AI-generatedSantander at a glance
- Best time
- May – Oct
- Warmest month
- Aug · 24°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 21.7°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,730 h
- Rain a year
- 1,155 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 1 m
Climate in Santander
Santander has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. August is the warmest month with average highs of 24 °C, while January is the coolest at 12 °C. With around 1,730 hours of sunshine a year, Santander is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 6.3 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 19°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 20°
- Evening, 20:00: about 18°
- Night, 23:00: about 16°
08:2819:34
Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 08:10–09:06 · evening 18:55–19:52
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:59–08:10 · evening 19:52–20:03
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Santander in October?
In October, Santander is mild: daytime highs average 20 °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 13 rainy days and 101 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Santander.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 6 min08:28 – 19:34
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 19 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 62 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+2Europe/Madrid
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %25 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %39 %
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 Santander
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 17.6 – 19.4 °C
Swimming season: Jul – Sep
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Santander ranges from 12.7 °C in February to 21.7 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from July to September.
From November to January 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 20.7 and 22.4 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 13.2° | 12.7° | 14.0° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 12.7° | 12.2° | 13.4° | cold |
| MarchMar | 12.7° | 12.2° | 13.3° | cold |
| AprilApr | 13.5° | 13.0° | 14.3° | cold |
| MayMay | 15.2° | 14.4° | 16.2° | cold |
| JuneJun | 18.2° | 17.1° | 19.2° | fresh |
| JulyJul | 20.6° | 19.6° | 21.7° | refreshing |
| AugustAug | 21.7° | 20.7° | 22.4° | refreshing |
| SeptemberSep | 20.7° | 19.8° | 21.4° | refreshing |
| OctoberOct | 18.6° | 17.6° | 19.4° | fresh |
| NovemberNov | 16.1° | 15.3° | 17.0° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 14.3° | 13.6° | 15.1° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Santander
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 4.5 of 11.1 hours of daylight in Santander, 41 % 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 Santander
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 Santander: 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, Santander has about 13 rainy days with 101 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Santander
How breezy and how cloudy Santander is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Santander typically peaks at 19 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, light breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Nov – Apr.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 62 % of the sky over Santander: variable cloud, with about 4.5 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Santander
How often the day gets hot in Santander (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Santander has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 20 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Santander
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
CoolOctober: nights around 14°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in February (7°), the warmest in August (18°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from June to September. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from January to February, so the room should be heated.
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 | 27 | 12° | 7° | 13.2° | 2.7 h | 15 | 124 |
| FebruaryFeb | 37 | 13° | 7° | 12.7° | 3.8 h | 13 | 106 |
| MarchMar | 48 | 15° | 8° | 12.7° | 4.6 h | 14 | 104 |
| AprilApr | 56 | 16° | 10° | 13.5° | 5.4 h | 14 | 95 |
| MayMay | 68 | 18° | 12° | 15.2° | 6.1 h | 14 | 85 |
| JuneJun | 75 | 21° | 15° | 18.2° | 6.1 h | 11 | 70 |
| JulyJul | 77 | 23° | 17° | 20.6° | 6.3 h | 10 | 51 |
| AugustAug | 77 | 24° | 18° | 21.7° | 6.2 h | 11 | 59 |
| SeptemberSep | 73 | 22° | 16° | 20.7° | 5.6 h | 11 | 81 |
| OctoberOct | 67 | 20° | 14° | 18.6° | 4.5 h | 13 | 101 |
| NovemberNov | 39 | 15° | 10° | 16.1° | 3.1 h | 17 | 162 |
| DecemberDec | 33 | 13° | 8° | 14.3° | 2.5 h | 14 | 117 |
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). Sources & licences
43.47° N, 3.80° W · 1 m · Europe/Madrid
Best time to visit Santander
The best time to visit Santander is from May to October. For a beach holiday with the sea above 21 °C, go in August. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from June to September. Rain is most frequent from October to May; the wettest month is November with 162 mm.
