The best time to go, city by city

Green months by our rule: April, May, June, July, August, September and October.

Averages for Lisboa / Instituto Geofísico (IPMA), 1991–2020. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Dry, hot summers and mild, wet winters: almost all the rain falls from October to April.
• IPMA, Portugal's met service, recorded six heatwaves across mainland Portugal in the first half of 2026, from February to June, and says they are increasingly common in spring.

Busy times and big events

12–13 June

Santo António, the main days of June's Popular Saints festivals, with parades on Avenida da Liberdade and in Alfama.

9–12 November 2026

Web Summit, the tech conference.

Sources: IPMA: climate normals 1991–2020, IPMA: heatwaves, July 2026, Visit Portugal: Popular Saints, Web Summit 2026

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August, September and October.

Averages for Barcelona airport (AEMET), 1981–2010. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild winters and warm summers. September and October are the wettest months, and August and September have the most thunderstorms.

Busy times and big events

1–4 March 2027

MWC, the mobile industry's big trade show.

Around 24 September

La Mercè, the city's main festival.

Sources: AEMET: Barcelona airport, MWC Barcelona 2027, Barcelona City Council: La Mercè

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.

Averages for Gran Canaria airport, south of the city (AEMET), 1981–2010. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild all year, with very little rain at any time.
• Calima, dust blown from the Sahara, can turn the sky hazy. AEMET says the strongest episodes come from December to March and reach low-lying areas; summer ones are milder and tend to affect higher ground.

Busy times and big events

22 January – 28 February 2027

Carnival, with the big parade on Saturday 20 February.

Sources: AEMET: Gran Canaria airport, AEMET: dust over the Canaries (2021), Las Palmas Carnival 2027

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August and September.

Averages for Budapest Pestszentlőrinc (HungaroMet), 1991–2020.

Seasons to plan around

• Cold winters, often below freezing at night, and warm summers. July is the wettest month.
• HungaroMet says heatwave days in Hungary rose from about 4 a year in 1961–1990 to about 10 a year in 1991–2020.

Busy times and big events

Busiest

In 2025, Budapest's commercial accommodation was busiest in August, then December and October, and quietest in January.

30 July – 1 August 2027

The Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix (provisional).

10–14 August 2027

Sziget, the music festival on an island in the Danube.

Sources: HungaroMet: Budapest, HungaroMet: heatwaves, July 2024, Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Formula 1: Hungary 2027, Sziget

Green months by our rule: April, May, June, August, September and October.

Averages for Thiseio (National Observatory of Athens), 1961–1990. The observatory doesn't say what counts as a rain day. The observatory's table doesn't label its two sets of rows; we took the second as 1961–1990.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters.
• Wildfire risk is high in summer: Greece's civil protection agency issued a category 5 "extreme risk" fire alert for Attica on 22 July 2026. Its advice is to avoid barbecues and burning near dry vegetation, and to respect any closures of forest areas.

Busy times and big events

Busiest

The city's official guide calls summer Athens' "headline act", and says most Athenians leave for the islands in August.

Late May – August

The Athens Epidaurus Festival, with more events in October.

7–8 November 2026

The Athens Marathon.

Sources: National Observatory of Athens, Greek Civil Protection: fire alert, July 2026, Greek Civil Protection: wildfires, This is Athens: summer, Athens Epidaurus Festival, This is Athens: Athens Marathon 2026

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August, September and October.

Averages for Tbilisi, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites Pogoda.ru.net (a private weather archive) and NOAA; we couldn't open Georgia's met service. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Cold winters and hot summers, with highs around 32°C in July and August. May and June are the wettest months.
• The UK government says lightning and wildfires are a risk in summer, particularly in the mountains.

Busy times and big events

Last weekend of October

Tbilisoba, the city's festival.

Sources: Wikipedia: Tbilisi climate table, FCDO: Georgia, Georgia National Tourism Administration: Tbilisoba

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, November and December.

Averages for Dubai, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites the Dubai Meteorological Office; we couldn't open the UAE's met service. The table doesn't say what counts as a rain day. The WMO's older averages (1974–1991) are 1–2°C lower in spring and summer.

Seasons to plan around

• Warm winters and extremely hot summers: average highs are above 40°C in July and August, and nights stay near 30°C.
• What little rain there is falls mostly from December to March. The UK government warns that heavy rain can cause flooding.

