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Madrid in November 2025

November in Madrid is refreshingly low-key. You get a cultural capital rich in arts and architecture—minus the lines and heat. This is when locals take back their city, fall colors tint Retiro Park, and museums roll out blockbuster exhibits. Expect cozy café stops, autumn stews, and room to breathe.

Madrid in November 2025 at a glance

🌧️ Weather

Chilly but bearable—14 °C / 57 °F highs, 6 °C / 43 °F lows, with light rain.

☀️ Daylight

~10 h; sun sets by 6pm.

🎉 Key events

Festival de Otoño, JazzMadrid, Almudena Day.

👥 Crowds

Low, except during local holidays and weekend events.

🧳 What to pack

Jacket, scarf, layers, shoes for rain.

🍽️ Seasonal treats

Cocido madrileño, roast chestnuts, stewed mushrooms.

Top things to do in Madrid in November

Explore the Prado Museum in peace

  • When: Weekdays in November
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • Cooler weather and thinner crowds make November perfect for savoring Goya, Velázquez, and Rubens at the Prado. Book an early slot to enjoy quieter galleries. Free entry last two hours daily.

Recommended experiences:

  • Museo del Prado Tickets with Optional Audio Guide
  • Museo del Prado Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Catch a performance at the Festival de Otoño

  • When: All month
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Seasonal
  • Madrid’s top fall arts festival brings global theater, dance, and experimental performances. Many events are in smaller venues, so check listings and grab tickets early.

Wander El Retiro Park under fall foliage

  • When: Mornings or early afternoons
  • Tags: Outdoors, Explorer
  • Golden leaves and crisp air make November ideal for strolling Madrid’s 19th-century park. Row a boat, sip coffee by Palacio de Cristal, or simply breathe it all in.

Recommended experience:

  • Madrid's Royal Palace and El Retiro Park Guided Tour

Enjoy JazzMadrid concerts

  • When: Evenings throughout November
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Seasonal
  • This city-wide jazz festival features legends and up-and-comers at venues like Fernán Gómez Theater. Some shows are free; others need advance booking.

Taste cocido madrileño at a historic tavern

  • When: Lunchtime (served noon–2:30pm)
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Foodie
  • November's chill calls for this three-course chickpea stew. Try it at Malacatín or Lhardy—booking ahead is wise, especially on weekends.

Shop early Christmas markets

  • When: Late November onward
  • Tags: Seasonal, Family-friendly
  • Plaza Mayor's market starts in late November. Browse nativity scenes, ornaments, and trinkets before December crowds arrive. Open daily till 9pm.

Take a tapas crawl in La Latina

  • When: Late afternoons or weekend evenings
  • Tags: Explorer, Foodie
  • Hop bar-to-bar sampling vermút and montaditos. Cava Baja street is your anchor. Many spots open from 6pm; tables fill fast on Saturdays.

Climb to the rooftop of Círculo de Bellas Artes

  • When: Clear afternoons
  • Tags: Tour, Outdoors
  • For panoramic city views with a fall-hued skyline, head to this central rooftop. Entry €5; on-site bar makes it ideal near sunset.

Offbeat experiences in November

Visit the Andén 0 Chamberí Ghost Station

A silent metro platform frozen in time
Peek into 1920s Madrid through this preserved subway station museum. With vintage ads and turnstiles, it's a nostalgia hit off the tourist trail.
📍 Where: Chamberí, Line 1 Metro

Experience Spanish puppetry at Teatro San Pol

Local theater with charm and whimsy
Catch a traditional puppet show in a venue known for children's productions and old-school ambiance. Many are weekend matinees.
📍 Where: Calle de San Pol de Mar, Argüelles

Browse secondhand at El Rastro midweek

Iconic flea market, minus the Sunday crush
Stalls spill onto side streets on weekdays too. Dig for vintage books, cast-iron pans, and random treasures with fewer elbows in your way.
📍 Where: Around Ribera de Curtidores, La Latina

Warm up with churros at Chocolatería San Ginés

A sweet tradition since 1894
Dip crispy churros into molten chocolate at this historic haunt. Best in the quiet mid-mornings before tour groups descend.
📍 Where: Pasadizo de San Ginés, near Puerta del Sol

Get spooky at the Museo de Cera (Wax Museum)

Lifelike figures, oddly eerie halls
Beyond celebrity waxworks, Madrid’s wax museum has creepy corridors ideal for off-season goosebumps. Bonus: short lines in November.
📍 Where: Paseo de Recoletos, Barrio Salamanca

Festivals and events in Madrid this November 2025

Festival de Otoño

  • Dates: 1–30 Nov 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Various theaters citywide
  • International artists bring drama, dance, and innovation. Multilingual programs; check individual venue policies for English subtitles.

JazzMadrid

  • Dates: 1–30 Nov 2025
  • Event type: Music Festival
  • Location: Fernán Gómez Theater, Conde Duque, others
  • From smooth sax to modern fusion—November's soundtrack is rich. Buy headliner tickets early; many small shows are walk-in.

Día de la Almudena

  • Dates: 9 Nov 2025
  • Event type: Religious/Cultural Holiday
  • Location: Almudena Cathedral & Plaza Mayor
  • Madrid honors its patron saint with masses, floral offerings, and pastries. Public holiday; museums open, but small shops may close.

Black Friday Sales

  • Dates: 28 Nov 2025
  • Event type: Shopping Event
  • Location: Gran Vía, Salamanca, malls
  • The American-style discount day now packs Spanish stores. Expect crowds and real markdowns on fashion, electronics, and gifts.

