For most people, the days of rest are finally over. For them, here are these proposals that seek to face the return in the best possible way, either in their own city or by organizing a small getaway to get through September. They also work for those who are just starting their desired vacations, which are becoming more and more...
Gourmet paradise with views (and secret cove)
There is a hidden paradise within the natural setting of the legendary dunes of Punta Paloma, perfect for walking or even horseback riding, just a few meters from the beach of Valdevaqueros in Cadiz. There, not only do you get exceptional views of the vastness of the Atlantic, the Strait, or the African continent itself, but it is the place (in capital letters) to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in all of Andalusia. We are talking about El Mirlo, a southern classic that has been surprising locals and strangers for years, now recovered by the team of the legendary Marbella Club on the Costa del Sol, whose executive chef, Santiago Guerrero, has redesigned the traditional menu giving it more local flavor. To do this, he relies on fresh seasonal and local products, among which stands out the red almadraba tuna in all its versions, but also the creamy rice dishes (the one with scarlet shrimp takes the prize) or the Teranka-style lobster, which nods to its island sibling in Formentera, with potatoes and eggs to share. For the offspring of Cadiz, Marbella Club has opted to add a more casual and fresh aesthetic to the idyllic enclave in line with the area and a unique gastronomic offer that reinterprets classics like gazpacho, whether in meatball form (also try the tuna ones) or even tataki.
The next proposal is a getaway to the north, to Asturias, to embark on a route of viewpoints over the Cantabrian Sea between seaside towns, cow paths, and mountains shrouded in mist without leaving the Luarca-Valdes area. There is the one at Monte de La Funiar, which overlooks the valley from the meadow adorned by the traditional Indiano houses to the valley traced by the Negro River. From south to north, you can see the mountains and high pastures of the interior and the central area of Luarca, with the Town Hall square and the meanders drawn by the river. You should not miss the viewpoint of El Chano, which can be accessed by walking from this beautiful town through a stepped ascent through the Fishmonger neighborhood or by car through Peña Street.
Another of the most beautiful viewpoints in the area is Regalina, at the end of the town of Cadavedo. The lights of the Busto and Vidio lighthouses guide travelers. Up to a hundred meters above sea level rise the vertical cliffs of the Protected Landscape of the Western Coast in this pristine strip. The next proposal is designed for hikers, as it involves venturing into the wooded environment of the interior of Luarca-Valdes. Its main treasure is the Esva Valley, the largest riverbed in this destination and one of the most pristine settings in the Principality that houses a Natural Monument: the Hoces del Esva. This gorge sculpted by the river advances between walls of up to 500 meters in height, bathing a jungle of alders that is designated as a Protected Landscape. The route through the balconies of western Asturias ends at Punta de l'Arenosu, in the surroundings of Cape Busto, where it forms a series of coves and promontories that cut through the coast from a height of 80 meters.
What better way than a relaxation session for the return. The place? The new offspring of the company Hammam Al Ándalus, specialized in improving the well-being and emotional health of people through thermal baths and massage. With several locations in Granada, Córdoba, Madrid, Málaga, and Palma de Mallorca, comes the one in Puerta de Hierro, with 1,526 square meters, which combines the aesthetic and spiritual richness of the Andalusian legacy with the innovation of contemporary thermalism. This would be the third center in the capital after those in Atocha and Barquillo. Thus, it offers a journey divided into two phases. The first activates the body with contrast baths, steam, massages, and treatments that stimulate circulation, cleanse, and revitalize. Then comes the reconnection in spaces designed for silence and serenity.
Interior of the Puerta de Hierro hammam.
Likewise, traditional hammam forms —the water ritual, the hot stone, and steam— are combined with a contemporary spa circuit with hydrotherapy techniques, sensory showers, hydromassage jets, and physical recovery services. "We wanted to offer more than just a break. Something that was not just rest, but transformation. A space where one could access complete well-being, born from physical care and also from emotional reconnection. We call this well-being," concludes José María García, founder of Hammam Al Ándalus. Website: hammamalandalus.com
Zip lines and record-breaking castles
It's time to release some adrenaline with one of the longest zip lines in Spain suspended among the trees. Its 380 meters in length confirm its leadership, as well as being one of the many attractions to visit the Sierra de Guadarrama where it is located. Specifically, the adventure park of Tirolinas Go, in the recreational area of Las Encinillas, just half an hour from the center of Madrid. It is not the only activity in the complex, as it has 70 games to enjoy in the heart of nature such as nets, hanging bridges, and even a canoeing session on the Las Encinillas reservoir, a calm and clear water surface of 7,000 square meters.
However, swimming is not permitted in this area. It can be seen from up there on the zip line, which, after traveling about 20 meters between trees, daring adventurers can soar through the skies, gazing down at the reservoir from a height of about 50 meters. The tour of the area continues with a visit to the many charming towns such as Alpedrete, Cercedilla, Collado Mediano, Moralzárzal, Los Molinos, El Boalo, and Manzanares el Real, home to the famous 15th-century castle, conceived as the palatial residence of the House of Mendoza, one of the most influential lineages in Castile during the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
If there's one thing that characterizes the capital's summer nights at this time of year, it's its summer movie screenings, which often extend until mid-September. From the classic Parque de la Bombilla in the Moncloa-Aravaca district until the 6th, to Matadero in Arganzuela, or the one at the Galería Central in CentroCentro, which is now celebrating its tenth anniversary and will be open to the public until September 11. Not to mention the summer room (room 3, for the record, the one on Berlanga) at the Cine Doré (home to the Spanish Film Library) until the 14th, in Antón Martín, or the already legendary La Estival in Plaza de España, with its summer market and terrace with different gastronomic options until September 15.