September in Spain offers a balanced mix of culture, food, and relaxation, making it a smart choice for anyone planning a getaway. The easing weather and off-peak vibe ensure trips feel unhurried, and with events like local wine harvests starting up, there’s always something fresh to discover. If you’re considering a visit, now’s the time to pack your bags.
As September 2025 unfolds, Spain shifts into a more relaxed gear, inviting visitors to enjoy milder weather and a host of cultural events that ease the transition from summer’s peak. With temperatures settling into the comfortable mid-20s Celsius across much of the country, this month provides a pleasant window for exploring cities, coasts, and countryside. From harvest festivals in the wine regions to fashion weeks in the capitals, Spain offers a steady mix of activities for those looking to extend their seasonal adventures.
The early days of September see coastal areas like Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands still drawing crowds for late-season swims, though the waters remain warm and the beaches less packed than in high summer.
Inland destinations benefit from cooler evenings, making outdoor dining and strolls along paseos more enjoyable. Public transport runs efficiently, with high-speed trains connecting Madrid to Andalusia in under three hours for fares starting at €30, and ferries to the islands operating daily from major ports. Booking ahead for popular routes helps avoid any last-minute hitches, especially as schools reopen and locals reclaim their routines.
One of the month’s standout draws is the San Sebastián International Film Festival, running from 19 to 27 September in the Basque Country, where screenings of new releases fill cinemas and outdoor venues along the bay. Attendees can catch premieres, panel discussions, and street parties, with tickets available from €8 per session. The festival pairs well with tastings of local pintxos – small bites like anchovies on toast – at nearby bars, and the city’s La Concha beach provides a spot to unwind between showings. Even without tickets to the main shows, the city’s pintxos bars buzz with energy, serving small plates for €2-3 each, perfect for an evening of casual grazing. Inland, Madrid’s Retiro Park offers shaded paths for picnics, while the capital’s museums, like the Prado, see shorter queues, allowing more time to appreciate works by Goya and Velázquez.
Further south, the Valencia Fashion Week takes centre stage from 9 to 12 September, showcasing Spanish designers in the city’s modern halls, free entry to runway shows draws fashion enthusiasts from across Europe.
Harvest season adds a rural flavour, particularly in La Rioja, where the grape picking begins in earnest around mid-September. Visitors can join guided tours of vineyards at Bodegas López de Heredia, learning about the winemaking process while sampling tempranillo reds, with experiences costing about €20 including transport from Logroño. Key celebrations include the Fiesta de la Vendimia in Jerez de la Frontera, the Vendimia Riojana in Logroño, and the Feria de la Vendimia in Requena,
In Andalusia, the grape harvest season kicks off with enthusiasm, particularly in areas like Jerez and Ronda. Expect to join in the vendimia celebrations, where vineyards open their doors for tours and tastings. A typical day might involve sampling fresh sherries paired with regional tapas, all for about €15-20 per person, offering a taste of Spain’s wine heritage in a relaxed atmosphere. Further south, Malaga’s coastline remains inviting, with sea temperatures still hovering near 22°C, ideal for a dip or a leisurely walk along the promenades.
In Extremadura, the Festival Nacional del Queso from 5 to 7 September in Trujillo celebrates cheeses made from sheep’s milk, featuring markets, tastings, and cooking demos that highlight regional produce. These events offer a hands-on way to connect with Spain’s agricultural side, often with free admission to the main plazas.
Culinary highlights abound as seasonal ingredients hit markets, from figs and almonds in Valencia’s Central Market to mushrooms foraged in Catalonia. Join a paella workshop in Alicante for €50, or sample sherry in Jerez during the Fiestas de la Vendimia from 20 to 22 September, where parades and barrel-rolling contests add to the fun. Evenings often feature casual tapas crawls, with spots in Seville’s Triana neighbourhood offering plates of espinacas con garbanzos for under €5.
As the month progresses, the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy on 24 September brings processions to Barcelona’s streets, blending religious traditions with fireworks and sardana dances in the Gothic Quarter. This local celebration provides a glimpse into community life, with many families gathering for meals of fideuà noodles.
Barcelona, meanwhile, gears up for its annual La Mercè festival around mid-September, featuring street parades, fireworks, and castells – those impressive human towers built by locals. Families and groups can wander the Gothic Quarter, catching performances that blend tradition with modern flair, often free to the public. For a quieter alternative, the Costa Brava’s coves provide serene spots for snorkelling or hiking, with boat rentals starting at €50 for a half-day outing.
Cultural sites see lighter footfall this month, allowing for unhurried visits. In Barcelona, the Sagrada Família’s towers gleam under clearer skies, and audio guides for €25 provide context on Gaudí’s designs. Madrid’s Royal Palace opens its gardens for evening walks, while the nearby Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum displays European art in air-conditioned comfort. Southern gems like Granada’s Alhambra welcome bookings for afternoon slots, where fountains and tilework create shaded retreats, tickets at €15 ensuring entry without the summer queues. Northern spots, such as Bilbao’s Guggenheim, host temporary exhibits on modern sculpture, complementing a stroll through the Casco Viejo’s pintxo bars.
Nature enthusiasts find September ideal for hikes in the Pyrenees or along the Camino de Santiago trails, with paths like those around Roncesvalles offering autumnal views and fewer trekkers. In the Canary Islands, Tenerife’s Teide National Park invites cable car rides to the volcano’s summit for panoramic sights, and whale-watching boats from Los Cristianos depart twice daily for €40, spotting dolphins in calmer seas. Beaches from Tarifa to Sitges remain inviting, with chiringuitos serving fresh salads and grilled fish, and water temperatures holding steady above 20 degrees.
The Canary Islands, with their year-round appeal, shine in September too, as trade winds keep things breezy. Tenerife’s Teide National Park invites volcano hikes with clear skies, and guided tours cost around €30, including transport. On the cultural front, Valencia celebrates its paella origins with cooking workshops during the month, where participants learn to prepare the dish using fresh ingredients for about €40 a session.
For those seeking adventure, Galicia’s coastal trails in the Rías Baixas area provide scenic rambles amid eucalyptus groves, with fresh seafood markets offering oysters and percebes at local prices. Overall, September 2025 in Spain blends cultural immersion, outdoor pursuits, and culinary delights, making it a smart choice for trips that balance relaxation and discovery. Booking early for accommodations, which average €100-150 per night in mid-range spots, ensures the best deals.
Dublin has direct flights to the following destinations in Spain:
- Alicante (Ryanair), Barcelona (Aer Lingus), Barcelona (Ryanair), Barcelona (Vueling), Bilbao (Aer Lingus), Fuerteventura (Aer Lingus seasonal), Fuerteventura (Ryanair), Girona (Ryanair, seasonal), Gran Canaria (Aer Lingus), Gran Canaria (Ryanair), Ibiza (Ryanair, seasonal), Lanzarote (Aer Lingus), Lanzarote (Ryanair), Madrid (Aer Lingus), Madrid (Iberia Express) , Madrid (Ryanair), Málaga (Aer Lingus), Málaga (Ryanair), Menorca (Ryanair, seasonal), Palma de Mallorca (Aer Lingus), Palma de Mallorca (Ryanair, seasonal), Reus (Ryanair, seasonal), Santander (Ryanair), Santiago de Compostela (Aer Lingus seasonal), Santiago de Compostela (Ryanair, seasonal), Seville (Aer Lingus), Seville (Ryanair), Tenerife–South (Ryanair), Valencia (Ryanair).
