Zaragoza has a continental climate with dry, hot summers and cold winters. Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are the most comfortable for sightseeing. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 35°C, and the city can feel baked and deserted in August when many locals leave.
The Fiesta del Pilar (around 12 October) is Zaragoza's major festival — nine days of parades, concerts, and folk events centred on the Basílica del Pilar. It is worth timing a visit around if you enjoy Spanish fiestas, though accommodation fills up early and the city is very crowded.