Holidaymakers traveling to Spain in autumn may face crowded tourist destinations. Previously, visiting Spain in April, May, and September offered a chance for affordable warm-weather vacations with fewer visitors compared to peak summer months.
Recent data suggests a shift in travel patterns, with a notable increase in off-peak trips. Approximately one in six Spanish travelers are planning holidays in September, reflecting a change in traditional vacation habits. The National Observatory of Outbound Tourism in Spain reported a 9.1% rise in international tourists visiting Spain in September last year, totaling 9.6 million visitors.
The surge in September holidays has led to a price increase, with average nightly stays in Spain reaching €132 (£114) last September, marking a 21% hike from 2023. The shift from summer months to September is influenced by weather conditions, as high temperatures during July and August have made some regions uncomfortably hot, impacting tourism.
Spain’s appeal as a holiday destination has been on the rise, with a record-breaking 11 million international visitors in July, contributing to a total of 55.5 million arrivals in the first seven months of 2025. Tourist spending has also seen a 7.2% year-on-year increase, reaching €76 billion (£66 billion).
Increasing interest in Spain, overcrowded accommodations, and concerns raised by the overtourism movement regarding issues like rising house prices and strained public facilities have prompted tourists to explore quieter months for their vacations. This shift has led to fully booked hotels and limited flight availability during traditional peak tourism seasons.