As spring draws near and the evenings grow longer – thanks to Spain’s switch to summertime hours at the end of March – now is the perfect time to experience what the country has to offer after dark. From music festivals to lively tapas bars, stargazing and moonlit markets, it’s often after dinner when the real magic begins.

For many people, being in Spain means lazy days at the beach, boat trips to hidden coves and long lunches of croquetas, tortilla Española and patatas bravas with a glass of sangria in hand. But what happens when the sun dips below the horizon? Eating out is an obvious highlight, but once the bill is paid, is there anything else to do? Expat Sally Veall shares her recommendations for how to spend your evenings in Spain.

Evening festivities in Spain (image: Lunnica via Shutterstock)

I saw my first poppy today! Spring is around the corner after a couple of weeks of heavy rain, though here on the Costa Brava we haven’t had the fierce storms experienced in southern Spain of late. The good news is that our reservoirs are almost full again and we won’t have to reduce water consumption this summer.

Despite inclement weather, the evenings have been getting lighter for several weeks and we don’t need to turn on the lights until close to 7:30pm at the moment. The clocks go forward in Spain on 30th March and we all look forward to more daylight and all the fun that Spanish nights can offer.

For the first time, the clocks won’t go back again in October and Spain will remain on summer hours all year-round. This means darker winter mornings but longer, lighter evenings – something many residents have long supported as family life, sports and other activities can be enjoyed for longer in the evenings. The change will be reviewed in 2026, but for now, Spain is embracing lighter evenings and all the opportunities they bring for enjoying life after dark.

Summer evenings: music

Practically every town holds a music festival during the late spring and summer months. Some are delightful, low-key local affairs; others are of international renown, attracting audiences from far and wide. Relying on (or praying) for fine weather, most are held al fresco (outside) and there are some truly stunning venues.

Mérida in Extremadura boasts a Roman amphitheatre, the Peralada Festival near Figueres in Catalonia is held in the grounds of a castle and Calella de Palafrugell in Catalonia holds a major music festival in the Botanic Gardens of Cap Roig, located on a peninsular surrounded by the sea. In Granada, the Alhambra hosts a music and dance festival, while Seville hosts festivals in the gardens of the Real Alcázar.

You can find music to suit all tastes – classical, jazz, blues, rock, pop, hip hop and indie to name a few – and dancing ranges from the Flamenco and Sevilliana to ballet and modern dance.

Local talent shouldn’t be ignored; you will be surprised at the excellent standard of music and song performed by local musicians and singers. Often these smaller concerts have a better atmosphere as most of the audience already know the performers and will encourage them with whistles and comments.

Summer evenings are perfect for visiting two or three tapas bars (image: Kevin Hellon via Shutterstock)

Summer evenings: tapas bars and restaurants

Although tapas bars are indoor venues, their patrons spill out onto the streets in fine weather, inducing a spirit of joviality for all.

Summer evenings are perfect for visiting two or three tapas bars and trying their specialities. Areas such as el tubo in Zaragoza have numerous bars next to each other, each one producing its own special tapas and vying for first prize that year. Other cities have similar tapas zones – and they are very much part of the Spanish way of life.

Happily, many Spanish restaurants have an outside space, be it a terrace or a garden. The only downside is that patrons are permitted to smoke in these areas. Still, sitting in a pretty garden, a glass of good Spanish wine in hand and enjoying a Spanish meal is definitely one of the joys of summer evenings.

You might find that there is a small surcharge for service on the terrace. Don’t worry – this is not “ripping off” the British or other nationalities but perfectly normal practice. Restaurants with sea views or on the beach tend to be more expensive than others in the town. You are paying for the view as well as the meal and, in the summer particularly, it’s always advisable to ask for the menu and drinks list before you order.

Summer evenings: other events

The Romans were ‘ere! Yes, they were, in all of Spain, and there are many summer evening events, both large and small, celebrating their time on the Iberian Peninsula. Again, in Mérida’s Roman theatre, you can enjoy the International Classic Theatre Festival, or in Menorca and Lanzarote spend the evening in a cave at the Cova d’en Xoroi festival and the Los Jameos del Agua festival. Live music and sea views are on the menu.

How about some stargazing? With its clear skies, Spain is the perfect place to indulge yourself – and it’s free! Many regions are perfect for this, such as Galicia, La Rioja, Extremadura, Andalusia, the Canary Islands and Aragon.

Aside from music festivals, there are also “cultural nights under the moon” – guided tours of historic places, from palaces to small medieval villages, great churches to Moorish castles. Some are even dramatised.

Almost all regions hold night markets and fairs, which could be an extension of the weekly market or more likely, markets for artisans to show off their creations. There is often food available too. It’s great fun wandering through the stalls at night when everything takes on a different aspect. Just try not to overspend!

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