Looking for the best things to do in Spain in October? Our autumnal guide to this beautiful country has you covered.
In a quiet plaza in León, chestnut leaves swirl across the sun-warmed stone. The air smells faintly of woodsmoke and late figs. October has arrived in Spain, not as an afterthought to summer, but as its more thoughtful twin.
This is a perfect time to explore the country. The heat eases. The crowds thin. And what remains is a land generous with its culture, ready to share a glass of Ribera del Duero, a walk through golden vineyards in La Rioja, or a flamenco night in a lantern-lit patio.
Whether you’re drawn to city breaks, wine tasting, or outdoor adventures, this great month offers it all – under milder skies and with more room to breathe. To help narrow down your search, consult this guide to the warmest places to visit in Spain during shoulder season.
In the meantime, let’s talk about the best things to do in Spain in October, from film festivals to coastal retreats.
The Best Things to Do in Spain in October: Why Visit Now?
October offers the kind of balance most travellers chase: good weather without the heatwaves, cultural events without the queues, and city streets that feel lived in rather than staged. It’s the ideal time to explore Spain beyond the postcard version.
Daytime temperatures are forgiving, with an average high ranging from 18°C in the north to 26°C in the south. Sunny days still outnumber the rainy ones, particularly in the Canary Islands and southern Spain. Evenings cool down enough for layers, but not for heavy coats.
The summer months can feel frenetic. In October, you walk into museums without elbowing your way through, dine without booking days ahead, and wander without dodging tour groups.
For many, it’s the best time of the year to travel, especially if you love culture, seasonal food and harvest-season wines.
The Best Regions to Visit in Spain in October
The north blushes with vineyard reds and crisp air, while the south still hums with warmth and music. Wondering which one to visit? Both, if possible.
Northern Spain
Autumn arrives early in northern Spain, wrapping its hills and coastlines in gold. It’s a season for long walks, bold wines, and cities that still breathe with local life.
San Sebastián: A City Break in the Basque Country
Tucked between green hills and the Cantabrian Sea, San Sebastián is the best place to be in October. The beaches are quieter now, but no less beautiful, and the city’s celebrated pintxos bars still hum with life. It’s a great time for a city break – the warm weather is still here, and fewer crowds mean better views, better service, and better conversations.
Spend your mornings along La Concha, your afternoons at the San Telmo Museum, and your evenings tasting anchovy-topped toasts with a glass of local cider or white Txakoli.
La Rioja: Wine Tasting at the End of Harvest Season
While the main harvest and the Rioja Wine Harvest Festival (San Mateo) typically occur in late September, some harvest activities extend into early October, making it one of the best months to visit La Rioja.
The region is still at its best: fragrant with crushed grapes and buzzing with energy. Vineyards roll across the landscape in every shade of gold and russet, and winemakers open their cellars for tours and tastings.
There are both boutique bodegas and historic names offering insight into Spain’s most famous reds. And you’ll quickly learn that one of the best ways to enjoy this experience involves sipping a young Tempranillo, surrounded by the landscape that raised it.
Camino de Santiago: A Quieter Pilgrimage
This is the best time to walk the Camino de Santiago, especially if you seek stillness and space. The northern regions cool slightly, ideal for long walks. The fewer tourists and mild temperatures allow the path’s beauty and silence to rise to the surface.
Villages along the way feel more local than touristy, and the pilgrims you meet are more likely to be walking for reflection than for Instagram.
Valladolid: Cinema and Castilian Soul
Each October, the Valladolid Film Festival (SEMINCI) transforms this quiet city into a gathering of cinephiles, directors, and critics. If you love independent film or simply want to feel part of something cultural and local, SEMINCI is a rewarding detour.
Valladolid is also rich in traditional Castilian architecture and history, with shaded squares and churches that lend themselves to slow wandering.
Southern Spain
The South holds onto summer a little longer. October brings cooler mornings, but the days are still bright with sunlight, scent, and sound.
Jerez de la Frontera: Sherry and Horses
October in southern Spain feels generous. The skies stretch wide and blue, the moderate temperatures linger, and the cultural calendar stays full. In Jerez de la Frontera, this means crisp glasses of sherry, Andalusian horses in motion, and the echo of flamenco in old courtyards.
Visit a traditional bodega to learn the solera ageing system, then attend an equestrian show at the Royal Andalusian School. Between events, stroll past orange trees and slow cafés, and you’ll understand why Jerez is a vibe, as the kids say.
Granada and Seville: Outstanding Architecture
The Alhambra in Granada is still grand in summer, but October lets you see it without sunstroke or crowds. With fewer tourists, you’ll have time to take in the intricate Islamic carvings, the shifting light in the Nasrid Palaces, and the silence of the Generalife gardens.
In Seville, lanterns return to patios and the scent of jasmine carries through the streets. A flamenco tablao here, in the cool hush of evening, is far more intimate than any summer show.
Olive Oil and the Autumn Table
This is the season when the olive groves are full of promise. Many estates open for visits, offering tastings that reveal just how much complexity lies in a drizzle of green-gold oil. It’s also a good time for seasonal menus: grilled meats, stews with chickpeas and saffron, and rustic bread perfect for dipping.
The Canary Islands
If you want to hold on to summer just a little longer, the Canary Islands are your best bet. With an average temperature in the mid-20s and almost zero days of rain, October is the perfect time to explore these volcanic isles in comfort, minus the peak season prices and crowds.