Busy times and big events

December – January

Dubai Shopping Festival.

June – August

Dubai Summer Surprises.

Moves each year

Ramadan, about 11 days earlier each year.

Sources: Wikipedia: Dubai climate table, FCDO: UAE, Visit Dubai: events calendar 2026

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December.

Averages for Cape Town International Airport, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites NOAA and the South African Weather Service; we couldn't open the weather service's own file. Rain days: 0.1mm or more, so they look high next to other cities. Cape Town Tourism gives daytime temperatures of about 20–26°C from December to February, lower than this table's January figure, so treat the summer highs with care.

Seasons to plan around

• Seasons are the other way round: summer is December to February, winter June to August.
• Cape Town Tourism says June to August are the coldest and rainiest months, and that the wind picks up in summer. The weather service's figures show the strongest south-easterly winds in December and February.
• The Table Mountain cableway usually closes for about two weeks at the end of July for maintenance.

Busy times and big events

Busiest

Cape Town Tourism says January is one of the busiest months, peak season starts in November and December, and June to August has "barely any crowds". July and August are peak whale season.

14 March 2027

The Cape Town Cycle Tour.

3–4 April 2027

The Two Oceans Marathon.

Sources: Wikipedia: Cape Town climate table, Cape Town Tourism, South African Weather Service: wind, Cape Town Cycle Tour, Two Oceans Marathon 2027

Green months by our rule: January, February, June, July, August and September.

Averages for Olaya Herrera airport (IDEAM), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of IDEAM's averages; we couldn't open IDEAM's file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Spring-like all year: highs of 27–29°C and lows around 17–18°C in every month.
• Two rainy seasons. Colombia's met service, IDEAM, says the first runs from mid-March to mid-June across most of the Andes; the averages show the second peaking from October to December. January, February and June to September are drier.
• The UK government warns of floods and landslides after heavy rain, especially in the Andes.

Busy times and big events

Late July – early August

Feria de las Flores, ending with the Silleteros flower parade. In 2026 it ran from 31 July to 9 August.

Sources: Wikipedia: Medellín climate table, IDEAM: first rainy season, March 2025, FCDO: Colombia, Medellín City Hall: Feria de las Flores

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November and December.

Averages for Tacubaya (SMN), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the national weather service's averages; we couldn't open its file. Rain days: 0.1mm or more, so they look high next to other cities.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild all year because of the altitude. April and May are the warmest months.
• June to September is the wet season, with over 130mm of rain a month on average. November to April is dry.
• The UK government says driving restrictions can be added when air pollution is high, "generally from February to June".

Busy times and big events

Late October – 2 November

Day of the Dead. In 2026 the big parade is on Saturday 31 October, with events from 17 October.

Sources: Wikipedia: Mexico City climate table, FCDO: Mexico, Mexico City tourism: Day of the Dead

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December.

Averages for Observatorio Central (SMN), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the national weather service's averages; we couldn't open its file. The table doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Seasons are the other way round: hot, humid summers from December to February and cool winters from June to August.
• Rain falls all year, more from October to April. The UK government says flash floods can happen in heavy rain.

Busy times and big events

Late August

The Tango BA Festival and World Championship. In 2026 it ran from 19 August to 2 September.

Sources: Wikipedia: Buenos Aires climate table, FCDO: Argentina, Buenos Aires tourism: Tango BA

Green months by our rule: December.

Averages for Bangkok Metropolis, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites NOAA and the Thai Meteorological Department; we couldn't open the official file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot all year. The Thai government gives three seasons: hot from mid-February to mid-May, rainy from mid-May to mid-October, and cool from mid-October to mid-February.
• September and October are the wettest months.
• The UK government says Bangkok is affected by seasonal smoke haze from crop and forest burning.

Busy times and big events

13–15 April

Songkran, Thai New Year.

November (full moon)

Loy Krathong.

Sources: Wikipedia: Bangkok climate table, Thai government: seasons, FCDO: Thailand health, Thai government: Songkran, Tourism Authority of Thailand: Loy Krathong 2025

Green months by our rule: January, July, October, November and December.

