**Experience the Best of Spain in Autumn: Top Destinations to Visit**
After a scorching summer, the cool breezes of autumn bring a refreshing change to Spain. With milder temperatures, travelers can enjoy more outdoor activities without the need to escape the midday sun. Many of Spain’s stunning beaches remain warm enough for swimming until mid-October, depending on the location.
In addition to the pleasant weather, autumn in Spain offers a variety of exciting events and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re hiking the **Camino de Santiago** or exploring one of the country’s **national parks**, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to admire the vibrant fall foliage.
Here are some of the top destinations that make autumn in Spain a must-see season.
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### 1. La Rioja
**Best for Wine Lovers**
While wine tasting is enjoyable year-round, autumn is the prime time to visit **La Rioja**, Spain’s most famous wine region. During this season, vineyards across the province are busy harvesting, pressing, and bottling grapes. The city of **Logroño** celebrates this activity with the **Fiesta de San Mateo** in mid-September, featuring grape-stomping demonstrations, free concerts, and, of course, plenty of wine.
**Planning tip:** Some wineries offer visitors the chance to participate in grape-picking and stomping, so look for these special experiences when booking your visit.
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### 2. Andalucía
**Best for Shoulder-Season Beach Days**
As the summer heat fades and the crowds disperse, Andalucía’s beaches become even more inviting. Whether you’re staying at a resort in **Marbella** or exploring the natural beauty of **Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar**, autumn is the perfect time for a belated summer getaway. The water remains warm enough for swimming until November, with temperatures around 18°C (64°F).
If you prefer to stay dry, autumn is also a great time to visit popular sights like the **Alhambra** in Granada or the **Museo Picasso** in Málaga, which are less crowded than in the peak summer months.
**Local tip:** Don’t miss the chance to explore inland Andalucía, where historic towns like **Ronda** offer rich cultural experiences, including bullfighting traditions.
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### 3. Jaén
**Best for the Olive Harvest**
Autumn is also olive harvest season in Spain, and nowhere does it better than the province of **Jaén** in Andalucía. From September to November, green olives are harvested and pressed into the olive oil that graces Spanish tapas. For a unique experience, visit during the **Olive Festival** in Martos in early December, which celebrates the end of the harvest with concerts, art exhibitions, flamenco performances, and olive oil pressing ceremonies.
**Local tip:** If you attend the festival, be sure to try **hoyos**, small pieces of bread filled with fresh olive oil.
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### 4. Menorca
**Best for Cheese Lovers**
In October, visitors to **Menorca** can enjoy the island’s beaches and indulge in its famous **Mahón cheese** at the **Mahón Cheese Fair**. This D.O.-classified cow’s milk cheese reflects the island’s rich agricultural heritage. While you can visit cheese factories like **Sabaida** year-round, the fair offers a rare chance to sample cheeses from all over Menorca and beyond.
**Planning tip:** The festival is held in **Mahón**, but renting a car allows you to explore the island further, including a visit to the charming town of **Ciutadella**.
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### 5. The Pyrenees
**Best for Autumn Hiking**
As temperatures cool, the Spanish side of the **Pyrenees** becomes a hiker’s paradise. The nearly 500-kilometer-long mountain range is ablaze with autumn colors from oak, chestnut, and beech trees. Some of the best hiking spots include **Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido** in Aragón, known for its dramatic landscapes and canyoneering opportunities, and the **Cerdanya** region in Catalonia, a sunny valley shared by France and Spain.
**Local tip:** If you’re exploring Cerdanya, consider staying in **Puigcerdà** and take a detour to visit **Llívia**, a Spanish village surrounded by French territory.
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### 6. La Garrotxa
**Best for Fall Foliage**
Nestled between Barcelona and the Pyrenees, **La Garrotxa** is a volcanic region known for its lush forests, striking landscapes, and excellent gastronomy. The region’s unique microclimate creates a green paradise where you can find pockets of autumnal colors. The **Fageda d’en Jordà** forest near **Olot** is particularly stunning in autumn, and the area is crisscrossed with hiking trails that pass through ancient lava flows and picturesque villages like **Castellfollit de la Roca**.
**Local tip:** While in Olot, be sure to try the local specialty, **patates d’Olot**, fried potato morsels stuffed with meat, sometimes called **patates de la Deu** after the restaurant that invented them.
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Autumn in Spain is a season of vibrant colors, exciting festivals, and delicious food and drink. Whether you’re exploring the beaches of Andalucía, hiking in the Pyrenees, or indulging in local specialties, there’s something for every traveler to enjoy.
Source: lonelyplanet.com