Southern Spain has long been marketed as a perfect summer destination, with many guidebooks and travel blogs still claiming that June is a great time to visit. But in recent years, that information has become dangerously outdated. The reality now is that June marks the beginning of extreme heat, especially in inland cities — and for many travelers, it can make the experience not just uncomfortable, but miserable.
 

1. Temperatures Can Reach 40°C or More
In places like Seville, Córdoba, and inland Andalusia, it’s increasingly common for June temperatures to hit or exceed 40°C (104°F). While coastal areas like Málaga and Cádiz may stay a bit cooler due to sea breezes, even there, the heat can feel relentless during midday hours. Walking tours, outdoor dining, and sightseeing become exhausting and sometimes even unsafe.
 

2. Major Cities Become Unbearably Hot
Cities like Seville, which lack coastal relief, become virtual furnaces by mid-June. These historic cities were not built with modern cooling in mind. Narrow alleys and stone buildings trap heat, and even locals avoid going out during peak hours. Many businesses and public spaces slow down or close entirely in the early afternoon. For tourists, this means disrupted plans and very limited comfort.
 

3. Heat Dominates the Travel Experience
When it’s too hot to walk around comfortably by 10 a.m., most of what makes Southern Spain charming — its outdoor plazas, scenic hikes, Moorish palaces, and hilltop villages — becomes inaccessible. Instead of soaking in culture and atmosphere, travelers find themselves constantly seeking shade, air conditioning, and water.
 

4. The Climate Has Changed — So Should Travel Plans
The traditional advice that June is a “sweet spot” between spring and peak summer no longer applies. Climate change has shifted the seasons, and what used to be warm and pleasant is now the beginning of a long, intense heatwave. The best times to visit Southern Spain are now late March to early May, or mid-October to early November — when temperatures are mild and the landscapes are still vibrant.
 

5. There Are Better Alternatives
If you’re set on visiting Spain in June, consider northern destinations like Galicia, the Basque Country, or the Cantabrian coast — where you’ll still enjoy sunshine, beautiful towns, and Spanish culture without the suffocating heat.

In short: Forget the old advice. June is no longer a comfortable time to explore southern Spain, especially if you’re headed to Seville, Córdoba, or inland Andalusia. Unless you enjoy sightseeing in sauna-like conditions, it’s better to plan your trip for a cooler season.