Are you looking for the best things to do in Spring in Madrid?
Once the winter cold is finally gone, the Spring in Madrid bursts with new life in its parks, streets, and terraces.
Spring is one of the best seasons to visit Madrid and enjoy unique outdoor experiences.
Keep on reading to find out 10 of my favorite things to do in Spring in Madrid.
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What Is The Weather Like During Spring In Madrid?
Springtime in Madrid is generally defined as the March-May period.
Overall, the Spring weather in Madrid is warm and perfect for sightseeing and enjoying outdoor activities.
But it is true that, although Winter`s chilliest days have already left the city, March may still experience colder temperatures, especially at night.
Spring in Madrid is milder and sunnier than in most of the European capitals. Find out the details below.
Madrid´s weather in March
March can be considered a dry month in Madrid as it rains an average of only four days. Even more when compared to Paris (11 days) and London (9 days).
Temperatures during the day are good enough to enjoy daytime visiting Madrid´s top attractions. The average maximum daily temperature in March Madrid lies around 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). Slightly cooler, Paris is 12 °C (54 °F) and London 11 °C (53 °F).
The average minimum temperature is 6 °C (43 °F) in Madrid, 5 °C (41 °F) in Paris, and 4 °C (39 °F) in London.
March is a great month for sightseeing in Madrid, as you will benefit from 202 hours of sunshine. Madrid compares extremely well to Paris (129 hours) and London (113 hours).
Madrid´s weather in April
Given that it rains an average of 7 days in April, it may be said that Madrid experiences a wet month. The average in Paris and London is 9 days.
Temperatures continue to rise and the average maximum daily temperature in Madrid will already reach 17 degrees Celsius (63 degrees Fahrenheit). In Paris, you will find a temperature of 15 °C (60 °F) and 14 °C (5 °F) in London.
Nights are still cool and you should not forget to pack at least a light jacket or raincoat. The average lowest temperature is 8 °C (46 °F), 7 °C (45 °F) in Paris, and 5 °C (42 °F) in London.
With 214 hours of sunshine, April offers visitors plenty of time to discover Madrid´s landmarks and terraces. The sun will occasionally appear in Paris (173 hours) and London (165 hours).
Madrid´s weather in May
May is one of the best months to visit Madrid due to its warm temperatures and sunshine hours.
As in April, Madrid has on average 7 rainy days in May, fewer than Paris (10) and London (9).
Summer is already close, and temperatures start to increase progressively. The average maximum daily temperature in Madrid will be 22 degrees Celsius (72 degrees Fahrenheit). Madrid in May is warmer than Paris (19 °C | 67 °F) and London (18 °C | 64 °F).
The average lowest temperature in Madrid and Paris is pretty similar in May, around 11 °C (52 °F). London is still a bit cold at night with a minimum temperature of 9 °C (48 °F)
May arrives with a significant increase in sunshine. You will be rewarded with more than 270 hours of sun to enjoy the end of the Spring in Madrid. Again, sunshine hours in Paris (193) and London (199) cannot compete against Madrid´s.
What To Wear When Visiting Madrid In Spring?
Spring in Madrid can be both warm and chilly, depending on how close is your stay to Winter or Summer.
What to wear in March?
Apart from comfortable shoes, which are a must on every packing list, in March you should take a medium-weight jacket to better bear with the minimum temperatures at night.
Hat, scarf, and gloves will not be necessary but do not forget to add some sweaters, jeans, and leggings.
Always check the weather forecast before traveling to Madrid but a raincoat should not probably be necessary. A small folding umbrella will be enough to deal with some unexpected rain.
Plan on layering your clothes, as you could find big variations in temperature between daytime and night.
What to wear in April?
Temperatures are higher in April as well as the number of rainy days. That is why a light raincoat could be a good idea.
Due to the nice weather, you will probably walk to the best Madrid tourist attractions so be sure you bring your most comfortable sneakers.
Save some space for a couple of short-sleeve shirts, as the real feel is usually warmer since most days are sunny and the humidity is low.
What to wear in May?
If you are thinking about visiting Madrid in Spring, May is an excellent choice due to the warm temperatures and the high number of sunshine hours.
Visitors traveling to Madrid in May should mostly pack medium-light clothes. Dresses, tops, T-shirts, shorts, and skirts will be the best outfits for the daytime.
A light jacket or raincoat, a sweater, and some jeans should be sufficient for colder hours when the sun goes down.
Reasons to visit Madrid in Spring
Thinking about spending the Spring in Madrid? I hope the following 5 reasons help you in your decision:
- Temperature is perfect to enjoy a full sightseeing session. The Winter cold is gone and the extreme Summer heat has not arrived yet in the city.
- Out of the peak season, crowds are thinner and you can find cheaper flight and accommodation prices.
- Everything is in bloom. Spring has sprung and the trees and streets are covered in colorful flowers.
- The high number of sunshine hours will allow you to make the most of your trip to Madrid.
- There are special events and public holidays like Easter, May 1st, May 2nd, and San Isidro Madrid´s patron saint), which will help you to better understand local traditions.
What to Do in Spring in Madrid
10 Awesome Things to Do in Madrid in Spring
These are some ideas of things to do in Madrid in Spring:
1. Join in the Easter Celebrations
Easter, locally known as Semana Santa (Holy Week), is one of the most significant religious celebrations in Spain.
