Autumn came to the capital of Spain for a short time. Throwing scarves on visitors and residents of Madrid, it did not slow down the pace of this fantastic city. The homeland of flamenco lives an active, noisy and a little fussy life, welcoming thousands of tourists who come to stroll through its parks, visit the famous stadium and taste local delicacies, despite the autumn coolness and sometimes not too sunny skies.
Is November a good time to travel to Madrid? In this article, Kidpassage will tell you what to pack for your trip and how to spend time in Madrid in November.
Photo: pixabay.com
Holidays in Madrid in November: pros and cons of travelling
The end of autumn is not the warmest time in this city, but it's the right time for a walk in the fresh air with a cup of coffee or cappuccino. Noisy Spaniards create a unique atmosphere which is impossible not to fall in love with, from which the reviews of holidays in Madrid in November are positive.
What are the other advantages of the November trip?
- Holiday prices drop significantly in late autumn, so a November holiday in Madrid is an excellent option for a budget trip and a chance to see all the sights.
- Tourist activity also decreases during this period, which means that queues at museums will be shorter and hotel rooms will be much more affordable than in the high season.
- For people who can't stand the heat, November is a good month to explore the Spanish capital or to travel again. At the end of autumn, you can walk around the city as much as you like. The main thing is to have a warm jacket and scarf in cold weather.
The disadvantages are as follows:
- Reduced number of sunny days. In Madrid, it is cloudy and windy; the temperature can drop to +6 °C. However, if you are not afraid of coolness, and there is a scarf in your suitcase in case of wind, then this fact is not a hindrance for you.
- Not it is not the best time to travel with kids. Long walks with a stroller will not always be comfortable, and most outdoor activities are unavailable during this period.
Weather in Madrid in November
Autumn in Madrid is not too long, and winter is not critically cold and relatively short, but it should be borne in mind that the weather in November - December is the coolest of the year.
There are no sub-zero temperatures in the Spanish capital in November, but wind and autumn cold are observed periodically.
The weather in early November is usually unstable, with possible daytime temperature fluctuations from +17°C to +7°C. You are just as likely to need a light jacket and an extra warm jumper in this weather.
Temperatures in Madrid in mid-November can rise to +20 °C during the day, but daytime temperatures barely cross the eight-degree mark. At night it is always colder than during the day, but the thermometer columns do not fall below +2 °С in late autumn.
The weather in Madrid at the end of November is also changeable; it can be warm, cool, windy or quiet. Keep an eye on the short-term forecasts and pack a warm jumper and scarf in your suitcase so you won't be caught unawares by the vagaries of Spanish autumn weather.
Air temperature
The climate of the temperate continental zone in which Madrid is located is characterised by relatively cool but short winters and hot summers. Autumn in the Spanish capital is warm, and the first cold weather often arrives in late October.
Air temperature in Madrid in November
The average daytime temperature in Madrid in November is +14.9 °C, and the night temperature is about +8.3 °C. You can safely enjoy the unique architecture of this sunny city, strolling along its cosy streets without fear of getting cold or overheating.
Precipitation
There are relatively few rainy days in November — about four, and the total precipitation is slight — 39.2 mm. The rains here are light and prolonged, but they are unlikely to spoil your plans — the excursion program can always be adjusted.
Sunny, cloudy and overcast days
The daylight hours in November are close to the annual minimum and amount to 9.5-10.4 hours. Having established its reputation as one of the sunniest cities, Madrid enjoys clear skies 15 days a month (50% of the total number of days), even in late autumn. There are just over 9 days with variable cloudiness (30% of all days of the month), and 6-7 days can be cloudy (about 20%).
Tour holidays in Madrid
Photo: pixabay.com
There is plenty of museums, galleries and other attractions in Madrid. Autumn travel has only one disadvantage: family entertainment in the form of water parks and open-air attractions is no longer available. However, you will not have time to get bored: we will help you make up an excursion programme to surprise, occupy and fascinate you for the whole period of the trip.
So, strolling at the beginning of November on the central square, look with kids in the House-museum of the Mouse Perez. It is based on a famous Spanish fairy tale about how King Alfonso lost his first milk tooth several centuries ago as a child, and the famous mouse took it away, exchanging it for a coin.
In the museum, you will find cute things about the little rodent, get acquainted with his home and see the whole collection of milk teeth, including exhibits that belonged to celebrities.
Anyone can write a letter to the famous Perez, and he is sure to reply when he is not busy. The museum is recommended for children over 5 years old.
For young and adult football fans, a trip to Real Madrid FC's home stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu, and the famous Spanish club's museum any day in mid-November is a great idea.
Dozens of cups, the first over 100 years old, proudly gleam on the shelves and tell the story of the team's achievements throughout its history. Interactive panels in the museum tell you about famous players and record sets. Here you can also see how the club's football uniforms have changed over the years, and fans can buy a T-shirt with the logo or other team symbols in the souvenir shop.
