Autumn, between 22 September and 21 December approximately, is the perfect time to take your first break after the summer holidays, as it is one of the best seasons to enjoy the unique landscapes and natural surroundings of Spain.
Climate in Spain in autumn
Autumn is a time when colder air masses often begin to arrive, interacting with the summer heat and causing strong storms.
It is a season with a pleasant climate that tends to be cold without reaching extreme values. Temperatures usually range between 28 and 13 degrees Celsius, but during the month of October temperatures begin to drop a few degrees, reaching a minimum of 8°C and a maximum of 20°C.
Thus, after the heat of summer, this season allows you to spend more time outdoors, although you should always be prepared for the weather conditions and your destination.
Best places to visit in autumn in Spain
Hayedo de Tejera Negra, Guadalajara
Part of the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park, this is the southernmost beech forest in Europe and,without a doubt, a perfect destination for a holiday in autumn, a time when colours change, trees lose their leaves, ochre and red colours prevail and the ground is covered with mushrooms.
It is another essential destination if you are a fan of mycological tourism, as during this time of year abundant “Boletus edulis” grow. Natural habitat of roe deer, fox and wild boar, there are two circular routes in the Hayedo de Tejera Negra (the Senda de Carretas and the Senda del Robledal), another marked route for cycling and guided tours during the months of October and November.
It is mandatory that you reserve parking in advance if you decide to do the Senda de Carretas, which will also give you the right to access.
Selva de Irati, Navarra
It is the second largest beech and fir forest known thanks to its 17,000 hectares, only behind the Black Forest in Germany. Its landscape and uniqueness make it one of the essential places to visit in autumn in Spain.
The blue of the Irati River contrasts with the brown and ochre colour of the trees and the green of the moss on their trunks, a fairytale polychrome that can be seen throughout the Aezkoa and Salazar valleys. The 16 trails that cross this forest are marked and are suitable for all ages, and can be explored on foot, by bicycle and in some cases in a 4×4. There are various activities at your disposal, such as climbing, canyoning and bird watching.
At the end of September and during October, if you visit the Irati forest you will be able to hear the bellowing of the deer, which are the bellows emitted by the males during the mating season.
Parque Natural de Gorbea, País Vasco
With beautiful landscapes that welcome autumn, the Gorbea Natural Park, the largest in the Basque Country, is full of beech, oak, alder, willow, ash and poplar trees, spread over an area of twenty thousand hectares that also houses Mount Gorbea, the highest in Vizcaya and Álava.
A traditional point of reference for Basque mountaineering, this Natural Park will surprise you with its spectacular landscapes, which you can discover by following its trails, suitable for walking, cycling or horseback riding, thanks to the area’s network of marked paths.
In addition, within this Natural Park there are numerous recreational areas and there are rural accommodations in the surrounding areas and neighbouring towns that are ideal if you plan to spend the night in the area. And one last piece of advice: don’t forget to visit the small beech forest of Otzarreta, a magnificent starting point for a fabulous excursion in which you can discover unique yew trees in the Arimekorta plains and the Saldropo peat bog.
Parque natural de la Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, Huelva and Sevilla
It is the second largest natural park in Spain, behind Cazorla, Segura and las Villas, and it has an impressive chestnut forest. What could better symbolize autumn than this fruit? The ochre colour of the chestnut leaves in this season is interspersed with the evergreen of the pastures covered by cork oaks and holm oaks. In Aracena, a town that lends its name to the mountain range, you will find the Gruta de las Maravillas, one of the most visited caves in Spain. With an area of 1.2 km, it houses several lakes and galleries on three levels.
The shapes of its stalactites and stalagmites and the pattering of the drops of water eroding the rocks fill this place with magic.
Don’t miss out on trying the Iberian acorn-fed ham. The protected designation of origin of jabugo comes from the pastures in this area, a real delight.
Sierra de Cazorla y Segura y las Villas, Jaén
Declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1983 and a Natural Park in 1986, the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas is a spectacular natural space located in the northeast of the province of Jaén.
A beautiful labyrinth of calares, valleys and plateaus with a large hydrographic network (which includes the Guadalquivir and Segura rivers, as well as the Guadalimar, Madera and Hornos among other water courses) and beautiful pine forests where unique species such as the Cazorla violet abound, and it also serves as a natural habitat for countless species of birds and mammals.
