Month guide · Madrid · Spain
Madrid in January
What January is really like in Madrid: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 3°C (37°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 9.6 hours of daylight. Cold, crisp and often sunny, with frosty nights; museums are quiet and the January sales begin.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 3°C (37°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest 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 December (10°C (50°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:36
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 18:12
- Daylight
- About 9.6 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, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in April). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Three Kings parade — Cabalgata de Reyes through the centre (5 January)
- January sales (from early January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Paseo del Prado
Prado Museum
Head first to Las Meninas in the central Velázquez room, then to the Goya rooms on the lower floor; the free final hours of each day bring long queues.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · Atocha
Reina Sofía Museum
Spain's national museum of 20th-century and contemporary art occupies a former hospital with glass lift towers and a Jean Nouvel extension.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
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Museum · Paseo del Prado
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Start on the top floor and work down to follow the collection in chronological order.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
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Palace · Palacio
Royal Palace of Madrid
Built in the 18th century after the old Alcázar burned down, the official residence of the Spanish royal family is used for state ceremonies and is among the largest palaces in Europe.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Kids
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 January a good time to visit Madrid?
A quieter month with trade-offs, 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 January a good time to visit Madrid?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, crisp and often sunny, with frosty nights; museums are quiet and the January sales begin.
+How warm is Madrid in January?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Madrid in January?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.