If you want to go out for a cheap, exciting and adventurous holiday, visit Madrid. It is considered one of the best European cities in winter and is where you can go on a trip.Famous for its legendary churros, you can enjoy them with some of its famous chocolate drinks under the clear blue sunny sky and cold crisp weather. Just to add to the benefits, you can find splendid markets here where you will want to shop until you drop. Winter in Madrid is best because it is the Christmas season, and the markets are even more exciting places to explore.
Winter Weather In Madrid, Spain 2024
During Winter in Madrid, the temperatures drop close to zero, so there is a good nip in the air. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying yourself. This temperature drop also means lower prices, fewer crowds, and culture galore. The entire city seems to have dressed itself up for the upcoming party with brightly decorated boulevards, open-air ice rinks, spectacular Belenes, and many charming Christmas markets.
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Top 7 Exciting Places To Visit In Madrid During Winter
Winter is a time to explore the local culture, get into warm and cosy cafes, take a walk to any museum and look at all the long-preserved artefacts, and look at contemporary art in galleries all over the city. Let us not forget to try the exciting dishes found here at this time of the year, like Roscón de Los Reyes (King’s cake), marzipan, and turrón.
1. The ice skating rink
You don’t have to know ice skating to go to one. You will learn on the go and may fall once or twice in the process, but it will be a fun experience and something you will remember for life. Oh, and one more thing, don’t worry about your age – you are always young enough to learn it again. Winter in Madrid, Spain, will give you one of its splendid versions of the New York ice skating experience in the form of the beautiful central Plaza Colón. This should be the first thing in your “What to Do in Madrid in Winter?” list. It costs 4 euros for 30 minutes on weekdays and 5 for 30 minutes on weekends. Get yourself this experience, and be sure to Instagram it.
2. Navibus
It’s something like the Knight Bus from Harry Potter, but minus the magic portions. The Navibus is the legendary Christmas bus that will take you around Madrid city and give you a glimpse of the most iconic buildings and plazas. The entire tour takes not more than 50 minutes to an hour. You get a trip around several exciting places like Calle Serrano, Puerta de Alcalá, Alcalá, Plaza de Cibeles, Alcalá, Gran Vía, Callao, Jacometrezo, Santo Domingo, San Bernardo, Gran Vía, Alcalá, Plaza de Cibeles, Alcalá, Puerta de Alcalá, Velázquez, and Ortega y Gasset.
The trip begins at Plaza Colón every day during this time of the year and then goes around the city. The last stop for the bus is Calle Serrano. The bus takes a roundabout trip around the city, visiting the abovementioned places. This is a fantastic experience that you must not miss out on at any cost.
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3. The trip to Matadero Madrid
This is a former slaughterhouse of the city. It may sound a little gory, but you can rest assured that you will not see the bloodbath anymore. Instead, You can view a trendy cultural hub hosting diverse performances and events. You will come across galleries, exhibitions, a small café, and a cinema. It will be pretty different from what it once was. The place is also well known for its architecture. You will find a sprawling redbrick and white-stone building that will awe you with its beauty. Get to this place by taking a metro south to Legazpi.
4. Hit the Slopes to get the pleasure of nature
Winter in Madrid is incomplete if you don’t go to the hills for a hike. The de Guadarrama mountain range and Puerta de Navacerrada ski resort will interest you a lot. The scenic beauty is unparalleled. You can take a local train from Madrid to get to this place. It is not at all a difficult journey. It will take you a day to take the trip. You can stay the night in the mountains at numerous resorts and continue your adventure the next day. There are provisions for skiing and snowboarding.
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5. Take a look at the Museums
Among the things to do in Madrid during winter, visiting the museums should be on your must-do list. Visit the Prado Museum to see the works of the masters from the Golden Age. Apart from old masterpieces, you also get to see modern ones, like the ones in Renia Sofia. You can also visit the Telefónica Foundation, which regularly hosts exhibitions. You can look at the Tabacalera, a concerted tobacco factory that holds art exhibitions today. You can visit these places if you don’t want too many outdoor activities and stay away from the cold.