Ideal to enjoy during the autumn, in the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas you can go hiking, visit the “Collado del Almendral” Hunting Park or the Botanical Garden and Interpretation Centre of the Torre del Vinagre and discover the remains of cave paintings in the Collado del Guijarral and in the Cañada de la Cruz.
Parque nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Huesca
Autumn is the best time to enjoy the majesty of the glacial valleys of Ordesa and Pineta and the Tres Sorores massif, with Monte Perdido, the highest limestone mountain in Europe thanks to its 3,355 m height. The colours of this season together with the light of the sunset enhance the steep mountain slopes, the canyons, such as Añisclo, and the waterfalls, such as Cola de Caballo, which make every corner of the park a place worthy of photographing, contemplating and walking. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will need several days of travel to get to know this national park in depth.
If you like astronomy, at night you will find the perfect sky for stargazing. It is a renowned destination for astrotourists.
Las Alpujarras, Granada
If you like rural tourism in autumn, you have to visit the most picturesque villages in the Alpujarras region, such as Pampaneira, Bubión, Trevélez, Lanjarón and Capileira, which seem painted on the mountains, following their slope.
The impressive landscape of the area has forests of almond trees, oaks, chestnuts and holm oaks, which in autumn dye the Poqueira valley with infinite warm tones, which contrast with the architecture of its white houses, of Berber origin. On your routes through the area you can also see the vineyards and orchards arranged in terraces, which give a good account of the richness of its lands.
Don’t forget to take a souvenir of the craftsmanship of the Alpujarras. Their blankets and tapestries, wicker and esparto baskets or their pottery pieces are the result of the self-sufficiency and cultural expression of these towns.
Tejeda, Gran Canaria
The Canary Islands are also an excellent tourist destination to visit in autumn. A good example is the town of Tejeda, located just over 40 kilometres from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, thanks to its great scenic beauty, its culture and its art, with leisure activities that include the Abraham Cárdenes Sculpture Museum and the Ethnographic Museum, where you can take a tour of the history of the island and the municipality.
Tejeda is also a must-see if you want to discover the rich archaeological heritage of the Canary Islands, with numerous burial caves, paintings and engravings. Don’t miss a visit to Roque Bentayga, a natural element that was once a sacred place for the aborigines and where you will find the Cuevas del Rey.Another recommended visit is La Cruz de Tejeda, especially if you want to enjoy the most beautiful views of the island. There is a large stone cross and the entrance to the Parador Nacional, as well as stalls selling typical local products.
Bosque de Muniellos, Asturias
Very close to Cangas del Narcea stands one of the largest and best-preserved oak forests in Spain. Legend has it that the hulls of the ships of the Invincible Armada were built with the wood of the trees of the Minuellos forest. Whatever the case, this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is a place to get lost in autumn and enjoy nature in its purest form.
In addition to its oak trees, some of which are more than six meters in diameter, there are beech, birch, holly and yew trees that provide shade for a wide variety of mushrooms and fungi. There is a single marked route to go around the forest, going up towards the lagoons and going down to follow the river path. It is about 20 km long and you can do it on your own or by booking a guided tour.
Remember that access to the Muniellos forest requires prior authorisation, which you can request on its official website. They only allow 20 visits per day, so you must request it well in advance.
La Fageda d’en Jordà, Girona
A dream getaway to enjoy during the autumn, the Fageda d’en Jordà (Olot, Girona) is a corner of unique natural beauty and a beech forest in the middle of a volcanic plain.
Located on a plain of 21 dormant volcanoes, this beech forest belongs to the town of Olot, in the province of Girona. It is one of the 26 nature reserves of the natural park of the volcanic zone of La Garrotxa, but it stands out for one peculiarity: it is unusual for beech trees to grow at an altitude of just 500 to 650 m.
These trees meander along the slopes of the cooled lava of the Croscat volcano, making the landscape, especially in autumn, look like something out of an epic fantasy film. You can go on routes on foot, by carriage or on horseback and observe, in addition to their impressive plant beauty, the “tassols”, which are prominences formed by lava flows that rise up to 20 m high.
Also in the area: You can visit the medieval town of Sant Pau and enjoy its volcanic cuisine with local products, such as beans, sheep cheese, black turnips or valley potatoes.
What to do in Spain in autumn
Enjoy gastronomy
In autumn, you can already think about lighting a fireplace, trying roasted chestnuts, black truffles… and those delicious spoon recipes. By the way, in many areas of Spain there are festivals with chestnuts as the main ingredient: castanyada in Catalonia, amagüestu in Asturias, magosta in Cantabria, chaquetía in Extremadura… and the list could be much longer.
