Madrid in January: a seasonal travel plan
Madrid, Spain. In january, the average daytime high is 9.9 °C and the night-time low is -0.1 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Madrid
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 9.9 °C
- Nighttime low
- -0.1 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 39.6 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 7.4
- Daylight
- 9.6 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 9.8 | -0.2 | 2.5 |
| Days 11–20 | 8.7 | -1.1 | 2.2 |
| From day 21 | 11.0 | 0.8 | 2.7 |
What this month is like
Madrid, Spain. In january, the average daytime high is 9.9 °C and the night-time low is -0.1 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 7.4 wet days on average, with about 39.6 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 9.6 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 11.4 °C, January — 9.9 °C, next month — 12.2 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 6.4, 7.4 and 6.1.
Things to do
Madrid sits on a high plateau, and its quarters change quickly: from the busy plazas around Sol to the quiet streets of Salamanca. The main museums line the Paseo del Prado, so a room in the centre saves long rides, and the metro covers the rest of the city.
The art triangle
The Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza stand ten minutes apart along the Paseo del Prado. Take one museum in the morning and another after lunch, then finish by the pond in the Retiro.
Royal Palace and Habsburg Madrid
The palace and Almudena Cathedral sit at the edge of the old centre, with Plaza de Oriente, Plaza Mayor and San Miguel market close by. Walk from Oriente through Villa to Plaza Mayor and eat tapas in La Latina.
La Latina and El Rastro
On Sundays the streets of La Latina fill with El Rastro, a flea market of books, records and old silver. On other days follow Calle de la Cava Baja to Plaza de la Paja and pick a bar with the tapas chalked on a board.
Where to stay
Sol and the centre
Sol makes short trips easy: the Prado, Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace are all a walk away. Streets stay loud until late, so ask for a room at the back of the building.
La Latina
La Latina suits people who eat late in tapas bars and like narrow streets. It is lively and noisy, and the descent to the Manzanares river takes ten minutes.
Malasaña
Malasaña runs on bars, vintage shops and Plaza del Dos de Mayo. The quarter is young and loud, but Chueca and the centre are close.
Getting to and around Madrid
Barajas airport connects to the centre by metro line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios and by Cercanías trains to Atocha and Sol. The old centre is best covered on foot, while the metro reaches Salamanca, Lavapiés and Atocha station. One ticket covers metro and buses, and cycle lanes follow the main avenues.
Three days in Madrid
Museums and the Retiro
Morning at the Prado, lunch in a café on the Paseo del Prado, then the Reina Sofía and Guernica. End by the pond in the Retiro and leave the park through the Alcalá gate.
Palace and Habsburg Madrid
Start at the Royal Palace, continue to Almudena Cathedral and the view from Plaza de Oriente. In the afternoon take Plaza Mayor, the San Miguel market and a walk through La Latina.
Malasaña and Debod
Cross Malasaña by Plaza del Dos de Mayo to Gran Vía, walk down to Plaza de España and the Temple of Debod for sunset. Dinner waits in Chueca.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.9 | -0.1 | 39.6 | 7.4 | 9.6 |
| February | 12.2 | 0.9 | 31.5 | 6.1 | 10.6 |
| March | 14.9 | 2.7 | 57.2 | 8.8 | 11.9 |
| April | 18.2 | 5.1 | 58.9 | 9.6 | 13.3 |
| May | 23.6 | 9.1 | 33.4 | 6.3 | 14.4 |
| June | 29.2 | 14.1 | 28.2 | 6.1 | 15.0 |
| July | 34.7 | 17.7 | 9.9 | 1.6 | 14.7 |
| August | 33.9 | 17.5 | 19.4 | 2.6 | 13.8 |
| September | 27.1 | 13.1 | 40.8 | 5.5 | 12.5 |
| October | 21.7 | 9.3 | 69.7 | 9.4 | 11.2 |
| November | 14.5 | 4.2 | 48.5 | 9.2 | 10.0 |
| December | 11.4 | 1.8 | 42.9 | 6.4 | 9.3 |
Frequently asked questions
Madrid: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is 9.9 °C and the night-time low is -0.1 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 7.4 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 39.6 mm. There are several days with precipitation during the month. A light waterproof layer can help you continue your route outdoors.
What should I pack for walks in January?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. A compact rain jacket takes little room in a day bag.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 9.8 °C; 11–20 — 8.7 °C; 21 to month-end — 11.0 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 9.6 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Madrid worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 9.9 °C and nights around -0.1 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Madrid on a wet day in January?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Madrid in January?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 9.6 hours.