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Spain is experiencing a surge in tourism, reaching a record 11 million international visitors in July 2025—the highest monthly total ever recorded for the country. Tourist spending has climbed to over €76 billion so far this year, a 7.2 percent increase compared to 2024. While visitor growth has slightly slowed, September is no longer considered a “shoulder season” as both Spanish and international tourists continue to fill resorts and cities, with airfare dropping to some destinations but overall costs on the ground increasing[1].

September also brings some of Spain’s most celebrated festivals and cultural events, including:

  • Festival of Pedro Romero in Ronda (early September, featuring music, dance, parades)
  • Fiestas de la Vendimia in Jerez (first half of September, a sherry and harvest festival with flamenco and bullfights)
  • Fiesta de Cascamorras in Guadix and Baza (September 6 & 9, known for paint-throwing “battles”)
  • Asturias/Extremadura Day (September 8, with regional closures and celebrations)
  • Catalunya National Day (September 11, closures in Barcelona)
  • Fiesta de San Mateo in Logroño (September 20–26, a major grape-harvest festival with food fights and parades)
  • Festes de Santa Tecla in Sitges (September 22–23, processions, fireworks, and revelry)

Major city celebrations such as Barcelona’s La Mercè kick off on September 23, drawing crowds for parades, human towers, and fireworks, while the Fiestas de Carthagineses y Romanos in Cartagena reenacts historic battles[2][4].

Diplomatic tensions have risen, with Spain preparing a full arms embargo on Israel and considering declaring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several cabinet members personae non grata. The move follows Spain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood in May 2024 and reflects a broader call from Spanish officials for tougher EU action on Israel regarding the war in Gaza[3].

Spain and the UK have strengthened ties with a high-level meeting in London between Prime Ministers Pedro Sánchez and his UK counterpart, the first in seven years. The leaders discussed cooperation on Ukraine, Gaza, trade, and investment, formalizing a new strategic bilateral framework to deepen economic and diplomatic collaboration[5][7].

Spain has also faced its most severe wildfires in three decades, with 640,000 hectares burned in 2025—almost quadruple the average annual area affected previously. These fires have particularly impacted northern and northwestern Spain, leading to widespread evacuations and the destruction of key habitats and natural tourism routes[6].

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