Weather in Andalucia in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Andalucia. Within Spain it is 35th of 87 (Spain in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Andalucia is 5.8°C warmer by day and 6.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Andalucia peaks at 22.4°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 26.5°C or more. Roughly 1 in 5 days top 25°C and 1 in 29 pass 30°C. Nights average 14.7°C; one night in ten drops to 11.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 39.8°C (2015-05-13) and the coldest night 4.6°C (2018-05-02).

Rain in May

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 5 days with 1 mm or more, 28 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 1996 with 138 mm, the driest 1991 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 66%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 17.3°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 16.6°C to 18.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (23.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 8.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 14.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:15 and sets about 21:26 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 38%.

Is May a good time to visit Andalucia?

It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Andalucia on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Warm days, with hotter spells possible

Expect weather that generally suits walking and spending time outside, rather than planning everything around shade. Days reach 25°C about 21% of the time, while 30°C is much less common at 4%. That makes May a reasonable choice if you dislike strong heat, although warmer spells can still make midday feel tiring. Keep more energetic plans flexible and take a break in the shade when needed. Evenings need a different approach: the coolest nights can fall to around 12°C or below, so a light jumper or jacket is worth packing alongside your daytime clothes.

Plenty of daylight, but allow for rain

With about 8.7 hours of sunshine within 14 hours of daylight, May gives you plenty of scope to spend time outdoors and leave plans flexible. There is no need to fit everything into the middle of the day, which helps when the weather turns warmer. Rain is still part of the picture, with about 5 rainy days during the month, so do not treat a dry holiday as guaranteed. A light waterproof is a practical addition to your bag. Keep some plans easy to rearrange, and pack sunglasses and sun protection as well as something for a damp afternoon.

Better for time by the sea than long swims

The sea is the main limitation if swimming is central to your holiday. Its May average is 17.3°C, with a year-to-year range of 17°C to 18°C, so you should expect cold water rather than a comfortable swim. Warm air and sunshine do not mean the sea has caught up. May therefore suits travellers who are happy spending time beside the water without needing to stay in it for long. If you are sensitive to cold water, do not make sea swimming the deciding attraction; judge the month on its comfortable daytime warmth and long daylight instead.