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Best time to visit Madrid
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Best time to visit Madrid, Spain
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3-10°C, crisp with occasional frost and some rain. | low | low |
⚠ Daylight hours are short. | |
| February | 5-12°C, mild with a mix of sun and cloudy spells. | low | low |
| |
| March | 8-16°C, increasingly sunny with mild temperatures. | low | low |
| |
| April | 10-18°C, pleasant with sunshine and occasional spring showers. | moderate | moderate |
| |
| May | 14-22°C, warm and sunny with comfortable evenings. | moderate | moderate |
| |
| June | 18-27°C, hot and sunny, ideal for late evenings outdoors. | high | high |
| |
| July | 22-30°C, hot and dry with intense sunshine. | peak | peak |
⚠ Many locals leave the city for cooler climes. | |
| August | 24-33°C, very hot and humid with minimal rainfall. | moderate | high |
⚠ Many businesses close; intense heat can be oppressive. | |
| September | 18-27°C, warm and sunny, a return to pleasant conditions. | moderate | moderate |
| |
| October | 12-20°C, mild with crisp air and beautiful autumn colors. | moderate | moderate |
| |
| November | 7-15°C, cool and often overcast with some rain. | low | low |
| |
| December | 4-11°C, cold and crisp, occasional frost and rain. | high | high |
|
Annual events worth timing your trip around
Festive parades, music, and masked balls, particularly lively in the La Latina neighborhood.
Solemn and impressive religious processions take place throughout the city.
Madrid's patron saint is celebrated with concerts, traditional dancing, and chulapo/chulapa costume contests.
One of Europe's largest Pride celebrations with a massive parade, street parties, and cultural events.
A summer-long festival featuring open-air concerts, theatre, dance, and cinema across various city locations.
A traditional neighborhood festival in La Latina with music, dancing, and fireworks, often marking the end of summer.
The city is adorned with spectacular lights, bustling Christmas markets, and festive events leading up to New Year's.
Insider timing tips
- •August is extremely hot and many local businesses shut down, making it feel deserted and less vibrant for exploration.
- •Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds before or after the summer peak.
- •While summer is hot, June and early July are popular for their long daylight hours and vibrant outdoor nightlife before the August heat really sets in.
- •The period between Christmas and Epiphany (late Dec-early Jan) is festive but also very crowded and expensive, with many locals on holiday.
- •Madrid experiences 'cold snaps' in winter (Jan-Feb) where temperatures can drop near freezing, especially at night, making warm clothing essential.
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