Photo: pixabay.com
Children can be carried away with another educational excursion, even if they are not interested in astronomy. At an altitude of 600 m above the city, there is an observation deck with a magnificent view of the Spanish capital and the Planetarium of Madrid.
Modern projection systems in the building allow viewers to feel like they are in Earth's orbit and journey through the constellations, planets and other galaxies.
The organisers have prepared several films for children of different ages, and the excursion programmes are dedicated to different topics: the solar system, Martian landscapes, the mysteries of black holes and the northern lights.
A walk through the planetarium will be a great astronomy lesson if your trip falls at the end of November and the kids miss a few school days.
For a visit with young travellers, we also recommend:
- National Museum of Natural Sciences
- Entertainment and shopping center Xanadu
- Circus "Price"
- Museum of America
- Maritime Museum
Holidays, events, festivals
There is a lull in the Spanish capital before Christmas, but that doesn't mean there are no holidays in Madrid in November. Cheerful, hospitable and friendly Spaniards can't sit still, can't live without music and have no idea about the measured pace of life.
At the very beginning of the month, on the 1st of November, Spain celebrates All Saints' Day. On this day, Spaniards honour the memory of loved ones who have passed away, carry chrysanthemums to their graves and light candles. According to European traditions, young people organise costume parties and scare passers-by. It is an official holiday in the country, and all public institutions are closed.
In the evening, the streets are traditionally filled with the aroma of roasted chestnuts, and numerous cafés and pastry shops offer festive sweets in the form of almond balls in crushed pine nuts and baked yam, which are cooked right on the street.
A little later, on 9 November, Spain celebrates The Lady of Almudema (Virgen de la Almudena). After a solemn service, a festive procession goes through the city, and theatrical and musical performances are organised at various venues.
In the first half of November, the magical rhythms of jazz can also be heard over the city, signalling the start of the Madrid International Jazz Festival. For several days in November, you can enjoy great music from Spanish and international artists.
Cost of vacation in November
Photo: pixabay.com
By the end of autumn, there is a slight lull in the tourist bustle of the Spanish capital, which is also confirmed by prices in Madrid in November - holidays during this period are a little cheaper. However, this does not mean that there are no tourists in the city: this is a place where you want to come regardless of the season, and there is no shortage of travellers here.
Package Tours
Against a general decline in prices, the cost of tours in November is surprisingly stable and practically does not change compared to the previous month. The price difference can be 1-2%, which, in principle, will not particularly affect the total cost.
Airfares
Airlines are reducing ticket prices, and in November, they can be purchased 5-10% cheaper than in the previous month. If you are also lucky with the weather during your vacation, then the trip promises to be budgetary and comfortable.
Accommodation
Hotels reduce prices as much as possible: if in the previous month, one had to pay an average of 100 euros for one person, then in November, the cost is reduced by 10% and amounts to 90 euros per person per day.
Food and Transport
Photo: pixabay.com
The Spaniards love to eat, and their appetite infects all tourists visiting Madrid. Dozens of variations of the famous tapas, traditional desserts and the hosts' hospitality are tempting and let your appetite run wild.
- What to Eat in Spain — 48 Spanish Foods You Must Try
- Spanish Fruit and Vegetables — A Seasonal Guide
The prices of traditional dishes are reasonable, especially if they are served in small cosy cafes, where the people of Madrid themselves go. A tortilla with fillings will cost 5-7 euros, a bocadillo (a famous Spanish sandwich served on a baguette and filled with Spanish chorizo sausage, cold cuts, tuna, or Serrano ham) will cost 1.5-4 euros, and the famous churros can be enjoyed with a cup of coffee for 4-5 euros.
Public transport in the capital of Spain includes all possible types of transportation: buses, trains, high-speed trams, and funiculars. In addition, you can rent any convenient transport: bicycle, motorcycle, scooter or car.
Twelve route lines represent the metro network, and for ease of movement, it is best to use a mobile application.
Using the application, you can check the balance of the travel card, get the desired route, track the train's arrival time and find the nearest station.
Family Travel Tips
When going to Madrid with your baby in late autumn, remember that if your plans include long walks in the fresh air, November is not the best time to go. The weather often changes, and within 2-3 days, temperature fluctuations can be up to 10-15 degrees, which is unlikely to be comfortable for your child and you. Therefore, we advise you to choose the first autumn months to travel with small children, when pram strolls are not hindered.
Travelling with school-aged children is also better organised in September or October because it gets colder by the end of the season, and all outdoor activities are closed. Although in this case, there is always an alternative in the form of entertainment centres, children's museums and walks on a sunny day. In this article, you can read about places to visit with kids, food choices, and the peculiarities of family holidays in Madrid.
It is also worth paying attention to the choice of clothes for travelling. You are just as likely to need a light jacket, a warm jumper or even a scarf, so your suitcase should have a varied selection of items.
Kidpassage hopes that the tips and advice in this article will be helpful to you when planning your trip. We wish you sunny Madrid skies and a warm welcome from the locals.
