Month guide · Madrid · Spain
Madrid in December
What December is really like in Madrid: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matt Joseph, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 3°C (37°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 9.3 hours of daylight. Cold and festive, with Christmas lights along the main streets and a busy holiday period.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 3°C (37°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Madrid: days average 10°C (50°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 3°C (37°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with November (13°C (55°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:31
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:49
- Daylight
- About 9.3 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, often sunny days and frosty nights, with Christmas lights, the Three Kings parade and the January sales.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas market in Plaza Mayor (usually late November to late December)
- New Year's Eve twelve grapes at Puerta del Sol (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Viewpoint · Gran Vía
Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop
The roof terrace of this 1920s arts centre, watched over by a statue of Minerva, gives a sweeping view down Gran Vía, over the Metrópolis dome and across to the Cibeles Palace and the Sierra de Guadarrama on clear days.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- After dark
Experience · Parque del Oeste
Teleférico cable car
Ride out late afternoon for the light on the city skyline, and pair it with the Temple of Debod nearby.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
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Museum · Paseo del Prado
Prado Museum
Spain's national art museum, opened in 1819, holds the world's greatest collections of Velázquez and Goya — including Las Meninas, The Third of May 1808 and Goya's Black Paintings — along with Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, El Greco, Titian and Rubens.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Atocha
Reina Sofía Museum
Go straight to the Guernica room on the second floor early in the visit, then explore the cloister garden.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 10°C, lows near 3°C and 6 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Madrid?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Madrid in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Madrid?
It is a shoulder-season month. Cold and festive, with Christmas lights along the main streets and a busy holiday period.
+How warm is Madrid in December?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Madrid in December?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.