The Paseo de Recoletos is transformed into a refuge for lovers of old books

Autumn in Madrid begins with one of those traditions that changes the rhythm of the city: the Feria de Otoño del Libro Viejo y Antiguo returns to the Paseo de Recoletos, inviting visitors to stroll among the stalls, make unexpected discoveries, and enjoy that scent of paper found only in books with history.

For almost three weeks, from 24 September to 12 October, the stretch between Cibeles and calle Almirante becomes a cultural corridor where 34 specialist bookshops present their best selections. There are books from one euro, but also incunabula, original manuscripts, engravings, and editions impossible to find elsewhere.

The atmosphere encourages visitors to lose themselves among makeshift shelves, where anyone might stumble upon an unexpected gem. Entry is free and the opening hours fit the city’s pace: Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 to 20:30, and Fridays and Saturdays until 21:00.

The official opening will take place on Thursday 24th at 21:00 in the Sala Valle Inclán del Círculo de Bellas Artes, with a keynote speech by the writer Luis Landero. An invitation is required to attend.

This return cements the fair as one of the essential events in Madrid’s cultural calendar, in a year when other emblematic gatherings, such as the farewell of Tapapiés, have left gaps in the neighbourhoods’ agendas.

The Paseo de Recoletos, beyond its role as an urban artery, has become a regular stage for major cultural gatherings. Its spaciousness and its location between Cibeles y Colón make it ideal for fairs and markets seeking to connect with the city’s pulse. The Feria del Libro Viejo y Antiguo makes the most of this open and elegant character, inviting both collectors and the curious to rediscover Madrid through its oldest pages.