Generally, we could say that Spain is a great place for sunny winter holidays, though, due to its vastness, Spain simultaneously has places with 20 degrees Celsius in winter and those cosily covered in snow. So where does Madrid fall? What is the weather like in Madrid in winter? We’ll touch upon that in today’s post as well as going over five reasons why you should consider winter holidays in Madrid.
Spanish Christmas in Madrid and the Spanish Christmas Lottery (El Gordo)
Christmas is a very special time in Madrid, full of Christmas decorations, illuminations, rich markets and special events. The Spanish Christmas Lottery (or the El Gordo) is one of them and is the most popular lottery draw of the year, with both locals and tourists taking part each year. If you’re in Madrid for holidays, you can buy a ticket as well, though preferably share it with friends or loved ones, as one costs around €200 (though you can buy a 1/10th for €20!). A jackpot is €400,000 (and your odds of winning one are avg. 100,000 to 1). But, come on, it’s Christmas!
Spanish Christmas sweets and where to buy them
During this period you can try unique sweets specific to Madrid and Spain:
Polvoron – very tasty shortbread with nuts;
Turrón, or torrone – nougat confection with almonds;
Mantecados – shortbread cookies made of lard and sugar (yes, our hearts just got heavier as well)
Marzipan – traditional confection present everywhere in Madrid
Oddly cheaper than usual
Madrid is not a cheap city, as accommodation and flight prices in high season can go way above the Spanish standards. Though this is Christmas and it would instinctively be just as expensive, it’s still a summer holiday destination in winter – the prices are generally lower. Additionally, after 7 January, the post-Christmas sales start, as shops have to get rid of all the extra cargo from the Christmas sales. You can grab some great prices at that time, so be on the lookout.
Fewer tourists
As with any major city out of season, the hordes of tourists disappear in Madrid, especially after Christmas is over. You can expect an average of ¼ of a decrease in crowds even from May or October.
The Burial of the Sardine in Spain
Madrid does not bury its sardines in tomato sauce – it buries them dead. The Burial of the Sardine is not just a painting by Francisco Goya, but also a custom in Spain. A procession made up of people dressed in black mourn the death of the Sardine, parodying a funeral procession, and ending the walk with the “burial”, or rather a burning of the Sardine. The symbolism here is quite common in Spanish festivals – some perish so that others may be reborn. You can observe the walks along the banks of the Manzanares River to the Casa de Campo, where the sardine is often buried.
Weather and temperatures in Madrid in December
Finally, what about the weather? Madrid in December is quite cold, especially for the norms present elsewhere in Spain, like in the Canaries. The temperatures fluctuate between 8 and 14 degrees Celsius, with an average temperature for December in 2022 being 10. You may even encounter frost at night.
Weather and temperatures in Madrid in January
January gets even colder, with the average coming down to around 8 degrees Celsius. Frosts at night get more frequent, days are rather sunny, usually little rain is present. The closer we get to February, the colder it gets.
Weather and temperatures in Madrid in February
The beginning of the month is very cold, coming down to 7 degrees even with a lot more rain than in the previous months. Nights get even worse. But the closer it gets to March, the more light peeks through the tired frosty windows, with late February temperatures reaching even 17 degrees. If you detest very cold temperatures but you still want to experience the colder side of Madrid, late February and early March can be a good compromise.
Though it’s still Spain and the temperatures will not drop to 10s minus, you can certainly think of Madrid as a true ‘winter’ destination. You won’t experience Christmas in 20 degrees Celsius here, but holidays more akin to what we’re used to.
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