14 Things to Do in Madrid in the fall
Are you planning to spend autumn in Madrid? What a fantastic idea! In this article you will find a list of unique activities that you can only enjoy at this time of the year.
Retiro Park, Madrid | ©Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie
Autumn is one of the best times to visit Madrid. As it is a transition season between summer and winter, the weather is perfect for walking the streets.
If you want to know the events, festivals and activities that the city prepares every year in this season, here is a list of the most interesting and fun ones. Take part in all of them and live your holidays to the fullest!
1. Shelter from the rain in one of Madrid's museums
Autumn has its good days and its bad days, and there's nothing better if it coincides with one of the latter than reserving a day to go to one of Madrid's best museums and take shelter from the rain or the autumn cold.
The list, as you can imagine, is long. Here are my favourite options, with something for all tastes and ages.
- Prado Museum, from £18.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, from ** £12**.
- Museum of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, from ** £10**.
- Museum of Illusions of Madrid, from £11.
- Madrid Wax Museum, from ** £19**.
Which one do you want to go to? If you're going with your family, don't hesitate to visit the Wax Museum or the Museum of Illusions, you'll have a great day out!
2. Spend a dream day at an amusement park
There is no more fun and ideal plan at this time of year, which coincides with key dates such as Halloween or the preamble to Christmas, than to go to one of **Madrid'**s amusement parks, as the decorations will dazzle you during these festivities.
There are two main options.
- The Warner Park in Madrid, from £35, which has a series of themed areas that you will identify with such as Cartoon Village, DC Super Heroes World, Movie World Studios, Old West Territory or Hollywood Boulevard. Which one do you prefer?
- Madrid's Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, from £26, has a range of rides and attractions from roller coasters to water rapids.
3. Take a trip to Ribera del Duero
What better time of year to book a trip to Ribera del Duero than October and November, when the scenery makes this wine-producing region even more beautiful.
On this plan, which lasts approximately 11 hours and includes a return transfer, you'll visit three local wineries with an expert guide who will tell you all the details about these wines.
It also includes a wine tasting and snacks. And you'll have the chance to make a brief stop in Segovia to get to know the must-see sights of this Castilian city.
4. Get to know the city comfortably from a tourist bus.
And if you want to get to know the city comfortably, there is nothing better than booking the Madrid tourist bus tour. The city is so big that you will have the possibility to cover more distance allowing you to better organise the rest of your stay.
In addition, the autumn months, it is a very interesting plan, because although Madrid is a very visited city, the months of October and November have a lower tourist influx and you can enjoy more comfortably this attraction, going up and down whenever you want.
5. Get the best snapshots of Madrid in Autumn
Autumn is one of the most pleasant seasons to visit almost any European city, however, Madrid during autumn is tinged with a special glow that I recommend you to take advantage of to take amazing pictures of the most important monuments and tourist sites of the city.
Best locations to take autumn photos in Madrid
- Retiro Park: As the most important park in the city, no visit to Madrid in autumn would be complete without a tour of the Retiro, as it is at this time of the year when it wears its lush vegetation in beautiful shades of brown, yellow and orange.
- Paseo del Prado: The leafy avenue of the Paseo del Prado serves as a prelude to the city's most important museum: the Museo Nacional de Prado. In autumn plan a visit to the installations, see the most important works and, of course, marvel at the vegetation and gardens in this area of the city.
- Bosque de la Herrería: If your travel plans include booking an excursion to El Escorial, keep in mind the surrounding fields and forests; my personal favourite is the Bosque de la Herrería where you can take photos from the viewpoint and walk along the paths.
6. Be dazzled at the Luz Madrid Festival
Similar to other emblematic light festivals that occupy major cities and capitals around Europe and the world, the Festival Luz Madrid has arrived to offer us a festival of fantasies and lights on a grand scale.
Important artists from the local and international scene take as a stage for their light installations the most important places in the city. The projection of this young event contemplates starting a new tradition that will take place every year in autumn.
Where it takes place
The impressive Festival of Lights takes place in different areas and emblematic places in Madrid, such as the Prado Museum and the Buen Retiro Park. The best thing to do before your trip is to check the official website of the Festival Luz Madrid for a map of the venues and the exact date of the event.
And, of course, take the opportunity to book a guided tour of the Prado Museum, an essential part of your trip to Madrid.
How to buy tickets
Tickets are not necessary, the event is free and admission is free.
7. Don't miss the Suma Flamenca Festival
Every year between the end of October and the beginning of November, a festival dedicated entirely to flamenco music takes place in the city of Madrid. Due to its trajectory, the Suma Flamenca Festival has become an event of international fame where the most outstanding figures of today's flamenco come together.
The shows include the presentation on stage of guitar artists, dance performances and, of course, singing.
Where it takes place
The festival takes place mainly on different stages of the artistic complex Teatros del Canal, located in the Chamberí area. You can reach the complex easily using the Madrid metro: the nearest stations are Canal station (lines 2 and 7) and Rios Rosas metro station (line 1).
How to buy tickets
For events at Teatros del Canal, tickets usually range in price from 9 € to 25 € on average. If you want to attend the Suma Flamenca Festival you can buy tickets on the event's website.
8. Attend Madrid Craft Week
This event takes place twice a year, during spring and autumn in Madrid. The Madrid Craft Week fair brings together a selection of important traders and artisans from Madrid around an intense programme of activities that seeks to highlight the work of craftsmen and women and the social value of this beautiful art.
It is an event worth attending due to the wide variety of creations on display, ranging from handmade fashion pieces, decorative pieces and even gastronomy.
