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. Being 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, participate in all of them and live your vacations to the fullest!
1. Shelter from the rain in one of Madrid's museums
Autumn has its good days and its bad days, and nothing better if it coincides with one of the latter than to reserve the day to go to one of the best museums in Madrid and take shelter from the rain or the autumn cold.
The list, as you can imagine, is long. Here are my favorite options, there are for all tastes and ages.
- Prado Museum, from $19.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, from $14.
- Museum of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, from ** $12**.
- Museum of Illusions of Madrid, from ** $15**.
- Wax Museum of Madrid, from ** $19**.
Which one do you want to join? If you go with your family do not hesitate to visit the Wax Museum or the Museum of Illusions, you will spend a fun day!
2. Spend a dream day at an amusement park
There is no more fun and ideal plan at this time of year that coincides with key dates such as Halloween or the preamble to Christmas, to go to one of the amusement parks in Madrid, as in these festivities the decorations will dazzle you.
You have two fundamental options.
- The Warner Park in Madrid, from $45, which has a number of themed areas with which you will identify with as Cartoon Village, DC Super Heroes World, Movie World Studios, Old West Territory or Hollywood Boulevard. Which one do you prefer?
- The Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, from $32, which has numerous attractions of all kinds, from roller coasters to water rapids.
3. Take a trip to Ribera del Duero
What better time of year to book an excursion to Ribera del Du ero than October and November, when the scenery makes this wine region even more beautiful.
In this plan, which lasts approximately 11 hours and includes round-trip transportation, you will 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 will have the opportunity 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 know the city comfortably, nothing better than booking the tourist bus tour of Madrid. And is that the city is so big that you will have the possibility to cover more distance allowing you to better organize the rest of your stay.
In addition, the autumn months, is a very interesting plan, because although Madrid is a very visited city, the months of October and November are less crowded 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 practically any European city, however, Madrid during autumn is tinged with a special glow that I recommend you take advantage of to take amazing photos 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 when it wears its lush vegetation with beautiful shades of brown, yellow and orange.
- Paseo del Prado: The vegetation-filled avenue of Paseo del Prado serves as a prelude to the most important museum in the city: The Prado National Museum. In autumn plan a visit to the facilities, see the most important works and, of course, marvel at the vegetation and gardens of 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 favorite is the Bosque de la Herrería where you can take pictures from the viewpoint and walk along the trails.
6. Be dazzled at the Festival Luz Madrid
Similar to other emblematic light festivals that occupy important 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 of the local and international scene take as a stage for their light installations the most important places of the city. The projection of this young event contemplates starting a new tradition to be held every year in autumn.
Where it takes place
The impressive Festival of Lights takes place in different areas and emblematic places of Madrid such as the Prado Museum and the Buen Retiro Park. It is best to consult before the trip the official website of the Festival Luz Madrid to know the map of facilities and the exact date of the event.
And, of course, take the opportunity to book a guided tour of the Prado Museum, an essential plan for 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 easily reach the complex using the Madrid subway: the nearest stations are Canal station (lines 2 and 7) and Rios Rosas subway station (line 1).
How to buy tickets
For events at Teatros del Canal, tickets usually have a price range from 9 € to 25 € on average. If you want to attend the Festival Suma Flamenca you can buy tickets on the event's website.
8. Attend Madrid Craft Week
This event takes place twice a year, during the spring and during the fall in Madrid. Madrid Craft Week brings together a selection of important traders and artisans from Madrid around an intense program of activities that seeks to highlight the craft work and the social value of this beautiful art.
It is an event worth attending due to the great variety of creations that you can find 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 address all kinds of topics and are taught by real talents in the sector. The schedule of workshops may include: cardboard, metal embossing, embroidery, pottery or others depending on the schedule.
Where it is held
Seeking 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 capacity. Hands-on workshops can cost between 40 and 60 euros per participant.
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9. Enjoy the best music at the International Jazz Festival Madrid
Several international and local figures come together in the capital of Spain every year to delight the public with the Festival Internacional Jazz Madrid. A series of celebrations 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 spaces used in previous events include: the National Library of Spain, the National Auditorium of Music, the Círculo de Bellas Artes and others.
How to buy tickets
They are usually sold on the website or physical box office of the venue where the concert takes place. To make things easier, you will find on the official website of the Jazz Madrid Festival, all the information regarding the calendar of presentations with direct links to purchase tickets.
10. Immerse yourself in an evening of theater and dance at the Autumn Festival
If you visit Madrid during the fall, consider attending the International Autumn Festival in Madrid, which includes international and local presentations of performance, dance and theater.
This event was born in the 1980s and with few exceptions, is part of the activities you can do in Madrid if you travel during the month of November. The performances last between 15 and 20 days.
Where it takes place
The Autumn Festival takes place on the stages of various performance centers throughout Madrid. Historically, some venues used in past editions have been: Teatros del Canal, Teatro Pradillo, Sala Mirador, Real Coliseo Carlos III and others.
How to purchase 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's concert series
If you travel to Madrid in October, specifically in early October, you will be lucky enough to attend the Mazo concert series. For music lovers it will be one of the most interesting events you can go, 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, here you will find a little bit of everything.
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
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12. Find curiosities at the best antiques fair in Madrid
If you have a passion or curiosity for art and history, FERIARTE is an event not to be missed. Every fall in Madrid is a meeting with the best of art from other eras seeking to support the important work done by antique dealers and gallery owners in Spain.
At least 90 leaders of 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 is held
The event takes place every year at IFEMA Madrid, located on Avenida del Partenón. You can reach the complex using the Madrid subway, with the metro line 8 until you reach the Feria de Madrid stop.
How to buy tickets
Tickets must be purchased directly on the official website of the event, FERIARTE and the price ranges from 24 € for one day to 60 € if you want to attend the full three days.
13. Admire the great Christmas Ball
If you are in Madrid for the opening of the Christmas season, usually in the last weeks of November, give yourself the opportunity to enjoy the lighting of impressive light displays all over the city. My favorite: the Gran Bola de Navidad.
For the past few years, the Gran Bola is installed after November 20 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 6.30pm; 8pm and 9:30pm. It lasts approximately 6 minutes.
Where it is performed
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 do not need tickets, it is a free show open to the public.
14. Attend the annual show at the Circo Price Theater
One of the best things to do in Madrid with children during the fall 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, beginning each year at the end of November and running through the first weeks of January.
Where it is held
The circus festival takes place every year at the Teatro Circo Price, located in the Lavapies area. You can easily access through 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 purchase tickets and know the schedules of the performances is visiting the official website of the Teatro Circo Price a few weeks before your trip.
Madrid temperatures in autumn
Still feeling the remnants of summer, the first month of autumn in Madrid, October, is a mild and very pleasant climate. Ideal for enjoying everything 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 6 ºC on some days and in some years.
Anyway, autumn is still one of the best times to visit the city and walk through its streets without suffering too hot or too cold.
To visit Madrid in autumn you can not forget to bring light cold clothes, but especially that will protect you from the constant rain. Include in your suitcase rain boots, umbrellas and a raincoat.
The influx of tourists in Madrid in autumn
With the arrival of autumn in addition to the heat waves also begins to descend the waves of tourists that crowd the city during the summer.
In October you can still find some movement, but with the arrival of November and December the streets are much quieter and it is easier to enjoy its attractions without crowds. If you want to avoid the crowds, autumn is the ideal time!