Madrid in April: What to Expect

April is one of Madrid's best months. The weather is warm and dry, the city's parks and terraces are in full use, and if Easter (Semana Santa) falls in April, you get one of the most significant religious events in Spain taking place against the backdrop of one of Europe's great capital cities.

Weather

April in Madrid brings daytime temperatures of 16C to 20C, with evenings around 8C. The high altitude of the Spanish meseta (Madrid sits at 667m) means nights are cool even when days are warm. Sunshine is the norm: Madrid is one of Europe's sunniest capitals. A light jacket for evenings is the main concession to the season.

Crowds and Prices

Madrid is a year-round city rather than a summer resort, so crowds are relatively stable. April is not the peak season. Semana Santa (Holy Week before Easter) is the notable exception: domestic Spanish travel peaks sharply and the city fills for the long weekend. The Prado, Thyssen, and Reina Sofia are busy throughout April but manageable with advance ticket booking.

What's On

Semana Santa processions in Madrid are significant, if less theatrical than in Seville or Malaga. The main processions through the city centre are genuinely moving, with brotherhoods (cofradias) carrying elaborate floats through the streets late into the evening. The Verbena de la Paloma (the city's patron saint festival) is in August, but Madrid's tapas bar culture runs year-round and is at its best on warm spring evenings when the terraces open.

One Thing to Watch

Semana Santa in Madrid means the long Easter weekend is expensive and busy. If you want the Easter atmosphere without Seville-level crowds (Seville is significantly more intense), Madrid is a good compromise. Book accommodation early for Easter week and expect higher prices across Thursday to Monday. Outside of that window, April is excellent value.

Our Madrid guide covers the Prado, the barrios worth knowing, and how to eat and drink your way around Spain's capital.