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Spain’s top autumn destinations include the islands among their biggest attractions. Tenerife has become the most-booked destination for September, ahead of Rome and Paris, according to data from eDreams, one of the leading travel booking platforms.
Palma de Mallorca, Madrid and Ibiza round out the top spots, while Gran Canaria also makes it into the most in-demand national destinations.
Interest in travelling within Spain remains particularly high this month: the country accounts for 43% of bookings for September, well ahead of Italy with 11% and France with 6%.
Bookings for September have also risen by 57% compared with last year, according to online travel agency eSky. Milder temperatures, fewer crowds and lower prices explain part of this increase. But beyond the destinations leading the booking rankings, which places in Spain are worth visiting this autumn?
Far more than sun and sand
Spain is not just a beach destination. When autumn arrives, inland tourism takes centre stage, with cities and villages offering an alternative to coastal resorts.
The city of Salamanca is one option for those who prefer to swap the beach for an urban break. Its old town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites visitors to explore on foot places such as the Plaza Mayor, the Casa de las Conchas, the Huerto de Calixto y Melibea and the University. Autumn also brings a calmer atmosphere to the city and makes it easier to combine a visit there with an excursion around the province.
Just a few kilometres from the provincial capital lies Candelario, in the heart of the Sierra de Béjar and part of the Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España (source in Spanish) network of Spain’s prettiest villages. Its cobbled streets and traditional houses with their characteristic half-doors make Candelario an especially attractive autumn getaway.
The municipality allows visitors to combine a walk through its historic centre with routes in a natural setting that changes colour as the season arrives. And when November brings the first drops in temperature, the popular saying “On All Saints’ Day, snow on the heights” makes sense, reminding us that the first snow can appear in the highest areas.
Forests and autumn landscapes
For nature lovers, the Ambroz Valley in Cáceres is another destination worth keeping on the radar if you are thinking of getting away this autumn.
Spain’s autumn destinations guide includes this area among its recommendations thanks to its chestnut and oak woods, as well as its rivers and natural scenery, which are particularly beautiful at this time of year.
Choosing these destinations for a break can also be a way to support local economies in areas that have suffered the impact of forest fires. That is the case of the Ambroz Valley, the Sierra de la Culebra in Zamora, Gredos in Ávila, and Las Médulas in León, where tourism can help maintain economic activity and support the recovery of affected areas.
In the north, Asturias offers a highly recommended combination of landscapes, villages and gastronomy. Its forests and valleys are perfect for enjoying hiking routes and rural escapes in autumn, while dishes such as fabada asturiana and cachopo, local cheeses and traditional Asturian cider make up an ideal offering for this time of year.
Autumn through wine and food
The season is also a great time to discover Spain through its products and traditions. La Rioja and Ribera del Duero are two options for combining inland landscapes with experiences linked to the grape harvest and the world of wine.
As autumn progresses, chestnuts and mushrooms take centre stage in many rural areas and become another attraction for planning a mycological getaway.
From the islands to charming cities, via small villages and natural spaces, Spain offers autumn alternatives for almost every type of traveller, beyond the beach destinations that tend to be favourites during the summer months.