Spring is one of Spain’s busiest travel seasons, which means it pays to think ahead. Major events can send hotel rates soaring, and small towns that draw visitors for their annual festivals often have only a handful of places to stay, which disappear quickly as the dates get closer. If you’re already mapping out next year’s trip, these are the events, destinations, and highlights to flag now so you’re not stuck piecing things together at the last minute.
Three Can’t-Miss Springtime Traditions
When spring is in the air, going off to Spain could be a great thing to do. Here are some wonderful things to do in Spain during springtime.
Las Fallas
Valencia’s most famous annual event begins with small neighborhood displays that grow bigger each week in March. The climax is La Cremà, when dozens of giant statues crafted from wood, cardboard, and other materials are set on fire in a coordinated citywide burn. There are firework shows nearly every day and night, and the entire month is packed with parades, concerts, and street parties that go late into the evening. If you want to be in the center of the action, booking your hotel now is a smart way to beat the crowds.
Feria de Abril
Two weeks after Semana Santa, Seville throws a week-long celebration of food, drinks, and dancing. Families, groups of friends, and companies host casetas — striped tents that line the fairgrounds, where you’ll find flamenco performances, traditional music, and plenty of eating and drinking. Daytime brings horse parades and riders in traditional dress, while evenings stretch late into the night with a lively party atmosphere. It’s one of the best ways to experience Andalusian culture, but it takes some planning: many casetas are private and require an invitation, and most hotels sell out far in advance.
Patios Festival
Córdoba is colorful year-round, but in May, residents open their private courtyards to the public for a two-week special event. Geraniums, jasmine, and carnations cover the town’s whitewashed walls, and visitors can step inside each home to see them up close. The city also runs concerts, and you’ll find plenty of wine tastings and other cultural events around town. While the event certainly draws a big crowd, unlike some of Spain’s larger festivals, this one is easy to experience at your own pace — you can stroll between patios, take photos, and enjoy the slower pace of the city. Just make sure to book your train tickets in advance, as this is the time of year that Córdoba sees its biggest surge of visitors.
Three Must-See Natural Beauties
Natural beauties are all around. Three must-see places you need to add to your list.
Almond Blossoms in Mallorca
From late February into March, Mallorca’s almond trees are covered in blossoms, especially in the valleys near the island’s center. Towns hold small fairs celebrating the season, where you can sample a variety of almond-based pastries and shop local crafts. Booking flights for an early spring trip not only means saving a few bucks, but it also means you’ll get your trip in before the island shifts into the busy season.
Jerte Valley Cherry Blossoms
In late March and early April, more than a million cherry trees bloom across the Jerte Valley in northern Extremadura. The season lasts only a couple of weeks, and small towns in the area run local festivals with food, music, and markets. Because the exact timing of the bloom is dependent on weather and shifts each year, it’s worth planning ahead now so you can keep your schedule flexible and adjust if peak season comes earlier or later than expected.
Wildflower Fields in La Mancha
April and May bring bright patches of poppies, lavender, and other wildflowers across the southern Spanish countryside. In La Mancha, the backdrop of the region’s traditional windmills and wide open plains offer great views and spontaneous photo stops. This isn’t a set festival — just the best time of year to explore on your own and take detours off the main roads. Still, you should plan to lock down your rental car early, as supply usually becomes limited once spring weekends get closer.
Three Sunny Escapes
Here are some sunny places to head while it is cold.
Costa de la Luz
Stretching along Spain’s southwest Atlantic coast, Costa de la Luz is full of sandy beaches and small fishing towns that feel different from the Mediterranean coast. Tarifa is a hub for kitesurfers, Cádiz is known for its old port and seafood scene, and small towns such as El Palmar de Vejer or Zahara de los Atunes are especially enjoyable in the springtime before the summer crowds arrive. By April, the weather is usually warm enough for the beach but still comfortable for walking through old town centers or spending time in the surrounding countryside. Hotels are easier to find now than later in the season, so booking ahead gives you more choice and better prices.
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are Spain’s most reliable year-round destination, but the spring months show off their hiking trails and volcanic scenery without the headache of peak-season crowds. In Tenerife you can explore Teide National Park and black-sand beaches, while Gran Canaria offers the Maspalomas sand dunes. Flights from mainland Spain are quick, frequent, and cheap, making a trip to the Canaries in the spring a great idea for anyone looking to get a jumpstart on summer.
Formentera
The Balearic island of Formentera is also at its best in the spring. Ferries from Ibiza run regularly, restaurants are open, and the island is calm enough to explore in a single day. While the water might still be cold, the temperatures are usually warm enough for a day at the beach, and you’ll have plenty of space to check out the many small villages inland without dealing with summer traffic. Still, making travel plans early makes sense, since the island has fewer hotels than its more popular neighbors.
Spring in Spain is always a good idea, with something happening in nearly every corner of the country. Festivals, flower blooms, and the first chance to hit the beach without the summer crowds make it one of the best seasons to visit — and planning next year’s trip now means lower prices, better availability, and more control over your itinerary.
Emily is a freelance writer who has been traveling full-time for over five years She has visited dozens of countries but can often be found in Spain and Mexico. In her Substack, Extracurricular Pursuits, she shares personal essays and travel stories that document the quirks, chaos and realities of living abroad.