Hot weather in Spain. Some notes about comfort and places to go to escape the heat.

Introduction: Did you know that most of Spain gets very hot in July and August. The exception is the northern coast and Galicia which  is the bit on the left next to Portugal.  Most people don't know that temperature is not the only factor which influences how comfortable it  is. Humidity and altitude are very important. I live at 1300 meters and many people think that it  would be hotter because it is closer to the sun but this is far from the truth. 

This article will attempt to explain how temperature, altitude and humidity influence the comfort level. Finally, we will look at the top 20 high altitude places which will not be too uncomfortable even in the height of summer.  

Comparing 30°C at the Coast vs 30°C in the Mountains (1300m)

Even if the temperature and humidity are the same, how 30°C feels at sea level compared to 1300 meters in the mountains can be surprisingly different. The key factors are air pressure, air density, and solar radiation.

Factor	Coast (Sea Level)	Mountains (1300m)
Air Pressure	~1013 hPa (standard atmospheric pressure)	~860–870 hPa (lower pressure)
Air Density	Denser air	Thinner air
Perceived Heat	Feels hotter and heavier	Feels lighter and more breathable
UV Radiation	Lower (more atmosphere above)	Higher (less filtering)
Sweating Efficiency	Less efficient — sweat evaporates slowly	More efficient — sweat evaporates quickly
Heat Retention	Air and surfaces stay warm longer	Cooler in the shade, faster heat loss after sunset

Summary

• At the coast: 30°C often feels hot, humid, and heavy. More intense discomfort, especially in still air.
• In the mountains: 30°C feels fresher, drier, and cooler in the shade. Sun feels stronger, but overall more comfortable.

Why high humidity is uncomfortable: The more humid the air is, the less comfortable it feels because high humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate from your skin. Sweating is your body’s natural way of cooling down. But when the air is already full of moisture, sweat doesn't evaporate efficiently, so your body struggles to release heat. This makes you feel hotter, stickier, and more tired, even if the actual temperature isn't very high.

Here's a list of 20 stunning places in Spain situated above 1,200 meters (3,937 feet), offering mountain scenery, unique culture, and outdoor adventures:

•  Sierra Nevada Ski Station (Sierra Nevada, Andalusia): (2,100m) Heart of Spain's highest ski resort & starting point for summer hikes in the national park.
• Trevélez (Sierra Nevada, Andalusia): (1,476m) Famous "highest village in mainland Spain" renowned for its air-cured ham.
• Capileira / Bubión / Pampaneira (Alpujarras, Sierra Nevada, Andalusia): (~1,300-1,450m) Picturesque white villages not far from Granada. 
• La Molina (Pyrenees, Catalonia): (1,700m - resort base) Major ski resort in the Catalan Pyrenees.
• Baqueira-Beret (Pyrenees, Catalonia/Aran Valley): (1,500m - resort base) Spain's largest & most prestigious ski resort.
• Boí Taüll (Pyrenees, Catalonia): (1,500m - resort base) Ski resort with access to the stunning Romanesque churches of the Vall de Boí (a UNESCO site).
• Nuria Valley (Pyrenees, Catalonia): (~2,000m) Remote, car-free valley accessible by rack railway or hike, with a sanctuary and hiking hub.
• Formigal (Pyrenees, Aragón): (1,500m - resort base) Large ski resort in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
• Candanchú (Pyrenees, Aragón): (1,520m - resort base) Spain's oldest ski resort, near the French border.
• Jaca (Pyrenees, Aragón): (820m city, but Canfranc International Station nearby sits at 1,195m just below threshold, while the ski resorts above it like Candanchú/Astún easily exceed it - included for proximity/base). Historic Pyrenean town near high mountains.
• Cerler (Pyrenees, Aragón): (1,500m - resort base) Charming village integrated with a modern ski resort.
• Riaño (León, Cantabrian Mountains): (~1,150m town, but the surrounding mountains & viewpoints like the Mirador de Valcayo far exceed 1,200m). Gateway to the stunning Riaño Reservoir and rugged Picos de Europa foothills.
• Potes (Cantabria, Picos de Europa): (~300m town, but the cable car to Fuente Dé starts nearby and ascends to 1,823m). Base for exploring the central massif.
• Fuente Dé Cable Car Top Station (Picos de Europa, Cantabria): (1,823m) Provides instant access to high mountain trails from the valley floor.
• Navacerrada Pass (Sierra de Guadarrama, Madrid/Castile and León): (1,858m) Major mountain pass with ski resort (Madrid's closest), hiking, and stunning views.
• Cotos Pass (Sierra de Guadarrama, Madrid): (1,830m) Another key pass, starting point for hikes to Peñalara (highest in the range).
• La Pinilla (Sierra de Ayllón, Castile and León): (1,800m - resort base) Ski resort south of Segovia.
• Gredos Circo (Sierra de Gredos, Castile and León): (The Plataforma de Gredos trailhead is ~1,750m, the circo itself ~2,000m). Iconic glacial cirque and lagoon (Laguna Grande de Gredos).
• Cuenca (Castilla-La Mancha): (~1,000m city, but the Enchanted City (Ciudad Encantada) rock formations are at ~1,300m). Unique geological site near the historic city.
• Ronda (Andalusia): (~750m town center, but the surrounding Serranía de Ronda plateau and viewpoints easily exceed 1,200m). Dramatic clifftop town with deep gorge, base for high mountain exploration.

Important Notes:

• Altitude Ranges: Some entries are specific high points (like passes, stations), while others are villages/towns or resorts where the inhabited center is above 1,200m, or act as direct gateways to terrain significantly above 1,200m.
• Microclimates: Expect cooler temperatures, especially at night, even in summer. Weather can change rapidly.
• Accessibility: Some remote villages or high passes may have seasonal road closures (snow). Always check conditions before traveling, especially outside summer.
• Activities: These locations offer hiking, climbing, skiing, mountain biking, wildlife watching, and experiencing unique mountain culture and cuisine.

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Last Modified on June 1st, 2025
Created on June 1st, 2025
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