Best time to visit San Sebastian

The best time to visit San Sebastian for a beach holiday is during the summer months of July and August.

However, anytime from late-June to mid-September is good for general outdoor activities.


San Sebastian weather

San Sebastian has a temperate oceanic climate with warm summers and cold, wet winters.

Located on the northern coast of Spain, in the northeast part of the Basque Country at the northwest end of the Pyrenees mountains, San Sebastian experiences cloudy and overcast conditions with rainfall throughout the year.

What is the best month to visit San Sebastian?
July and August are the best months to visit San Sebastian – the weather is warm and sunny with little or no rainfall.

However, the months of June and September are also good for a range of outdoor activities.

Which is the hottest month in San Sebastian?
The warmest month in San Sebastian is usually August, with an average high temperature of 24°C (75°F), with low heat and humidity, and a night-time low of 17°C (62°F).

The warm season lasts from mid-June to late-September, with an average daily high temperature above 22°C (71°F).

However, on the warmest days of summer, the temperature may reach a high of 33°C (91°F).

Which is the coldest month in San Sebastian?
The coldest month in San Sebastian is usually January, with an average low of 5°C (41°F) and high of 12°C (53°F).

The cool season lasts from late-November to mid-March, with an average daily high temperature below 15°C (59°F).

Which is the sunniest month in San Sebastian?
The sunniest month in San Sebastian is July, with 6.5 hours of sunshine per day; that's around 42% of daylight hours.

The sunniest months of the year are May, June, July, August and September.

What is the humidity in San Sebastian?
San Sebastian experiences seasonal variation in perceived humidity, with approximate average relative humidity calculated at between 72% – 77% over the course of the year.

The more humid time of year lasts from July through to mid-September, when you can expect the comfort level to be muggy at least 7% of the time.

The month with the most muggy days in San Sebastian is August, with around seven days that are muggy.

We derive the humidity comfort level from the dew point temperature, which measures moisture content in the air. A higher dew point feels muggy and uncomfortable.

October through May is generally comfortable, with no days in any month that are muggy.

When is the sea warmest in San Sebastian?
The sea is usually at its warmest in San Sebastian in August, with an average water temperature of 22°C (71°F), which is cool for swimming.

The sea in San Sebastian is mainly cold even in summer.

Which month has the most rain in San Sebastian?
November is usually the wettest month in San Sebastian with an average rainfall of 170mm (6in). There are normally 13 days in November with some rain.

San Sebastian receives rain showers throughout the year. September through to May is the wettest time of year, with a greater than 27% chance of a given day being a wet day.

The less-rainy season lasts from April to mid-September.

What are the windiest months in San Sebastian?
The windiest month in San Sebastian is December, with an average hourly wind speed of 16 kilometres per hour (9 knots; 11 mph).

The windy part of the year lasts from mid-October through April, with average wind speeds of more than 13.4 kilometres per hour (7 knots; 9 mph).

The calmer time of year lasts from May through to mid-October. The month with the least amount of wind month of the year in San Sebastian is August, with an average hourly wind speed of 10.7 kilometres per hour (6 knots; 8 mph).

The predominant average hourly wind direction in San Sebastian varies throughout the year.


San Sebastian Weather Averages

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average high temperature (°C)
12 13 15 17 19 22 24 24 23 19 16 13
Average low temperature (°C)
5 6 7 9 12 15 17 17 15 12 9 6
Average daily sunshine (hrs)
3 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 6 4 3 3
Average daily daylight (hrs)
9 10 12 13 14 15 15 14 12 11 10 9
Comfort level
Cold, no heat & humidity Cold, no heat & humidity No heat & humidity No heat & humidity No heat & humidity Low heat & humidity icon Low heat & humidity icon Low heat & humidity icon Low heat & humidity icon No heat & humidity No heat & humidity Cold, no heat & humidity
Average relative humidity (%)
77 74 72 75 76 77 77 78 75 75 76 77
UV Index (max)
1 2 4 6 7 8 8 7 5 4 2 1
Average days of rainfall (≥1mm)
13 12 12 14 12 11 10 11 10 12 13 13
Average monthly rainfall (mm)
140 110 115 140 120 90 85 115 110 160 170 150
Average wind speed (km/h)
16 15 14 14 12 11 11 11 12 14 15 16
Average sea temperature (°C)
13 12 12 13 15 18 21 22 20 18 15 13
San Sebastian, Spain

Holiday seasons

Peak season: August is the major vacation month for most Europeans, with many hotels booked out and traffic, restaurants and beaches at their most congested.

High season: June and July. Not quite as bad as August for crowds.

Low season: Winter, spring and autumn when prices are competitive with minimal foreign visitors or Spanish tourists.


Source: Meteorological data for San Sebastian is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) – Spain's meteorological agency – from the nearest weather station: San Sebastián Airport (EAS), located 22km (13mi) east of San Sebastian.

Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.


More about San Sebastian…


Latest update: Best time to visit San Sebastian: 11 May, 2024


Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.



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