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Tarragona sits on Spain’s Costa Daurada, 100km southwest of Barcelona, with a classic Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters.. For more detail, see our best time to visit Tarragona. The city averages 2,600 sunshine hours per year and 500mm of annual rainfall concentrated between September and November. Sea temperatures range from 13°C (55°F) in February to 26°C (79°F) in August, making swimming viable from June through early October.
Tarragona Weather: Monthly Breakdown
Tarragona’s weather follows a predictable Mediterranean rhythm: eight warm-to-hot months from April through November, with July and August peaking above 30°C (86°F), and four mild winter months where daytime highs still reach 14-16°C (57-61°F).. For more detail, see our things to do in Tarragona. The sea moderates extreme temperatures year-round, keeping winters warmer and summers more bearable than inland cities like Lleida or Zaragoza.
| Month | Avg High (°C/°F) | Avg Low (°C/°F) | Rainfall (mm) | Rain Days | Sea Temp (°C) | Sun Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14 / 57 | 4 / 39 | 32 | 4 | 14 | 5 |
| February | 15 / 59 | 5 / 41 | 24 | 4 | 13 | 6 |
| March | 17 / 63 | 7 / 45 | 33 | 4 | 14 | 7 |
| April | 19 / 66 | 9 / 48 | 42 | 6 | 15 | 8 |
| May | 22 / 72 | 12 / 54 | 47 | 6 | 18 | 9 |
| June | 26 / 79 | 17 / 63 | 24 | 3 | 21 | 10 |
| July | 29 / 84 | 20 / 68 | 13 | 2 | 24 | 11 |
| August | 30 / 86 | 21 / 70 | 34 | 4 | 26 | 10 |
| September | 27 / 81 | 18 / 64 | 63 | 5 | 24 | 8 |
| October | 23 / 73 | 13 / 55 | 76 | 7 | 21 | 6 |
| November | 18 / 64 | 8 / 46 | 56 | 5 | 18 | 5 |
| December | 15 / 59 | 5 / 41 | 36 | 5 | 15 | 5 |
Tarragona Weather in Winter (December to February)
Winters in Tarragona are mild by European standards, with daytime temperatures hovering around 14-15°C (57-59°F) and nights dropping to 4-5°C (39-41°F).. For more detail, see our Tarragona events and festivals. January is the coldest month but still delivers 5 hours of daily sunshine. Rainfall is moderate at 24-36mm per month across 4-5 rain days. Snow is virtually unknown at sea level; you’ll need to head to the Pyrenees, about 3 hours north. The Roman ruins are uncrowded in winter and the low-angle sunlight makes for excellent photography at the amphitheatre. Pack a warm jacket for evenings and a waterproof layer for occasional showers.
Tarragona Weather in Spring (March to May)
Spring is Tarragona’s most comfortable season.. For more detail, see our Tarragona neighborhoods guide. March starts at 17°C (63°F) and by late May daytime highs reach 22°C (72°F) with overnight lows climbing from 7°C to 12°C (45-54°F). April and May each see about 6 rain days, but showers tend to be brief afternoon events rather than all-day soaks. The sea warms slowly, reaching 18°C (64°F) by late May, still cool for swimming but fine for watersports in a wetsuit. May is when the Tarraco Viva Roman festival takes over the city, and the weather is ideal for walking the archaeological route. Sunshine increases from 7 to 9 hours daily across the season.
Tarragona Weather in Summer (June to August)
Summer is hot and dry, with July and August averaging 29-30°C (84-86°F) and occasionally reaching 35°C (95°F) during heatwaves.. For more detail, see our where to stay in Tarragona. Humidity stays manageable thanks to the sea breeze (the “marinada”) that picks up most afternoons around 2pm. June is the driest month with just 24mm of rain over 3 days. July averages a mere 13mm, often with no rain at all. The sea reaches a peak 26°C (79°F) in August, making it the best month for swimming. Expect 10-11 hours of daily sunshine and UV indices of 8-9, so sunscreen and a hat are essential for exploring the Roman ruins which have limited shade. The city beaches, especially Platja del Miracle and Platja de l’Arrabassada, fill up with locals and Barcelona day-trippers, but they are less crowded than Costa Brava beaches further north.
Tarragona Weather in Autumn (September to November)
September remains summer-warm at 27°C (81°F) and the sea holds at 24°C (75°F), making the first two weeks excellent for beach holidays without July’s crowds.. For more detail, see our Tarragona travel tips. But this is also when the weather turns: September brings 63mm of rain over 5 days and October is Tarragona’s wettest month at 76mm across 7 rain days. These autumn rains can arrive as heavy Mediterranean downpours, sometimes causing localised flooding in low-lying areas. By November, temperatures drop to 18°C (64°F) daytime and 8°C (46°F) at night. The Santa Tecla festival in mid-September is the city’s biggest event and usually enjoys warm, dry conditions, though an evening shower is always possible.
