Costa Dorada weather by month

When to go to Costa Dorada

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: June, July, August, September. September is the wettest month (74 mm, about 9 rainy days) and July the driest (21 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 26.0°C and coolest in February at 12.9°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Reus Airport (REU, 8 km from Salou) takes roughly 2 h 12 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Madrid.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Costa Dorada between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.1°C on 27 August 2010; the coldest fell to -3.0°C on 25 December 2001. In July one day in ten tops 31.7°C and about 40% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 1.9°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 2018 with 212 mm, against a October average of 72 mm.

Winter and spring: layers first, beach weather later

December and January average 13°C by day and 6°C at night, so bring a proper jacket rather than relying on a light cover-up. February edges up to 14°C, but the sea remains cold. March feels more promising for time outdoors at 17°C, although evenings still call for warm layers. April reaches 19°C, making it comfortable for walking without summer heat; the catch is that it averages more rainy days than the surrounding spring months, so keep plans flexible. May is the better compromise if you want warmth without hot afternoons: days average 22°C, but the sea is only 18°C. That suits travellers happy to spend time by the water without expecting every swim to feel comfortable.

Summer: the strongest choice for swimming and sunshine

June brings a useful balance: daytime averages of 26°C, sea temperatures of 22°C and cooler evenings than later in summer. July is the hottest and driest month, with around 10 hours of sunshine and 4 rainy days on average. It suits travellers prioritising beach time, though shade and a break from activity around midday are sensible. August stays similarly hot, but its warmer sea, averaging 26°C, is the main advantage for swimming. The trade-off is more rainy days than July and nights around 21°C, so lightweight clothing matters after sunset too. Choose June if heat is a concern, or July and August if warm water matters more.

Autumn: warm water lingers, but rain becomes a catch

September still feels summery by day at 26°C, and the sea averages 24°C, making it a good choice for swimming without July's daytime heat. The catch is rain: it is the wettest month and averages 9 rainy days, so avoid building every day around dry weather. October is milder at 22°C, with the sea holding at 21°C; it can suit a mixed holiday of swimming and time outdoors, provided you pack layers for evenings. By November, daytime averages fall to 17°C and nights to 10°C. That is a clear shift away from reliable beach warmth, though it remains an option for travellers comfortable with cooler days.