This City In Spain Is The Perfect International Destination For A Fall Getaway

It's well-known that travelers flock to Spain during the summer months — and for good reason. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, you can enjoy the beaches of Barcelona, Ibiza, or Mallorca and then head to the city for local food and culture. But fall in Spain is also something special — and the perfect destination is Madrid.

There are also some major advantages to visiting Madrid in the fall shoulder season rather than during the busy summer months. The crowds die down so you'll have shorter wait times at restaurants and popular attractions are less crowded. And, while it can get quite hot in Madrid during the summer months, it cools down in the fall. For example, in October the average temperature is around 50 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

Just because the high season is over doesn't mean things have slowed down in the city. Autumn is a busy season in Madrid, complete with cultural events, public holidays, and soccer games.

Madrid is an amazing city for art lovers. It's home to internationally renowned art museums like The Prado and Museo Reina Sofía, as well as a number of smaller galleries. Madrid's Architecture Week also takes place during the fall. To get a feel for the city's local art scene, you can take an art-focused city walking tour in Madrid.

The city's green spaces are also something special, and you'll be treated to the beautiful changing foliage during the fall months. Madrid has amazing parks, such as the famous Retiro Park, which includes a lake, fountain, and palace. You can also visit the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Sabatini Gardens.

Madrid has amazing food, with signature dishes like Iberian ham, croquettes, cocido madrileño (Madrid-style stew), paella, and the calamari sandwich. You can also take a food tour to sample the local cuisine. There are many available in Madrid so you can be sure to find one that's the perfect match for your taste buds.

Another benefit of visiting Madrid in the fall is there are a number of special events and activities during the autumn months. Fútbol season is in full swing if you want to feel the energy in the arena at a live match. In fact, the sport is so popular that the city has two teams, Real Madrid CF and Club Atlético de Madrid.

Madrid Otra Mirada, a four-day event that takes place in mid-October, pays tribute to the city's rich culture. There are hundreds of activities and guided tours, and you'll have the opportunity to visit some of the city's most incredible buildings that are closed to the public during the rest of the year. Oh, and did we mention this entire event is free?

You can soak up Spanish culture by celebrating the National Day of Spain (Día de la Hispanidad), observed annually on October 12. Of course, it's celebrated all over the country, but one of the signature events of the day is the military parade, which takes place in Madrid.