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Best time to visit San Sebastian: month by month
Short answer
June to September is the best time for the beach, with highs of roughly 22-25°C, but this is the green Basque Country and rain can fall in any month. Spring and autumn are milder and quieter, and winter is mild and wet, roughly 12-14°C, with cider house season. Figures are approximate averages; check a forecast before travelling.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11°C | 5°C | 16 | low |
| Feb | 14°C | 7°C | 13 | low |
| Mar | 16°C | 9°C | 16 | medium |
| Apr | 16°C | 9°C | 12 | medium |
| May | 19°C | 12°C | 16 | medium |
| Jun | 23°C | 16°C | 15 | high |
| Jul | 24°C | 17°C | 12 | very high |
| Aug | 24°C | 17°C | 13 | very high |
| Sep | 24°C | 16°C | 12 | high |
| Oct | 23°C | 15°C | 11 | medium |
| Nov | 15°C | 10°C | 22 | low |
| Dec | 15°C | 9°C | 15 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar-May)
Mild, roughly 15-20°C by day, with frequent rain and fresh green hills. Cider house season continues until April.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Warm, roughly 22-25°C, with the most beach days but still occasional rain. Jazzaldia in late July and Semana Grande in August.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
September is often sunny and warm; October and November turn wetter and cooler. Film Festival in September.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Mild but wet, roughly 12-14°C by day. Cider house season (txotx) from mid-January; storms bring big waves.
Events worth planning around
- Tamborrada, the drum festival of San Sebastián Day, 20 January
- Cider house season (txotx), mid-January to April
- Jazzaldia jazz festival, late July
- Semana Grande (Aste Nagusia), August, with fireworks over the bay
- San Sebastián International Film Festival, September
When to avoid
August and Film Festival week are the most crowded and expensive. Winter has the most rain, though it is mild.
Common questions
What is the best time to visit San Sebastián?
June to September for the beach, with September often sunny and less crowded than August.
Does it rain a lot in San Sebastián?
Yes, it is one of the rainier cities in Spain; bring a rain jacket in any season.
When is cider house season?
The txotx season runs from mid-January to April, though some cider houses open year-round.