Madrid in December fuses regal elegance with winter festivity. Holiday lights shimmer above grand boulevards while markets buzz with carols and roasted chestnuts. Christmas Eve and New Year’s traditions bring out the city’s warm heart. Expect sunny mornings, crisp evenings, and short lines at major museums—except during the holiday spike. Metro runs late; city lights earlier.
Madrid in December 2025 at a glance
🌧️ Weather
Average highs 10°C / 50°F; chilly nights dip to 3°C / 37°F.
☀️ Daylight
~9.3 h; sunrise ~8:30am, sunset ~5:45pm.
🎉 Key events
Plaza Mayor Christmas Market, Puerta del Sol New Year’s Eve.
👥 Crowds
Medium, with spikes around Dec 6–8 and holidays.
🛍️ What to pack
Warm coat, scarf, gloves, and comfy boots for cold cobbles.
🍽️ Seasonal treats
Turrón, roscones, hot chocolate with churros.
Top things to do in Madrid in December
Browse the Plaza Mayor Christmas Market
When: Late Nov–Dec 31
Tags: Family-friendly, Outdoors, Seasonal
Wooden stalls fill the historic Plaza Mayor with nativity figurines, ornaments, and holiday trinkets. Twinkling lights and roasted chestnuts set the mood. Go before 6pm to beat the family rush.
Stroll under holiday lights on Gran Vía
When: Every evening, from late November
Tags: Outdoors, Cultural experience
Gran Vía’s famous art deco facades glow under a canopy of lights. Walk from Plaza de España to Cibeles for the full sparkle. Best admired after dusk.
Tour the Royal Palace in off-peak calm
When: Early December mornings
Tags: Tour, Cultural experience
Madrid’s grand Royal Palace stays open through winter. Fewer visitors mean more space to linger over tapestries and throne rooms. Arrive near opening (~10am) for quiet halls.
Recommended experience:
Royal Palace of Madrid Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Enjoy churros con chocolate at San Ginés
When: Any cold day or evening
Tags: Family-friendly, Cultural experience
Nothing beats warming up with thick hot chocolate and crispy churros. Chocolatería San Ginés (since 1894) is open late, near Puerta del Sol. Expect a short line after 9pm.
Skate at Plaza de Colón's ice rink
When: All December
Tags: Family-friendly, Seasonal
Plaza de Colón hosts a festive pop-up rink with music and lights. Rentals available. Even if you don’t skate, the scene is festive and photogenic.
Catch flamenco at a cozy tablao
When: Evenings year-round
Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
Escape the chill with intense flamenco. Book an indoor tablao like Corral de la Morería. Look for early dinner shows (8:30pm) to pair with tapas.
Dozens of elaborate Nativity scenes appear in churches and civic buildings. The Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor displays are top picks. Free, but expect queues near Christmas.
Recommended experience:
Royal Palace of Madrid Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Shop holiday sales early on Gran Vía
When: Mid to late December
Tags: Shopping, Explorer
Madrid’s Gran Vía and Fuencarral street sparkle with lights and early winter discounts. Avoid weekends for thinner crowds. Combine browsing with chocolate-dipped breaks.
Offbeat experiences in December
Ride Naviluz, the Christmas light bus
Double-decker bus loop of Madrid's best holiday displays
Tickets sell fast for this 40-minute nighttime route past the city's top light displays. Bundle up and sit top deck for best views.
Join thousands in eating 12 grapes at midnight to welcome 2026. Arrive by 9pm; space limited. Wear warm layers.
Highlights for different traveler types
Families with Kids
Watch Cortylandia’s animated light-and-music show near Puerta del Sol, a festive spectacle that delights children before dinnertime.
Lace up skates at Plaza de Colón’s seasonal rink, then warm up together over sugary churros dipped in hot chocolate at San Ginés.
Hop aboard the Naviluz Christmas bus in the early evening, giving kids a magical tour of Madrid’s sparkling holiday lights before bedtime.
Couples
Share an intimate evening at a traditional tablao, where passionate flamenco performances pair perfectly with Spanish wine.
Stroll hand in hand along Gran Vía beneath glittering holiday lights, soaking in Madrid’s festive winter atmosphere.
Welcome the New Year together with the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight, whether in the crowds of Puerta del Sol or from a romantic rooftop terrace.
Culture Vultures
Wander through the Royal Palace and Goya’s frescoed chapel, where the soft winter light enhances the grandeur and detail of each space.
Explore the Prado and Reina Sofía museums at a leisurely pace, enjoying masterpieces without the usual long queues.
Discover Madrid’s elaborate Belenes, or Nativity scenes, displayed across churches and plazas with intricate figures and storytelling detail.
