Is it just us or is it starting to feel like sweater season in Europe already? All across the Old Continent, leaves are starting to change, daylight hours are getting shorter, and the scorching summer heat is (finally) subsiding.
You may think now’s the perfect time to go on a romantic getaway to Paris, explore London’s plethora of indoor markets, or stroll Amsterdam’s winding canals, but as it turns out, experts have a different opinion.
If you’re hoping for a vibrant city break, sprinkled with museum visits, hearty food, and of course, lush fall foliage, our colleagues over at Condé Nast Traveller believe it’s Madrid you should be booking a flight to next—and to be quite honest, we agree.
Why Do Tourists Keep Overlooking Madrid Of All Places?
Madrid may be far from being an underrated gem—it is, after all, the capital of Spain and one of the most visited cities in Europe—but there’s no denying it often gets overshadowed by Barcelona, Mallorca, Ibiza, and the like as far as vacations go.
Unlike all of Spain’s other trendy tourist hotspots, it’s located virtually in the center of Spain, hundreds of miles away from any coast, and it tends to attract a different crowd.
Whereas the Mediterranean primarily appeals to beachgoers and sun-seekers, Madrid is more of a cultural and food destination, making it an ideal autumnal escape, as we all crave a more reflective, cozier vibe after a busy summer.
Picture lush parks like El Retiro slowly transitioning from verdant spaces to fields of fiery red, wide boulevards lined with amber-leaf trees, and autumn fairs. Speaking of which, if you’re visiting Madrid in October, Feria de Otoño is a must-see:
What To Do In Madrid In The Fall
One of Madrid’s main attractions in the fall, it takes place in Las Ventas, with bullfighting, street food, and live music, and even if you’re not exactly enthusiastic about the controversial Spanish spectacle, the festival atmosphere and mouth-watering tapas are good enough reasons to attend.
Fall is all about embracing your own contemplativeness, slowing it down, and admiring the beautiful things in life, and in case you’re looking to get inspired, Madrid has countless world-class museums hosting breathtaking art collections.
Think Museo del Prado, the most visited museum in Spain, where you can admire masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco; Museo Reina Sofia, the proud home of Picasso’s Guernica, or the Royal Palace of Madrid.
The formal residence of the Spanish royal family, it is open daily to visitors interested in seeing its opulent rooms, armory collection, and landscaped gardens up close.
Coffee And People-Watching
For a classic fall shopping spree, head straight to Gran Vía, Madrid’s main vein, and a bustling thoroughfare host to a wide array of retailers, from Zara, to H&M, to Pull&Bear, and even the second-largest Primark in the world.
Looking for something a little more alternative and offbeat? Check out Malasaña, a hippy neighborhood famous for vintage boutique shops and quirky art galleries—and before you hit the nearest Starbucks, make sure you add Toma Café to your list.
Coffee beans sourced from the best roasters worldwide, and the most velvety, smooth flat white that will ever grace your lips.
Speaking of cafés, our favorite place to sip some coffee and people-watch as we soak up Madrid’s Old World charm is Plaza Mayor, a rectangular square surrounded by arcaded red buildings. Though a little pricier than usual, Café de la Plaza is simply one of those iconic spots you can’t miss:
It has an outdoor terrace overlooking the historic square, and its tree-dotted main dining hall feels like a secret garden right in the heart of Madrid’s urban sprawl.
@madridexplores Life cant get any better than this at Plaza Mayor🇪🇸 @mi_bello_madrid_ via IG #Madrid #madridtravel #madridspain #visitmadrid #spain #travel #madridcity #halamadrid #españa #madridista #visitspain #traveltiktok #travelguide #fyp #spaintravel #bucketlist #plazamayor Rapp Snitch Knishes (Live Instrumental) [Cover] – OMA
Comfort Spanish Food, Anyone?
Of course, it’s not a trip to Madrid in the fall until you’ve had your fair share of tapas and off-season tintos de verano. Are tintos de otoño a thing?
It will start getting a little chilly in those mid-October Madrid nights, with temperatures dropping to 59–64.4°F after sundown, and you’ll need some comfort food to keep you warm.
There’s nowhere better for homemade food and traditional Spanish flavors than La Casa del Abuelo, in the Historic Center. With 119 years of history, and a no-frills ambiance, it is where madrileños themselves gather for beer and a tray of garlic shrimp to share after work.
Rocablanca is another must-try for its exceptionally-large croquetas and affordable prices in Malasaña, and should you ever find yourself in fancy of some cocido madrileño (Madrid’s signature stew), look no further than the exposed-brick, authentically-Spanish La Rayúa de la Latina.
Prepare For Changes Traveling To Europe This Fall
Heading to Europe this fall?
Make sure you stay up to date with changing entry requirements, including the new mandatory fingerprinting of Americans and other non-European tourists, set to come into force on October 12.
Europe’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) will completely alter the way we perceive Europe-bound travel, and if you’re flying to Spain this October as a U.S. passport holder this is something that concerns you.
Read more about the EES, and what to expect as an American citizen here.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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