Visiting Madrid in December is the best way to celebrate Christmas in Spain this year!
Situated on the banks of the Manzanares and Jarama rivers and the Guadarrama mountains to the south, Madrid is the most beautiful city to visit in winter. Home to historic museums, splendid architecture, beautiful churches and royal culture, your bucket list must include a visit to Madrid in December.
Is Madrid worth a visit in December? What are the best things to do in Madrid in December?
December is one of the most pleasant times to visit Madrid. It can be a little cold, but not too cold, and the festive decorations, markets and food make the city a real winter wonderland.
It takes a lot of energy to wander around the city, as you won't be able to resist once you've landed here. The beauty of the scenery, the glorious weather and the mouth-watering food will leave you wanting more.
January, on the other hand, is the coldest time of the year in Madrid. However, December is also cold and if you were in a northern state. The climate in Madrid in December is hot and dry compared to other cities. The day is between 10°C and 15°C and it's mostly windy, so you'll have to get your thick winter collection out of the wardrobe to expose yourself.
Although the day gets a fair amount of sunshine and at night you could do with a good coffee for a bit of warmth, the best thing about Madrid winters is that it's all dry and there's no chance of showers in Madrid in December 2022.
Places to visit in Madrid in December
Being the capital of Spain but still smaller than Berlin and London, Madrid is the third largest city in Spain. Here's a guide to the places to visit in Madrid for all kinds of adventures.
1. Royal Palace of Madrid
Home to the Spanish royal family, this is the largest royal palace in Western Europe, built for King Philip V in the 17th century. The palace's Royal Armoury holds all the weapons used by King Philip V to this day. Nowadays, however, the palace is only used for state ceremonies and tourist visits.
So, if you want to be part of this royal palace, spend some time here whenever you plan to visit Madrid.
2. Crystal Palace
Located in the Buen Retiro Park, the Palacio De Cristal is a palace built entirely with glass on the frame next to a beautiful lake that looks stunning at night when lit up. This palace is mainly a greenhouse and hosts exhibitions of plants and flora.
Winter evenings in this palace are magnificent by the lake and if you plan this trip with your loved ones, you will spend the most romantic evening of your life here. Go boating on the lake in this cold and windy weather with your better half, under the beautifully lit Crystal Palace and feel like a delicious dream.
3. San Miguel market
Located in the heart of Madrid, San Miguel is a market almost within walking distance of the Plaza Mayor. This is not one of those ordinary flea markets, but an exclusive market with over 25 street vendors selling delicious Spanish food. Olives, hams, prepared tapas, ready-made meals and so many drinks such as champagne, beer and wines will entice you to buy everything.
For some gourmets, this must be on the list of things to do in Madrid, because if you forget to visit this place, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. You can buy some of the best souvenirs from this market for your family and friends and show them the beauty of this city.
4. Puerta del Sol
One of Madrid's busiest streets, Puerto Del Sol is Madrid's commercial centre. Named after the ancient city gate with the emblem of the sun. Here you can find all types of clothes, shoes, jewellery and confectionery.
When you reach this market, the first thing you should do is buy a big bag to hold all your things, because once you start shopping here, you won't be able to stop yourself from buying anything and everything. That said, you should let this place slip off your wish list of places you must visit in Madrid if you're planning your trip in December.
5. Retiro Park
After a hectic day, at the end you can head to Madrid's main park, El Parque de Retiro. A huge park with boating lakes, monuments and sculptures. This park looks fascinating after sunset. The winter sunset in Madrid is enchanting and you should never miss a single sunset if you are in Madrid.
This is where you can spend some quality time with your family, as well as some free time to enjoy Madrid's climate. You must visit El Parque de Retiro if you're on an adrenaline-fuelled hike, as this place offers a plethora of adventurous activities. December sees a number of tourists from all over the world who end up here.
6. Prado Museum
Have you been waiting your whole life to see the real Mona Lisa painting? Well, then you must Museo Del Prado located in Prado with the rarest pieces of Mona Lisa painting that will take your breath away.
If you love art, there is exactly where you need to come as this museum has a lot to offer. You will have a wonderful experience while looking at the art galleries of this place. Take your family along and dine in the nearby restaurants.
Whether it's a royal cultural heritage, a fun destination, flea markets, monuments or delicious cuisine, Madrid has it all. The true beauty of Madrid is seen over the Christmas and New Year period when the city is fully decorated and the festivities are at their height.
So plan a trip to Spain in December to enjoy this incredible Spanish city and experience an incredible lifestyle. Keep these places in mind to avoid confusion and have a great time in Madrid.
Favourite
The San Miguel Plaza food market, in the heart of Madrid's historic centre, is one of the city's main attractions and is a protected heritage building in Spain. Constructed of wrought iron and glass, the 1,764-square-metre building is divided into more than 40 high-end culinary experiences offered by renowned chefs from Spain and abroad.
Acquired in 2017, this gastronomic market has been a magnet for gourmets and a must-see on Madrid's tourist circuit from the outset. After a year of active asset management to improve the quality of the culinary offering, the Mercado was relaunched in 2018 as a high-end dining venue.
The renovation and reopening strategy for the central market focused in particular on improving aspects such as the quality, cleanliness, prices, ingredients and customer experience of the food, drink, desserts, coffee and takeaway offer.
The Mercado de San Miguel is now one of Europe's leading gastronomic markets, making it one of Madrid's most popular venues, attracting the majority of visitors to the city. This gastronomic market, tailor-made for food lovers, is currently considered Madrid's main culinary temple and the benchmark for all European gastronomic venues.
This is one of my favourites, and it's great to see and visit!
FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Madrid?
December is one of the best times to visit Madrid. It can be a little cold, but not too cold, and the festive decorations, markets and food make the city a real winter wonderland.
- Is it worth going to Spain in December?
Absolutely! December is a magical time to visit Spain, and many parts of the country have mild weather and few crowds.
- Is Madrid good at Christmas?
Madrid is one of Spain's most festive destinations in December. The Christmas lights and Christmas markets offer plenty of aesthetic charm.
- Does it rain in Madrid in December?
The amount of rain in December is normal, with an average of 51 mm (2.0 inches). It rains for an average of 7 days in total. Most people do not tend to visit Madrid during this period as it is known as a cold month. The average maximum daytime temperature is around 10.0°C (50°F).