Averages for Chiang Mai (WMO station 48327), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the WMO averages; we couldn't open the official file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Cooler nights from December to February, very hot in March and April, and rainy from May to October.
• Burning season: crop burning and forest fires bring smoke. A report by Thailand's space agency with NASA, using the Pollution Control Department's data, says fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution in Chiang Mai peaks in March. The UK government also warns of seasonal smoke haze.

Busy times and big events

13–15 April

Songkran, Thai New Year.

November (full moon)

Yi Peng and Loy Krathong, with lanterns and floating candles.

Sources: Wikipedia: Chiang Mai climate table, FCDO: Thailand health, GISTDA and NASA: air quality in Thailand, Tourism Authority of Thailand: Loy Krathong 2025

Averages for Subang airport, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites the WMO; we couldn't open the official file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot and humid all year, with heavy rain in most months. The wettest spells are around April and October to November, between the monsoons.
• The UK government says forest fires in Indonesia can cause haze between June and October.

Busy times and big events

6–7 February 2027

Chinese New Year (public holidays).

10–11 March 2027

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the end of Ramadan (public holidays; dates can still change).

Sources: Wikipedia: Kuala Lumpur climate table, FCDO: Malaysia health, Malaysian government: 2027 public holidays

Green months by our rule: April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.

Averages for Ngurah Rai airport, Denpasar, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the WMO averages, taken from a private copy of the WMO data; Indonesia's met service, BMKG, confirms the pattern (over 300mm in January, under 100mm from July to September). The table doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Warm all year. The UK government says the rainy season usually runs from October to March, with a risk of flash floods. The averages show July to September as the driest months.

Busy times and big events

8 March 2027

Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence: everyone must stay indoors for the day and the airport closes.

9–15 March 2027

The Eid (Idulfitri) national holidays, straight after.

Sources: Wikipedia: Denpasar climate table, BMKG: rainfall normals 1991–2020, FCDO: Indonesia, Indonesian government: 2027 holidays

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August, September, October and November.

Averages for Luqa (Malta Airport MetOffice), 1961–1990.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, with most rain from October to January.
• Malta's MetOffice notes sudden heavy rain that can cause flash floods, and sirocco spells in autumn that can last for days.

Busy times and big events

Busiest

Malta's statistics office says tourism was most intense in August and least in December (2024).

February or March

Malta Carnival, in Valletta and around.

End of April

Malta International Fireworks Festival.

July

Malta Jazz Festival.

Sources: NSO / Malta Airport MetOffice: The Climate of Malta, NSO Malta: tourism intensity 2024, Festivals Malta: Carnival, Visit Malta: fireworks festival, Festivals Malta: summer 2026

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August, September and October.

Averages for Split-Marjan (DHMZ), 1971–2000. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. DHMZ, Croatia's met service, counts about 18 days of 30°C or more in July and 17 in August.
• The bura, a cold, gusty north-easterly wind: in January 2026 DHMZ warned of gusts of around 130km/h on the northern and central Adriatic, with traffic restrictions on roads and at sea.

Busy times and big events

Busiest

Croatia's statistics office says accommodation across Croatia was fullest in August (2025).

9–11 July 2027

Ultra Europe, a big electronic music festival.

Mid-July – mid-August

Split Summer Festival.

Sources: DHMZ: Split-Marjan normals, DHMZ: Split-Marjan, hot days, DHMZ: bura warning, January 2026, Croatian Bureau of Statistics: tourism 2025, Ultra Europe, Visit Split: Summer Festival

Green months by our rule: May.

Averages for Tokyo (Japan Meteorological Agency), 1991–2020. Rain days: 0.5mm or more, from Wikipedia's table of JMA figures.

Seasons to plan around

• Cold, dry, sunny winters and hot, humid summers. The UK government says temperatures often pass 35°C in July and August, and heatstroke is a real risk.
• Typhoon season runs from June to December, peaking from July to September (UK government). September and October are the wettest months.

Busy times and big events

Late March – early April

Cherry blossom. On average it first flowers on 24 March and is in full bloom by 31 March (JMA).

29 April, 3–5 May 2027

Golden Week, a run of public holidays when Japan travels.

Sources: JMA: climate normals, FCDO: Japan, JMA: cherry blossom flowering, JMA: cherry blossom full bloom, 2026, Cabinet Office: public holidays

Green months by our rule: April, May, June, July, August, September and November.

