Visit Madrid this autumn!

Updated 26September 2025

The end of summer gives way to autumn, a season that fills the city with countless places to visit and things to do. Theatres and museums unveil their programmes for the coming months, with eagerly anticipated premieres; parks and gardens look more beautiful than ever with their different shades of colour; and the nice weather (leaving the sweltering summer behind!) encourages us to explore every corner of Madrid, including its shops, markets, and terraces.

1. Enjoy the autumn sunshine

The arrival of autumn still heralds warm temperatures and sunny days, but with all the charm of earlier sunsets. Terraces and rooftops are the perfect places to relax in the sunshine while taking in the views of the city, or you could take a gentle stroll through Madrid’s parks and gardens, which are as stunning as ever at this time of year.

2. Major new exhibitions this season

The new season brings several eagerly anticipated new exhibitions including Cleopatra, the immersive exhibition (MAD-Madrid Artes Digitales. Immersive Experience Centre. From 12 September to 2 November). This immersive experience will transport you to the heart of Hellenistic Egypt to rediscover one of the most fascinating women in world history.

Meanwhile, the exhibition Leica, A Century of Photography (Fernán Gómez Cultural Centre. 10 September to 11 January) commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Leica I model of camera with a visual journey through street photography, urban landscapes, portraiture and nature. A total of 174 photographs and a selection of classic cameras and previously unseen material illustrate the profound impact these cameras have had on the world of photography.

Other unmissable shows include Robert Capa. ICONS (Círculo de Bellas Artes. 2 October to 25 January), the largest retrospective exhibition devoted to Robert Capa, the photographer who changed the history of photojournalism. It dives into his universe through 250 original pieces (photographs, books, newspapers and objects) that reveal his creative process and the context of his images.

And without a doubt, one of the most hotly anticipated exhibitions opens on 1 October at Fundación Canal Sala Castellana 214: Disney: The Exhibition. 100 Years of Magic. A unique journey through the wonderful worlds of Disney, from the classics to recent releases from Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, including over 250 pieces on display, such as artwork, costumes and original props.

Meanwhile, from 29 October to 22 February 2026, CaixaForum Madrid presents Chez Matisse. The legacy of a new painting, taking visitors on a journey through the work of Henri Matisse, an artist who  questioned not only the very foundations of painting but also its emotional and political situation.

In autumn, the National Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is also putting on some major exhibitions, such as Warhol, Pollock and other American spaces (21 October to 25 January), which includes a wide variety of works by 20th-century artists who explored new spatial strategies; and Picasso and Klee in the Heinz Berggruen Collection (28 October to 1 February), bringing together fifty masterpieces owned by the German dealer and collector, by great artists such as Picasso and Klee.

In autumn, the Madrid musical theatre scene will be thrilling audiences once more, with new seasons of The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, We Will Rock You, the musical and Los pilares de la tierra. You can also enjoy incredible new productions such as Wicked, Cinderella, Cabaret, Oliver Twist, Buscando a Audrey, and Les Misérables.

With the arrival of autumn,  theatres unveil their new seasons, offering a whole host of interesting shows, such as American Buffalo (Fernán Gómez Cultural Centre); Historia del amor (Nave 10 Matadero); La Mujer Rota (Teatro Infanta Isabel); Todos pájaros de Wajdi Mouawad (Teatros del Canal); No. La Venidera (Centro Danza Matadero - CDM); Entre chiens et louves (Among dogs and wolves) - Cirque Le Roux (Teatro Circo Price); Dama de noche. Marta Gálvez (Centro Danza Matadero - CDM); Swan Lake; The Next Generation by Matthew Bourne (Teatro Real); and Poncia (Teatro Bellas Artes).

And, of course, not forgetting the classic Autumn Festival, marking its 43rd anniversary with an outstanding international programme.

3. New Luxury Hotels

Turn your visit into the ultimate experience by staying at one of the city's new hotels that have recently opened. Brach Madrid, part of the Evok chain, is set in a beautifully restored 1922 building at number 20 Gran Vía. The celebrated architect Philippe Starck has seamlessly combined nostalgia and modernity, drawing inspiration from 1920s and 1930s Spain. On the ground floor, the hotel’s pâtisserie tempts guests with an array of sweets, perfect for taking away or savouring in this stylish setting. 

In Calle Zorrilla, behind the Congress of Deputies, is El Autor Hotel Madrid, Autograph Collection, the new five-star hotel owned by the Marriott chain. Housed in a late nineteenth century classical building, the hotel offers 50 rooms with elegant and modern décor, as well as free WiFi and state-of-the-art technology.

Another exciting addition is the four-star hotel Catalonia Plaza España Hotel & Spa on Gran Vía, close to Plaza de España. Housed in a historic mid-20th-century building, it features a spa and a rooftop pool with stunning city views.

Other recent openings include the luxury JW Marriott Madrid, by Marriott International, located beside Plaza de Canalejas and just steps from the city’s main sights; the Hotel Montera Madrid, Curio Collection by Hilton, housed in a historic building with a striking Gran Vía façade; and UMusic Hotel Madrid, a stunning transformation of the former Teatro Albéniz and Madrid Hotel buildings.

4. Admire the shades of autumn

Along with spring, autumn is a season for enjoying nature at its best. Some of our favourite spots around the city are looking even more spectacular than ever! The parks and trees are awash with shades of red, brown and ochre, creating a magical scene that makes sunsets absolutely breathtaking.