6. Chocolate and Churros divine
If you are wondering what to do in Madrid in winter, then we must say no vacation in Madrid is complete without eating the legendary chocolate and churros. You can beat the cold with a steaming cup of thick hot chocolate and delicious churros as thick as your fingers. You will get a chocolate high, that is for sure. The famous chololateria in Madrid is San Gines, which started in the year 1894. The popularity of this outlet is assured when one sees the long queue for late-night churros and chocolate. This shop is open 24 hours a day, serving the chocolate cravings of the citizens and the numerous tourists who visit this place. This is a popular hangout for all age groups.
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7. Winter festivals in Madrid
No capital city is complete without its annual winter festivals. There is no shortage of festivals dying this time. Among the winter festivals in Madrid, the Puerta del Sol, a festival on New Year’s Eve, is very popular and gets a huge crowd. This is a vibrant festival.
You can watch the Three Kings Day parade at Gastrofestival Madrid. This famous festival takes place in mid-January and continues into early February. Let us not forget the famous Madrid Carnival, which takes place in February. If you plan on visiting at this time, get to this carnival. It will exhilarate you like never before. You are sure to have a perfect time.
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These are some of the must-do things you must indulge in when you are here for a winter holiday in Madrid. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, plan a trip to Spain and explore at its best this Winter holiday! Have a great time, People!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Winter In Madrid
What is there to do in Madrid in winter?
Madrid in winter is nothing less than a magical kingdom that looks right out of a fairytale. There is a myriad of things that one can be a part of such as: What should I pack for Madrid in December?
December in Madrid experiences extreme winters where the temperatures can drop down to as low as zero degrees celsius. It is advised that travelers carry heavy jackets, chunky sweaters, woollen caps, gloves, scarves, thicks socks, and good quality shoes in order to be safe in the bitter cold. It is also advised that travelers carry some moisturizer, oils, and other essential skin care items. Does it snow in Madrid?
Madrid in winter is extremely pleasant and extremely chilly at the same time. The temperatures in the winter season in Madrid ranges between 4 degrees Celsius and 12 degrees Celsius during the day time with the skies being blue and sun shining. The nights can get freezing, though snow is rare. One might encounter snow towards the end of December and starting of January. What are the coldest months in Madrid?
The winter months of Madrid are December, January, and February. The coldest month amongst these is January with an average temperature hovering at 6 degrees Celsius with mostly daily sunshine. Is December good time to visit Madrid?
Madrid is a city that is hustling and bustling almost throughout the year, action-packed with a variety of different experiences for each season. For those travellers who are seeking to get away from the crowd, tour around the city without many tourists filling it in, and embrace a quiet yet vibrant festive Christmas week, December is certainly a good time to visit. To add to the experience, the prices during this off season are at an all time low, making it a perfect opportunity for the budget travelers to pay a visit to the city. What is Madrid known for?
Madrid is emerging as one of the popular tourist destinations by virtue of some of the most impeccable attractions covering its floors. Madrid is known for the magnificent architecture, brilliantly planned city squares, exquisite art galleries, lush green spaces, and finger-licking good food.
1. Ice skating
2. Hop on Navibus
3. Visit the Matadero Madrid
4. Hike on the snowy slopes
5. Revisit the history in the museums
6. Indulge in the local delicacies
7. Engage in the winter special festivals
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Anjana is a writer, journalist, and a full-time wallflower. She holds a Master’s degree in Media and Mass Communication and firmly believes that travel blogging is nothing less than art. Combining her love for writing with her passion for globetrotting, she brings to you some amazing tips on traveling perfectly, be it any season of the year! In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to obscure indie bands, and writing poetry – all of this while being a crazy dog lady.