Each Spanish region has its own particular customs and practices. In Madrid, many locals usually leave the city to enjoy this 4-day spring break.
For those staying in the city, there are numerous processions that take place on the streets of Madrid. It is especially remarkable in the capital of Spain the procession of Jesús Nazareno de Medinaceli.
2. Visit Madrid Book Fair
Annually, the Madrid Book Fair takes place at Madrid’s Buen Retiro Park between May and June.
Since its inauguration in 1933, the Book Fair has not stopped growing. It has become a popular attraction for locals and tourists visiting Madrid in Spring.
You will discover national and international bestsellers and multiple educational activities to foster reading habits among kids.
3. Enjoy some of the best Spanish tapas with a cold drink
In my opinion, there are few things more gratifying and relaxing than enjoying a tapa and a fresh drink with friends on a sunny terrace.
Tapas is one of the most traditional and famous ways to try the best Spanish appetizers. They are small-sized food portions served as an appetizer together with a drink.
Some of the most famous tapas are Iberian Ham, Spanish Omelet, Croquettes, Patatas Bravas, and Fried Calamari.
La Latina neighborhood is one of the most popular places to taste these Spanish culinary specialties in Spring.
4. Discover the best Madrid Parks by bike
The countless parks and green areas in Madrid provide lots of space and clean air away from the stress of the downtown.
The warm temperatures of the Spring in Madrid are perfect to do some sightseeing, work out, and have fun at the same time.
Rent a bike or just book a guided bike tour to explore some of the most popular parks in the city, such as El Retiro, Madrid Río, and Casa de Campo. If you are traveling to Madrid with family, your kids will love this activity.
If you are not a regular rider you can also use the BiciMAD public program, which offers more than 3,000 electric bikes. You will benefit from the electric technology with pedaling assistance.
5. Explore the most famous flea market in Madrid
Exploring the El Rastro flea market is one of the most exciting things to do in Spring in Madrid.
It is held on Sundays and public holidays, and with 3,500 stalls El Rastro is the most well-known outdoor flea market in Madrid. No matter what you are looking for, you will find it here.
In the surroundings, you will find many taverns and restaurants where you can have a wine, beer, or vermouth on tap while eating some tapas.
It usually gets very crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings and pickpockets, especially if you are traveling on your own.
6. Admire the gorgeous blossoming of almond trees
With the beginning of spring comes the flowering of the almond trees.
While the dates change from year to year depending on the weather, between the end of February and March you can admire how the almond tree buds burst into beautiful white and pink blooms.
In this season, many locals and visitors visit the Quinta de los Molinos Park, which houses more than 1,500 almond trees. It is a beautiful landscape that only lasts for a couple of weeks.
If you are visiting Madrid in Spring, don´t miss this unique outdoor activity. Quinta de los Molinos Park is one of the most popular Instagram spots in Madrid.
7. Attend a Real Madrid game
Visiting Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and enjoying a Real Madrid soccer game is one of the best things to do in Spring in Madrid.
Spring is a great season to attend a Real Madrid game. The final games of the regular season and the Champions League take place in this period.
Real Madrid was recognized as the greatest soccer club of the 20th Century and is the club that holds more UEFA Champions League trophies.
The team is famous for its winning and never surrender spirit. A 90-minute match duration in Santiago Bernabéu is a nightmare for its rivals and epic comebacks have become a tradition.
I am sure you will enjoy this exclusive football experience at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
8. Go on a day trip
Due to Madrid’s central location in Spain, visitors can easily explore wonderful nearby places. Most times it is not even necessary to rent a vehicle and you can get there by public transport.
The area surrounding Madrid is rich in cultural attractions and natural beauty.
The offer is almost unlimited, and most of these locations are especially beautiful in Spring. Alcalá de Henares, El Escorial, Aranjuez, Segovia, Toledo, and Ávila are just a few of the most popular day trips from Madrid.
If you spend some days in Spring in Madrid, save some time to get out of the city for a day and discover some of these unique places.
9. Celebrate the San Isidro holiday like a local
One of the most important bank holidays in Madrid is San Isidro Labrador’s Day. It usually takes place on May 15th.
San Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid and over one hundred miracles have been attributed to him.
If you are visiting Madrid in Spring, San Isidro´s day is the perfect occasion to discover the most authentic essence of the city. Many locals still dress up in traditional regional dresses.
The San Isidro celebrations include a pilgrimage to San Isidro’s meadow to drink the holy water of his fountain and the procession of the image of San Isidro and his wife, Santa Maria de la Cabeza.
10. Do some shopping in the Las Rozas Village outlet
Just 30 minutes from the city center, Las Rozas Village is the best outlet in Madrid. Similar to the US outlet malls, this is an open-air space that offers more than 100 exclusive boutiques with great discounts.
Burberry, Loewe, Barbour, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Coach, Gucci, Gant, Jimmy Choo, Kenzo, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tag Heuer, and UGG, are just a few examples of the prestigious shops you will find in Las Rozas Village.
You will benefit from discounts which can reach 60% on the recommended retail price.
This paradise for shopaholics is surrounded by a beautiful mountain landscape. There are several restaurants and terraces where you can relax and watch a spectacular sunset.
Have you already decided to visit Madrid in Spring? If you have liked the post, share it with your friends and family!
