Cuenca sits at 1,000 metres altitude and has a continental climate that's more extreme than coastal Spain. Summers are hot and dry (July and August regularly exceed 30°C) but cooler than Madrid at the same latitude. Winters are cold, with frost likely from November through March and occasional snow in the old city — which looks spectacular but can make the cobblestone lanes treacherous.
Spring (April–June) is the best time to visit. Temperatures are mild (15–22°C), the surrounding Serranía forests are green, and the crowds haven't arrived. Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Cuenca is exceptional — the processions are among the most atmospheric in Spain, with hooded penitents winding through the old city's steep lanes by torchlight. Book accommodation well ahead if you're coming then.
Autumn (September–October) is nearly as good. The tourist crowds thin sharply after the summer, the light is golden, and the game season brings the best ingredients to local restaurant menus — morteruelo, venison, and fresh truffles from the Serranía.
Summer brings day-trippers from Madrid (just 55 minutes by AVE train) and fills the hotels at weekends. Weekdays in July and August are manageable; weekends in the old city can feel cramped.
Winter is quiet and cold. The city functions at a slower pace, some restaurants and hotels reduce their hours, and the Serranía views from the city walls are at their starkest. If you don't mind the cold, you'll have the Hanging Houses largely to yourself.
The Semana de Música Religiosa (Sacred Music Week) in March is a well-regarded international festival held in the cathedral and surrounding churches — a reason to visit outside the main season.