In my opinion the most interesting part of the event are the workshops that usually deal with all kinds of topics and are given by real talents in the sector. The calendar of workshops can include: card making, metal embossing, embroidery, pottery or others depending on the schedule.
Where it takes place
In order to add dynamism to the event, its locations change from place to place. It is best to keep an eye on the Madrid Craft Week website for details.
How to buy tickets
Exhibitions and talks are usually free with limited seating. Hands-on workshops can cost between €40 and €60 per participant.
9. Enjoy the best music at the International Jazz Festival Madrid
Several international and local artists come to the Spanish capital every year to delight audiences at the Festival Internacional Jazz Madrid. A series of celebrations revolving around jazz music that includes spaces for debate, exhibition areas and, of course, jazz concerts!
Where it takes place
The most interesting thing about the festival is that it takes place in different venues in Madrid, turning the city into a constant party. Some of the venues used in previous events include: the National Library of Spain, the National Music Auditorium, the Círculo de Bellas Artes and others.
How to buy tickets
Tickets are usually sold on the website or at the box office of the venue where the concert is being held. To make things easier, you will find all the information on the official website of the Jazz Madrid Festival, with direct links to buy tickets.
10. Immerse yourself in an evening of theatre and dance at the Autumn Festival
If you visit Madrid during the autumn, consider attending the International Autumn Festival in Madrid, which includes international and local performances of performance, dance and theatre.
This event was born in the 1980s and, with few exceptions, is one of the things to do in Madrid if you travel in November. The performances last between 15 and 20 days.
Where it takes place
The Autumn Festival takes place on the stages of various performance centres throughout Madrid. Historically, some of the venues used in past editions have been: Teatros del Canal, Teatro Pradillo, Sala Mirador, Real Coliseo Carlos III and others.
How to buy tickets
For full details on ticket sales, visit the official website of the Festival de Otoño and find out about prices and the official calendar of performances before your trip.
11. Attend the MAZO Festival Concert Series
If you travel to Madrid in October, specifically at the beginning of that month, you will be lucky enough to be able to attend the Mazo concert series. For music lovers it will be one of the most interesting events you can go to, especially for the varied set of presentations that make it up.
During the days it lasts you can enjoy performances of jazz, pop, trip-hop, electronic music, instrumental music and other genres. In short, you'll find a bit of everything here.
Where it takes place
This event runs an extensive schedule of weekly performances for approximately 3 months. In that period they manage to perform in different alternative venues all over Madrid, including: the Independance Club, Sala Mon Live, Kapital, Shoko Madrid, La Riviera and many more.
How to buy tickets
Tickets to the event are sold through the Dice events website
.
12. Find curiosities at the best antique fair in Madrid
If you have a passion or curiosity for art and history, FERIARTE is an event not to be missed. Every autumn in Madrid, a gathering of the best art from other eras is held to support the important work of Spain's antique dealers and gallery owners.
At least 90 leaders in the sector, including antique dealers and art galleries, are accompanied by an extensive exhibition that covers some 100 years of art history and encompasses different styles from other eras - an unrepeatable experience!
Where it takes place
The event takes place every year at IFEMA Madrid, located on Avenida del Partenón. You can get to the complex using the Madrid metro, with the metro line 8 until you reach the Feria de Madrid stop.
How to buy tickets
Tickets must be purchased directly from the official website of the event, FERIARTE and the price ranges from 24 € for one day to 60 € if you want to attend the whole three days.
13. Admire the great Christmas Ball
If you're in Madrid for the opening of the Christmas season, usually in the last weeks of November, take the opportunity to enjoy the lighting of impressive light displays all over the city. My favourite: the Gran Bola de Navidad.
For the last few years, the Gran Bola has been installed after 20 November and remains in place until after Three Kings Day in January. The most fun part is the show of music and Christmas figures in the form of lights that are projected onto the spherical surface every day at 18.30h; 20h and 21:30h. It lasts approximately 6 minutes.
Where it takes place
Every year in the emblematic Metropolis building. You can get there very easily using the Madrid Metro. Banco De España station is only three minutes away, while Gran Vía station is approximately 6 minutes away.
How to buy tickets
You don't need tickets, it's a free show open to the public.
14. Attend the annual Teatro Circo Price show
One of the best things to do in Madrid with children during the autumn season is to attend the annual show at the Teatro Circo Price. This show, which brings together the best of circus talent, is held to welcome Christmas, starting each year at the end of November and running until the first weeks of January.
Where it takes place
The circus festival takes place every year at the Teatro Circo Price, located in the Lavapiés area. It is easily accessible via the Madrid Metro, Embajadores metro station (line 3 and line 5) is only five minutes away and the Antón Martín metro station is 10 minutes away.
How to buy tickets
The easiest way to buy tickets and find out the performance times is to visit the official website of the Teatro Circo Price a few weeks before your trip.
Madrid's temperatures in autumn
Still feeling the remnants of summer, the first month of autumn in Madrid, October, is mild and very pleasant. Ideal for enjoying all there is to see and do in Madrid. As November approaches or if you visit the city in December, the temperature adjusts closer to the cold, experiencing lows as low as 6ºC on some days and in some years.
In any case, autumn is still one of the best times to get to know the city and walk through its streets without getting too hot or too cold.
To visit Madrid in autumn you can't forget to bring light cold weather clothing, but especially that will protect you from the constant rain. Include rain boots, an umbrella and a mackintosh in your suitcase.
The influx of tourists in Madrid in autumn
With the arrival of autumn, as well as the heat waves, the waves of tourists that throng the city during the summer also begin to subside.
In October you can still find a bit of movement, but with the arrival of November and December the streets become much quieter and it is easier to enjoy the attractions without the crowds. If you want to avoid the crowds, autumn is the ideal time!