Madrid is a city of wonderful contrasts. During the day, you'll see locals enjoying their morning coffee in historic squares, surrounded by beautiful old buildings. When night falls, the city comes alive with flamenco music in traditional venues, while modern bars in Malasaña serve drinks until late. As the famous artist Antonio López rightly said, Madrid holds both "intensity and solitude" in perfect balance — you'll find quiet cobblestone corners moments away from Gran Vía's buzz.
While Madrid's year-round sunshine makes any season workable, choosing the right time can make your trip even better. I'll help you figure out the best times to walk through Retiro Park's golden leaves, how to avoid the intense summer heat, and when to join the fun September festivals.
Best time to visit Madrid: Know before you plan your trip
For the ultimate Madrid experience, pin May and October on your calendar. In May, temperatures range from 15-25°C, perfect for Retiro Park picnics amid blooming roses, plus San Isidro’s bullfights and street parties (May 15). October offers crisp 12-24°C weather ideal for the film festival. Both months skip summer’s tourist crush and furnace-like heat.
If you are on a budget, aim for March or November’s shoulder seasons—fewer crowds, better deals. Winters are perfect for snagging cheap hotels and magical Christmas markets. Late September is another great time for a mild climate and cultural buzz without the peak season prices.
When to avoid Madrid
Skip July-August unless you enjoy oven-like conditions. August heat is unbearable – sidewalks sizzle at 40°C+, museums are overcrowded, and locals escape to coastal towns, leaving half-shuttered shops. It's not a great time at all to enjoy Madrid’s Rooftop bars. Late July is still slightly better…if you can tolerate 35°C queues at the Prado Museum. Smart travelers mirror Madrileños: flee to beach towns these months or return when the weather is pleasant in September.
Madrid through the year
- Madrid's High Season June-August draws international crowds despite scorching heat (avg 35°C/95°F), with summer vacations driving demand for iconic sites like Prado Museum. December is also considered the high season for Europe's grandest Christmas lights (Gran Vía's 30m-tall trees), Plaza Mayor markets, and Three Kings parades. Both seasons see hotel rates spike 40% —summer for global tourism and winter for festive stays.
- Madrid's Shoulder Season Madrid's shoulder seasons (March-May & Sept-Oct) blend ideal conditions: mild 15-25°C temperatures, thinner crowds, and lower prices. Spring awakens Retiro Park's cherry blossoms and San Isidro festivities (May 15), while in autumn, you’ll get to experience the golden foliage and film festivals. It’s the perfect alfresco dining weather without peak rates or packed plazas.
- Madrid's Low Season Madrid's low season (Jan-Feb/Nov) brings chilly temperatures (3-14°C) and occasional frost, deterring sun-seekers. Post-Christmas January sees closed shops/restaurants as locals recover from holidays. November's grey skies limit patio culture, though museums stay crowd-free. Hotel rates drop 30-50%—ideal for budget travelers who don't mind layering up. The key exception is November 9, when the entire city gathers for Almudena Cathedral festivities.
Best season to visit Madrid
Spring in Madrid (March-June)
The days start to get warmer, and the streets explode with the scent of jasmine and golden light. Retiro Park’s cherry trees bloom pink in April, while May’s San Isidro festival (15th) floods plazas with chulapos in traditional dress, rosquillas vendors, and midnight verbenas (street parties). Days hover at 22°C—perfect for rooftop tinto de verano sipping.
Summer in Madrid (June to September)
Summer in Madrid is electric—terrazas overflow with vermouth-sipping locals until midnight, while rooftop pools like Circulo de Bellas Artes offer skyline dips. Though daytime heat hits 35°C, nights bring relief: open-air concerts at Veranos de la Villa festival (July-August) and moonlight flamenco in Corral de la Morería's courtyard. Unique to summer is the San Lorenzo neighborhood fiestas (August 10) with street DJs and free watermelon.
Autumn in Madrid (September to November)
Autumn temperatures vary between 12-24°C. Locals reclaim the city post-summer, sparking cultural energy—catch open-air cine de verano screenings (through September) and Madrid International Film Festival's indie premieres (late October). Why best? Crowds thin, mesón taverns serve hearty cocido madrileño, and museums like Thyssen feel serene.
Winter in Madrid (December to March)
The city sparkles with festive lights (Plaza Mayor’s market brims with nativity crafts) yet retains cozy intimacy. You’ll see locals sipping chocolaté con churros at San Ginés, while frost-kissed Retiro Park glows under pale winter sun. Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) erupts at Puerta del Sol where locals follow the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight. Overall, expect winter to be quite months beyond December’s buzz.
A month-by-month guide to visiting Madrid
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Madrid in January
Bundle up for crisp days (3-10°C) and festive magic lingering post-Christmas. Don’t miss the Three Kings Parade on January 5, where Melchior, Gaspar & Baltazar toss sweets from glittering floats along Paseo de la Castellana. Music lovers flock to INVERfest to catch winter concerts that happen every January. Post-New Year closures ease by mid-month. Pro tip: Warm up with churros con chocolate at San Ginés, open since 1894. Read more about visiting Madrid in Janaury.
