Sun, jazz and good food. That's Madrid in autumn
Autumn in Madrid is ideal for those of you who like the heat, but don't like it too hot. In October, you'll find temperatures in the mid-twenties to mid-twenties. This is ideal for warming up a tired mind and body. The cultural programme can be enjoyed without the tiresome hot flashes (and tourists), and the gardens of local restaurants and tapas bars will still be inviting enough for long evening dining experiences. Plus, even in Madrid you'll be treated to autumn colours and falling leaves. It's simply the perfect combination.
The Royal City of Culture
The royal capital has a very rich history. In 852, a fortified palace called the Magritte was built by an Arab emir, giving Madrid its present name. Madrid has been the capital of Spain since 1561 and what was originally a Moorish palace has become a royal palace. On its site today stands the famous Palacio Real with more than three thousand rooms. The city grew around the palace, with wide boulevards, historic squares and extensive parks. The ubiquitous greenery also makes Madrid a popular destination.
But the royal palaces and buildings are not the only cultural attraction of the city. In Madrid you will find the so-called Golden Triangle of Art. This is made up of three of the city's most important museums - the famous Museo del Prado with a collection of more than 6,000 paintings, the Museo Reina Sofía exhibiting works such as Picasso's Guernica and works by Dalí, Miró and Bacon, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza with collections ranging from Renaissance to Pop Art.
Near the museums, you'll also find the sprawling Buen Retiro Gardens with its many monuments and interesting buildings. It is the part of the city around these gardens and museums that was inscribed this year on the prominent UNESCO World Heritage List as "Paseo del Prado and Retiro Park, a landscape of art and science".
Autumn Festivals
To celebrate the city's inscription on the UNESCO list, Madrid is hosting the first edition of the LuzMadrid International Festival of Light this year. For the last three days of October, the centre of Madrid will be lit up in the evening with more than twenty light installations by artists from all over the world. Major buildings in Madrid, including the aforementioned Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, will become the canvas for the light show.
Also on show in Madrid from October is #InGoya, a unique exhibition featuring over 1,000 works by the Spanish genius painter through widescreen projections. With the help of modern technology, you can step directly into Goya's paintings. The exhibition can be found at the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa.
If you're more interested in music than light installations and art, then head to Madrid in November for the JazzMadrid21 International Jazz Music Festival, which takes place in small, tucked-away cafés and bars as well as large concert halls. For jazz lovers, a visit to this festival is almost compulsory as it is one of the best in the world. Information about all cultural events can be found directly on the city's website.
Even gastronomy is an art
Let's not even kid ourselves that cultural events and sunshine are the only reasons to go on holiday in autumn Madrid. The city is one of Spain's gastronomic hubs and after all the galleries and festivals, you do get pretty hungry. The small restaurants and tapas bars are the perfect place to sample traditional Spanish cuisine. Tapas is the perfect way to sample many local dishes without overeating and with a glass in hand in one of the gardens bathed in the warm autumn sun.
So what are you waiting for? We're spending this autumn in Madrid!
