The beginning of September in Spain brings a feeling of renewal and new beginnings. Summer in Spain, especially along the coast, has a way of bringing the country to a halt. Whether you planned to slow down or not, Spain will make sure that you do. From the heat and those lovely after-lunch siestas under the fan to beach and pool days with family, the summer months pass in a hazy, sometimes groggy state.

With the cooler air of September here, at least in the mornings and evenings, it’s a reminder that life is starting to get back to normal. There is a sense of being tucked away on the coast in summer, like you’re in a bubble, the outside world can’t penetrate. When thoughts of reality appear, they are easily dismissed with, “I’ll do it after the summer!” Now that time is here, there’s both a sense of dread, so much has piled up, and the feeling of new beginnings, similar to January. People head back to the gym after months in bathing suits, kids go back to school, and work schedules resume a more regular rhythm. At the moment, though, we are in that in-between stage, still groggy from the summer, while the weather is warm enough for one last beach visit.

Shops, Timetables, and Routines

Shops and supermarkets reflect this shift as well. On the coast, the summer crowds may have meant extended hours and even Sunday openings, but in September, things quieten down. Churros stands close, smaller shops and family-run supermarkets reduce their hours or shut altogether, and large supermarkets like Mercadona return to their regular schedules, closing on Sundays again. In the cities, the opposite happens. In Madrid and other inland areas, people return from holidays, businesses reopen, and offices, gyms, and public transport regain their usual pace. September here highlights a contrast: quiet streets on the coast and a return to city routines, showing how Spain runs on two very different rhythms at once.

Fairs and Festivals in September

September is also a time for local fairs and fiestas. In Murcia city, the September Fair fills the gardens of the Malecón with food stalls, concerts, and exhibitions, while La Fica fairground comes alive after the quieter month of August. The celebration also connects with the pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Fuensanta, combining tradition, devotion, and community spirit. In Lorca, the first week of the month brings the Feria Chica in honour of the patron saint, followed later by the larger Feria Grande, with concerts, competitions, and fireworks lighting up the streets. Albacete’s September Fair attracts visitors with ten days of music, parades, and gatherings, while Granada hosts the colourful Cascamorras, a playful re-enactment between two towns that ends with paint, laughter, and a shared sense of celebration.

For anyone living in Spain, September can feel like a month caught between two worlds. The coast is quieter, beaches are less crowded, and many small shops have returned to reduced hours, yet the mornings and evenings still carry summer warmth. Cities hum back to life as routines pick up, supermarkets and offices resume normal schedules, and schools and gyms welcome back families settling into the autumn rhythm. Meanwhile, local fairs keep the sense of summer alive, bringing music, food, and tradition to the streets. September is that in-between month, a gentle shift from the long, hazy days of summer into the steadier pace of autumn. It’s a time to catch your breath, take stock, and ease back into life while still holding on to the warmth and freedom of the season just passed.

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