Madrid · Spain
December
Christmas Madrid is spectacular — Gran Vía lights, Puerta del Sol countdown, and winter magic.
Strong option
#8 of 12 months
There are better months for Madrid — see the full ranking below.
See when to go instead →Climate
High
9.5°C
Low
2.8°C
Rain
44mm
Sun
5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How December scores in Madrid
Weather
Above average
Value
Excellent
Crowds
Very good
Events
Excellent
Atmosphere
Outstanding
What you gain in December
- ↑Gran Vía Christmas illuminations are among Europe's best — genuinely dazzling and a free spectacle every night
- ↑Puerta del Sol hosts Spain's national New Year's Eve countdown with millions of people and twelve grapes at midnight
- ↑El Corte Inglés festive windows, Navidad market at Plaza Mayor, and mulled wine at outdoor stalls — all authentically Spanish
What you sacrifice
- ↓Christmas week (24 Dec – 2 Jan): hotel prices spike 40–60% and Puerta del Sol is impractical on New Year's Eve
- ↓Cold (9°C highs) with occasional frost — outdoor sightseeing requires commitment and warm clothing
- ↓Museums closed on Christmas Day and some reduced hours throughout the holiday period
How December compares to May (best month)
| Factor | December | May ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 5 | 10 |
| Value | 8 | 7 |
| Crowds | 7 | 6 |
December in other destinations
Lisbon (14.4°C)Barcelona (13.8°C)Tokyo (12°C)Bali (30.3°C)Santorini (14.5°C)Paris (6.9°C)New York (5.1°C)Marrakech (18.1°C)Amsterdam (6.4°C)Maldives (30°C)Rome (11.7°C)Bangkok (30.4°C)Istanbul (9.4°C)Vienna (3°C)Seoul (3.7°C)Dubrovnik (11.6°C)Rio de Janeiro (29.5°C)Kyoto (11.3°C)Phuket (31.8°C)Cape Town (25.6°C)Prague (3°C)Amalfi Coast (13°C)Mexico City (21°C)Medellín (28°C)Fiji (30°C)London (8°C)Sydney (26°C)Iceland (2°C)Tulum (28°C)Dubai (25°C)Singapore (30°C)Hoi An (24°C)Chiang Mai (27.5°C)Miami (25.6°C)Florence (9.8°C)Queenstown (21°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Madrid, not across destinations. Methodology →