What to Wear in Madrid in 2025: Your Ultimate Packing Guide

The imperial city and the capital of Spain, Madrid is a great destination, no matter the season. However, knowing what to wear in Madrid is crucial, as you want to be dressed appropriately for the season and blend with the local style. 

When considering visiting Madrid, I bet you imagine perfect sunny days and clear blue skies. I don’t blame you, as the weather in Madrid is generally pretty great, but there are times when it’s quite unpredictable. 

However, I created the perfect Madrid packing list for every season to make things easier for you. I also included general travel essentials I only travel with, no matter the city. 

Note that this guide won’t include how many pairs of socks, underwear, or t-shirts you should pack, as we all have our core packing list of the essentials. Instead, I advise you on what to wear in Madrid depending on the weather and the city’s culture.  

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What to pack for Madrid – the essentials

When traveling to a country, I always recommend packing as lightly as possible, and Madrid is no exception. Whether flying into Madrid or taking trains from other Spanish cities, a light carry-on or backpack gives you more flexibility. You also avoid extra costs for heavy luggage in the airports. 

Backpack or suitcase? – Oto and I travel with backpacks everywhere. For us, backpacks are more comfortable to carry. I have a 55 Liter Osprey Farpoint, and Oto has a Cobra 60 from The North Face. Both are spacious but small enough to take onboard budget airlines as purchased luggage. Read my full review of Osprey Farpoint. 

However, if you prefer a suitcase, check out this Samsonite in various sizes and sets or this one that also comes in different sizes. 

Day pack or purse/bag – I recommend bringing a small bag for city exploration. My Osprey backpack has a daypack that Oto uses most of the time, where we carry essential and valuable items. I also bring my relatively new backpack from Driibe (get 15% off with code: FEDORA15), created explicitly for city explorations and digital nomads. These backpacks are handy when shopping at various markets and stores. Read my full review of CityC 2 in 1 Backpack. 

Scarf – I always have a scarf with me when I travel, regardless of the season. However, I adapt it to suit the weather. My scarf serves various purposes, whether for staying warm on breezy evenings, shielding myself from the sun, or even using it as a makeshift pillow. In spring and autumn, I pack my quick-dry and versatile Turkish cotton towel, I fell in love after traveling to Turkey. And for cold winter months, I bring something similar to this warm scarf. 

Hat  – if you are new to the blog, I almost always travel with my red fedora hat. Bring any hat, whether you come here in summer, spring, or autumn. It’s valuable in sunny and rainy weather and suits a local style in Madrid. 

Luggage tag – I advise attaching a luggage tag to your bag, even if you’re not checking it in.

Packing cubes – proved invaluable when opting for a light and minimalist travel approach. Packing cubes, available in various sizes and shapes, sometimes even with a laundry bag, are convenient to minimize wearing wrinkled clothing in Madrid and having everything organized. We use small cubes for socks and underwear. Currently, we have compression packing cubes from Gonex, reducing space by 30%.

Toiletries bag – We carry a single toiletry bag since we don’t use liquid hygiene products, necessitating two separate bags. Our switch to zero-waste solid shampoo bars, body soaps, and deodorants eliminates the need for pouring liquids into small plastic bottles. Additionally, using solid hygiene products makes passing through airport security smoother. The toiletry bag we use is from The North Face.

Power adapter – The electrical outlets in Madrid and Spain follow the standard in Europe, certain parts of Asia, and Australia. They operate at 230 volts with a frequency of 50 Hz, but having the universal adapter is handy. 

Water bottle – The tap water in Madrid is entirely safe for consumption. Yet, carrying your water bottle and refilling it saves money and reflects responsible travel behavior, reducing your impact on the delicate global environment. I love my Stojo collapsible water bottle that saves lots of space in my backpack. 

Collapsible cup – Oto and I enjoy the flexibility of sipping coffee while exploring the city or sitting down in the park in the mornings and people-watch. Upon realizing the environmental impact of daily takeaway cup use, we now have Stojo’s collapsible cups and ask baristas to pour our coffee into them.

Battery charger – Madrid’s picturesque scenery will drain your smartphone battery quickly, especially with frequent photo-taking in every corner. So will maps for navigation. Hence, having an external charger ensures you stay powered up throughout your explorations. I have this Anker power charger. 

Camera – Ensure you pack a camera (I use the Sony a6300) or a smartphone (I recently got the Google Pixel 7 Lemongrass color) to capture the beauty of Madrid.

Tripod – I traveled to Barcelona solo and took self-portraits with the help of a tripod and my Sony camera. I either bring my large K&F tripod or the compact Joby version for capturing self-portraits. For smartphones, I use an Ulanzi phone mount with tripods.

Weather in Madrid overview 

Madrid is a year-round destination, but seasonal changes will affect how to dress in Madrid. However, don’t worry if your stay coincides with rainy days, as there are plenty of indoor things to do in Madrid, and my perfect and flexible itinerary will help you find them. 

Weather tends to be a bit unpredictable in spring, especially if you plan a visit in earlier months. Some days are colder, with occasional rains, and others are warmer. Madrid in March sees 5C (41F) to 17C (63F) on average, while by May, the temperatures rise from 12C (54F) to 25C (78F).

