Best time to visit Madrid

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Madrid

Best time of year to visit Madrid

Balmy weather and moderate crowds make May–June and September–October the best time to visit Madrid. Late spring brings in fantastic festivities like Fiesta dos de Mayo and San Juan Bonfire Fest. Mild autumn, in its turn, is a perfect period for hiking in the Cotos forest or climbing La Pedriza. Exploring Madrid can get quite uncomfortable in July–August as these months are intolerably hot and somewhat crowded. However, sunsets on rooftop terraces with a glass of Spanish summer wine can be quite enjoyable. Slow season from November to March, with the exception of Christmas burst in late December, is generous with hotel deals. So book a room, enjoy the major sites without tourist crowds, and join Las Luminarias and Three Kings Parade for a festive mood.

17 THINGS TO DO IN MADRID (JULY 04 - JULY 13)

Bullfighting (Corrida de Toros)

Bullfighting (Corrida de Toros)

late March–early October • event

Madrid hosts one of the most prominent and prestigious bullfight ferias in the world

Sales (Rebajas)

Sales (Rebajas)

early January–February | July–August • activity

The most pleasant thing in the season of sales in Madrid is to have fun and save money at the same time

Botanical Nights (Noches del Botánico)

Botanical Nights (Noches del Botánico)

unconfirmedJune 7-July 27, 2024 • event

A summer holiday for music lovers is annually held in the Royal Botanic Garden

Spanish Ham (Jamón) with Melon

Spanish Ham (Jamón) with Melon

May–September • food

A simple but beautiful and healthy summer snack

Rooftop Terraces at Sunset

Rooftop Terraces at Sunset

June–August  • activity

Meet the sunset, drink cocktails, and take amazing panoramic shots from the summer terraces of restaurants and cafes

Cotos Forest Trail, Rascafría

Cotos Forest Trail, Rascafría

March–November • nature

An idyllic mountain landscape and crystal clear natural pools—that's what trekking in Cotos Forest can offer!

Tinto de Verano (Spanish Summer Wine)

Tinto de Verano (Spanish Summer Wine)

mid-May–mid-September • food

Tinto de verano is a refreshing red wine-based cocktail similar to sangria but not the same

Spanish White Wines

Spanish White Wines

May–September • food

Summertime is the season of white wines in Spain

Duratón River Kayaking

Duratón River Kayaking

March–November (all year round) • activity

Want something new? Try kayaking in a picturesque place

Salmorejo Cordobés

Salmorejo Cordobés

May–September • food

Cold soup of Cordoba made of tomatoes and bread rivals the well-known Gazpacho

Andalusian Gazpacho

Andalusian Gazpacho

May–September • food

It may be a flavourful soup and a cool summer drink at the same time

Anchovies in Vinegar (Boquerones en Vinagre)

Anchovies in Vinegar (Boquerones en Vinagre)

June–August • food

It is especially pleasant to go to the bar on a hot summer day, drink a glass of ice-cold beer and eat Boquerones en Vinagre!

White Water Rafting

White Water Rafting

April–September  • activity

Depending on the season, the river changes its mood, and therefore white water rafting can be more or less extreme

Public Swimming Pools

Public Swimming Pools

mid-May–mid-September  • activity

A perfect place to relax during the unbearable summer heat

Hiking in Cercedilla

Hiking in Cercedilla

all year round (best March–August) • activity

Fans of trekking in the mountains can choose several routes with different levels of difficulty

Windsurfing

Windsurfing

early May–late September • activity

Beat summer heat with water adventures

Birdwatching at Wetlands and Riverbanks

Birdwatching at Wetlands and Riverbanks

June–August  • nature

The wetlands of Madrid are home to a variety of waterfowl that gather around water in great numbers during dry summer months

34 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Noche de San Juan

Noche de San Juan

out of rangeJune 23–June 24 • event

Bonfires and songs highlight the celebration of St. John's Eve and summer solstice in Spain

White Night Festival (La Noche en Blanco)

White Night Festival (La Noche en Blanco)

out of rangeJune 3, 2023 • event

What can you visit in Madrid in October for free? Of course, the festival "La Noche en Blanco!"

San Isidro Festival

San Isidro Festival

out of rangeMay 11–May 15 • event

The holiday of the patron of the city has been celebrated in Madrid for centuries

August Fiestas (Fiestas de Agosto)

August Fiestas (Fiestas de Agosto)

out of rangeAugust 4–15, 2023  • event

Do not miss the August holidays in Madrid and get an opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of general fun

Madrid Carnival

Madrid Carnival

out of rangeFebruary 10-14, 2024 • event

Masks, wigs, and fancy dresses... This holiday without rules is celebrated on a large scale

Christmas Markets in Madrid

Christmas Markets in Madrid

out of rangelate November–early January  • event

The unique style of Madrid Christmas markets will make your holidays in the Spanish capital memorable

Madrid Horse Week

Madrid Horse Week

out of rangeNovember 24–26, 2023 • event

Graceful horses, flamenco rhythms, fearless riders, and sports excitement—all of this awaits you at Madrid Horse Week

Fiesta Dos de Mayo (Day of Madrid Festival)

