San Sebastian Spain weather: a month-by-month guide

The short version of the san sebastián spain weather story is green, mild and changeable. Daytime highs climb steadily from 12°C in January to a summer plateau of 24°C in July and August, then ease back to 20°C in October and 14°C in December. Nights follow the same curve, from 6°C in midwinter to 17°C at the height of summer.

What sets the city apart from southern Spain is rainfall. Even the driest month, July, brings around 70mm across 12 wet days, while November peaks at 221mm over 17 days and January is close behind at 207mm. The climate data does not single out any month as clearly best, and treats every month as a shoulder month, which is a fair reflection: there is no truly dry season here, just warmer and cooler versions of the same Atlantic pattern.

If you are comparing package holidays, the deal buttons on this page let you set Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach side by side. Expect July and August, with the warmest weather and the English school holidays, to be the most sought-after weeks.

January to March is the coolest stretch, with highs of 12°C to 15°C, lows of 6°C to 8°C and plenty of rain: 207mm in January, 173mm in February and 17 wet days in March. This is museum and pintxo-bar weather, with San Telmo Museoa, the Aquarium and the Good Shepherd Cathedral all good bets when showers roll in.

April to June warms quickly, from 17°C to 22°C by day, and rainfall drops to between 112mm and 123mm a month, though wet days still number 14 to 16. June, with 22°C highs and 15°C nights, is a comfortable month for walking the promenade towards Miramar Palace or climbing to Motako Gaztelua. July and August are the warmest and driest, both at 24°C with 17°C nights and 12 wet days each; July is the least rainy month of the year at 70mm.

September holds on well at 23°C, and October still manages 20°C, both with 13 wet days, so early autumn is a strong choice for anyone who wants warmth without the August crowds. November turns sharply wetter, at 221mm over 17 days, and December settles at 14°C with 14 wet days.

Whatever the month, pack a compact umbrella and a light waterproof; with at least 12 wet days in every month, you will almost certainly use them. Comfortable shoes that cope with damp pavements are worth more than sandals for exploring the old town and the walk out to the Igeldo lighthouse.

For winter and early spring, think British autumn: a warm jumper, a proper coat for evenings around 6°C to 8°C, and layers for days that rarely pass 15°C. From late spring into summer, swap to light layers, swimwear for Ondarreta and Zurriola beaches, sun cream and a cardigan for 15°C to 17°C evenings. September and October call for a mix of both, as highs of 20°C to 23°C can turn cooler once the rain arrives.