Spain
Madrid in December
🧥 WinterCool and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: warm jacket for evenings
Why December scores 8.4What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort50%7.8
- !Cool (10°C highs / 4°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 3.2°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~43 mm rain)
- Air quality20%8.7
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~13 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards20%10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline10%7.5
- ·Increased caution
| Dec | Sep | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.4 Very good | 9.8 Excellent |
| Season | 🧥 Winter | 🍂 Autumn |
| High / low | 10° / 4° | 27° / 16° |
| Rain | 43 mm | 41 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 3° | dew pt 8° |
| PM2.5 | 13 µg/m³ | 5 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Madrid weather-station normals.
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Immaculate Conception (8 Dec)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore MadridEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallySpain's capital on the central plateau, visited for its major art museums, royal palace, parks, tapas bars and late-night street life.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Cabalgata de ReyesEvery year5 January every year
The Three Kings parade on the eve of Epiphany, with floats and sweets thrown to the crowd.
Why go: Streets along the route are packed; arrive early.
Where: City centre
Semana Santa (Holy Week)Date variesMoves each year, usually March or April
Religious processions through the historic streets.
Why go: Many locals leave the city; museums are busy with visitors.
Where: Old centre
San IsidroEvery yearAround 15 May every year
Festivities for Madrid's patron saint, with locals in traditional chulapo dress.
Why go: 15 May is a local holiday in Madrid.
Where: Pradera de San Isidro and across the city
Museo del Prado
One of the world's great art museums, strong on Velázquez, Goya and El Greco.
💡 Free entry in the last two hours of the day draws long queues.
Museo Reina Sofía
The modern art museum that houses Picasso's Guernica.
Royal Palace
The official royal residence, used for state ceremonies, with lavish state rooms.
Retiro Park
A large central park with a boating lake and the Crystal Palace.
Plaza Mayor
A 17th-century arcaded square in the old centre.
El Rastro
A huge open-air flea market in La Latina.
💡 Held on Sunday mornings; watch for pickpockets.
Cocido madrileño
A hearty chickpea, meat and vegetable stew served in courses.
💡 Traditional taverns, especially in winter
Bocadillo de calamares
A crusty roll filled with fried squid rings.
💡 Bars around Plaza Mayor
Churros con chocolate
Fried dough sticks dipped in thick hot chocolate.
💡 Chocolaterías in the centre
Callos a la madrileña
Tripe stewed with chorizo and paprika.
💡 Traditional taverns
Tapas
Small plates eaten while bar-hopping.
💡 La Latina, especially Calle Cava Baja
Turrón and violet sweets
Spanish nougat and Madrid's violet-flavoured candies.
💡 Confectioners in the centre
Espadrilles
Rope-soled canvas shoes.
💡 Traditional shoe shops in the old centre
Spanish ham and olive oil
Vacuum-packed jamón and quality oils.
💡 Food shops and markets such as Mercado de San Miguel
Hand-painted fans (abanicos)
Traditional Spanish fans.
💡 Old centre shops near Puerta del Sol