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Spain is currently the European country on everyone’s travel radar.
By the end of August, the country had welcomed a record 64.3 million travelers, and that number is only set to increase.
But which Spanish cities are best to visit in autumn?
Madrid and Valencia are officially the two fastest growing destinations in Spain now.
Because I like good statistics, Valencia has seen a 17.4% increase in visitors compared to last year and Madrid a similar increase of 17%.
Here’s why autumn is the perfect time to visit both Valencia and Madrid:
Why visit Madrid in autumn
If you like being part of sweaty human soup, visit Madrid in summer! In autumn the temperature is milder and there are fewer crowds, making for a much more pleasant experience.
The city changes color and then comes to life. The Madrid International Jazz Festivall is organized from September to November and brings music and electricity to the city. It’s a great time to visit.
Fall is the perfect time for sightseeing and exploring the city. Besides the obvious sights such as the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace of Madrid, you can also discover hidden gems.
Buy unexpected souvenirs at the famous El Rastro flea market. Or head to Emir Mohamed I Park, where you can find the city’s hidden Arab walls, an unexpected insight into Madrid’s rich history.
Traveling to Madrid
One of the things that makes visiting Madrid in the fall attractive is that, unlike other Spanish destinations where flights are seasonal, there are still non-stop flights between the US and Madrid all year round.
In November you can even fly non-stop to Madrid from no fewer than 10 different US airports.
These are New York, Miami, Chicago, Washington DC, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Dallas, Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.
The cheapest airport to fly from is New York. Departure on November 4 and return on November 12 costs $597 if you choose to fly with Iberia Airlines or $660 with American Airlines if you prefer to fly with a US airline.
This assumes a return flight in basic economy class for one person. The outbound flight time for this trip is 7 hours and 15 minutes, while the return flight time is 8 hours and 50 minutes.
Why visit Valencia in autumn
In autumn, Valencia smells as good as it looks. The weather is still pleasantly warm and the whole city seems to smell of oranges.
You’ll still find the days warm enough to relax on the beach if you prefer, but there are also plenty of cultural and historical activities in the city.
This means that there is something for every traveler.
Discover the changing season at the Valencia Biopark or visit Valencia’s famous Gothic icon, La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia.
This is one of the most famous Gothic monuments in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit Valencia Cathedral and climb the 207 steps to the Miguelete Tower. This is not only a beautiful structure in itself, but also offers fantastic 360 degree views of the entire city.
Arrival in Valencia
Unlike Madrid, there are no direct flights from the US to Valencia in the fall, but there are options available to you.
You can choose to fly to Madrid, using the options described above, and then take the train to Valenica. But I think it’s a little easier to get to Valencia from Barcelona, which also offers direct flights from the US
You can fly to Barcelona all year round from Miami, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Washington DC.
The cheapest flights are from Miami with a non-stop return flight in economy class from November 10 to November 17 costs $415 with Iberia Air.
From here you can take the train from Barcelona to Valencia for just $34.
This has a journey time of 2 hours and 40 minutes if you take the fast train, and is a great way to explore and appreciate Spain from a different perspective.
Spain has a reliable rail network and is considered home to some of Europe’s most renowned train routes. So including a train journey into your Spanish holiday can be seen as a positive rather than an inconvenience!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