Averages for Florianópolis (INMET), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of INMET's averages, which matched the INMET figures we could check. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Seasons are the other way round: warm summers from December to February, cool winters from June to August.
• The UK government says the rainy season in southern Brazil runs from November to March, so the beach season is also the wettest.

Busy times and big events

Busiest

Santa Catarina's tourism department calls summer the high season, with extra international flights from late December to early March. Argentina sends the most foreign visitors.

February

Carnival. In 2026 the samba school parades were on 13–14 February.

31 December

New Year's Eve, the other big peak.

Sources: Wikipedia: Florianópolis climate table, INMET: Florianópolis, March 2025, FCDO: Brazil, Santa Catarina tourism, Fundação Catarinense de Cultura: Carnival 2026

Driest months: January, February, March, April and December.

Averages for Liberia airport (IMN), about 130km away inland, the nearest station we could get, 2005–2025. IMN doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Costa Rica's met service, IMN, puts the dry season on this coast at December to March and the rainy season at May to October, with a drier spell in July. September and October are the wettest months.
• The UK government says the hurricane season, June to November, is also the peak rainy season, and warns that rip currents are very common on beaches, often with no lifeguards.
• The temperatures are for Liberia, inland, not the coast, so we rate Santa Teresa's months on rain only.

Busy times and big events

Busiest

Costa Rica's tourism board recorded the most international arrivals in December, March and January in 2025, and the fewest in September.

Easter week

Semana Santa: Holy Thursday and Good Friday are public holidays.

Sources: IMN: Liberia airport climatology, FCDO: Costa Rica, Costa Rica Tourism Board: arrivals, Ministry of Labour: Easter holidays

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August, September and October.

Averages for Porto Airport, 68m (IPMA), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of IPMA's averages; we couldn't open IPMA's file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild, dry summers, with highs around 24–25°C and about 3 rain days a month in July and August. October to January is wet, at 149–166mm a month.

Busy times and big events

23–24 June

São João, Porto's big street festival. 24 June is a municipal holiday.

First to second Sunday of May

Queima das Fitas, the student festival.

Last weekend of May

Serralves em Festa: 40 hours of free art, concerts and theatre at the Serralves Foundation.

Sources: Wikipedia: Porto climate table and festivals, Wikipedia: Serralves Foundation

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.

Averages for Funchal, 58m (IPMA), 1991–2020. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild all year, with highs between 20 and 27°C. June to August are almost dry, at 1–8mm a month. October to December is the wet season, at 80–95mm a month.
• The UK government warns of a high risk of wildfires across Portugal from April to October.

Busy times and big events

Busiest

Madeira's statistics office (DREM) said August 2024 was a record month, with about 221,300 guests and 1.227 million guest nights.

4–10 December 2026

Founder Island Fest, a week of events for nomads and founders.

Sources: IPMA: climate normals 1991–2020, DNoticias: DREM figures for August 2024, FCDO: Portugal, Freaking Nomads: Founder Island Fest

Green months by our rule: May, June, August, September and October.

Averages for Madrid, Retiro (AEMET), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of AEMET's averages; AEMET's own page only showed the 1981–2010 set. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot, dry summers and cool winters with cold mornings. October is the wettest month.
• Retiro's record high is 40.7°C, reached in June 2019, August 2021 and July 2022, and its warmest night on record was 26.2°C, on 14 July 2022. Grass pollen peaks in May and June.
• The UK government says extreme summer heat affects much of Spain, that wildfires are common in summer, and that causing one is a criminal offence.

Busy times and big events

20–24 January 2027

FITUR, the tourism trade fair at IFEMA (public days 23–24).

5 June 2027

The UEFA Champions League final, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

10–12 September 2027

The Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at MADRING.

Sources: Wikipedia: climate of Madrid (AEMET normals), FCDO: Spain, heat and wildfires, IFEMA: FITUR 2027, beIN Sports: Champions League final 2027, MADRING: Grand Prix 2027 date

Green months by our rule: April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.

Averages for València (AEMET), 1981–2010. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild winters and hot, humid summers: August averages 68 per cent humidity.
• The rain is concentrated in September and October, the season of the DANA storms. The flood of 29 October 2024 killed 232 people in Valencia province.

