Does it snow everywhere in Spain?

No. Some cities like Barcelona, have a lower snow rate due to what is called the urban heat effect, which in short, the presence of asphalt and human activities keep a warmer environment. Although Spain does have more than 1 season, there are some cities in Spain where the weather can be more consistent throughout the year.

Which region in Spain is snowy?

Sierra Neva, in the south of Spain, and the Pyrenees are considered some of the most snowy regions in Spain.

Does it ever snow in Barcelona?

Yes, but it is considered really rare due to the urban heat effect, and its Mediterranean climate, both of which keep the city warm. If you are looking for a lot of snow, there are some areas outside of Barcelona that are not as far from the city. 

Does it ever snow in northern Madrid?

Although it is not common to experience very heavy snowfall, it is common to see snow flurries. There have been cases where it has snowed, but it is not typically the norm. 

Is Asturias different from Spain?

Asturias is an autonomous community in Spain. The climate in Asturias is not desert climate, they have a lot of rainy seasons throughout the year and do not experience much snowfall. The climate is not as cold, only in the mountain areas can it drop to zero degrees. Asturias is a great place to visit if you looking to have a great beach vacation. 

Last Tips

Usually, January is the coldest month and experiences low temperatures. The snowfall in Spain starts around mid-December, and the snow disappears between March and April. Spring and Fall in Spain are from March to June and September to November. Again, don’t forget that it has a warm summer continental climate with average temperatures of 83°F in June and 91°F in August in places like Madrid. If you are looking for different experiences from subtropical climate to warm-summer continental climate or extreme snowfall, there is so much to and places to explore.

Enjoy yourself as Spain has some of the most stunning European cities.

So have fun, drink some sangria, and eat some tapas!

Climate in Spain – Does it Snow in Spain?

Yes, it does! Although we know Spain for its warm weather, there are so many places where you can enjoy a true winter wonderland. From skiing resorts, ice skating, snowmobile, etc. There are many fun activities for you to enjoy. 

Although Barcelona and Spain are the most common spots, you will not be able to see as much snow. Instead, the Sierra Morena Mountains of Andalusia and the Picos de Europa National Park in Navarre boast some of the highest peaks in Spain and receive an average annual snowfall of about 5 inches.

If you are planning an awesome Europe trip, here is my amazing itinerary. If you want to enjoy snow in Spain. We recommend checking out the resorts mentioned and enjoying some fun adventures.