April in Madrid
Not too hot, not too cold, and action-packed—that’s Madrid in April.
This blog post was for Devour, one of Madrid’s top tourist agencies. They needed a keyword-optimized guide for visitors coming to Madrid in the spring. You’ll find this post at the top of the SERPs for the keyword “things to do in Madrid April.”
The target audience was affluent tourists traveling in Madrid during the month of April.
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You’ve arrived in Madrid at one of the best times of the year. The weather can be chilly or warm, but never freezing or scorching. Just right. What’s more, you also won’t have to push your way through massive crowds. It’s not high season for tourism, yet. So the Spanish capital is all yours to enjoy!
Easter usually takes place in April, which means two things: the city will have some major celebrating going on, and plenty of madrileños will also be out of town on vacation. Springtime in Madrid means flowers are blooming at every turn, restaurants with outdoor seating are filling up (but still manageable), and the ambiance is nothing short of glorious.
At the same time, Madrid in April is light on your wallet. Prices for flights and hotels are generally lower in the spring than during the summer high season. You get the best of both worlds: the true Madrid vibe with all its splendor, but at a more affordable price, and without it being too crowded.
So let’s take a quick tour through what Madrid has to offer in April!
1. Easter Processions Galore
This is one of Spain’s most important traditions and a real sight to see (at least once in your life). Follow a never-ending parade of marching bands and crowds wearing different forms of traditional dress. The imposing statues and sculptures being carried depict scenes from the Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
There are quite a few traditional Easter dishes that any curious palette ought to try, and of course, some good sacred church music to uplift your soul. Make sure you pass by the Church of San Ginés, where delightful symphonies and enchanting organ music honor the holiday.
2. A Great Festival for Music
“Musical biodiversity” is the slogan for Festimad. For two weeks, powerhouse music venues across Madrid such as Siroco, La Riviera, Galileo Galilei, Sala But, and more lend their stages to up-and-coming bands from all over the world.
Every year the festival goes on during the last week of April and early May. There’s lots of alternative rock on the line-up, but if you look carefully, you’ll even find bands performing flamenco fusion, jazz, and hip hop.
3. Urban Culture at Madrid’s Trade Fair Center
Motorcycles, race cars, tattoos, street food, electronic music concerts, rollerblading, skateboarding, breakdancing contests, 3D printed art—Mulafest is a collage of urban culture at its finest! This festival is not to be missed if you’re into the thrill of having all these urban jungle activities raging in the same place.
4. Take Long Strolls Through Amazing Parks
Here’s a bold statement for you: Madrid has the best parks—on the planet. The Spanish capital’s green spaces really whisk you away from, well, the city. They’re open all year round, but April is a great time to explore them because of the good weather and the general springtime blooming.
Whatever you do, make sure you include the Manzanares River Park in your list. It forks into three different parks: the San Isidro—a never-ending series of parks and plazas that lead to a stunning lookout point—Casa de Campo, and Parque de Oeste.
5. Get Lost in an Endless Maze of Art Galleries
Since April isn’t such a busy month for tourism in Madrid, you can avoid the crowds at some of Madrid’s most famous museums, such as the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen. But don’t stop there, because while art week in Madrid may have ended in March, exhibits showcasing contemporary avant-garde art sprout at iconic cultural centers all over the city.
Temporary galleries to dazzle your eyes and imagination can be found at Matadero, Caixa Forum, Círculo de Bellas Artes, and Casa Encendida. Then there is Conde Duque, which at the end of the month is hosting an exhibit for Madrid’s eclectic street art. But if you really want to do some exploring, you can seek out captivating exhibits off the beaten path.
6. Rooftops and Terraces and Patios Oh My!
What would a list of recommendations for Madrid be without a single mention of the city’s most cherished characteristics: the bustling life on the streets, the many restaurants with outdoor seating, and of course, the rooftop bars?
April is the most comfortable time to soak up the sun, drink in hand. It’s not too busy, and of course, the weather is fresh and crisp, with the enticing scent of spring everywhere. So have a caña on a terrace, or at a rooftop bar, where you can marvel at the lively Spanish capital’s enchanting landscape.
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Have a look at the updated published version here.