Busy times and big events

1–19 March, every year

Falles, with the main days from 15 to 19 March: daily mascletà firecracker shows at 2pm in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, and the monuments burned on the night of 19 March.

Sources: AEMET: València, esdiario: DANA death toll, September 2026, Visit Valencia: the Fallas

Green months by our rule: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.

Averages for Malaga airport (AEMET), 1981–2010. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot, dry summers: June to August average under one rain day a month. Most rain falls from October to January, and November and December are the wettest months.
• The UK government warns of extreme weather in Spain, particularly in summer, and of frequent summer wildfires. It tells visitors to check AEMET's warnings.

Sources: AEMET: Malaga airport, FCDO: Spain, August 2026

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August and September.

Averages for Berlin-Brandenburg airport (DWD), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the German Weather Service's averages, with rain days from NOAA's NCEI; we couldn't open the DWD's own file. Rain days: 0.1mm or more, so they look high next to other cities.

Seasons to plan around

• Cold, grey winters, with highs of 3 to 8°C from November to February and January nights below freezing. Summers are warm, with highs around 25°C in July and August.
• Rain is spread through the year. July is the wettest month and April the driest.

Busy times and big events

10–21 February 2027

Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival.

16–18 March 2027

ITB Berlin, the travel trade fair.

26 September 2027

Berlin Marathon.

Sources: Wikipedia: Berlin climate table, Berlin Environmental Atlas: rainfall 1991–2020, Berlinale: 2027 dates, ITB Berlin: 2027 dates, visitBerlin: Berlin Marathon 2027

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August and September.

Averages for Prague-Klementinum, city centre (CHMI), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute; we couldn't open CHMI's file. Klementinum is a city-centre station that runs warm and dry.

Seasons to plan around

• Cold winters, with January nights just below freezing, and warm summers. Most rain falls from May to August; June and July are the wettest months.

Sources: Wikipedia: Prague (Klementinum) climate table

Green months by our rule: July and August.

Averages for Tallinn (Estonian Weather Service), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the Estonian Weather Service's averages; we couldn't open its file. Rain days come from Pogodaiklimat.ru and Weather Atlas, not the weather service, and the table doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Highs stay below 0°C in January and February and peak at 22°C in July. The wettest months are July and August, and the most rain days come from September to November.

Sources: Wikipedia: Climate of Estonia table

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August and September.

Averages for Sofia (NIMH-BAS), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which credits NOAA/WMO, Climate.top and Weather Atlas; we couldn't open the NIMH normals. Rain days: 0.1mm or more, so more days count as rainy than in cities counted at 1mm.

Seasons to plan around

• Cold winters, with average lows below freezing from December to February, and warm summers, with highs around 28°C in July and August. May and June are the wettest months.

Sources: Wikipedia: Sofia climate table

Green months by our rule: April, May, June, July, September and October.

Averages for Tirana Airport (WMO station 13615), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which credits the WMO and Climatestotravel (a travel site); we couldn't open the files of Albania's met service, IGEWE. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot, fairly dry summers: July and August average highs of 32 to 33°C with about 40mm of rain. Every month from October to March averages over 100mm, and November is the wettest at 151mm.

Sources: Wikipedia: Tirana climate table

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August, September and October.

Averages for Istanbul: Kadıköy, Florya and Sarıyer (MGM), 1950–2025. MGM doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Dry summers, with about 22 to 24mm of rain and 3.5 rain days in July and August. December and January are the wettest months.
• Earthquakes: a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025 was felt strongly in Istanbul.

Sources: MGM: Istanbul climate statistics, 1950–2025, FCDO: Turkey, October 2026 (earthquake)

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August, September and October.

Averages for Rome Ciampino airport, 129m, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the official averages, which cites NOAA; we didn't open the Italian met service's file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild winters and hot summers. July and August average highs of 31 degrees with almost no rain.
• October to December is the wet season, and November is the wettest month, with 108mm.

Sources: Wikipedia: Climate of Rome (Ciampino, NOAA data)

Green months by our rule: March, April, May, June, September, October and November.

