Madrid lies at the centre of the peninsula, on the plateau at about 650 metres and far from the sea: its climate is continental, with big swings between summer and winter and between day and night, little rain and plenty of sunshine. Madrid's blue sky, which Velázquez painted in the backgrounds of his portraits, is famous: the city enjoys about 2,700 hours of sunshine a year. It is part of the Madrid guide.
The climate in charts
The seasons
Spring (March-June)
The best season. From April temperatures are mild, between 18 and 25 degrees, the Retiro is in bloom, terraces reopen and the city is full of life. May is the month of San Isidro, festivals, the Book Fair and Museum Night. In June it starts getting hot but the evenings are wonderful. The only unknowns are a few rainy days in April and May and the Holy Week crowds.
Summer (July-August)
Madrid's summer is very hot and dry: in July and August highs often exceed 35 degrees, with heatwaves that can top 40. At night the temperature drops, but not always below 22-24 degrees. The city adapts: people go out early in the morning and late in the evening, spending the middle of the day in air-conditioned museums or having a siesta. July brings Pride and festivals; in August many Madrileños are on holiday, traffic disappears, some traditional restaurants and shops close, but hotels are cheaper and the working-class districts celebrate the San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and La Paloma verbenas.
Autumn (September-November)
September and October are, with spring, the ideal time: days are still warm and bright, cultural life restarts with the theatre and music season, and the parks turn golden. In November temperatures fall and the first rains arrive, but prices are lower and museums less crowded.
Winter (December-February)
Winter is cold but sunny: daytime highs are around 10 degrees, at night the temperature can drop below zero and it occasionally snows, as during the historic storm Filomena in January 2021. Sunny days still make sightseeing pleasant. December is magical with the lights, the Plaza Mayor market and New Year at the Puerta del Sol; January and February are the quietest, cheapest months, perfect for museums.
Month by month
| Month | Weather | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| January | Cold, sunny, sometimes frosty | Three Kings, sales, low season |
| February | Cold, longer days | ARCO, Carnival |
| March | Cool and changeable | Start of spring |
| April | Mild, some rain | Holy Week, Madrid Open |
| May | Ideal | San Isidro, Book Fair |
| June | Warm, long evenings | Start of summer, terraces |
| July | Very hot | Pride, Mad Cool, sales |
| August | Scorching | Empty city, verbenas, low prices |
| September | Pleasantly warm | Formula 1, cultural restart |
| October | Mild and bright | Fiesta Nacional, Autumn Festival |
| November | Cool, rain | Almudena, Jazz Festival |
| December | Cold, sunny | Lights, markets, New Year |
For all events see festivals and events in Madrid.
Prices and crowds
Madrid hotels cost more during big trade fairs at IFEMA, such as FITUR in January, ARCO in February and other congresses, during Pride, New Year and big concerts and matches. August, January and February are the cheapest months. Unlike coastal cities, Madrid has no real summer high season.
What to pack
- Summer: light clothes, a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle; a sweater for the air conditioning in museums and the metro.
- Spring and autumn: layers and a light jacket for the evening, when the temperature drops.
- Winter: coat, scarf and gloves; homes and venues are well heated.
- Always: comfortable shoes, as Madrid involves a lot of walking, often uphill.
For the climate in the rest of the country see the climate in Spain.