An expert's guide to Europe's best destinations for an autumn city break and where to stay. Plan a weekend away in Europe this September, October or November and discover somewhere new.
A Sunday stroll in the Retiro Park is one of Madrid’s great traditions
Credit: GETTY
Sundays may as a rule be a lot less frenetic than other days in Madrid but the city is still very much alive and kicking. A lot of the shops in the centre are open all day and most museums are open until at least 2pm. While some bars, cafés and restaurants do take a break, there is certainly no shortage ready to welcome you.
If you are doing Madrid right, you won’t be up too early and it is usual to see the Madrilenians emerging around elevenish for breakfast, often sliding seamlessly into the vermouth hour after the clocks strike noon, while deciding where to go for lunch, which is often a boisterous affair with friends or family. All this may well take place outdoors in a sunny square under the blue sky that brightens up the city on most days at all times of year.