Santander through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Santander in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 15–18 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 5 h of sun a day
- 43 rainy days in all
Santander in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 21–24 °C by day
- Sea 20 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Santander in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 15–22 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 4 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
Santander in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 12–13 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 3 h of sun a day
- 43 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Santander for you.
Your best months: June – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Santander
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Santander: score 77 against 67. In July, days are 3 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 2 °C warmer in July. July has 3 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 67 | 77better |
| Day high | 20° | 23° |
| Night low | 14° | 17° |
| Sea | 18.6° | 20.6° |
| Sunshine | 4.5 h | 6.3 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 13 | 10better |
| Rainfall | 101 mm | 51 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 4 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Aug
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jun – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Oct – May
12 or more rainy days
Santander month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
27January12° · Sea 13° · 3 h
In January, Santander is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 13.2 °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 124 mm. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in January37February13° · Sea 13° · 4 h
In February, Santander is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 12.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 106 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in February48March15° · Sea 13° · 5 h
In March, Santander is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 12.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 104 mm in total. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in March56April16° · Sea 14° · 5 h
In April, Santander is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 13.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 95 mm. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in April68May18° · Sea 15° · 6 h
In May, Santander is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 15.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 85 mm. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in May75June21° · Sea 18° · 6 h
In June, Santander is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 18.2 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 70 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in June77July23° · Sea 21° · 6 h
In July, Santander is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 20.6 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 51 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in July77August24° · Sea 22° · 6 h
In August, Santander is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 21.7 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 59 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in August73September22° · Sea 21° · 6 h
In September, Santander is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 20.7 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 81 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in September67October20° · Sea 19° · 5 h
In October, Santander is mild: daytime highs average 20 °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 13 rainy days and 101 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in October39November15° · Sea 16° · 3 h
In November, Santander is cool: daytime highs average 15 °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 162 mm. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in November33December13° · Sea 14° · 3 h
In December, Santander is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 14.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 117 mm. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Santander.
Santander in DecemberSantander compared
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Santander vs. Bilbao
In October the holiday weather in Santander and Bilbao is about equally good (score 67 vs. 64). During the day Bilbao is 1 °C cooler than Santander. Bilbao gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Santander | Bilbao |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 67 | 64 |
| Daytime high | 20° | 19° |
| Sea | 19° | – |
| Sunshine | 5 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 13 | 13 |
| Best time | May – Oct | Jun – Oct |
Through the year
Spain in October: the best places
In October, Santander ranks 16 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Castellón de la Plana23°22°90
- 2Zaragoza22°88
- 3Toledo21°87
- 4Madrid20°86
- 5Alcobendas20°84
- 6Salamanca19°83
- 7Valladolid19°82
- 8Pamplona18°79
- 16SantanderThis page20°19°67
Planning a trip to Santander
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Santander in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Santander has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 77) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 30).
- 54
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 13 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 69
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 19 °C by day
- Sea 16 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 77
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 23 °C by day
- Sea 21 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 67
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 20 °C by day
- Sea 19 °C
- 4.5 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 30
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 13 °C by day
- Sea 14 °C
- 2.6 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 1 h 35 min
- Distance
- 920 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Santander
When is the best time to visit Santander?
The best time to visit Santander 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 Santander?
The sea temperature in Santander ranges from 12.7 °C in February to 21.7 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from July to September.
Can you swim in Santander 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 Santander?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 24 °C and nights around 18 °C. January is the coolest month at 12 °C.
When does it rain most in Santander?
Rain is most frequent from October to May; the wettest month is November with 162 mm. The driest month is July with 51 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Santander get?
Santander gets around 1,730 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 6.3 hours a day; in December there are 2.5 hours a day.
What time zone is Santander in?
Santander uses the time zone Europe/Madrid: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Santander?
A nonstop flight from London to Santander takes about 1 h 35 min, for a straight-line distance of about 920 km.
Which school holidays are best for Santander?
Santander has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 77) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 30). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 54, May half-term 69, Summer holidays 77, October half-term 67, Christmas holidays 30.
Near Santander
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Santander
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Santander's – good alternatives.