Averages for Limassol, about 1 km from the sea (Cyprus Meteorological Service), . Read from Wikipedia's Climate of Cyprus table of the Met Service's averages, which doesn't give the period; we couldn't open the Met Service's own normals file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot, dry summers and mild winters, when the rain falls: July and August average 33 degrees with no rain, and December is the wettest month. Droughts are frequent and sometimes severe.
• GOV.UK warns of a high risk of wildfires in the summer season, from April to October.

Busy times and big events

4–14 March 2027

Limassol Carnival, with the Grand Parade on Sunday 14 March.

Late September

Limassol Wine Festival, nine days of wineries and concerts in the Municipal Garden. In 2026 it ran from 26 September to 4 October.

Sources: Wikipedia: Climate of Cyprus (Cyprus Met Service data), FCDO: Cyprus, August 2026, Limassol Tourism: Carnival, Cyprus Mail: Wine Festival, September 2026

Green months by our rule: May, June, July, August and September.

Averages for Bansko (Stringmeteo.com, an amateur station network), 2000–2014. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites Stringmeteo.com, an amateur station network, and gives no rainfall for this period; we couldn't find Bulgaria's met service averages for Bansko.

Seasons to plan around

• Cold winters, below freezing at night from December to March, and warm summers in the high 20s by day. The ski season ran from 13 December 2025 to 12 April 2026.
• An older 1931–1970 table on the same page gives about 694mm of rain a year, most in November and December and least in August.
• GOV.UK warns of avalanche risk in some ski areas.

Busy times and big events

20–27 June 2027

Bansko Nomad Fest, a week of events for remote workers.

December

The ski season opens. It was planned for 1 December in 2025 and opened on 13 December.

Sources: Wikipedia: Bansko (Stringmeteo.com data), FCDO: Bulgaria, August 2026, Bansko ski operator: lift passes 2025/26, Sofia Globe: season opening, December 2025, Bansko Nomad Fest 2027

Green months by our rule: June, July, August and September.

Averages for Heathrow (Met Office), 1991–2020. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild and wet all year. October to January are the wettest and darkest months; March has the least rain.

Sources: Met Office: Heathrow averages 1991–2020

Green months by our rule: February, March, April, May, October, November and December.

Averages for Marrakesh Menara Airport, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites NOAA; we couldn't open Morocco's met service. Rain days: 1mm or more. The Japan Meteorological Agency's averages for the same station, and the UK Met Office's older page, agree with these figures.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot semi-arid: long, hot, dry summers and short, mild winters. The record high is 49.6°C, in July.
• The UK government lists wildfire risk in summer, flash floods in the mountains in winter, and occasional minor earthquakes since the 2023 quake that killed almost 3,000 people.
• Ramadan starts in February 2027, and opening hours change. Morocco has kept GMT all year since 20 September 2026, so the clocks no longer move for it.

Busy times and big events

31 January 2027

The Marrakech Marathon and Half Marathon.

Late November

The Marrakech International Film Festival. The 2025 edition ran 28 November to 6 December; 2026 dates not yet confirmed.

Sources: Wikipedia: Marrakesh climate table, JMA: normals for Marrakesh, FCDO: Morocco, Finishers: Marrakech Marathon, Wikipedia: Marrakech International Film Festival

Green months by our rule: January, February, March and April.

Averages for Da Nang, period not stated. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology; we couldn't open the national met service file. The table doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• The city government gives the dry season as January to July and the wet season as August to December, with 550 to 1,000mm of rain a month in October and November.
• The UK government says tropical cyclones affect the east coast from May to November, and seasonal flooding occurs in October and November in central Vietnam.

Busy times and big events

30 May – 11 July 2026

Da Nang International Fireworks Festival, on the Han River. 2027 dates are not out yet.

Sources: Wikipedia: Da Nang climate table, Da Nang city government: seasons, FCDO: Vietnam, DIFF: 2026 festival

Green months by our rule: January, November and December.

Averages for Tan Son Nhat International Airport, period not stated. Read from Wikipedia's table, which cites the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology for temperature and the WMO for rain; we couldn't open the national met service file. The table doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot all year, with a dry season from about December to April and rain from May to October. The UK government gives the rain season as June to September in the south.
• The city's own hazard is tidal flooding. The Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Centre forecast the year's highest tides for 29 and 30 September 2026, 1.60 to 1.65m at Phu An, about 5cm above alert level 3, with parts of the city already flooded.
• The UK says tropical cyclones affect the east coast from May to November and flooding is common in the Mekong Delta. It doesn't name Ho Chi Minh City for either.