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Madrid in February
Embrace crisp mornings (4-12°C) and cultural rebirth at Madrid Design Festival (Feb-Mar). The city becomes a design lab—catch avant-garde installations at Fernán Gómez Cultural Centre, pop-up workshops in Malasaña, and talks by global innovators. Museums, like Reina Sofía and Thyssen, host special exhibitions sans crowds. For romance, attend a candlelit tablaos flamenco pre-Valentine’s.
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Madrid in March
March brings almond blossoms to Quinta de los Molinos Park and crisp air (8-16°C). The highlight? Semana Santa (Holy Week, dates vary late March/early April), where you can participate in solemn procesiones with hooded nazarenos carrying ornate floats through Plaza Mayor, accompanied by drumbeats and saetas (flamenco-style hymns). Make sure you catch the Jesús de Medinaceli procession which is held on the first Friday of the month, or visit San Francisco el Grande’s candlelit Masses.
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Madrid in April
April’s mild days (12–22°C) ignite the city’s outdoor spirit. Catch Feria de Abril, which happens somewhere around mid-April at Casa de Campo, where you can experience a flamenco-fueled Andalusian fair with horse parades, sevillanas dancing, and pescaíto snacks. Stroll Retiro Park as jacarandas bloom purple along Paseo Fernán Núñez.
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Madrid in May
May is ideal for rooftop cerveza sessions. Free verbenas (street parties) erupt citywide during the San Isidro Festival on May 15. Dos de Mayo on May 2 is Malasaña’s rebellion anniversary and sparks indie gigs, craft markets, and all-night revelry near Plaza del Dos de Mayo. Another popular event is the Madrid Book Fair (late May–June), where you can browse 300+ stalls along Paseo de Coches in Retiro Park, get signed copies from Spanish authors, and catch poetry readings under elms.
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Madrid in June
Sun-kissed days at a range of 18–32°C ignite rooftop pools and terrazas. Madrid Pride in late June, is Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration. There will be a dazzling parade down the Paseo del Prado and the Chueca district erupts with rainbow flags and drag shows at Sala Cool. Festival de Verano brings open-air concerts to Matadero Madrid. To watch some classic Spanish films head to Cine de Verano de la Bombilla in Retiro Park.
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Madrid in July
Madrid can get really hot in July, with temperatures often reaching 35°C (95°F). At night, the Mad Cool Festival brings global music stars to Valdebebas Park. You can also enjoy outdoor theater at Matadero and live flamenco in historic courtyards. Locals often escape to cooler mountains on the weekends. To beat the heat, explore indoor attractions like the Prado Museum during peak afternoon heat. For dining, follow locals to late-night tapas crawls in La Latina or Huertas starting around 9pm. Many restaurants offer special summer menus featuring chilled dishes like gazpacho and seasonal seafood to combat the heat.
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Madrid in August
While locals flee to coastal retreats, August transforms Madrid into a different city. Yes, it's blazing (40°C), but savvy travelers can participate in "Veranos de la Villa", a cultural festival that brings music and dance to unexpected venues. Catch classic films under the stars at outdoor cinemas in Parque de la Bombilla. Explore the Royal Palace's marble halls or join evening tapas tours in the air-conditioned Mercado de San Miguel market.
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Madrid in September
September gifts Madrid its most glorious days - gentle sunshine (20-25°C) without summer's intensity. Locals return refreshed, filling neighborhood bars and plazas. Don't miss Jazz Festival Madrid's intimate concerts in historic venues like Café Central Catch or free outdoor performances during Veranos de la Villa's final days. For culture, Madrid Gallery Weekend opens private art spaces to the public.
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Madrid in October
October is one of the pleasant months. The Festival de Otoño transforms theaters and unconventional spaces into stages for avant-garde performances, while Suma Flamenca brings passionate dancers to intimate tablao venues. Wine lovers shouldn't miss the Distrito Vino festival, where local bodegas offer tastings in atmospheric cellars. Art lovers flock to APERTURA Madrid Gallery Weekend, while foodies celebrate the mushroom season at neighborhood tapas bars. The changing colors in Casa de Campo and El Capricho parks provide stunning backdrops for afternoon strolls.
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Madrid in November
November is when you can do golden light photography. The city's cultural calendar peaks with Madrid Horse Week at IFEMA, showcasing world-class equestrian competitions and Spanish horse breeds. Almudena Festival (Nov 9) is when madrileños honor their patron saint with traditional zarzuela performances and dulce de almendra (almond sweets) near the cathedral.
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Madrid in December
December is windy and cold. Plaza Mayor's Christmas Market, held since 1860, features handcrafted ornaments and nativity figurines. Don't miss the elaborate Belenes (nativity scenes) at CentroCentro Cibeles and Royal Palace — they're stunning artistic displays unique to Spanish Christmas tradition. The twinkling lights along Gran Vía and Calle Serrano make evening walks even more magical.