Your perfect 3-day Madrid in December itinerary
Morning: Tour the Royal Palace when doors open—no tour bus crowds.
Breakfast: Coffee and tortilla at Café de Oriente with palace views.
Midday: Walk to Almudena Cathedral and stroll through Austrias quarter.
Lunch: Traditional cocido madrileño at Malacatín (La Latina).
Afternoon: Prado Museum for classic masters. Use skip-the-line entry.
Evening:Flamenco show & tapas dinner at Corral de la Morería.
Morning: Browse El Rastro flea market. Go before 11am.
Breakfast: Hot chocolate and churros at San Ginés.
Midday: Explore Plaza Mayor market stalls.
Lunch: Grab calamari sandwich at nearby Bar La Campana.
Afternoon: Ride the Naviluz bus from Colón (book ahead).
Evening: Dinner in Chueca, then stroll lit-up Gran Vía.
Morning: Visit Reina Sofía to see Picasso’s Guernica.
Breakfast: Pastry and espresso at Toma Café (Malasaña).
Midday: Walk Madrid Rio park—great light and skyline views.
Lunch: Sit-down tapas at Casa Lucas in La Latina.
Afternoon: Goya frescoes at Ermita de San Antonio.
Evening: Cocktails and city views at Azotea del Círculo rooftop.
Best day trips from Madrid in December
Toledo
🚄Travel time: ~35 min by train Explore medieval lanes, Gothic cathedral, and artisan shops. December's light is perfect for stone and stained glass. Bundle up—breezes off the Tajo River bite.
Segovia
🚄Travel time: ~30 min by AVE train See the Roman aqueduct, fairytale Alcázar, and feast on cochinillo (roast suckling pig). Crowds are thinner than autumn; wear warm layers.
🚄Travel time: ~1 h by bus or Cercanías train Tour this austere royal monastery and pantheon. The Sierra foothills add wintry drama. Allow time for uphill walk from station.
Alcalá de Henares
🚄Travel time: ~40 min by Cercanías train Birthplace of Cervantes. See his house-museum, shop local sweets, and admire festive squares with fewer tourists than central Madrid.
Craft fair in an old train station with food trucks, live music, and local gifts. Indoor/outdoor setup.
Pro tips for visiting Madrid in December
Museum queues shrink midweek—visit Prado or Reina Sofía on Tues–Thurs mornings for quiet.
Book Royal Palace or Naviluz bus online—slots fill quickly around holidays.
Dress in layers: Madrid mornings are brisk, but sun warms afternoons; wear sunglasses.
Churros are a nighttime ritual—lines shrink after 10pm at San Ginés.
Shops close early on Dec 24 & 31; restaurants often require reservations—plan ahead.
Metro runs late, but check for NYE schedule tweaks—extra trains, some station closures.
Public holidays (Dec 6, 8, 25) = museum and store closures. Double-check before you go.
Pack a refillable bottle—Madrid’s tap water is crisp and safe.
Restaurants offer holiday menus around Dec 24–25. Ask for "menú de Navidad" options.
Avoid taxis near Sol on Dec 31—gridlock starts by 8 pm. Use Metro or walk if close.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Madrid in December
Yes—average highs are around 10 °C / 50 °F, with nights near freezing. It’s usually dry, but pack a warm coat, scarf, and gloves for evenings.
Snow is rare. You might see a dusting, but it usually melts quickly. Expect crisp, sunny days rather than winter storms.
Mostly. Major museums close on Dec 25, but otherwise operate on reduced holiday hours. Always check specific venues for Dec 24–26 and Jan 1 schedules.
Absolutely. Holiday markets fill plazas, and boutiques get festive. Note: Spain’s official winter sales start January 7, so pre-Christmas prices are still regular.
Layers are key. Wear insulated shoes for cold cobblestones, plus a windproof coat. Locals dress sharp even in winter—think wool over puffers.
Yes—especially Puerta del Sol. It fills hours before midnight. If you want space, reserve a rooftop view or arrive by 9pm with snacks and cava.
Yes, but on limited schedules. Metro and buses close early on Dec 24 and 31. Plan ahead if you're out late.
Stroll Gran Vía, Calle de Alcalá, and Plaza Mayor. The City Hall (Cibeles Palace) often has a grand Belén (nativity). Displays peak mid-December to early January.
Many close or offer pricey fixed menus. Book early for Dec 24 and 25 dining. Casual spots may reopen Dec 26.
Held Jan 5, it’s Madrid’s biggest holiday event—with floats, camels, and candy flinging. Yes, go! Arrive early along Paseo de la Castellana for a curbside view.
What to eat in Madrid in December: Seasonal delicacies
