Every weekend you probably feel that urge: get out, breathe fresh air, and discover something different. But sometimes the hard part isn't wanting to escape, but knowing where to go. That's why we've put together a selection of seven Spanish destinations that it's time to visit, if you haven't already. These are charming places, perfect for exploring, savouring the local cuisine and exploring the landscape. And as it's autumn, everything looks different and tastes better. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the pleasures of travelling close to home.
A getaway filled with nature, history and flavour among golden mountains
If you're looking for a break where nature surrounds you, history speaks to you and the cuisine comforts you, Cangas de Onís is the place for you. In the heart of Asturias, autumn transforms its surroundings into a spectacle of colours and scents. The mountains surrounding the Lakes of Covadonga and the Picos de Europa National Park are tinged with ochres, reds and golds.
The famous Roman bridge, symbol of the town, marks the beginning of a journey where every step holds a bit of history and every bite tastes of the land. The cool climate and fewer visitors make walking to the lakes or the Basilica of Covadonga a real pleasure.
Cangas de Onís in autumn is a peaceful, authentic and deeply Asturian getaway, ideal for trips with friends, with your partner or with the family. At the Parador de Cangas de Onís enjoy a complete experience where nature thrives, and culture and cuisine can be found around every corner. Because there, a good fabada and freshly poured cider taste better.
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For the more adventurous in Spain's largest green lung
If you're looking to immerse yourself in a sea of trees and breathe fresh air, Cazorla awaits you with open arms. This is one of those places where you can feel the season in every leaf, every path and every dish.
In autumn, the Sierra de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas mountain range is at its best, a tapestry of holm oaks, pines and oaks that change colour with an elegance that only nature understands.
If you're looking for adventure, November is the perfect month to explore its most iconic routes, such as the Borosa River, where the sound of water and the rustling of leaves accompany every step. The historic centre of Cazorla, crowned by Yedra Castle, invites you to stroll along cobbled streets and among whitewashed walls that retain the soul of Andalusia.
And when your body needs a break, the local cuisine responds. Game meats, extra virgin olive oil and products from the mountains turn every meal into a simple and honest celebration.
Rest also becomes an important part of the journey, as the Parador de Cazorla, located in the heart of Spain's largest protected natural reserve, is the perfect starting point for hiking trails and discovering the source of the Guadalquivir River. Here you can enjoy the best of Andalusian regional cuisine, the landscape and comfort in each of its rooms.
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For those seeking a truly authentic destination
If you are attracted to villages steeped in history and picture-postcard landscapes, Hervás is a hidden gem.
Nestled in the Ambroz Valley, this small village in Extremadura combines history, tradition and nature in a way that will captivate you from the moment you arrive. The Jewish quarter, one of the best preserved in Spain, is a labyrinth of narrow streets, half-timbered houses and corners frozen in time.
In November, the chestnut trees covering the valley paint the landscape in shades of gold and brown, enveloping every hiking trail in a magical atmosphere. What's more, this is when the Magic Autumn Festival begins in Ambroz Valley, a celebration that fills the area with life, cultural activities, markets, music, guided tours and comforting local cuisine.
If you are not familiar with this part of Extremadura, you have been missing out on the ideal getaway for those seeking authenticity, landscapes with soul and villages that still retain their essence.
We recommend stopping off and resting at the Parador de Plasencia, a few kilometres from Hervás. Located in a former 15th-century convent, this imposing building with stone walls, vaulted ceilings and majestic coffered ceilings will make you feel as if you have crossed a threshold into another era. The careful decor respects the essence of the past without sacrificing modern comfort.
And when night falls, the perfect plan awaits you below ground. The bar, housed in the convent's old wine cellar, offers an intimate and exclusive atmosphere, ideal for relaxing and ending the day with a drink. Staying here is like adding an extra chapter to this getaway.
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Spirituality and excitement await you on this getaway
Still in the province of Cáceres, but changing valleys to enter one of the most special villages in Extremadura: Guadalupe. This spot, nestled between mountains, is one of those places that will surprise you with its beauty and thrill you with its history.
Here you will find stone walls, cobbled streets, copper pots and pans and many ceramic dishes that make up the essence of this village. In addition to being on the list of the most beautiful villages in Spain, it has been a World Heritage Site since 1993 thanks to the Royal Monastery of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
Should you choose to visit at this time of year, you will find the landscapes of the Villuercas Ibores Jara Geopark surrounding the monastery transformed into a spectacle of ochres and golds, offering hiking trails full of soft light and clean air.
