October is a great month to visit Spain. Choose from destinations where autumnal festivities are in full swing, to places where you can soak up the sun before the winter sets in. October is also one of the cheapest months for a holiday to Spain as the shoulder-season sees holiday rental and activity prices reduce, here are the top 6 locations.
The weather in Spain in October varies across the country. In the north, the weather can be less predictable with cloudy days as well as rain. In the south, the weather is still pleasant with a large number of sunny days meaning you can still enjoy the beaches.
Cantabria
Cantabria is one of the best places to stay in northern Spain, with a truly beautiful nature offering. Not only in the form of stunning beaches, you will also find the protected National Park of Picos de Europa in the Cantabrian mountains. Rent a holiday home in Cantabria for an idyllic nature escape. Spend days navigating the network of hiking trails connecting picturesque mountain villages. October is a great time of year to visit the Picos de Europa, it's not too hot, the lakes are full, the waterfalls are flowing and the landscape is a luscious green.
Located on the Atlantic, Cantabria attracts surfers to its shores all year round. One of the best times to go is October when the water is still warm from the summer. The long sandy beaches invite surfers of all levels. Explore the Cantabrian coast from Playa de Oyambre in San Vincente de la Barquera to Berria beach in Santoña.
Formentera
Formentera is a lesser-known island in the Balearics but is one of the best beach destinations in Spain. This idyllic island is one of the hottest places in Spain in October, with temperatures still reaching 25 °c. Unspoiled, charming and rugged, it is famous for its picturesque coves and pink-hued beaches such as Ses Illetes. A microscopic organism called foraminifera mixes with bits of coral, shell and calcium carbonate to form this pink sand.
One of the most important events on the island in October is SONEGPosidonia. Locals and visitors come together for 3 days of local cuisine, music, nature and heritage in support of the Save Posidonia Project, promoting the basic message of sustainable tourism on the island.
Huelva
Huelva is often overlooked as a holiday destination in Spain. Located on the
Costa de la Luz, Spain's "secret coast," it is home to a plethora of unspoiled beaches. Due to its mild winter climate, the beaches can still be enjoyed well into October. This coastline also borders the Atlantic which brings with it autumn swells, ideal for watersports enthusiasts.
Find spectacular nature in The Sierra de Aracena mountain range. This region has a unique ecosystem and over 500 species of mushrooms grow here. Take hiking trails and discover the beauty of these fertile valleys, but beware not to eat just any old mushroom as some are toxic.
The
Iberian Ham Festival is a prolific event in Huelva. Visitors can enjoy "tapas routes" with a tour of local bars and restaurants in Aracena. As one of the most famous
Spanish food festivals, it was perhaps put on the map due to its peculiar closing event. Witness the "your weight in ham" contest whereby participants can literally win their body weight in Iberian ham.
If you
rent a holiday home in Huelva, don't miss Las Maravillas Grotto - a spectacular network of underwater lakes, unusual rock formations and large chambers.
Costa del Sol
The weather along the
Costa del Sol is still pleasantly warm in October. The region has an average of 320 sunny days a year, meaning you can enjoy the beaches well into the Autumn. Rent a
beach villa in Nerja in October and enjoy this quaint white-washed town with little sandy beaches and coves, minus the summer crowds.
Málaga is one of the most popular destinations in Spain during the summer and it can feel a bit crowded. In October, temperatures are less high and it is a little quieter, making it the perfect time to rent a
holiday apartment in the city. Wander around the historic centre, visit museums, galleries, relax on the beaches and indulge in Andalusian tapas.
Madrid
After the summer heat has subsided, October is one of the best time to rent a
holiday apartment in Madrid. Wander around the city, dip in and out of shops, eat tapas and drink vermouth in trendy bars. One of the
best places to stay in Madrid at this time of year is in the
Retiro neighbourhood, near
El Retiro Park. The park is beautiful in October as the colours transition from green to brown and the trees shed their leaves. Visit the Palacio Cristal and Rose Gardens and if the weather permits, take a boat out onto the lake.
On the 12th of October, the country celebrates Dia de España. The display is in the city centre, commemorating the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's first arrival in the Americas. The king supervises the raising of the Spanish national flag and there is a military parade. This is a national holiday and although many shops are closed, it's a great time to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the city.
Sitges
This stunning coastal town is located in Catalonia and just 30-minutes from Barcelona. The area is characterised by its beaches and promenade lined with mansions which has been likened to Saint Tropez.
In October, the weather is still warm enough to spend the day on the beach and enjoy the glitzy nightlife of the town.
There are two
unmissable events in Sitges in October. The wine harvest festival and the prestigious film festival. Sitges is in the heart of the
Penedès wine region and draws people from all over the world to celebrate the grape harvest in October. Festa de la Verema invites visitors to taste various wines, squash grapes in barrels and learn traditions of the wine harvest in this region.
The
film festival in Sitges is an internationally famous event that specialises in horror and fantasy productions. Established in 1968, it has brought many celebrities to Sitges throughout the years including the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Cameron Diaz. Enjoy exhibitions, presentations and screenings of fantasy films from all over the world and learn about new trends and technologies in film production and the audiovisual world.
