The best autumn-winter plans in Spain
The beginning of autumn in Spain is a true experience in every sense. The beauty of the typical landscapes of this season is combined with the seasonal premieres of the performing arts. The most important theatres and auditoriums are packed with leisure events for all tastes. Many of them can also be enjoyed during the winter. But the possibilities don't end there. Cosying up in a century-old café, visiting unique gardens and parks with the beautiful colours of autumn or enjoying Spain's culinary wonders are just some of the many other options to explore.
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Opera and dance
The Royal Theatre of Madrid has a vibrant calendar of events, including opera and dance shows during several months, bringing these genres to wider audiences. “La Traviata” and “Carmen” are regular performances on its stage, as are the latest creations of the National Dance Company.The Autumn Festival is held in November, which includes dance, theatre and music shows, as well as different performances across the capital and in other municipalities of the province of Madrid.Barcelona is not far behind, as the Gran Teatre del Liceu has an exceptional calendar of dance, opera and ballet events throughout the year, consolidating its position as a cultural benchmark on the European artistic scene. Some of the main events are popular operas, like “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly”.Valencia is another city that also stands out for its opera events. In particular, with the events and activities of the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the venue for famous operas, like “Il Trovatore” or “La Bohème”. Likewise, at Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao, you can enjoy the ABAO Bilbao Opera season, which starts in October and has many different operas for all types of audiences. Dance lovers also have an obligatory date in Bilbao, which hosts the Bilbao International Dance Festival (Dantzaldia), with a great avant-garde proposal.
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Charming parks and gardens
Autumn is one of the best times of the year to enjoy the outdoors, as parks and gardens across Spain fill with colour and tranquillity. For example, in Valladolid, Campo Grande is perfect for this, with its wide paths, ponds and leafy groves, creating a fantastic atmosphere to explore every corner.The María Luisa Park in Seville offers a spectacular contrast with its plane trees, fountains and exotic gardens, tinged with ochre and violet tones. To the north, in Santiago de Compostela, Alameda park is another autumn gem, where oaks and chestnut trees surround the promenades in a relaxing atmosphere.With the drop in temperatures after the Madrid summer, walks are something special under the blanket of dry leaves that cover the Retiro Park. Other parks, such as LaDevesa de Girona or Campo de San Francisco, in Oviedo, are also special places to enjoy nature.But not only in autumn. Imagine a walk through these parks and gardens under a white blanket of snow.
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Comforting and historic gastronomy
With the arrival of the cold, there is nothing better to do than finding cosy spots. One of the best options is to have a nice coffee at places with history and charm, like Café Iruña in Pamplona, Café de Macondo in A Coruña, Café Lab in Bilbao, which make their own coffee, or the fabulous Café de la Luz and Café Gijón in Madrid.However, if you wish to enjoy local gastronomy in a different way, one of the best alternatives is to visit the iconic markets in many Spanish cities. The San Antón Market or the San Miguel Market in Madrid and La Boquería in Barcelona offer delicious tapas, ideal for replenishing your energy after a sightseeing trip. In Valencia, the Mercado Central combines modernist architecture with traditional cuisine. In Seville, the Lonja del Barranco Market is the perfect place to relax next to the Guadalquivir. Bilbao's Mercado de la Ribera will give you the chance to enjoy delicious pintxos while discovering the old quarter.And at dusk, there is nothing like watching the sunset and how its light illuminates historic buildings, monuments or natural spots from a terrace. For example, the terrace of Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid offers amazing views to the Gran Vía, while in Seville, the rooftop terrace ofHotel Colón and the terrace of theEME allow visitors to enjoy the Giralda while having a nice cocktail. And, in Alicante, the terrace of Hotel Gran Sol stands out for its views of the Mediterranean and Santa Bárbara castle.
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Conventional (and not so conventional) cinema
Spain has some of the most renowned film festivals in Europe. They attract thousands of cinema fans from all over the world. You cannot miss the Bilbao International Documentary and Short Film Festival (Zinebi) and Seville Cinema Festival if you are a huge fan of alternative cinema, a place where you can discover the latest directors and films. Also in autumn, the Gijón International Film Festival, where independent cinema takes the centre stage.Another event that continues to grow in the Madrid film scene is the Madrid International LGBTIAQ+ Film Festival, with a marked advocacy in defence of LGBTIAQ+ people.
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Light (and sound) shows
Historic buildings, iconic places and beautiful surroundings in Spanish cities become canvases on which authentic works of art are projected, with light as the key feature. This is the case of Luz Cuenca, a show for the senses, in which animated images are projected onto the Church of San Miguel.Art, technology and architecture re blended at the Umbra Light Festival held in Vitoria-Gasteiz, which kicks off in February and in which international and local artists create interactive lighting experiences that decorate the city at night.And if we talk about street lights, the major capitals compete every year to offer their citizens and visitors the best Christmas lights. Vigo is famous for its spectacular street lights, from the end of November and until January.
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Guided tours of monumental heritage
Autumn and winter are the perfect times to combine the cultural richness of Spanish cities with events, guided tours and gastronomic fairs.A good example of this can be found in the BUSCASETAS gastro-mycological conferences in Castilla y León, with the world of mushrooms and their culinary tradition as protagonists. You can take advantage of the opportunity to visit emblematic monuments throughout the region, from the León Cathedral, to the Segovia Aqueduct or the Plaza Mayor in Salamanca.In mid-December, in Zaragoza, during the Comic Book Fair, completing the cultural experience with the so-called ninth art, with guided tours of the Basilica of Pilar and the Palace of Aljafería, which offer an insight into the city's millennia-old history.One more recommendation that may interest you: the Alcazaba of Badajoz, the spectacular Puerta de Palmas or La Giraldilla are some of the monuments that you can explore in the capital of Extremadura if you visit the city when its famous Badajoz Carnival is held, declared an International Festival of Tourist Interest, which fills its streets with colour and joy every February.
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