For the more than 8 million pollen allergy sufferers in Spain, spring means sneezing, watery eyes and difficulty breathing. The pollination season, however, does not start and end on the same dates for everyone: it depends on the plant, the region and, above all, the weather. Knowing these factors will help you prepare better.

The pollen calendar in Spain

Pollination in Spain is especially long due to the country's climatic and botanical diversity:

  • January - March: Cupressaceae (cypress, Arizona cypress) and alder. Cypresses are the first to pollinate and cause allergy peaks in cities with many ornamental hedges.
  • February - April: London plane tree (Platanus hispanica). The quintessential urban tree in cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. Its pollination, concentrated in a few weeks, generates intense peaks.
  • March - June: Grasses. The most important allergen in Spain, responsible for up to 80 % of pollinosis cases. Peak levels occur in May-June on the central plateau and somewhat earlier in the south.
  • April - June: Olive tree (Olea europaea). Especially relevant in Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, where olive groves are vast. High-harvest years coincide with very high pollen levels.
  • June - July: Urticaceae (pellitory). Most relevant in coastal Mediterranean areas.

The most affected cities

Not all Spanish cities suffer allergies equally:

  • Madrid: plane tree (March-April) + grasses (May-June). The combination is devastating for allergy sufferers.
  • Córdoba and Jaén: the world capitals of olive pollen. Counts can exceed 7000 grains/m³ in May — extreme levels.
  • Toledo and Ciudad Real: grasses and olive on the southern plateau.
  • Barcelona: plane trees in the Eixample district and grasses in suburban parks.
  • Zaragoza: cypresses in winter + grasses in spring.

How does weather affect pollen levels?

Weather is the most determining factor in daily pollen levels:

  • Sunny, dry days with a gentle breeze: maximum pollen dispersal. The worst days for allergy sufferers.
  • Rain: clears pollen from the air, but thunderstorms with wind can cause a "rebound effect" by fragmenting grains and making them more penetrating.
  • Strong wind: transports pollen over great distances. Southerly wind days carry olive pollen from Andalusia all the way to Madrid.
  • High humidity without rain: grains absorb moisture and fall to the ground, relieving symptoms.
  • High temperatures: accelerate flowering and bring forward pollination peaks.

Tips for allergy sufferers

  • Check pollen levels and the forecast for your area on Meteo.es before going out.
  • Avoid countryside outings during peak concentration hours: early morning and late afternoon.
  • Ventilate your home between 10:00 and 12:00, when levels tend to be lowest.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and a mask on very high pollen days.
  • Dry clothes indoors: laundry hung outside traps pollen grains.
  • Check the air quality in your city, as pollution worsens allergy symptoms.

With the right information, spring does not have to be an ordeal. Plan your outdoor activities around the weather and pollen levels, and enjoy the best season of the year.