- Why this month: Late April is when Retiro starts showing off, especially around the rose garden and shaded walks.
- Best time: 9am–11am
- Book by: No booking needed unless you want a rowboat later in the day
- Crowds: Moderate, high on sunny weekends
- Spend the morning between the lake, the Crystal Palace paths, and the first proper burst of spring color.
- Don't miss: The Rosaleda as buds start opening in late April
- Insider tip: Enter from Puerta de la Independencia for the prettiest first impression.
Madrid in April Weather Crowds Events and Things to Do
Madrid in spring How April compares
| Category | March | April | May |
|---|---|---|---|
Weather | 8–17°C (46–63°F) | 10–20°C (50–68°F) | 14–24°C (57–75°F) |
Crowds | Rising, especially late month | Moderate, with spikes at Easter and marathon weekend | High, especially around San Isidro |
Atmosphere | Early spring, mixed skies, art crowd energy | Longer days, park bloom, terrace season starts properly | Festival-heavy, louder, warmer, more packed |
Key events | ARCOmadrid, Fashion Week, start of Holy Week | Semana Santa, Aitana dates, Book Day, Madrid Marathon | Dos de Mayo, San Isidro, bullfighting season, book fair build-up |
Public holidays | March 19 in 2026 | Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Sunday on April 5 in 2026 | May 1, May 2, and May 15 |
Budget | Usually fair value outside major event dates | Mid-range, but Easter and marathon dates lift prices | Higher than April, especially festival weekends |
Best for | Museum trips, lower-season city breaks | Balanced city breaks with culture and outdoor time | Festival fans, repeat visitors, spring nightlife |
Book early | Holy Week stays from late March onward | Easter hotels, Royal Palace, Prado slots, marathon weekend stays | San Isidro events, Las Ventas, top terraces |
Transport tips | Carry a rain layer; late-month events affect centre traffic | Use Metro on April 26; processions can block central streets | Expect busy central routes and packed nightlife districts |
Top things to do in Madrid in April
Offbeat experiences in April
Planning your April visit
| Lead time | What to book | Why and when | Seasonal price change |
|---|---|---|---|
2–4 months ahead | Central hotels for Easter week and marathon weekend | By late January for Apr 3–5 and Apr 24–26 stays; those are the two clear demand spikes | Apr 2–5: typically +15–30% vs mid-April; Apr 24–26: often +10–20% vs standard weekends |
3–6 weeks ahead | Museo del Prado Tickets | Book by mid-March for Easter week and sunny weekends; morning slots go first | Easter week morning slots hold closest to peak pricing; midweek after Apr 6 is usually near base |
3–6 weeks ahead | Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Tour Tickets | Book as soon as your dates are fixed if April match traffic is high | Match-adjacent dates can feel 10–15% pricier than quieter midweek dates |
2–4 weeks ahead | Tablao Flamenco 1911 - Flamenco Show | Book by early April for Friday–Sunday nights and Easter week dinners | Weekend dinner-show packages can run +10–20% vs weekday show-only options |
1–3 weeks ahead | From Madrid: Toledo Half-Day Trip | Secure a place by early April for weekend departures and school-holiday periods | Weekend departures often sit +5–15% above weekday rates |
3–7 days ahead | 1-hour Express Madrid Tuk-Tuk Tour | Good weather firms up last-minute demand; book once the forecast looks clear | Sunny weekends can tick up +5–10% vs cloudy weekdays |
April highlights for different travellers
Madrid in April Your perfect 3-day itinerary
Best day trips from Madrid in April
Go shopping in Madrid in April
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