Busy times and big events

24 November 2026

Vietnamese Culture Day, a one-day public holiday.

4 – 10 February 2027

Tet, the Lunar New Year: a seven-day official holiday.

2 – 5 September 2027

National Day holiday.

Sources: Wikipedia: Ho Chi Minh City climate table, The Star: highest tides of 2026, FCDO: Vietnam, Viet Nam News: holiday schedules

Green months by our rule: May, June, September and October.

Averages for Seoul (KMA), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the Korea Meteorological Administration's normals; we couldn't open KMA's file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Cold, dry winters and hot, wet summers: July and August bring over 750mm of rain between them, most of it in the monsoon from late June.
• The UK government says the typhoon season normally runs from June to November, with flooding, flash floods and landslides possible, mainly in June and July.
• Asian (yellow) dust affects the country sporadically in spring.

Busy times and big events

Sunday 21 March 2027

Seoul Marathon (date from a running blog; not confirmed by the organisers).

Sources: Wikipedia: Climate of Seoul (KMA 1991–2020 normals), KMA: Climatological Normals of Korea 1991–2020, FCDO: South Korea, May 2026, Fat Marathoner: Seoul Marathon 2027

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, April, November and December.

Averages for Taipei (Central Weather Bureau), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the Central Weather Bureau averages; we couldn't open the official file. Rain days: 0.1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Mild, damp winters and hot, wet summers: July averages a 35°C high, and from May to September every month brings over 200mm of rain.
• The UK government says typhoon season normally runs from May to November, with landslides and blocked roads afterwards. Typhoons are most likely from July to October.
• The US State Department also warns of earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, extreme heat and dengue.

Sources: Wikipedia: Climate of Taiwan (Central Weather Bureau table), FCDO: Taiwan, August 2026, State Department: Taiwan

Green months by our rule: February, June and August.

Averages for Not named in the table (NEA averages), 1981–2010. Read from A Wikipedia mirror of the Singapore weatherbox table, which cites NEA; we couldn't open the Meteorological Service Singapore's own file, and these are older than its 1991–2020 normals. The table doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot and humid all year, with no cool season: average highs stay between 30 and 32°C and humidity between 82 and 87 per cent. November and December are clearly the wettest months.

Sources: Singapore weatherbox (Wikipedia mirror), citing NEA

Driest months: May, June, July, August, September and October.

Averages for Ngurah Rai airport, Denpasar, on the coast; Ubud is inland and higher, 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the WMO averages, taken from a private copy of the WMO data; Indonesia's met service, BMKG, confirms the pattern (over 300mm in January, under 100mm from July to September). The table doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Warm all year. The UK government says the rainy season usually runs from October to March, with flash floods possible, and the dry season usually from April to September.
• The averages are for Denpasar airport, not Ubud, which is inland and higher and so cooler. We rate Ubud's months on rain only.

Busy times and big events

21–25 October 2026

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, in central Ubud.

8 March 2027

Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence: everyone must stay indoors for the day and the airport closes.

10–11 March 2027

Idulfitri, straight after.

28 to 31 May 2026

Ubud Food Festival. 2027 dates are not out yet.

Sources: Wikipedia: Denpasar climate table, BMKG: rainfall normals 1991–2020, FCDO: Indonesia, Wonderful Indonesia: UWRF 2026, Indonesian government: 2027 holidays, Hanging Gardens of Bali: 2026 festivals (hotel blog)

Green months by our rule: December.

Averages for Phuket (WMO station 48564), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the WMO averages; we couldn't open the official file. Rain days: 1mm or more.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot all year, dry from December to March, and wet from May to October, when the southwest monsoon arrives. September and October are the wettest months.
• The monsoon brings rough seas, strong rip currents and red "no swimming" flags. Phuket's tourist police say people have drowned at Kata, Karon and Bang Tao. The UK government says people have drowned in strong riptides, and boats have sunk in rough monsoon seas.

Busy times and big events

10 to 18 October 2026

Phuket Vegetarian Festival, at the Chinese shrines, including Jui Tui.

