Thinking of planning a trip to a new part of Spain this autumn? Whether it’s hiking in nature, visiting quaint mountain villages or stopping at a local winery, here are 12 original getaways to enjoy this ‘otoño’ (autumn).
Spain is famous for its long hot summers and amazing beach holidays, but that doesn’t mean the country shuts down for the rest of the year.
Indeed, much of the more enjoyable travelling in the country happens after the usual tourists crowds head home and temperatures become milder.
Autumn is a more intimate season in Spain, a chance to explore quieter corners and the great outdoors as landscapes turn from vivid green to orange and ochre.
From incredible hiking in the Pyrenees to subtropical forests in the Canary Islands, The Local has put together a list of some of Spain’s best autumn getaways.
Val d’Aran, Catalonia
The unique Aran Valley is the only part of Catalonia on the northern side of the Pyrenees. In winter it’s a popular ski area but in autumn its dramatic mountain peaks and exquisite villages make for perfect hiking country.
The valley is also a paradise for linguists with locals here speaking Spanish, Catalan and their very own Aranese, a dialect of Occitan which only a few locals speak.
Val d’Aran is beautiful in autumn. Photo: Isidre Blanc / Wikimedia Commons
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Castañar del Tiemblo, Ávila
A visit to this charming chestnut forest near Avila makes for a perfect day trip from Madrid, and can get pretty busy on the weekends. But don’t let that you put you off. If your aim is to see the autumn colours in all their glory at all costs, this is a fabulous spot to drink in the oranges, reds and golds of the season.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
La Gomera, Canary Islands
If fog, mists and open fires aren’t your thing, head to Spain’s Canary Islands for some autumn sunshine. And while all the islands offer something special, tiny La Gomera is a chance to really get away from it all. This volcanic island is only 22km (14 miles) in diameter, but don’t let size fool you. Here you’ll you find spectacular beaches and cliffs, and an incredible array of microhabitats, including subtropical rainforest. What are you waiting for?
San Sebastián de la Gomera. Photo: Diego Delso/Wikimedia Commons.Penedés, Catalonia
The Penedès wine region where cava — Spain’s answer to champagne — is produced is less than one hour’s drive from Barcelona but hiking around vineyards once there can be thirsty work. The solution? Whizz through the wineries on a Segway for a tipsy two-wheeled tasting tour.
Photo: Mick Stephenson via Wikimedia Commons.Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, Huesca
Could this be the most spectacular part of the Spanish Pyrenees? The deep autumnal colours of Ordesa’s ancient forests, plus its incredible rock formations, certainly make this UNESCO World Heritage Site a strong contender.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Frank Gehrey’s Hotel Marqués de Riscal, La Rioja
This architectural masterpiece by the man who created the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is in the middle of Spain’s world-famous wine region. Visit one of La Rioja’s 1,200 wineries after the early-autumn grape harvest then sip a glass of something good at sunset while admiring the hotel’s undulating lines.
Photo: Roderich Kahn/Wikimedia Commons.
Cala Morell Necropolis, Menorca
Cala Morell is a small natural harbour north of Ciutadella and the site of a beautiful necropolis of caves dug in the rock wall which were used as a cemetery as far back as 1700 BC. The ancient necropolis is particularly busy on All Saints’ Day, but it remains beautiful throughout the autumn. Just another reason to visit this Balearic gem – as if anyone needed it.
The Cala Morell Necropolis will take you back millennia. Photo: Dreizung/Wikimedia Commons
Sierra de Aracena, Huelva
This is Andalusia as you never pictured it, a Lord of The Rings-style landscape of oak forest and ancient walkways. Best of all, Aracena is just over an hour from downtown Seville making it the perfect autumn getaway for people in the know. Rent a house, read a book by an open fire, or wander through the chestnut forests: whatever you choose you can’t go wrong here. Oh, and the local jamón ibérico is among the best in Spain.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
History (and Jazz) in Cartagena, Murcia
Photo: Pyjamb via Wikimedia Commons.
Sierra de Francia, Castilla y León
Despite the name, this region has nothing to do with France, and is actually near the Portuguese border in Castilla y León. This beautiful corner of Spain is full of forests, streams and hidden historic villages like the one pictured here: La Alberca. Rarely visited by tourists, this is a unique part of the country, and is particularly atmospheric in autumn.
Photo: Estevoaei via Wikimedia Commons.
Gorbea Natural Park, Basque Country
If it’s autumn colours that you are after, head north to the Otzarreta forest, located in the natural park surrounding Mount Gorbea in the Basque Country. It is one of the best places in Spain to see the change of colours when the landscape transforms into a palette of vibrant oranges, burnt umbers and deep browns.
Photo: Javier Gómez via Wikimedia Commons.
Las Médulas, Castilla y León
This amazing landscape on the border between Galicia and Castilla y León is really worth the effort. Once the Roman Empire’s most important gold mine, archaeologists have since uncovered several Roman settlements nearby too. With its red earth and wooded hills, it’s a great place to enjoy autumnal walks. Las Médulas and its surrounding towns and villages have suffered greatly during Spain’s summer wildfires in 2025, so tourists will be more than welcome.
Photo: Rafael Ibáñez Fernández via Wikimedia Commons.
