Barcelona vs Madrid: Weather & Climate Compared

The short answer

Barcelona takes the temperature crown. Averaged over all twelve months it runs 61°F (16°C), about 1.6°F (0.9°C) above Madrid's 60°F (15°C).

Head to head

• Sunshine: expect more blue sky in Barcelona - 10.2 sun hours a day on average, against 10.1 in Madrid.
• Rain: umbrellas get more use in Barcelona - about 82 wet days a year versus 72 in Madrid.
• Snow: only Madrid sees regular snowfall - roughly 1 days of it annually.
• Peak heat: Barcelona tops out in July (83°F (29°C) highs); Madrid peaks in July (94°F (34°C)).
• Coldest nights: winter bottoms out at 41°F (5°C) in Barcelona (January) and 34°F (1°C) in Madrid (January).

Who's warmer, month by month?

These two trade places through the year - Barcelona leads in 6 months, Madrid in 6, so the better-weather answer depends on when you ask. The starkest contrast comes in July, when Madrid runs about 10°F (6°C) warmer; March is the great equalizer.

Best months for sightseeing

Counting months with average highs between 64°F and 82°F (18-28°C) and fewer than 12 wet days:

• Barcelona: May, June, September, October (4 months)
• Madrid: April, May, September, October (4 months)

Both cities are at their most comfortable in May, September, October, the easiest window for a trip that takes in both.

Records, distance and time difference

• Barcelona records (2015-2024): high of 99° in July, low of 29° in January.
• Madrid records (2015-2024): high of 107° in August, low of 12° in January.
• Distance: Barcelona and Madrid are about 313 miles (504 km) apart as the crow flies.
• Time difference: the two cities share the same local time right now.