Heat and start time: when a ride makes sense in summer, by the numbers
In July on the Mediterranean it is not the place that decides, but the time of day.
The mean daily maximum in July is 36.0 degrees in Seville, 34.2 in Antalya and 29.4 in Palma. What that means for the start time.
The numbers in July and August
| Station | Source | Daily maximum | Rain in July |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seville Airport | AEMET, 1981 to 2010 | 36.0 °C (July), 35.5 °C (August) | 2 mm |
| Antalya | MGM, 1930 to 2025 | 34.2 °C (July), 34.1 °C (August) | 4.7 mm |
| Évora | IPMA, 1991 to 2020 | 33.5 °C (August) | |
| Hellinikon (Athens) | NOAA daily values, own means 1991 to 2020 | 33.0 °C (July), 33.3 °C (August) | 6.7 mm |
| Madrid Retiro | AEMET, 1981 to 2010 | 32.1 °C (July) | 12 mm |
| Cagliari | NOAA daily values, own means | 31.8 °C (July) | 3.1 mm |
| Marseille | NOAA daily values, own means | 30.7 °C (July) | 10.8 mm |
| Palma Puerto | AEMET, 1981 to 2010 | 29.4 °C (July) | 6 mm |
| Faro | IPMA, 1981 to 2010 | 29.2 °C (July) | 1.8 mm |
The values are monthly means of the daily maxima. On single days the temperature is higher; Antalya names 45.0 degrees as the highest value ever measured in July (MGM).
What the sun adds
According to MGM the sun in Antalya shines on average 11.7 hours a day in July; AEMET names 354 hours of sun in July for Seville and 346 for Palma. A ride at noon therefore lies at high temperature and strong sunshine.
What providers name for the start time
- A provider on Mallorca names a ride at sunset.
- A provider near Mendoza names sunset rides whose start time changes between winter and summer.
- A provider near Dubrovnik names a departure time that depends on the month.
- A provider on Paros names a morning ride and an evening ride.
- For the Tabernas desert (according to the Junta the only desert in the true sense on the European continent) our Andalusia page names heat and lack of shade as a point to watch.
Questions for the provider
- When does the ride start, and how hot is it then (ask the provider, not the city)?
- Is there shade on the route, and where are the breaks?
- Is there water for horse and guest?
- Is it postponed, shortened or cancelled in heat, and until when will I know?
- What is the weight limit, and is the pace adapted in heat?
What we could not confirm
Different observation periods; the series are not strictly comparable. No values for the coast and the mountains. No source on the heat limit for riding horses.
Sources (read on 11 and 12 October 2026)
- AEMET, normal climatological values, Seville Airport (5783), Madrid Retiro (3195), Palma Puerto (B228), 1981 to 2010.
- MGM Turkey, Official Climate Statistics, Antalya, 1930 to 2025.
- IPMA, Normal Climatológica, Évora (1991 to 2020) and Faro (1981 to 2010).
- NOAA NCEI, GHCN-Daily, stations Hellinikon, Cagliari, Marseille-Marignane, own means 1991 to 2020, not official normals.
- Offers: Viator pool and GetYourGuide hand cards, as of 11 October 2026.