Highlights for different traveler types

Culture vultures

Stroll the Prado and Reina Sofía without crowds. Catch November-only jazz sets and global theater at Festival de Otoño.
Bonus: lower season prices mean budget-friendly access to Madrid's cultural wealth.

Foodies

Cocido madrileño, wild mushrooms, roast chestnuts—November is hearty eating season. Warm up with churros con chocolate and explore seasonal tasting menus around Chamberí.

Value hunters

Hotel rates drop, flights are cheaper, and museum queues disappear. Visit midweek and snap up early Black Friday deals in boutiques or department stores.

Your perfect 3-day Madrid in November itinerary

  • Morning: Start at the Prado; opt for the 10 am slot. Pause at Velázquez’s Las Meninas.
  • Breakfast: Grab a tostada and café con leche at Café Murillo, right behind the museum.
  • Midday: Walk through Retiro Park—see Palacio de Cristal amid fall colors.
  • Lunch: Try cocido madrileño at Malacatín. It's hearty and iconic.
  • Afternoon: Browse books at Cuesta de Moyano stalls.
  • Evening: Catch a Festival de Otoño show at Teatro Abadía (book in advance).
  • Morning: Visit the Royal Palace; time your slot before 11 am tours.
  • Breakfast: Churros and chocolate at San Ginés, best enjoyed pre-crowds.
  • Midday: Walk from Almudena Cathedral to Plaza Mayor via Calle Mayor.
  • Lunch: Sit down at La Campana for bocadillo de calamares.
  • Afternoon: Tour the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (metro to Nuevos Ministerios).
  • Evening: Rooftop drinks at Círculo de Bellas Artes—dress warm.
  • Morning: Explore El Rastro flea market (arrive by 9:30 am).
  • Breakfast: Have coffee and pastries at Café del Art, near La Latina.
  • Midday: Wander Lavapiés' murals and galleries.
  • Lunch: Taste global tapas at Mercado de San Fernando.
  • Afternoon: Siesta or museum time at Reina Sofía (closed Tue).
  • Evening: Head to a JazzMadrid concert (venues vary; check schedule).

Best day trips from Madrid in November

Toledo

🚋 Travel time: ~35 min by train
In fall light, Toledo’s hilltop cathedral and medieval lanes feel cinematic. Fewer tour groups than summer. Bring layers; it gets windy.

Segovia

🚌 Travel time: ~1 h by train
See the Roman aqueduct and eat cochinillo (roast suckling pig) indoors while it drizzles. Ideal for a misty-day excursion.

Segovia day trip from Madrid

El Escorial

🚌 Travel time: ~1 h by train or bus
Spain’s royal monastery looks extra moody in November. The mist and solemn courtyards pair well with history lovers.

Aranjuez

🚋 Travel time: ~45 min by Cercanías train
Fall colors in palace gardens are gorgeous this time of year. Less crowded and easy to stroll.

Go shopping in Madrid in November

  • When: Late November onward
  • Where: Plaza Mayor
  • Nativity scenes, tree decor, wigs, toys—this historic square goes full festive by late November.
  • When: Year-round (Black Friday spike late Nov)
  • Where: Gran Vía boulevard
  • Department stores and global brands roll out big discounts and window displays just before holiday shopping kicks off.
  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Calle Serrano and around
  • Chic designer shopping, with some early Black Friday deals in luxury boutiques by late November.
  • When: Sundays; low-key on weekdays too
  • Where: Ribera de Curtidores, La Latina
  • Best for antiques, vintage, and secondhand oddities. Go early for calm browsing.

Pro tips for visiting Madrid in November

  1. Book jazz tickets early for top JazzMadrid acts; many sell out fast even in off-season.

  2. Layer up: Mornings and evenings are chilly; waterproof shoes help if it rains.

  3. Skip Sunday El Rastro crowds by browsing on a weekday; many stalls stay open then.

  4. Día de la Almudena (Nov 9) is a local holiday—expect some closures but festive vibes near the cathedral.

  5. Tapas start late: Most bars get lively after 8pm. For earlier bites, try Mercado de San Miguel.

  6. Museums have free hours: Prado after 6pm (Mon-Sat), Reina Sofía after 7pm.

  7. Avoid Metro rush (8–9:30am, 6–8pm); buses may be a better option midday.

  8. Check show subtitles: Festival de Otoño events vary in language—look for English-friendly listings.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Madrid in November

Is November a good time to visit Madrid?

Yes—mild weather, low crowds, and fall festivals make it an ideal month for culture and value.

Do attractions close in November?

Most stay open, though some small shops close on Nov 1 (All Saints) and Nov 9 (Almudena Day).

Is it cold in Madrid in November?

Cool, not freezing. Expect 14 °C / 57 °F highs and chilly evenings around 6 °C / 43 °F.

What should I pack for Madrid in November?

Bring layers, a jacket, scarf, and shoes for rain. Daytime is mild but mornings and nights get brisk.

Are museums crowded in November?

No. You’ll enjoy shorter lines and quieter galleries—a great time for art lovers.

When do Christmas markets start in Madrid?

Most open late November. Plaza Mayor kicks off first; others follow in early December.

Are restaurants open late in Madrid?

Yes. Lunch is 1–3pm; dinner starts after 8pm. Reserve weekends if dining at popular places.

Is public transport reliable in November?

Yes. Metro and buses run on full schedules. Watch for holiday tweaks around Nov 1 and 9.

Is Madrid walkable in November?

Very. Dress warm and explore parks and historic zones on foot. Light rain is possible, but walkable areas are scenic.

Do I need to book anything in advance?

For JazzMadrid, Festival de Otoño, and top restaurants—yes. For most museums or day trips, walk-in is fine.