If you are looking to go out for a cheap, exciting and adventurous holiday then take a trip to Madrid. It is considered to be one of the best European cities in winter where you can go for a trip. Famous for its legendry churros, you can enjoy them along with some of its famous chocolate drink under the clear blue sunny sky and cold crisp weather. Just to add to the benefits that you can find here are the splendid markets where you will want to shop till you drop. Winter in Madrid is best because it is the Christmas season, and the markets are even more interesting place to explore during this time.
Winter Weather In Madrid Spain
During Winter in Madrid, the temperatures in Madrid drop close to zero so there is a good nip in the air but don’t let that stop you from enjoying yourself as this temperature drop also means lower prices, fewer crowds, and culture galore. It seems that the entire city has dressed itself up for the upcoming party with brightly decorated boulevards, open-air ice rinks, spectacular Belenes, and lots of charming Christmas markets.
Europe Holiday Packages On TravelTriangle
Explore the most beautiful places to visit in Europe, from Paris to the Venice canals and from the Greek islands to the Swiss alps. Book customized packages by expert agents on TravelTriangle. Inclusive of airport transfers, cab, resort, sightseeing and meals. Best holiday experience Guaranteed. Book Now
7 Exciting Places To Visit In Madrid During Winter
The winter is a time to explore the local culture, get into warm and cozy cafes, take a walk to any museum and look at all the long-preserved artifacts, look at contemporary art in the galleries all over the city. Well, let us not forget to try the interesting dishes that are found here at this time of the year like Roscón de Los Reyes (King’s cake), marzipan, and turrón.
1. The ice skating rink
Well you don’t really have to know ice skating to go to one. You will learn on the go and may be fall once or twice in the process but it will definitely be a fun experience and something that you will remember for life. Oh and one more thing, don’t worry about your age – you are always young to learn it al over 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 euros for 30 minutes on weekends. Get yourself this experience and be sure to Instagram it.
Suggested Read: Mosques In Madrid: Soak In The Sights Of The Multicultural Spanish Heritage
2. Navibus
Something like the Knight Bus from Harry Potter but minus the magic portions. The Navibus is the legendary Christmas bus will take you all around the 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 a number of interesting 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 above mentioned places. This is an amazing experience that you must not miss out at any cost.
Suggested Read: Madrid Nightlife: Top 10 Dazzling Places To Groove At Until Your Feet Hurt
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. You can rather get a view of a trendy cultural hub that hosts a diverse program of performances and events. You will come across galleries and exhibitions, a small café and also a cinema. It will be quite 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.
Suggested Read: 9 Beaches Near Madrid That Add Charm To The City’s Beauty!
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 the ski resort of Puerta de Navacerrada 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 have the option of staying the night at the mountains at any of the numerous resorts here and continue your adventure the next day. There are provisions for skiing and snowboarding.
Suggested Read: 10 Most Beautiful Churches In Madrid That Are On Every Globetrotter’s Bucket List
5. Take a look at the Museums
Among the things to do in winter in Madrid, visiting the museums should be in you must to do list. Visit the Prado Museum to see the works of the masters from the Golden Age. Apart from old masterpieces you get to see the modern ones as well like the ones in Renia Sofia. You can also visit the Telefónica Foundation that regularly hosts exhibitions. You can take a look at the Tabacalera which is a concerted tobacco factory that holds art exhibition today. You can visit these places if you don’t want to much of outdoor activities and stay away from the cold.
Suggested Read: 10 Coolest Hostels In Madrid That Are Also Easy On Your Pocket
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 that are thick as your fingers. You will get a chocolate high tat is for sure. The famous chololateria in Madrid is San Gines which started I’m 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 that throng this place. This is a popular hangout for all age groups.
Suggested Read: 10 Best Day Trips From Madrid That Will Add To The Charm Of Your Spanish Holiday!
7. Winter festivals in Madrid
No capital city is complete without its annual winter festivals. There is no dearth of festivals dying this time. Among the winter festivals in Madrid the Puerta del Sol, which is 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 to Gastrofestival Madrid. This takes place in mid-January and continues to early February. This us another widely popular festival. Let us not forget the famous Madrid Carnival that takes place in February. If you are planning on making a visit at this time then get to this carnival. It will exhilarate you like never before. You are sure to have a very good time.
Further Read: 10 Restaurants In Madrid To Enjoy A Colourful & Appetising Food Palette
These are some of the must do things that you must indulge yourself in when you are here for a holiday during winter 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!
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
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 travelers 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
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.
