WEATHER

 

Its location in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula and its altitude of over 1,000 metres above sea level determine its climate with four very different seasons. However, it is in the spring, when the flowers burst into bloom, and in the autumn, when the greenness of the groves turns into a multicoloured spectrum of copper and gold, that the city is at its most beautiful.

 Its altitude and its privileged location in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula give it a continental climate with long, harsh winters and short summers with short but frequent heat waves. The average annual temperature lies between 10ºC and 11ºC whilst in the month of August it lies at around 20ºC. Rainfall lies in the region of 550mm per year, slightly less that in the land around the centre of the Duero basin.

 The proximity of the Guadarrama mountain range influences the climate a great deal. For a good part of the year the mountain is covered with snow, which makes the existence of a number of ski centres possible.

 

CALENDAR AND HORAIRES

 

Shops: Commerce hours are free but the most frequent is as follows:

Monday to Saturday, from 10.00 to 13.30h. and 17.00 to 20.00h.
Some specific shops open on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Malls open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 22.00h.

Public Administration: Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 14.00h.

Banks: Opening hours may vary depending on the bank.

1. Banks: Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 14.00h. Some offices open on Saturdays from 9 to 13h, except in summer.
2. Savings Banks: Monday to Friday, from 8.30 to 14.00h. From November until June they also open on Thursday evenings from 17 to 19h.

Education Centres: The academic year starts mid-September or early October and finishes end-June or July.

Meals: The most frequent hours for the different day meals are:

1. Breakfast: from 8.00 to 10.30 h.
2. Lunch: from 13.00 to 15.30 h.
3. Dinner: from 21.00 to 23.00 h.

 

FESTIVITIES

 

 

NATIONAL FESTIVITIES

• January 1st: New Year´s Day
• January 6th: Epiphany
• Good Friday: May vary
• May 1st: Labour Day
• August 15th: Asunción de la Virgen
• October 12th: Columbus Day
• November 1st: All Saints Day
• December 6th: Constitution Day
• December 8th: Inmaculada Concepción
• December 25th: Lord´s Birth

 

REGIONAL FESTIVITIES

• April 23rd: Día de Villalar

TOWN FESTIVITIES

• June 29th: San Pedro
• October 25th: San Frutos