Tenerife and Lanzarote: Landscape and Light
In Tenerife, mornings can be spent hiking trails through Teide National Park, where black volcanic soil meets bright autumn skies. Afternoons are for resting in eco-luxury hotels, many designed to blend into the island’s lunar landscape. Lanzarote offers a similar mix of stillness and surreal beauty: whitewashed villages, cactus gardens, and coastlines sculpted by lava.
Sun, Sea, and Quiet Shores
Late October still delivers sunny days ideal for water sports, boat trips, or simply watching the tide from a quiet beach. Unlike the busier Mediterranean resorts, the Canaries move at their own pace this time of year. There’s space to breathe, and space to swim.
The Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean Coast
By October, the Mediterranean coast exhales. The heat softens, the beaches clear, and the islands reveal a slower, more contemplative beauty. It’s a great month to discover the quiet side of places often known for summer buzz.
Mallorca: Art, Olives, and Empty Shores
Inland from the beaches, the mountain villages of this Balearic Island begin their seasonal shift. Deià, once a magnet for poets and painters, feels hushed and timeless in the cooler air. Here, you can visit the former home of Robert Graves, walk terraced olive groves, and sample local olive oil in shaded courtyards.
Down by the coast, you’ll find coves that feel almost private. The sea is still swimmable, the light golden, and the cafes open without the crush.
Costa Brava: Cliffs, Canvas, and Catalan Calm
Further north along the Costa Brava, museums and national parks hold hands. Walk the Camí de Ronda, a cliffside path connecting secret beaches and small fishing towns, or visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres. This stretch of the Mediterranean offers both visual drama and quiet escape, without the high season rush.
Sitges Film Festival: Glamour by the Sea
Each year, the Fantasy Film Festival in Sitges transforms this seaside town into something extraordinary. It’s quirky, international, and completely itself, a favourite among genre fans and curious travellers alike. When the festival takes place, there are also rooftop drinks, sea views, and a pleasantly odd mix of costumes and tuxedos.
City Breaks for Art and History Lovers
Spain’s cities feel unhurried but alive in October. The comfortable temperatures make walking a pleasure, and the art – whether on walls or in the streets – feels more accessible when you’re not jostling for space. It’s the best time to slow down and really look.
Madrid: Masterpieces and Autumn Squares
In Madrid, autumn begins in the museums. The Prado Museum, home to works by Goya, Velázquez, and Bosch, is less crowded now, giving you time to stand in front of a canvas without being nudged. Outside, the air is crisp enough for layers but warm enough for a table on a terrace.
Stroll through Plaza Mayor, once a stage for coronations and executions, now a place for wine and people-watching. And if you’re staying longer, consider day trips to Toledo or Segovia, both less than a short drive or train ride away.
Barcelona: Shadows, Light, and Living Architecture
Barcelona in October is still sunny, but the light shifts: softer, lower, golden. It’s a wonderful time to explore famous landmarks like Gaudí’s buildings. The Sagrada Familia, with its filtered glow and soaring towers, feels quieter now, almost reverent.
The city’s rich cultural heritage shines without competing for attention. Meander through the Gothic Quarter, sip vermouth in El Born, and take a short ride to Sitges for one more hit of sea and cinema.
October Festivals and Cultural Events You Shouldn’t Miss
October isn’t just quieter in Spain; it’s also more expressive. This is the month of film festivals, literary tributes, and national pride when local festivities blend with major events to create a rich calendar of celebration.
Cervantes Week in Alcalá de Henares
In the birthplace of Spain’s literary giant, Cervantes Week brings together performance, memory and celebration. Expect costumed parades, theatre in plazas, and readings under frescoed ceilings.
The streets of Alcalá de Henares come alive with the cadence of old Spanish, lantern-lit markets, and vendors in traditional costumes.
Marbella and the Month of Film
While Valladolid and Sitges get most of the headlines, the Marbella Film Festival offers a boutique blend of indie screenings, panel talks, and Costa del Sol soirées. More intimate than glitzy, it brings together creators and audiences in a setting where the Mediterranean horizon is never far away.
Live Music and Local Rhythms
Across major cities, you’ll find autumn music echoing through concert halls, street corners and tabernas. In Zaragoza and Valencia, live music mingles with the smell of roasted chestnuts and cider.
Practical Tips for Travelling to Spain in October
October might feel relaxed on the surface, but a little planning goes a long way.
- Packing: The weather is mild, but you may experience cooler temperatures in the morning and at night, especially in the northern regions and higher altitudes. Pack layers, comfortable walking shoes, and a compact umbrella for the occasional rainy day.
- Accommodation and transport: This is a better time for mid-range to luxury travellers. With the peak season over, many hotels offer affordable prices without compromising on quality. Regional trains are reliable for city-to-city travel, but if you plan to explore villages, wine country, or parks, consider a rental car.
Final Thoughts: Spain in October is a Well-Kept Travel Secret
There’s a particular kind of silence that settles over Spain in October. Not absence, but ease. The country isn’t trying to impress you; it’s just being itself. And that might be when it’s at its most beautiful.
For a first-time visitor, it’s the best way to discover what lies beyond the brochure. For seasoned travellers, it’s a reminder of why Spain keeps calling people back. This wonderful time of year offers a rare blend of art, food, warmth, and space, a deep breath before winter begins.
End your day with a glass of Rioja in hand, seated on the edge of a medieval town square. The sun slips behind the rooftops. There’s music somewhere nearby, and the scent of woodsmoke on the air.
It’s not a dream. It’s just finding the right place in Spain, in October.
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