Visit Madrid this autumn!

Updated 10 September 2024

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 the première of much awaited exhibitions, such as The Legend of the Titanic, the Immersive Exhibition (MAD (Madrid Digital Arts) Immersive Experiences Centre. 13 September to 31 October), an experience based on one of the most emblematic ships of all time. The exhibition will explore the spaces and history of the great Trans-Atlantic ship during its voyage to the coast of Newfoundland and its sinking on the night of 14 to15 April 1912.

The Harry Potter™: The Exhibition travelling exhibition is also much awaited (Ibercaja Delicias. 4 October to 6 January). The exhibition brings together authentic props from the films and provides exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses and fun interactive surprises. It is a space in which to indulge in nostalgia and enjoy some of the favourite moments from this magical world.

Don’t miss other exhibitions like Spirit of Japan (Nomad Immersive Museum. Until 27 October), an original immersive art experience that offers a journey through the most well-known works of the great masters of Japanese prints; the first retrospective in Spain focusing on one of the outstanding figures of German expressionism from the early 20th century, such as Gabriele Münter (Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. 12 November to 9 February); and the Masaveu Collection. 20th Century Spanish Art. From Picasso to Barceló exhibition (María Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation. 9 October to 20 July), which brings together around one hundred of the most representative paintings and sculptures from different movements and artists, including Pablo Picasso, María Blanchard, Sorolla, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí and Eduardo Chillida.

3. New Luxury Hotels

Complete your visit to the city by staying at one of the new hotels that has recently opened. These include The Madrid Edition located in the heart of Madrid which belongs to the exclusive brand, the Marriott International hotel chain; the spectacular Thompson Madrid located in Plaza del Carmen, very close to Puerta del Sol; and Barceló Imagine, which offers an innovative space where design, music and art all come together.

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 extensive range of flamenco shows at Madrid’s flamenco houses and venues, diverse theatres and auditoriums will host new flamenco shows this season, such as Vuela by Sara Baras (Teatro EDP Gran Vía. 5 September to 13 October), which pays tribute to the Spanish musician and composer Paco de Lucía, considered to be the best flamenco guitarist of all time.

On 8 and 9 October, IFEMA MADRID will host Fiesta Flamenca: Belén López, a flamenco show that combines dance and gastronomy by the virtuoso dancer Belén López, who will shine thanks to her flair, passion and skill in the art of flamenco dance. The Spanish Ballet of the Community of Madrid, directed by Jesús Carmona, will be coming to the Teatros del Canal from 12 to 27 October to present a double show with Spanish Suite, Op. 47 and Epiphany of Flamenco.

Furthermore, Teatros del Canal and several venues in the Madrid region will host the nineteenth edition of the Suma Flamenca festival with numerous shows featuring the leading figures of today's flamenco. As of October, the Teatro Real will present the seventh season of Flamenco Real, consolidating the presence of flamenco in its Ballroom, with an extensive and diversified programme featuring artists of the likes of Eduardo Guerrero, Amador Rojas and José Maya, 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 the autumn advances, the calendar is full of key dates to enjoy highly anticipated matches. On 29 September, one of the most exciting derbies in the LALIGA EA SPORTS will see Atlético de Madrid playing against Real Madrid. On 27 October, the classic returns to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium to see Real Madrid and FC Barcelona playing against each other.

In the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League, the autumn will be full of great matches in the city, hosting Real Madrid against Stuttgart (17 September); Borussia Dortmund (22 October); AC Milan (5 November), as well as Atlético de Madrid’s matches against RB Leipzig (19 September); Lille (23 October); Slovan Bratislava (11 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 two extras:

Tomorrowland Immersive Experience

The Tomorrowland immersive exhibition is coming to the Glass Hall at the WiZink Center from 25 October to 12 January 2025. This event offers an incredible immersive audiovisual experience for all ages, enabling them to experience the magic of the legendary Tomorrowland electronic music festival.

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!