Sources: Wikipedia: Phuket climate table, The Phuket News: tourist police beach warning, June 2025, FCDO: Thailand safety, October 2026, Tourism Authority of Thailand: Vegetarian Festival 2026

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, April, May, November and December.

Averages for Playa del Carmen (SMN), 1951–2010. Read from Wikipedia's table of the national weather service's averages; we couldn't open its file. Rain days: 0.1mm or more, so they look high next to other cities.

Seasons to plan around

• Hot all year. June to November brings most of the rain, and October is the wettest month. Hurricane Wilma passed directly over Playa del Carmen in October 2005.
• Sargassum seaweed piles up on the beach. In 2026 the season started about three months early, May to July was forecast to be the worst, and Playa del Carmen was named for constant build-up.

Sources: Wikipedia: Playa del Carmen climate table, El Imparcial: sargassum in Quintana Roo, May 2026

Green months by our rule: January, February, July, August, October, November and December.

Averages for Oaxaca (SMN), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of the national weather service's averages; we couldn't open its file. Rain days: 0.1mm or more, from SMN's 1981 to 2000 figures, so they look high next to other cities.

Seasons to plan around

• Dry from November to April and wet from May to September. June is the wettest month and April the hottest.
• The UK government says the hurricane season normally runs from June to November. FCDO says the hurricane season can affect the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Busy times and big events

20 and 27 July 2026

The Guelaguetza (Lunes del Cerro), the state's dance festival, at the Guelaguetza Auditorium. The 2027 dates were not confirmed.

Sources: Wikipedia: Oaxaca climate table, FCDO: Mexico, Visit Mexico: Guelaguetza 2026

Green months by our rule: January, February, March, April, May, November and December.

Averages for Lima (Campo de Marte), 1991–2020. Read from Wikipedia's table of SENAMHI's averages; we couldn't open SENAMHI's file. Rain days: 0.1mm or more, from a different station and period: Jorge Chávez airport, 1961–1990 (DWD). Lima hardly gets rain at all: under 10mm in a whole year. What changes is the sky. Sunshine at the airport runs at about 185 hours in January but about 28 in August (DWD, 1961–1990).

Seasons to plan around

• On the table, December to April is summer, with highs of about 23 to 27 degrees. Winter runs from June to September or October.
• A persistent morning drizzle, the garúa, often hangs over the city from June to September, under grey skies.
• El Niño years can severely disrupt Lima's climate.

Busy times and big events

3, 18, 19 and 28 October and 1 November 2026

Señor de los Milagros processions through central Lima.

Sources: Wikipedia: Lima climate tables, El Peruano: Señor de los Milagros 2026

Green months by our rule: June and August.

Averages for Rio de Janeiro – Alto da Boa Vista (INMET), a forest station 300m up in the hills, not the beach, 1981–2010. Read from Wikipedia's table of INMET's averages; we couldn't open the INMET file itself. Rain days: 1mm or more. This station sits in forest 300m up and is cooler and much wetter than the beach neighbourhoods. Climatempo's city averages, from a commercial forecaster, give 37mm of rain in July against 182mm here, and are drier than this station from February to December, January aside. Read this table as the hills, not Copacabana.

Seasons to plan around

• Seasons are the other way round: summer, December to March, is hot and wet, with highs of 29–31°C and 169–236mm of rain a month in Climatempo's city averages.
• The UK government says flash floods and landslides are common where mountains are close to the coast, as in Rio de Janeiro.

Busy times and big events

7–9 February 2027

Carnival: the competitive samba school parades at the Sapucaí.

13 February 2027

Carnival's Champions' Parade, when the six best samba schools parade again.

Sources: Wikipedia: Alto da Boa Vista climate table (INMET), Climatempo: Rio de Janeiro city averages, FCDO: Brazil, Poder360: Carnival 2027

Averages for Tocumen (IMHPA), 1977–2010. IMHPA doesn't say what counts as a rain day.

Seasons to plan around

• Panama's met service, IMHPA, puts the dry season at January to mid-April and the rainy season at May to November, wettest in September and October, with a drier spell, the veranillo, in July.

Busy times and big events

14–16 January 2027

Panama Jazz Festival, at venues including Ciudad del Saber.

Sources: IMHPA: climate of the district of Panama, Rio Times: Panama Jazz Festival 2027