Guadalupe is a getaway that has it all... art, spirituality, tradition, landscapes and even a Parador that makes the getaway an even more special experience.
The Parador de Guadalupe occupies a historic complex of great heritage value, the former Hospital de San Juan Bautista (14th century) and the Colegio de Infantes (15th century), both linked to the monastery and symbols of two pillars of medieval knowledge: science and humanism. Converted into a Parador in 1965, today they offer a welcoming space where Mudejar architecture, arches, gardens and vegetation create an atmosphere of calm and tranquillity.
Thanks to careful restoration, the Andalusian legacy can be appreciated in every detail, making it the perfect place to rest, unwind and complete this getaway, only two hours from Madrid.
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A destination that never disappoints
Some cities are always on the list of places to visit, and others places where you will always want to return. Granada is both. With the autumn atmosphere, everything is even more enjoyable: tapas, walks, views. The perfect plan for city dwellers with a traveller’s soul.
Explore the Albaicín at a leisurely pace, while the Mirador de San Nicolás offers one of the most unforgettable views in Spain, with the Alhambra at the fore and Sierra Nevada in the background, and every bar is an excuse to enjoy tapas and a drink. Everything tastes better, and everything is more enjoyable.
Speaking of unique views, the Parador de Granada is an essential stop on this getaway. Located in the heart of the Alhambra, it is the perfect place to prolong the magic of the city even after the sun goes down.
This Parador occupies the former Nasrid Palace of the Infantes, converted by the Catholic Monarchs into a convent after the conquest of Granada. Their first tombs were installed here, and architectural gems such as the qubba, a viewpoint overlooking the Generalife with a muqarnas dome, the cloister, formerly a Nasrid courtyard, and the Arab baths of the palace, discovered in the mid-20th century, are still preserved.
As you can see, this is a must-see stop to continue enjoying the unique experience this city has to offer.
If the cold weather arrives on time, you can even add a touch of adventure. The first snows in the Sierra Nevada may surprise you with the start of the ski season. Granada has a gift of combining culture, flavour, landscapes and life in a single getaway.
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Take a plane and discover an enchanted forest
If you feel like leaving the peninsula behind to travel to another world, we suggest this plan. If pure nature is your thing, Garajonay National Park in La Gomera will fascinate you. There are no chestnut trees or golden oaks here, but there is an ancient forest so silent and green that it seems to be inhabited by magical beings.
If fairies existed, they would live in fantasy environments such as this laurel forest hidden inland on this Canary Island. Walking through Garajonay in autumn is like stepping into a fairy tale. There are 18 marked trails to explore on foot, each one taking you along paths where mist caresses the treetops and roots emerge like living sculptures.
This is the perfect destination for those seeking silence, pure nature and a real escape. In this sense, this forest is one of the most extraordinary getaways you can have in Spain.
Staying at the Parador de La Gomera will make this getaway even more special. Located on the edge of the ocean, it offers spectacular views of the island of Tenerife and Mount Teide.
This Parador occupies a building in traditional Canary Isle style, reminiscent of the Columbian era. Located in San Sebastián de La Gomera, the capital and port of entry to the island, this is not just any place as it was Christopher Columbus' last stop before his voyage to discover America.
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A city that must be on any list
To round off this list of getaways, we return to the mainland, just half an hour by AVE high-speed train from Madrid, where Toledo stands like an open book of history, art and legend. A city of three cultures, every corner is a living lesson among the city walls, viewpoints and narrow streets.
In autumn, the city is transformed. Golden light highlights the ochre tones of the façades, temperatures become pleasant, making strolling around its steep slopes enjoyable. From the Cathedral to the synagogues of the Jewish quarter, passing by the viewpoints of the Tagus, Toledo is best enjoyed when the pace slows down and the atmosphere becomes more serene.
Another essential stop on this getaway, both for relaxation and for enjoying one of the best views, is the Parador de Toledo. Located in a Mudejar-inspired building, it offers unparalleled panoramic views of the city, visible from the terrace, the lounges and many of the bedrooms.
The warm and serene atmosphere makes it the perfect place to relax after a day of sightseeing. And to end the day on a high note, there's nothing like savouring La Mancha cuisine on the terrace while contemplating the golden silhouette of Toledo at sunset.
This is a perfect getaway for a day, a weekend or an impromptu visit. But above all, it is one of those destinations that you must visit at least once in your life.
