The 11 Most Beautiful Locations to Visit in Spain This Fall

Keep summer going as long as possible with a trip to Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands on Spain’s southeast coast. This shimmering gem in the heart of the Mediterranean is where the climates of Europe and North Africa collide, meaning an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, and temperatures that can stay in the 20s well into autumn. Discover the wealth of things to do in Palma, its capital, or embark on a magical Mediterranean day trip by boat.

Avoid the baking summer temperatures and visit Seville in the much more pleasant autumn months. Andalucian summers are best spent on a beach if you ask us, since temperatures are far too high to take advantage of Seville’s wonderful array of attractions. From its impressive architectural highlights, like the Alcázar palace and picturesque Plaza de España, to its fascinating flamenco culture and endless foodie discoveries, the city is a joy to explore on foot, and autumn is the best time of year to do that.

If you’re a fan of all things ghoulish, then San Sebastián’s Fantasy and Horror Film Festival – usually running from late October to early November – will be right up your street. Dozens of horror films are screened at different venues around the city, while street theatre and exhibitions turn the streets into a giant horror homage. Try not to let all that gore turn you off food though, you’ll be in one of the world’s great foodie cities, after all.

Sherry, or Jerez in Spanish, is named after the town of its birth, Jerez de la Frontera, in southern Spain. The town plays host to the International Sherry Festival in early November every year, offering tastings and vineyard tours that are bound to make you a sherry expert by the time you leave Spain.

This natural park, located around Mount Gorbea in the Basque Country, northern Spain, is one of the best places to see the leaves change colour in autumn. The park’s Otzarreta forest is a popular visitor spot, its ground a carpet of burnt orange leaves during the autumn. By late fall the temperatures will have dipped significantly in the Basque Country (and most of northern Spain), so do pack layers if you’re planning to do some hiking at this time of year.

Autumn is a great time to explore the vineyards of Spain’s famous winemaking region, La Rioja. The harvest will have just taken place and the vines will be turning a host of beautiful autumnal shades, meaning that after an afternoon of wandering around a vineyard, you can sit down and enjoy a nice glass of top class local Rioja with some of Spain’s most spectacular scenery right before your eyes.

The Canary Islands’ location, just off the coast of West Africa, means you can enjoy year-round summer holidays. But one of the best times to visit is autumn; the sea is warm, so ideal for swimming and the resorts are quieter, lending the islands a more relaxed vibe. A great place whether you want to laze by the pool or get into the islands’ outdoor activities.

Surfers from around the world come to Spain from October onwards, as surf season starts. The choppy Atlantic waters off Spain’s northern coast are ideal for surf fans, but you might want to wear a wetsuit because temperatures can get pretty nippy. Read our guide to the best surf spots in Spain to discover which epic stretch of coastline is calling your name this fall.

Madrid’s most famous park is awash with orange and red leaves throughout the autumn, providing a cinematic backdrop for walks, cycling or picnics in the park. It’s popular with locals at weekends, when street entertainers keep the kids amused and people rent boats out on the park’s lake.

This over 2,000 square kilometre natural park is Spain’s largest protected area and the second-largest in Europe. It is located in the province of Jaén, southern Spain. Check out the magnificent limestone rock formations at places like Los Anguijones Caves, trace the winding waters of the Guadalquivir river or gaze in awe at towering peaks like Campos de Hernán Perea.

Just an hour outside Barcelona, the Montseny Natural Park was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978 and is a great place to soak up some serious autumnal atmosphere. Temperatures remain pleasant throughout autumn, but do pack layers, especially if you’re exploring at night, when things get much cooler.