Autumn is a magical season in Spain. The leaves turn red, orange, and yellow, the air gets crisp, and there’s a perfect excuse for hot chocolate and cozy walks 🍫🧣. In this blog, you’ll learn the Spanish words for autumn and other seasons, useful expressions, cultural facts, and even fun ways to practice your Spanish 🇪🇸✨.
The Spanish word for autumn is otoño (/oˈto.ɲo/). It usually starts in September and ends in December.
Autumn is a transition season, moving from the hot summers to the cold winters. Some regions, especially in the north, experience rain and cooler temperatures 🌧️❄️, while the south can still have sunny days ☀️, making it ideal for sightseeing.
Example: 'Me encanta el otoño en Madrid, los parques se llenan de hojas de colores 🍁' (I love autumn in Madrid, the parks are full of colorful leaves.)
Extra tip: Spain’s autumn is also harvest season, with grapes, chestnuts, and mushrooms appearing in markets 🍇🌰🍄.
In Spanish, the four seasons are:
🌸 Primavera – Spring
☀️ Verano – Summer
🍂 Otoño – Autumn
❄️ Invierno – Winter
But there’s more to know than just the words! Let’s see what each season is like in Spain, along with some useful vocabulary and expressions:
Months: March (marzo) – May (mayo)
Weather: Mild, sometimes rainy 🌦️
Activities: Walking in gardens, enjoying flowers, festivals like Las Fallas in Valencia
Expressions: 'Hace buen tiempo' – The weather is nice
'Florecen las flores' – The flowers bloom
Months: June (junio) – August (agosto)
Weather: Hot and sunny☀️, perfect for the beach 🏖️
Activities: Swimming, festivals like La Tomatina, outdoor terrace dinners
Expressions: 🥵'Hace mucho calor' – It’s very hot
😎'A la sombra, por favor' – In the shade, please
Months: September (septiembre) – November (noviembre)
Weather: Cooler, leaves changing colour 🍁
Activities: Walking in parks, harvest festivals, drinking hot chocolate ☕
Expressions: 'Hace fresco' – It’s chilly
'Las hojas caen' – The leaves fall
👀Cultural insight: Each season has its own traditional activities and foods. For autumn, popular dishes include roasted chestnuts, mushrooms, and pumpkin desserts 🎃🍄.
Months: December (diciembre) – February (febrero)
Weather: Cold in the north ❄️, mild in the south 🌞
Activities: Skiing in the Pyrenees, Christmas markets 🎄, cozying up at home
Expressions: 'Hace frío' – It’s cold
'Está nevando'– It’s snowing ⛄
🤓 Tip for learners: Pair each season with typical activities, clothing, and weather expressions. This makes it easier to remember the vocabulary and use it in real conversations.
Autumn covers September (septiembre), October (octubre), and November (noviembre). In late August, some areas like the south already start to feel autumnal.
⬆️ Northern Spain: cooler temperatures, rainy days, perfect for forest walks and enjoying mountain views ⛰️🌧️.
⬇️ Southern Spain: sunny days remain, good for beach walks and outdoor festivals 🌞🏖️.
Example: En octubre, en Málaga, todavía se puede disfrutar de la playa 🏖️
(In October, in Málaga, you can still enjoy the beach.)
😎 Autumn in Spanish slang
Sometimes, people use informal ways to talk about autumn:
🥶 El otoño ya está aquí, ¡qué frío hace! 'Autumn is here, it’s so chilly! '
🍂Me encanta el fresquito de otoño ✨ 'I love the chill of autumn '
Vocabulary:
🌬️Fresquito – a little cool
🍃 Hojas – leaves
🌰 Castañas – chestnuts
🍇 Vendimia – grape harvest
❄️ Frío – cold
📝 Example sentence: Este otoño me voy a Galicia para el Magosto, ¡me encantan las castañas! 🌰🍁 (This autumn I’m going to Galicia for the Magosto, I love chestnuts!)
