Madrid
Capital of Spain
Madrid is the capital of Spain and has a population of about 3.5 million. Visitors come to the city to see its royal residences, historic public squares, and prominent art museums.
What to see
The city features several significant royal and religious sites, including the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Royal Palace of El Pardo, the Palace of Moncloa, and the Almudena Cathedral. For art, visitors can tour the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Central public spaces like the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza de Cibeles are key landmarks, along with the Gran Vía thoroughfare and the Temple of Debod.
When to go
Madrid experiences hot summers and cool winters. July and August are the hottest months, with daily highs around 32 °C and very little rain. Spring, particularly May, offers milder weather with highs of 22 °C and moderate rainfall. Autumn months like October and November see temperatures drop to between 14 °C and 20 °C with increased rain. Winter months from December to February are the coldest, with daily highs ranging from 10 °C to 12 °C and lows near 1 °C.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, located 14 km from the city.
Top sights in Madrid
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 32 °C. The wettest is October, with about 54 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 10 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 20 | 14 | 10 |
| Average low, °C | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Rainfall, mm | 32 | 33 | 24 | 43 | 45 | 20 | 10 | 11 | 23 | 54 | 53 | 51 |
| Rainy days | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Madrid (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Cuatro Torres Business Area
- El Capricho Park
- National Museum of Archaeology
- Parque del Buen Retiro
- Plaza de España, Madrid
- Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
- Sorolla Museum