What May feels like in Madrid
Late spring arrives in Madrid with May. Warm daytime weather invites long lunches outside and evening strolls. Temperatures fall sharply after dark — a swing of roughly 12.5°C (22.5°F) — and nights are cool. Moderate humidity keeps the air pleasant.
Rain in Madrid in May
Wet days are occasional rather than regular, about one day in 5. Wet days average about 6.2 mm (0.2 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Madrid's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 6.6 mm).
Daylight and sunshine in May
On 15 May the sun rises at about 6:59 am and sets around 9:23 pm local time, giving 14 h 23 min of daylight. The days are stretching out — 1 h 9 min more daylight than mid-April. Measured sunshine covers about 89% of the daylight — skies are mostly clear.
How May compares to the rest of the year
In Madrid's temperature order, May sits as the 5th warmest month. Against April, the average high is 4.9°C (8.8°F) higher, with 20 mm less rain. The warm-up continues into June. By June, typical highs are 28.9°C (84°F).
Who May suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — comfortable enough to explore on foot all day.
- Parks & outdoor: a good fit — pleasant for gardens, parks and riversides.
Tips for visiting Madrid in May
Versatile Layers
Pack pieces you can take off by noon and put back on at dusk.
Sunglasses
Plenty of sun, so bring sunglasses and a cap.
Quick questions
How warm is Madrid in May?
Afternoons average 23.5°C (74.3°F) and nights about 11°C (51.8°F) — warm by most people's standards. It is the 5th warmest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Madrid in May?
Only moderately: roughly 6 wet days and 37 mm, usually moderate rain.
What should I wear in Madrid in May?
Pack versatile layers and sunglasses. Bring something extra for the cooler evenings.
Is May or June better for visiting Madrid?
June scores better on our climate ranking (#2 of 12 vs #3), rated Great against Great. June is warmer and has fewer rainy days.