September on the Costa Blanca is a month for connoisseurs. The heat eases, the sea is still perfectly warm, and the beaches become pleasantly spacious. This is when the region sheds its tourist-brochure fever and invites you to celebrate its deepest traditions – wine, rice, and local fiestas.

If you want to experience more than just a holiday from a brochure, September is the month for you. And with car keys in your pocket, you can fully immerse yourself in the authentic rhythm of the coast. Here is our guide to four September events that will make your trip unforgettable. For each one, we include a complete logistics guide.

Fiesta del Moscatel in Teulada-Moraira: A celebration of the sweetest grape

When: Usually the first weekend of September.

Where: Teulada, a charming inland town right next to the seaside resort of Moraira.

September in Spain smells of the harvest, and around Teulada the Moscatel grape reigns supreme – an intensely aromatic variety used to produce sweet wines and raisins. Fiesta del Moscatel is a tribute to this tradition. You can watch displays of traditional grape-picking and grape-treading methods, take part in tastings of sweet mistela (a local liqueur), and of course sample fresh fruit. In the evenings, the streets fill with music and dancing.

What else to combine with the fiesta?

• A visit to Moraira: After an afternoon spent in traditional Teulada, drive down the scenic road to the sea and Moraira. This is one of the most elegant and beautiful resorts on the Costa Blanca, with a lovely marina and El Portet beach.
• Scenic route CV-743: A short but spectacular road from Teulada to Moraira, offering stunning views of vineyards and the sea.

How to get there and park? (approx. 1 h from Alicante Airport)

• Route: The quickest and most convenient option is the toll motorway AP-7 towards Valencia. Exit at junction 63 (Benissa/Teulada). The journey is comfortable and fast.
• Parking: Teulada is a small town. On fiesta days it is best to park on the outskirts and walk to the centre. Moraira has a large, free public car park right next to L'Ampolla beach.

Bous a la Mar in Dénia: A unique tradition and its controversies

When: As part of the Santísima Sangre fiesta, which often spills into early September (check exact dates!).

Where: The port of Dénia.

This is one of the most extraordinary and controversial spectacles in Spain. "Bulls to the sea" is a tradition in which daring young men provoke bulls into jumping after them into the water from a temporary arena built at the port. The event arouses strong emotions, but it is deeply rooted in local culture and draws huge crowds. Whatever you think of it, it is certainly a unique experience and a chance to see something found nowhere else in the world.

Good to know:

• Arrive early to get a good spot in the stands or along the quayside.
• The event is surrounded by the full atmosphere of a fiesta – stalls, music, and food.

How to get there and park? (approx. 1 h 10 min from Alicante Airport)

• Route: Again, the AP-7 motorway towards Valencia (exit 62) is the best choice.
• Parking: There are several large paid car parks at the port in Dénia, which is the most convenient option.

World Paella Day in Valencia: A journey to the cradle of flavour

When: 20 September.

Where: Valencia, the regional capital. This is no ordinary festival.

It is a global celebration of Spain's most famous dish, which was born right here in Valencia. On this day the whole city lives and breathes paella. Restaurants serve special menus, cooking demonstrations are held in public squares, and the best chefs compete for the title of world champion of authentic Paella Valenciana.

Why is it worth driving there by car?

A trip to Albufera: The true Paella Valenciana comes from the Albufera lagoon area just outside Valencia. Only by car can you easily get there, see the rice paddies, and eat paella in a traditional restaurant (barraca) in the village of El Palmar, watching the sun set over the lagoon. It is a total experience.

How to get there and park? (approx. 1 h 45 min from Alicante Airport)

• Route: The AP-7 motorway (toll on this stretch) is the only sensible option for covering this route quickly and comfortably.
• Parking in Valencia: Do not drive into the city centre. The best option is to park in one of the underground car parks near the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències) or around the old Turia riverbed and then continue on foot or by public transport.

Moors and Christians in Mutxamel: A fiesta on Alicante's doorstep

When: Usually in mid-September.

Where: Mutxamel, a town just outside Alicante.

If you don't have time for longer excursions but want to feel the atmosphere of a great Moors and Christians fiesta, the one in Mutxamel is ideal. It is smaller and more local than those in Calpe or Alcoy, but equally colourful and lively. It is a great way to spend an evening and watch spectacular parades without a long drive.

How to get there and park? (approx. 20 min from Alicante Airport)

• Route: Very straightforward. From the airport head along the A-70 motorway towards Alicante/Valencia, then exit onto the CV-800, which leads straight to Mutxamel.
• Parking: On fiesta days the town centre will be closed to traffic. Look for a spot on the streets on the outskirts of town.

How we do it at YourRent?

Renting a car in Alicante in September is the best way to discover the authentic traditions of the Costa Blanca. Our fleet – from economical cars perfect for short trips to comfortable SUVs for the journey to Valencia – is at your disposal. And with no mileage limit, you can throw yourself into the whirl of fiestas and festivals without a worry.