Mushroom hunting
As autumn is the season for mushrooms, it is considered a cult activity in many areas of Spain. But since you need a permit to do so, if you want to experience it, it is best to hire the services of a company. In Soria, a province famous for its mushroom tapas, you can try a creamy boletus soup with foie shavings. To discover the secrets of mushrooms, you also have the Ultzama and Erro-Roncesvalles mushroom parks in Navarre. In addition, other good destinations for mushroom lovers are Berga (Barcelona) or the province of Huesca, with mushroom days such as those in Canfranc or Ayerbe.
Wine tourism
When we think of the Spanish autumn, we cannot help but associate it with the grape harvest. There are many areas where you can enjoy wine tourism. For example, in La Rioja there are more than 80 wineries with tourist visits and wine is a whole culture. In addition to the facilities of the wineries, you will be able to fly over vineyards in a balloon, go to a wine museum, attend a tasting course or have a wine therapy treatment.
When we say that the grape harvest in Spain is a celebration, it is because there are many celebrations from the end of summer such as the Fiesta de la Vendimia Riojana (Logroño), the Vendimia de Jerez de la Frontera (Andalusia), the Vendimia de Montilla (Andalusia) or the Vendimia de Cangas del Narcea (Principality of Asturias).
Enjoy nature with all your senses
The changing colors of the leaves create stunning landscapes, making fall an ideal time for scenic drives and hikes. The bright colors provide a beautiful backdrop for any adventure.
The season also gives us a sense of connection with nature. The changing of the leaves reminds us of the Earth’s natural cycles and rhythms, giving us a sense of balance and perspective. Whether you’re taking a drive, a challenging hike, or a leisurely walk, the fall season offers the opportunity to connect with the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
Whether you enjoy a morning walk, an afternoon bike ride, or an evening stroll, the fall season offers a refreshing and enjoyable experience.
Celebrate Halloween in Spanish style
On November 1st, All Saints’ Day is celebrated in Spain, and it is a tradition to go to cemeteries to bring flowers to relatives. Although it may seem a little strange, there are cemeteries that, thanks to their sculptures, are authentic open-air museums.
Throughout the year and especially at the end of October and beginning of November, there are several cemeteries such as La Almudena or San Isidro in Madrid that organize guided tours to learn about the exciting stories of the illustrious people buried there. In fact, more than twenty Spanish cemeteries are part of the European Route of Cemeteries of the Council of Europe.
For example, Halloween in Soportújar, the village of witches (one of the most beautiful villages in the Alpujarra), is celebrated in a particularly creative way. This is Soportújar, a town that has created an entire route around witchcraft.
An autumn of music and cinema
The famous song “All that jazz” by Liza Minnelli could easily be dedicated to Spain in autumn. And it is during these dates that two festivals take place in which you will experience the emotion that only this genre can transmit: the Voll-Damm Jazz Festival in Barcelona and the International Jazz Festival in Madrid. In addition to letting yourself be carried away by the melodies of great artists, you can also attend conferences, master classes…
However, these are not the only events that take place at this time, as it is in autumn that some of the most famous film festivals in Spain are held: the San Sebastian International Film Festival, the Seminci – International Film Week in Valladolid, the Gijón International Film Festival, the Seville Film Festival or the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival in Catalonia.
The first Christmas shopping
At the end of November, the Christmas lights are turned on in Spain… Proof that this celebration is just around the corner. So, if you come at this time or even before, you can take advantage of the opportunity to buy original gifts for the holidays. Keep in mind that the last Friday of November in Spain is also celebrated as Black Friday, with great discounts in all kinds of shops that will encourage you to buy even more.
At this time, different craft markets also start to be set up where you can take home a souvenir or even typical Christmas sweets, such as the famous Jijona nougat or the Estepa shortbreads and mantecados.
Why autumn is the ideal season to travel
- Coolest season.
- Enjoy spectacular autumn landscapes with a unique colour. They are characterized by turning the forests of our country orange and red.
- It is a perfect time for hiking trails.
- Less crowded.
- Seasonal flavors only available at this time of year. Wine, mushroom and chestnut lovers know this all too well!
- Autumn getaways often bring good last-minute deals on the main travel platforms.
