The Best Activities To Do In Madrid This Spring

Spring is officially on its way in Madrid. The weather is slowly warming up, the trees and flowers are in bloom, and everyone in the city seems to be catching spring fever. Here’s a list of activities you shouldn’t miss this spring in Madrid.

Stroll the Paseo de Prado

One of Madrid’s most beloved streets, the tree-lined, fountain and statue-filled Paseo del Prado is stunning in spring. The street is home to a grassy boulevard, and many popular art museums, buildings, and plazas can be found along the street. The entire street is closed to cars on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. so that pedestrians, rollerbladers, and cyclists can enjoy the street without traffic, so head down to enjoy the traffic-free street.

Visit the Retiro

There’s nothing lovelier than a stroll through Madrid’s Parque del Buen Retiro on a spring morning. With all the trees in bloom (and plenty of flowers, too, make sure to check out the rose garden), everything seems fresh and renewed. Make sure to check out the Palacio de Cristal in the spring sunshine. Doing an outdoor workout class in the park, like Jab Cross Training, a boxing class, or yoga with The Natural Yogi will ensure you take advantage of the sunny spring weather and heal your body and mind at the same time.

The Natural Yogi’s class in the Retiro Park

Enjoy some art

While it typically doesn’t rain much in Madrid, it’s normal to have a rainy spring day or two, and checking out some art is the perfect plan for inclement weather. Besides the permanent collections at museums like the famous Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía or the Museo del Prado, there are some amazing temporary exhibitions at many of Madrid’s art galleries. There’s also several art shows running through April and May that are worth a visit, too.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, Madrid, Spain, +34 917 74 10 00

Museo Nacional Del Prado, Paseo del Prado, s/n, Madrid, Spain, +34 913 30 28 00

Las Meninas (detail) by Diego Velázquez, Museo del Prado [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Sit outside and order a drink in the sun

Madrid is famous for its many outdoor terraces and patios, where you can sit outside and order a drink. Many places have restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, so find a plaza and join the masses in ordering a tinto de verano, Madrid’s version of a wine spritzer on a warm spring day.

Outdoor drinks in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

Take a day trip

Perfectly situated in the exact center of Spain, Madrid offers plenty of day trips in every direction. Getting out of the city center to enjoy a small town, the mountains, or nature on a spring day is the ideal way to celebrate the warmer weather. Toledo and Segovia are some of the most popular spots, and a hike in Cercedilla is the best spot for nature buffs.

There’s nothing more romantic than a castle

Chow down at a food truck (MadrEAT)

Food Truck, Spanish

Once a month, food trucks gather, and locals flock to eat, drink, and socialize. The dates and location vary each month, so make sure to check out their website to see what’s on and where it’s at. This is the perfect spot to sample all types of international foods in addition to Madrid specialties, all while enjoying the Spanish sunshine. The next set of dates perfectly aligns with ringing in spring: March 17-20, 2017.

Visit the Botanical Gardens

Spring is the best time to visit the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, with colorful beds of blooming tulips, lilies, and roses. You can also check out the Bonsai tree garden and the greenhouse with carnivorous tropical plants, which are open year-round. The Botanical Gardens feature almost 6,000 different plant species – so make sure to bring your allergy pills, because the pollen count is at an all-time high.