AI-generatedSan Sebastián at a glance
- Best time
- May – Oct
- Warmest month
- Aug · 23°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 22.4°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,850 h
- Rain a year
- 1,370 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 17 m
Climate in San Sebastián
San Sebastián has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 23 °C, while January is the coolest at 11 °C. With around 1,850 hours of sunshine a year, San Sebastián is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 6.6 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: May – October
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 14°
- Midday, 13:00: about 18°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 19°
- Evening, 20:00: about 17°
- Night, 23:00: about 16°
08:2019:27
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
What is the weather like in San Sebastián in October?
In October, San Sebastián is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 18.6 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 114 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 7 min08:20 – 19:27
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or more
- Wind
- 18 km/haverage daily peak
- Cloud cover
- 62 %on average
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snow
- Time zone
- UTC+2Europe/Madrid
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %28 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %32 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Wetsuit for longer swims
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sea temperature in San Sebastián
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 17.6 – 19.7 °C
Swimming season: Jul – Sep
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in San Sebastián ranges from 12.3 °C in February to 22.4 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from July to September.
From November to February the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 21.4 and 23.4 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 12.8° | 12.2° | 13.7° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 12.3° | 11.6° | 13.2° | cold |
| MarchMar | 12.6° | 11.9° | 13.2° | cold |
| AprilApr | 13.8° | 13.2° | 14.6° | cold |
| MayMay | 16.1° | 15.3° | 17.0° | cold |
| JuneJun | 19.4° | 18.2° | 20.5° | fresh |
| JulyJul | 21.5° | 20.3° | 23.0° | refreshing |
| AugustAug | 22.4° | 21.4° | 23.4° | refreshing |
| SeptemberSep | 21.1° | 19.9° | 22.0° | refreshing |
| OctoberOct | 18.6° | 17.6° | 19.7° | fresh |
| NovemberNov | 16.1° | 15.0° | 17.1° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 14.0° | 13.3° | 15.0° | cold |
Sunshine hours in San Sebastián
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 4.7 of 11.1 hours of daylight in San Sebastián, 42 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 5 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in San Sebastián
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 40 min
- Fair skin
- about 50 min
- Light brown skin
- about 70 min
- Olive skin
- about 90 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in San Sebastián: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, San Sebastián has about 14 rainy days with 114 mm of rain in total.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 20 | 11° | 7° | 12.8° | 3.1 h | 16 | 143 |
| FebruaryFeb | 30 | 12° | 7° | 12.3° | 4.0 h | 14 | 123 |
| MarchMar | 42 | 14° | 8° | 12.6° | 4.9 h | 15 | 115 |
| AprilApr | 51 | 15° | 9° | 13.8° | 5.5 h | 15 | 112 |
| MayMay | 64 | 18° | 12° | 16.1° | 6.2 h | 16 | 110 |
| JuneJun | 73 | 21° | 15° | 19.4° | 6.5 h | 13 | 90 |
| JulyJul | 74 | 22° | 17° | 21.5° | 6.6 h | 13 | 73 |
| AugustAug | 73 | 23° | 17° | 22.4° | 6.5 h | 13 | 81 |
| SeptemberSep | 72 | 22° | 16° | 21.1° | 6.2 h | 13 | 92 |
| OctoberOct | 65 | 19° | 14° | 18.6° | 4.7 h | 14 | 114 |
| NovemberNov | 34 | 14° | 10° | 16.1° | 3.4 h | 17 | 182 |
| DecemberDec | 26 | 12° | 7° | 14.0° | 3.0 h | 15 | 136 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)
43.31° N, 1.97° W · 17 m · Europe/Madrid
Best time to visit San Sebastián
The best time to visit San Sebastián is from May to October. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 22.4 °C. The wettest month is November with 182 mm of precipitation.
San Sebastián through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
San Sebastián in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 14–18 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 46 rainy days in all
San Sebastián in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 21–23 °C by day
- Sea 21 °C
- 7 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
San Sebastián in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 14–22 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 43 rainy days in all
San Sebastián in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 11–12 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 3 h of sun a day
- 46 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in San Sebastián for you.
Your best months: July – September
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
All year
12 or more rainy days
San Sebastián month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
20January11° · Sea 13° · 3 h
In January, San Sebastián is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 12.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 143 mm. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in January30February12° · Sea 12° · 4 h
In February, San Sebastián is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 12.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 123 mm. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in February42March14° · Sea 13° · 5 h
In March, San Sebastián is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 12.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 115 mm. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in March51April15° · Sea 14° · 6 h
In April, San Sebastián is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 13.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 112 mm. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in April64May18° · Sea 16° · 6 h
In May, San Sebastián is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 16.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 110 mm. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in May73June21° · Sea 19° · 7 h
In June, San Sebastián is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 19.4 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 90 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in June74July22° · Sea 22° · 7 h
In July, San Sebastián is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 21.5 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 73 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in July73August23° · Sea 22° · 7 h
In August, San Sebastián is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 22.4 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 81 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in August72September22° · Sea 21° · 6 h
In September, San Sebastián is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 21.1 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 92 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in September65October19° · Sea 19° · 5 h
In October, San Sebastián is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 18.6 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 114 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in October34November14° · Sea 16° · 3 h
In November, San Sebastián is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 16.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 17 days, adding up to 182 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in November26December12° · Sea 14° · 3 h
In December, San Sebastián is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 14.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 136 mm. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in San Sebastián.
San Sebastián in DecemberSan Sebastián compared
Put San Sebastián side by side with another destination.
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San Sebastián vs. Biarritz
In October Biarritz has the better holiday weather (score 70 vs. 65). During the day Biarritz is 1 °C warmer than San Sebastián. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | San Sebastián | Biarritz |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 65 | 70 |
| Daytime high | 19° | 20° |
| Sea | 19° | 19° |
| Sunshine | 5 h | 5 h |
| Rainy days | 14 | 12 |
| Best time | May – Oct | Jul – Aug |
Through the year
Spain in October: the best places
In October, San Sebastián ranks 18 of 23 destinations in this country.
- Puerto de la Cruz25°24°93
- 2Maspalomas25°23°93
- 3Costa Calma25°23°91
- 4Costa Adeje24°24°90
- 5Seville26°89
- 6Corralejo24°23°88
- 7Madrid20°86
- 8Valencia24°22°86
- 18San SebastiánThis page19°19°65
Planning a trip to San Sebastián
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 1 h 35 min
- Distance
- 910 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about San Sebastián
When is the best time to visit San Sebastián?
The best time to visit San Sebastián is from May to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in San Sebastián?
The sea temperature in San Sebastián ranges from 12.3 °C in February to 22.4 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from July to September.
Can you swim in San Sebastián in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 18.6 °C. Comfortable swimming is possible from July to September.
What is the warmest month in San Sebastián?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 23 °C and nights around 17 °C. January is the coolest month at 11 °C.
When does it rain most in San Sebastián?
The wettest month is November with 182 mm of precipitation. The driest month is July with 73 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does San Sebastián get?
San Sebastián gets around 1,850 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 6.6 hours a day; in December there are 3.0 hours a day.
What time zone is San Sebastián in?
San Sebastián uses the time zone Europe/Madrid: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to San Sebastián?
A nonstop flight from London to San Sebastián takes about 1 h 35 min, for a straight-line distance of about 910 km.
Near San Sebastián
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like San Sebastián
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to San Sebastián's – good alternatives.