Curator’s statement
May is the perfect month to visit Madrid as it offers delightful weather with mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, ideal for outdoor exploration. Additionally, May is packed with exciting holidays and festivals, including the famous San Isidro Festival, celebrating the patron saint of Madrid, featuring colorful parades, traditional music and delicious street food, providing a unique cultural experience for visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the city.
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Where to stay in Madrid
Rosewood Villa Magna
A chic, contemporary hotel in the heart of Madrid with a luxe spa, chef-driven cuisine and an inspired art collection of over 380 works.
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$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Urban Madrid
Experience sophisticated urban luxury at Hotel Urban Madrid, where stylish design, avant-garde art and a prime location in the heart of Madrid come together to offer an extraordinary stay in the vibrant Spanish capital.
Fora Perks
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
URSO Hotel & Spa
The award-winning restaurant is just one attraction at this foodie favorite, with a pampering spa and huge suites, in posh Justicia.
Fora Perks
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$50-100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Unlock perks by contacting Brandy to book your trip.
Things to do in Madrid
Prado Museum: Delve into one of the world's most renowned art collections, featuring masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco. May offers a quieter atmosphere, allowing for a more intimate viewing of the museum's collections. Pro Tip: Taking an organized tour will provide fascinating insights into the history of the art and artists.
Royal Palace of Madrid: While it is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, they do not live there. Its impressive architecture and beautiful gardens are on par with the royal residences of other countries, but the tour provided fascinating insights into the history of Spain. The Prado Museum and the Royal Palace were quite complementary of each other. I was glad to have done them on back to back days so i could easily make the connection between the art and the history of Spain explained during the Royal Palace tour. Pro tip: Do not skip the armory and be sure to head up the balconies for beautiful, panoramic views of Madrid.
Retiro Park: Simply take a stroll through this expansive green oasis taking in the trees and the sculptures. By visiting in May, the weather is not too hot to enjoy a nice long walk and maybe a picnic by the lake.
Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor are two of the city's main squares where you can take in some of the most iconic sites in Madrid before the crushing crowd of tourists that flood the city in June.
Gran Vía: I have a secret, my favorite thing to do in Madrid is shop. If you’re like me, plan on spending a full afternoon at this iconic shopping street. May is a great time to shop the summer collections from some of Spain’s most exclusive designers.
Flamenco Show: If you have never been, you simply must take in a Flamenco show. You cannot help but to be swept away by the passion. Try the Centro Cultural Flamenco.
La Latina Market: Every Sunday the La Latina neighborhood hosts an open air market. It’s filled with locals enjoying their Sundays, along with tourists soaking up the Spanish vibes. Live music, tons of food, and all kinds of trinkets and treasures can be found here.
Dos de Mayo is a celebration in Madrid to commemorate their defeat of Napoleon on the second day of May in 1808. For the week leading up to May 2 there are cultural and historical installments throughout the city, and on the day of Dos de Mayo, there is a large military parade. Keep in mind that May 1 is Labor Day in Spain, so the residents of Madrid have quite a long weekend and many of the tourist attractions are a bit crowded for those two days.
The Festival of Saint Isidro is May 15 and is one of the most celebrated holidays in May. St. Isidro is the patron saint of Madrid. There is a parade in the morning and an open air festival at Pradera del Santo the remainder of the day.
Day Trips:
Discover the medieval city of Toledo, located just a short train ride away from Madrid. Explore its ancient streets lined with historic buildings, visit the majestic Alcázar fortress, admire the Cathedral of Toledo, and experience the city's rich cultural heritage firsthand. Don't forget to sample the local marzipan, a sweet delicacy that Toledo is famous for.
Places to eat & drink in Madrid
Mision Cafe: Great local bakehouse and workshop.
Valor Chocolatería: Churros y chocolate.
San Gines Chocolatería: Churros y chocolate.
Sacha: One of the 50 best restaurants in the world.
Ten Con Ten: Unique global menu. So good, I ate here twice in three days. Pro Tip: Try the butterfish.
Bodegas de los Secretos: Traditional Spanish menu in 17th-century wine caves.
The Cooking Clubhouse offers classes on tapas, paella, and tortilla paired with a bottomless glass of wine.
Mercado de San Miguel: It’s always the right time for a culinary adventure. Sign on for a tour and make the most of your time in Mercado San Miguel.
Need to know
The Spanish shoulder season, spanning from April to May and September to October, offers pleasant weather, though evenings may be cooler, warranting a light jacket. However, any slight variations in temperature are outweighed by the significant savings and the opportunity to explore popular attractions without the crowds.
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Madrid. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, 5 Days in Italy.