Madrid in April: What's the weather like?

Visiting Madrid in April means you’ll experience the city in the full swing of spring. Think warmer temperatures, blooming gardens, longer daylight hours, and occasional showers during a shoulder-season month that sees manageable crowds visit the cultured capital of Spain. Sound like your kind of vacation? Read on for detail on the weather in Madrid in April, along with tips on how to plan your perfect trip.

Is April a good time to visit Madrid?

Yes, April is a pretty great time to visit Madrid. The mild spring weather in Madrid in April makes it ideal for outdoor sightseeing as the city’s parks and gardens are in full bloom.

Though spring showers are likely, April’s moderate shoulder-season visitor numbers make it a great time to visit top indoor attractions like the Prado Museum.

The experience is definitely much more rewarding when lines are shorter and crowds are lighter.

At the same time, the warming weather is ideal for alfresco dining and rooftop drinking, with April offering longer days and more sunshine than the preceding winter and early-spring months. 

Just come prepared for occasional rain showers — pack a light raincoat and umbrella and you’re good to go.

Still making up your mind about where to go? Weigh up whether to visit Madrid or Barcelona first. 

Alternatively, if you fancy experiencing five of Spain’s most remarkable cities — Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada and Valencia — without the hassle of planning, take a look at our customisable Iconic Cities of Spain trip before talking to our local experts to kickstart curating your dream trip.

Sunshine, average temperatures and rainfall in April

Sitting in spring, the weather in Madrid in April sees an average low temperature range of 45°F to 50°F (7°C to 10°C), rising to average highs of 64°F to 70°F (18°C to 21°C).

April also offers notably more daylight than the preceding winter months, with 7-8 hours of sunshine a day. 

This compares with 6-7 hours in March, 5-6 hours in February, and 4-5 hours in January. For wider context, Madrid’s sun-drenched summer months enjoy up to 11 hours a day.

When it comes to rain, on a par with March, April is moderately wet, with 1.6 to 2.0 inches (40 to 50 mm) of rainfall typically recorded across the month.

Note that showers are usually short, and shouldn’t have a big impact on your plans. 

For context, November — the wettest month of the year — sees 2.0-2.4 inches (50-60 mm), while July, the driest month, sees a mere 0.2 to 0.6 inches (5 to 15 mm).

Want wider context on the weather? Read up on the weather in Spain in April, and the best time to go to Spain.

And, if you’re not set on Spain, discover some of the best places to travel in April, and the best places to travel in spring around the world.

What about the crowds and cost?

April sits in Madrid’s shoulder season. So, while visits numbers are on the rise — especially as the month wears on — crowds remain relatively light compared with May, and much lighter than they are during the peak summer months.

As a result, crowds remain manageable at major attractions like the Prado Museum, Royal Palace and Retiro Park.

At the same time, travel costs in April are pretty moderate, too. Though the price of flights and hotels are higher than winter, they remain lower than they are during the height of summer.

One caveat, though — when Easter falls in April, prices often rise around Semana Santa (Holy Week), and it’s advisable to book in advance.

Traveling on a budget? You’ll want to find out about fantastic free things to do in Madrid.

And, if you’re traveling beyond Madrid, read up on Barcelona's best things to do for free, and discover the best places to visit in Europe on a budget.

What to do in Madrid in April

Considering the pleasant spring weather and manageable shoulder-season crowds, here are a some of the best things to do in Madrid in April.

These suggestions come in addition to appreciating Madrid’s top attractions in less-crowded conditions. 

By which we mean galleries, museums and historic sites like the Royal Palace and Prado Museum, and taking out-of-town day trips to Toledo, and Segovia. Talking of which…

Explore scenic Segovia and Toledo on day trips

While UNESCO-designated Toledo — the ancient capital of Spain — is known for its temples and El Greco artwork, Segovia hosts the awe-inspiring Alcázar Castle, an iconic Ancient Roman aqueduct, Romanesque churches, a former royal palace, and a glorious Gothic cathedral.

Given that both destinations attract staggering numbers of day trippers though the summer months, visiting in spring makes for a more relaxed experience that’s every bit as scenic.

Experience Semana Santa 

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a major religious event in Spain, and Madrid hosts processions throughout the city, especially near Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. 

So, when Easter falls in April, the month offers a unique opportunity to experience one of Spain’s most deeply-rooted traditions

Enjoy outdoor dining and drinking 

April is a wonderful month time to enjoy alfresco dining in Madrid’s many plazas and streets, with neighborhoods like La Latina and Malasaña loaded with tapas bars serving authentic patatas bravas, jamón ibérico and croquetas.

We also suggest spending a few evenings in some of Madrid’s rooftop bars. For example, you could head to Círculo de Bellas Artes or Azotea del Círculo to enjoy a few drinks while soaking up panoramic views of the city’s skyline.

Editor’s tip: love Spanish food and drink? Without wishing to lure you from Madrid, our customisable Culinary Experience in Seville itinerary has a tempting focus on food.

Meander Madrid’s parks and gardens

Come April, El Retiro Park — one of Madrid’s most famous green spaces — springs into life with blooming flowers, making it a great time to enjoy peaceful strolls, or to rent a rowboat to take to the lake.

In addition to Retiro Park, other green spaces like Casa de Campo and Parque del Oeste are perfect for springtime walks and bike rides. 

Editor's tip: the gardens of Campo del Moro, near the Royal Palace, are particularly beautiful in April.

Soak up café culture in bookish Barrio de las Letras

We also suggest exploring Madrid’s Literary Quarter — Barrio de las Letras — in spring. 

The warmer weather makes wandering this atmospheric district a joy, with countless quaint cafes, bookshops and historic sites connected to Spanish literary greats on hand to take shelter in, should an April shower strike.

Plan your trip to Madrid in April

If you’re feeling inspired to visit Madrid in April, read on for a run-down of tips to help you plan your perfect trip.

First up, if you’re not actually keen on the process of planning, why not check out our customisable Spain itineraries?

With a local expert handling the details — curating your itinerary, booking everything, and offering support — you can skip the planning stress and focus on what really matters. Namely, counting down the days to your trip.

How much time do you need in Madrid? Our customizable five-day Made for Madrid itinerary lets you dive into the city’s culture and cuisine in authentic style.

Short on time but still want a full experience? Check out our day-by-day itinerary for the perfect weekend in Madrid.

We also suggest taking a look our guide to how to plan a trip to Spain. It covers everything from deciding where to go and how long you need, to how to get there, and where to stay.

On that subject, a key part of planning any trip is figuring out where to stay according to your tastes and budget. 

So, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly district (hello, Retiro!), or want to be close to night life (in which case consider bedding down in Malasaña), you’d be wise to read up on the best places to stay in Madrid.

Lastly, for advice on what to see and do in Madrid — and where to eat, sleep, drink and shop — get hold of a copy of The Pocket Rough Guide to Madrid.