Madrid For The Fashionista: Best Times To Travel, What To Pack, And Where To Shop

Winter/ Spring: (Dec. to early March; 9 – 15 Celsius Average)

This can be a refreshing time to visit Madrid, as it offers smaller crowds at the museums, off-season hotel rates, etc. If you decide to travel at this time, don’t forget to bring with you the following:

• warm clothes/ sweaters
• scarves/ gloves
• water resistant jacket or trench
• umbrella
• boots that you don’t mind getting wet (Spanish women LOVE their boots, so expect a great selection at the stores!)

Spring: (Middle March to May; 15-22 Celsius Average)

Spring can be a glorious time to visit Madrid. The days are longer and the nights are cool.  All the outdoor cafes open up, although it can still get a tad windy. If you are traveling at this time, allow for a range of temperatures, from short sleeves at mid-day to a jacket/trench at night to break the wind. Take a light pashmina/scarf in your bag when going out during the day (definitely the night), just in case the temperature drops unexpectedly – they are easy to whip out and wrap around your shoulders/neck when the need arises.

Summer: (June to August; 27 – 39 Celsius)

Summertime can either be pleasant, or downright nasty in Madrid, depending on which end of Summer you schedule your visit. For example, street life is at its best during the long warm nights in June. However, from July through to August, the city just gets unbearably hot, not really cooling down at night. Accommodation with air-conditioning is a necessity, not an option, when traveling in Madrid at this time. As all the locals desert the city for their Summer destinations, the mood of the city is quiet, with some restaurants actually closing down. The only benefit in traveling to Madrid at this time is that you will have the city all to yourself. If you need to travel to Madrid at this time, do not forget the following:

• short sleeved and/or sleeveless shirts and singlets
• shorts
• sunglasses
• flat sandals (Madrid is a great place to buy these!)
• sun cream

Autumn: (September to November; 13-25 Celsius)

Apart from Spring, Autumn is my other favourite to visit Madrid. The temperature is pleasant and the mood is one of relief, after the intense July temperatures. Once again, as in Spring, bring clothing for a range of temperatures. The later in August, the cooler it gets.

Where To Shop:

Shopping in Madrid is a national religion, with stores opening each day at 10 AM, and trading until 8 PM or later. The annual Winter and Summer sales, named Las Rebajas ( pronounced rebahas for those that don’t speak Spanish), are peak shopping times. Winter sales are on in Jan-Feb; Summer sales are on in July-Aug. 

* If you are after the more exclusive names in fashion, head towards Salamanca, particularly Calles de Serrano and de Jose Ortega y Gasset.

* Chueca and Malasana offer funkier and more off-beat looks. Calle de Fuencarral offers some quirky gems for those willing to explore.

* Central Madrid, particularly Puerto del Sol, offer shoppers the world-renowned chain stores like El Corte Ingles, Zara and Mango.

* On a Sunday, don’t miss a favourite haunt of the natives, the famous flea market, El Rastro.  But a word of warning: beware of pickpockets.

Hasta luego, and happy shopping!