5. Be moved by flamenco shows

In addition to the wide range of flamenco performances at Madrid’s tablaos and venues, several theatres and auditoriums are also putting on flamenco shows this season. Notably, Vuela by dancer Sara Baras (Teatro Gran Vía,  11 September to 2 November) pays tribute to the Spanish musician and composer Paco de Lucía, widely regarded as the greatest flamenco guitarist in history.

Meanwhile, the Teatro Capitol Gran Vía will host the Gran Gala Flamenco on 14, 21, 25 and 28 September, 9 and 15 October, and 7, 19 and 26 November.  This show takes audiences on a journey through the world of flamenco, featuring castanets, long-train flamenco dresses (bata de cola), fans, stunning costumes and original music. 

At the Centro Danza Matadero (CDM) this season, De Scheherazade  (26 September to 5 October) by the Compañía María Pagés presents twelve flamenco dance pieces exploring the multifaceted essence of femininity. Meanwhile, Calentamiento (15–23 November), choreographed by dancer Rocío Molina, delves into the ritual leading up to artistic performance and the creative impulse that precedes it.

Additionally, the Ballet Nacional de España will perform Medea from 16 to 19 October at the Teatro Real, a triple-bill programme paying tribute to choreographer José Granero, a key figure in Spanish dance.

One of the major flamenco events of the year takes place from 14 October to 2 November with the new edition of Suma Flamenca, a festival celebrating flamenco in all its forms.  This year marks its twentieth anniversary under the motto Tradition & Innovation. This anniversary edition will present 46 performances, with nineteen world premières and sixteen making their Madrid début. The programme features Olga Pericet, Sara Calero, Begoña Castro, Manuel Liñán, Rafaela Carrasco, José Maya, Paloma Fantova, Karime Amaya, Alba Heredia and Kelian Jiménez, to name but a few.

From 15 October, the Teatro Real launches the eighth season of Flamenco Real, further strengthening flamenco’s presence in its historic Salón de Baile. The programme offers a wide and varied line-up featuring artists such as José Maya, Alba Heredia, El Junco, Miguel Ángel Heredia and Ricardo Fernández del Moral, among others.

6. Take a mosey around charming markets

As we leave the scorching summer temperatures behind, a perfect plan for autumn is to saunter around some of Madrid's most popular markets. On Sundays and public holidays, head to the Rastro, an open-air flea market where you can find all kinds of products, interesting items, and antiques. Another good option is to go to the Motor Market which is held at the Railway Museum on the second weekend of each month.

7. Visit the stores of local artisans

The city is full of shops where artisans continue to create pieces using age-old traditions. Fans of beautiful leatherwork should head to Oficio Studio or Ollomao Taller; for jewellery, check out Andrés Gallardo and Studio Squina's workshops; and if you love ceramics and pottery, visit D'A Ceramics or local ceramist Silvia Valentín's studio.

8. Tapas in a traditional taberna

Most bars in Madrid serve tapas, but there are some more traditional places, known locally as tabernas, that have been famous for their light bites for decades, and even in some cases, for cenuries. This is the case of Casa Labra, right by Puerta del Sol, which is known for its soldaditos de pavía (little pieces of fried cod) and croquettes; Bodega La Ardosa, which has been offering traditional Spanish omelette, fried pig ear, and canned seafood for over a hundred years now; and La Casa del Abuelo, famous for its shrimp and king prawns.

9. An evening out at a cocktail bar

In Madrid, cocktail bars are the place to be right now, and many venues serve unique options that are true works of art. These include 1862 Dry Bar, located in a manor house in Malasaña dating back to 1862, where the staff here pay tribute to classic mixology; Salmon Guru, which is divided into different areas and serves up innovative cocktails developed by Argentinian bartender Diego Cabrera; and Coctelería Del Diego, which offers an extensive range of drinks to enjoy in a New York-style bar.

In the Barrio de las Letras you will find Inclán Brutal Bar, a restaurant that offers a wide variety of cocktails, all surrounded by a decoration studied down to the smallest detail. And in the lobby of the hotel The Madrid Edition there is a space for signature cocktails in the Punch Room, which also redefines punch as a contemporary experience.

Not to be forgotten is the trendy ChinChín; the new cocktail bar in the Chueca neighborhood known as Momus Bar, which stands out for its classic signature cocktails with elements such as flowers or avant-garde techniques; and Maldita Gioconda, which is located in an underground cave that houses a pop-up art gallery.

10. Enjoy the best football matches

The football season has already begun, and as autumn progresses, the calendar is filled with several major matches. On 27 September, the first thrilling derby of the season takes place between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid.  Then, on 26 October, the much-anticipated classic showdown known as “El Clásico” returns to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, pitting Real Madrid against FC Barcelona.

And with the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League, autumn is filled with great matches in the city, hosting the clashes of Atlético de Madrid against Eintracht Frankfurt (30 September); Real Madrid against Juventus (22 October); Atlético de Madrid against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (4 November); Atlético de Madrid against Inter de Milán (26 November); and Real Madrid against Manchester City (10 December).

Legends. The temple of football, a new museum located in Puerta del Sol, designed for football lovers, is set to open in 2023. It will take you on a tour through the history of football, offering immersive experiences, and showcasing more than 4,000 historical objects.

And extra:

Halloween in Madrid

The globalisation of the 21st century brings together century-old traditions. And now in Madrid, around 1 November, there are sweets and pumpkins, or bread of the dead and sugar skulls, as well as the traditional sweets such as bones and fritters. The memory of loved ones is combined with zombies and dead people of all sizes and elaborate Catrina make-up. Amusement parks, restaurants, cultural centres... all join in this fusion of Spanish, Anglo-Saxon and Mexican cultures. Welcome to the celebration with the longest name: AllSaintsDayoftheDeadHalloween!