Summer in Madrid can be sweltering and dry. While I don’t mind high temperatures, walking around the city under a scorching sun can be pretty uncomfortable. Sunscreen should be your best friend during these months. Expect temperatures to be 27-35C (81-95F)

Autumn is slightly similar to spring. September is the most pleasant month, with around 25C (78F) during the day. It gets colder by November, and the temperatures drop to 12C (54F). 

While it is cold in winter, it’s still not as cold as in other European cities, like Prague, Budapest, or various Polish towns. Temperatures range from 2C (36F) to 14C (57F) in winter. 

Dress code in Madrid

If you wonder what Madrid fashion is like, I can say that Spaniards love to dress, and men and women always look elegant, classy, and stylish at any age! In all the cities in Spain I have been to, locals use bold colors and patterns, and Madrid style is no exception. 

Locals have a dress code – dressing according to the season and not the weather. This means that even if the temperatures are high in December, Spaniards will still be wrapped in winter clothing.  

People here also love scarves as they add a pop of color to their outfits, no matter the season. 

Even though you’ll see people dressed in various styles, there are a few things to consider to avoid looking like a tourist and drawing the unwanted attention of pickpocketers or even locals. 

Avoid bringing leggings or sweatpants as they are no-go Madrid outfits for many locals, as are socks with sandals and shorts outside in seasons other than summer. Also, don’t wear flip-flops in the city. Locals only use it at the beach and the pools. Basketball shorts, caps, and gym clothes outside the workout area will also give you away as a tourist. 

What to wear to dinner in Madrid? This solely depends on the restaurant you go to. If you are going to a nice restaurant, wear something dressy. 

Spain holds strong religious traditions, and the church remains significant for many Spaniards. When exploring churches and cathedrals in Madrid, it’s important to show respect by avoiding shorts, tank tops, or any overly revealing clothing. 

What to wear in Madrid in spring

Spring here is warm and cold, so preparing for both is crucial. If you plan a visit in early spring and want to know what to wear in Madrid in March, throw in pullovers and/or sweaters and a spring-appropriate coat or jacket. Layering is perfect during this time of the year, and leave out dresses and skirts. 

Remember I said Spaniards love scarfs? Pack a lightweight scarf to blend in with locals. 

It’s still not warm enough for sandals or open shoes, so wear sneakers (my Teva walking shoes proved to be perfect) or close-toed flats in warmer months. Most locals will start wearing sandals in mid-May. For colder weather, I wear my Timberland boots. 

As the warm days slowly come with the season, thinner and breathable fabrics are what to wear in Madrid in April and May. Throw in maxi dresses and tights if the temperatures seem high during your planned visit. I typically pack my two of these flowy skirts. 

And remember to have an umbrella or a packable raincoat for rainy days. 

What to wear in Madrid in summer

Summer here is sweltering, especially in July and August, and many locals escape the heat by spending weekends at nearby beach towns. Pack colorful summer dresses, skirts, shorts, and tank tops to keep up with Madrid summer fashion style. 

Don’t forget sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned while wandering the streets of Madrid. Sunglasses go without saying. As for the footwear, pack sandals or light close-toe flats. However, remember that comfort comes first, and as you’ll be walking at least half of the day and getting tapas in a crowded bar, sandals might not be ideal. 

I usually pack my The North Face sandals and Teva sneakers and swap them whenever I feel like it. Both are lightweight, so it doesn’t add much to my luggage. 

What to wear in Madrid in autumn

Autumn brings some of the best weather to Madrid. As the crowds thin out, it is also one of the best times to visit. Strolling through its vast parks and devouring some of the best seasonal products are a favorite activity for many, including me.

Autumn mornings can be cold and crisp, so throw in a lightweight scarf. It will come in handy even when temperatures change during the day. 

Warm pullovers and striped checkered sweaters are the way to go when considering what to wear in Madrid in September to avoid carrying a coat during the warmer days. And to fit in the local style, don’t bring sandals or shorts; no one wears them past August. 

Coming later in autumn, and want to know what to wear in Madrid in October? Then, pack a warm autumn coat or jacket when temperatures drop. 

Autumn in Madrid also brings rain, so wearing ankle boots is advisable. I typically travel with my Timberland boots, and Oto wears Back-To-Berkeley in cold/mild seasons. Remember to pack an umbrella or a packable raincoat to keep dry during the rainy days. 

What to wear in Madrid in winter

Madrid winter averages around 6–8C (43–46F), so staying warm is vital to enjoying time outdoors. Layering your clothes is advised, especially when meandering through the streets or visiting parks. Layers are also comfortable to take off when you go inside, especially in museums or restaurants. 

While you might not need it as the temperatures are not freezing during this time of the year, if you get cold easily, you should wear a thermal shirt and leggings under a shirt/sweater and jeans.

Accessorize your winter jacket with a warm and cozy scarf, hat (a beanie or a pom pom hat), and gloves. Insulated boots are ideal for keeping you comfortable during those long sightseeing days. Oto usually wears these high-ankle snow boots during our winter travels. 

Where to stay in Madrid