Fiesta Dos de Mayo (Day of Madrid Festival)

out of rangeApril 26–May 2, 2024 • event

Fiesta Dos de Mayo is the holiday of the community of Madrid, commemorating a historical uprising

Holy Week (Semana Santa) & Easter

Holy Week (Semana Santa) & Easter

out of rangeMarch 24–31, 2024 • event

Rolling drums, trumpets, and hundreds of religious worshippers in bright and colorful dress is the hallmark of Easter in Madrid

Three Kings Parade (Cavalcade of Magi)

Three Kings Parade (Cavalcade of Magi)

out of rangeJanuary 5 • event

The Three Kings are responsible for fulfilling the traditional tasks of Santa Claus, namely for receiving letters and distributing gifts

Solemn Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace

Solemn Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace

out of rangefirst Wednesday of the month except January, August and September • event

The most cunning spectators come to occupy the best places inside and on the steps of the Almudena Cathedral long before the changing of the guard

Rock 'n' Roll Madrid Marathon

Rock 'n' Roll Madrid Marathon

out of rangeApril 28, 2024 • event

The peculiarity of this marathon is live music performed by numerous bands throughout a race, as well as a big rock concert at the finish

Las Luminarias Festival

Las Luminarias Festival

out of rangeJanuary 16 • event

A Spanish festival of fire and horses dedicated to St. Anthony

Madrid New Year's Eve (Nochevieja)

Madrid New Year's Eve (Nochevieja)

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Everyone wants to be at Puerta del Sol for the official New Year countdown

Madrid en Danza International Dance Festival

Madrid en Danza International Dance Festival

out of rangeMay 13–June 11, 2023 • event

Madrid en Danza Festival turns the city into a real dance capital for over three weeks every year

San Silvestre Vallecana

San Silvestre Vallecana

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Participate in the exciting New Year's footrace in Madrid

Festimad

Festimad

on holdApril 24–May 9, 2020 • event

The most famous musical event in the capital, Festimad attracts big names and young talents

Olives & Olive Oil

Olives & Olive Oil

out of rangeDecember–February • food

Olive oil is the best the moment it is pressed, and January is the best month to check the shop shelves for a variety of bottled extra virgin

Los Veranos de la Villa

Los Veranos de la Villa

unconfirmedearly July–late August 2023 • event

"Los Veranos de la Villa" is one of the most awaited events in Madrid: concerts and theatre performances take place throughout the summer

Madrid Pride Week

Madrid Pride Week

unconfirmedlate June–early July 2023 • activity

The largest LGBT Pride Festival and LGTB Pride Parade in Europe

La Rosaleda (Rose Garden)

La Rosaleda (Rose Garden)

out of rangeMay–June  • nature

The aroma of roses fills the area during spring and summer

Halloween

Halloween

out of rangeearly October–early November 2023 • event

Plenty of scary attractions and parties to choose from in Madrid

Cherry Blossoms

Cherry Blossoms

out of rangeMarch–mid-April • nature

A mesmerizing and unique natural phenomenon in the spring

Grape Harvest

Grape Harvest

out of rangeSeptember–October • activity

Despite Madrid doesn't boast a great fame of a wine-producing region, it still produces excellent wines, mostly locally

Almond Blossoms in Quinta de Los Molinos

Almond Blossoms in Quinta de Los Molinos

out of rangemid-March • nature

The flowering of almond trees is a sign that spring has come to Madrid

Flamenco Madrid

Flamenco Madrid

out of rangeMay 18–June 4, 2023 • activity

Flamenco is not just a dance, it's a way of life and a way of expressing emotions both positive and negative

La Pedriza Climbing

La Pedriza Climbing

out of rangeMarch–June | September–November • activity

One of the best areas in Spain for granite rock climbing and hiking, just an hour drive from the capital

Skiing and Snowboarding around Madrid

Skiing and Snowboarding around Madrid

out of rangeearly December–early April  • activity

Although Madrid rarely sees snow, you can enjoy skiing just 52 km away from the capital atop some impressive mountains

Mushroom Season

Mushroom Season

out of rangelate September–mid-December • activity

The mushroom season in Madrid is short, so fans of this "sport" do not lose time

Christmas Sweets

Christmas Sweets

out of rangelate December–early January • food

Treat yourself to real Christmas sweets favoured by Spaniards

Madrid-Style Tripe (Callos a la Madrileña)

Madrid-Style Tripe (Callos a la Madrileña)

out of rangeDecember–February • food

Try the traditional winter Spanish stew called "Callos a la madrileña" which is a favourite in Madrid

Madrid-Style Boiled Dinner (Cocido Madrileño)

Madrid-Style Boiled Dinner (Cocido Madrileño)

out of rangeDecember–February • food

The people of Madrid call it the "star and pearl" of the local cuisine

Bluethroat Watching

Bluethroat Watching

out of rangeMarch–May • nature

Because of the frequent and loud chirping, these little birds are called "one hundred songs"

Snowshoeing in Sierra de Guadarrama

Snowshoeing in Sierra de Guadarrama

out of rangeDecember–April • activity

An ideal way to explore the winter nature of Madrid, combining beautiful landscapes with clean, fresh air and useful exercise

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