Madrid in December

Cold; shops open long over Christmas; check Dec 24–25 closures.

All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• AprilGreatWarm; Easter week is busy.
• MayGreatWarm, long evenings; San Isidro fiesta mid-May.
• SeptemberGreatWarm, returns to normal.
• OctoberGreatBest month for walking.

• MadridHighs around 10 °C (50 °F), lows around 3 °C (37 °F), rain on about 7 daysHighs around 50 °F (10 °C), lows around 37 °F (3 °C), rain on about 7 days
• Madrid and the central plateau, Spain · Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Cuencacool

  Dry, sunny and continental: frost on winter nights, 35–40 °C (95–104 °F) in July and August.Dry, sunny and continental: frost on winter nights, 95–104 °F (35–40 °C) in July and August.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas lights and markets check

  Late Nov to Jan 6 · Sol, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía

  Crowded evenings and pickpockets; roasted chestnuts on the corners.

• Nochebuena and Navidad

  Dec 24–25 · Whole city

  Most restaurants and shops close on the evening of Dec 24 and all of Dec 25.

• Christmas and New Year

  Dec 24–25 and Jan 1

  Most restaurants and shops closed on the evening of Dec 24 and Dec 25.

Crowds · Spain overall

Medium

Prices · Spain overall

Medium

Spain overall: Christmas lights and markets; the 6–8 December long weekend (puente) fills hotels. The Christmas lottery on 22 December stops the country for a morning.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Madrid, side by side.

• A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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