Burgos sits on the high Castilian meseta at around 860 metres, which gives it a continental climate: very cold winters, hot summers, and sharp temperature swings between day and night even in summer. The city can be bitterly cold from November to March, with snow not uncommon and wind funnelling down from the sierra. Pilgrims on the Camino often find this the hardest stretch.
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit. The weather is pleasant, the light on the cathedral stone is warm, and the city is functioning normally without tourist crowds. July and August are hot and drier than the coast but busy with Spanish visitors. The Fiestas de San Pedro y San Pablo in late June are the main local festival, with bullfights, concerts, and processions.