Spanish people love expressing the cold, cozy, and seasonal feelings:
❄️ Hace un frío que pela – It’s freezing!
🛋️ Otoño es la estación de la manta y el chocolate caliente 🍫 – Autumn is the season for blankets and hot chocolate.
🍁 Las hojas crujen bajo mis pies – The leaves crunch under my feet.
Autumn is full of traditions and activities:
🍇 Harvest season is here – Autumn is the grape harvest (vendimia) in famous wine regions like La Rioja. Many towns have festivals with wine tasting and grape stomping.
🌰 Chestnuts everywhere! – Galicia, Asturias, and Castilla y León celebrate Magosto, a festival where locals roast chestnuts and enjoy them with family and friends.
🍂 Walking through parks – Madrid’s Retiro Park and Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella are beautiful in autumn.
🎃 Autumn cuisine – Seasonal ingredients include mushrooms, chestnuts, grapes, and pumpkin. Many traditional Spanish dishes are only available during autumn.
🌳 Rural experiences – Try workshops on harvest or autumn crafts.
Example sentence: Vamos al Magosto este fin de semana a Galicia. ¡Me encantan las castañas! 🌰🍂
(We are going to the Magosto this weekend in Galicia. I love chestnuts!)
🌇 Autumn sunsets are magical – Cities like Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona have breathtaking sunsets during autumn, with the sky painted in orange, pink, and purple. Perfect for photos! 📸
🍂 Nature changes colours – In northern Spain, forests in Galicia, Asturias, and the Pyrenees turn into a sea of red, yellow, and gold, creating amazing hiking opportunities.
🥧 Autumn markets and fairs – Local markets offer seasonal products like mushrooms, pumpkin, and apples. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid host autumn food festivals.
🌞 Mild and perfect temperatures ❄️ – While northern Spain can get cool and rainy, the south remains sunny and warm, making it perfect for a late-season beach walk.
🎭 Cultural events – Autumn is rich in concerts, theatre shows, and art exhibitions. Cities often organize outdoor events to celebrate the new season.
📸Photography paradise – Autumn provides the perfect light and colours for photographers. From historic streets to parks and countryside, the landscapes look magical.
Learning autumn vocabulary has never been so fun! Use these words and expressions to talk about the autumn season in Spain.
🍎 Manzana – Apple
🍇 Uvas – Grapes
🌰 Castaña – Chestnut
🎃 Calabaza – Pumpkin
🍄 Seta / Hongo – Mushroom
🍂 Hoja – Leaf
🍁 Árbol de otoño – Autumn tree
🌧️ Lluvia – Rain
🍂 Viento – Wind
🧣 Bufanda – Scarf
🧥 Abrigo – Coat
🔥 Chimenea – Fireplace
🥧 Tarta de manzana – Apple pie
🏕️ Senderismo – Hiking
🧺 Recoger castañas – Chestnut gathering
💡 Tip: You can use these words to describe your city or a walk in the countryside during autumn, and add emojis to make it more visual and fun!
Enjoy the season with some Spanish songs perfect for autumn vibes:
'Otoño, octubre' – Manuel Carrasco 🍁🎶 – Feel the warm and reflective autumn atmosphere through this beautiful song.
Listen while walking in a park or enjoying a café to practice your Spanish vocabulary 🎧☕.
Autumn in Spain is a season full of colours, traditions, and cozy moments. From the changing leaves 🍁 to the seasonal foods 🥧, and even the music that captures the mood of the season 🎶, there are countless ways to enjoy it. Learning the vocabulary and expressions related to autumn will not only improve your Spanish, but also help you experience the season like a local. So grab a warm drink ☕, take a walk through the autumn streets, and practice your Spanish with everything you’ve learned!
Instructions: Choose the correct answer in Spanish for each question.
🍁 Which autumn activity do you like the most? 🌞 What’s your favourite season in Spanish? 🍂
👇😍Share your answers in the comments and practice your Spanish! 💬🇪🇸