Best Time to Visit Madrid

Madrid sits at over 650 metres above sea level on the Castilian plateau, giving it a more extreme climate than its southern latitude suggests. Summers are hot and dry — July and August temperatures regularly exceed 35°C — while winters are cold and occasionally snowy. The most pleasant seasons for visiting are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November).

May is arguably Madrid at its finest — the city celebrates the Fiestas de San Isidro, its patron saint festival, with bullfighting, concerts, and street parties. September and October bring more comfortable temperatures, fewer tourists, and the start of the cultural season. Christmas in Madrid is a festive spectacle, with elaborate nativity scenes (belenes) and the famous Puerta del Sol New Year's Eve countdown.