The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in San Sebastián. Temperatures rise (18°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Expect rain on 40% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
May ranks 6 out of 12 months in San Sebastián. Compared to April: 5 pts fewer rainy days, +0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
6 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
comfortable
12°
Sea
17°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
14.5h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 30
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in San Sebastián is August (8.0/10), 3.5 pts higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · San Sebastián
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
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🎟️ Activities & tours · San Sebastián
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · Spain
🗣️LanguageSpanish
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.46°C/decade
🔥Hottest monthAugust · 24°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 12°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘNovember · 47%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is San Sebastián ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
SpainTemperate oceanic climate with a 8.0 → 1.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
43.32°N · 1.98°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit San Sebastián?
August is the best month with 24.0°C highs, 18.0°C lows, 6.7h of sunshine and 32.0% rainy days. The months of August & July offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does San Sebastián get in August?
San Sebastián averages 6.7 sunshine hours per day in August. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in San Sebastián?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in San Sebastián in August?
In August, overnight lows reach 18.0°C, while afternoon highs average 24.0°C.
Is San Sebastián good in winter?
In winter (December-February), San Sebastián scores 3.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains August with a score of 7.4/10.
When should you avoid San Sebastián?
January is the most difficult month to visit San Sebastián, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in San Sebastián in May?
In May, the sea averages 17°C in San Sebastián: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in San Sebastián in May?
The average UV index reaches 6 in May in San Sebastián (high), with about 14.5h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.