10 Best Rainy Day Activities in Madrid

Madrid is a spectacular city, but sometimes rain comes with the package. In fact, during the spring months, you're likely to encounter bad weather or sudden changes in the climate. Indoor activities can be very interesting if you combine different types of plans.

Among the things to see and do in Madrid on rainy days are visits to interactive museums and enjoying a cozy afternoon at one of the local chocolate shops. If you are drawn to local traditions, attend a Flamenco show or sign up for a class. As you can see, the possibilities are endless, and you are sure to have a wonderful time.

Another recommendation for spending a rainy day is to buy tickets to the Prado Museum, one of the most important museums in Spain due to its extensive collection of European art. It is ideal for those who prioritize artistic, historical, or cultural activities. It occasionally hosts interactive temporary exhibitions and nighttime events that showcase restricted areas.

In this cultural refuge, you will find more than 8,000 works and around 700 sculptures. Among the must-see paintings in the Prado Museum are Las Meninas, The Annunciation, and The Garden of Earthly Delights. At the end of your tour, don't forget to check out the museum shop, where you will find souvenirs and themed gifts, and enjoy a gastronomic experience in the restaurants near the Prado Museum.

Useful information

• Price: admission to the Prado Museum starts at €15 per person, although there are options with reduced rates.
• Hours: generally open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Location: Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 23
• How to get to the Prado Museum: the quickest and cheapest way is to get off at the Atocha or Banco de España metro stations.

You can't visit Madrid without seeing the Royal Palace, a place that holds centuries of history inside. It has more than 3,000 rooms and it's easy to get lost, so it's best to start with the highlights: the Royal Library, the gardens, and the Throne Room. A few meters away is another icon, the Almudena Cathedral, one of those places that takes your breath away.

I recommend visiting them on the same day, especially when it's raining or the weather is bad. And for a more enjoyable experience, you might want to consider a guided tour. That way, you'll learn about the architecture and the stories hidden in each monument. Additionally, if you have the opportunity to visit the area on a sunny day, you'll notice that street art is one of its main attractions.

Details of interest

• Price: admission to the Royal Palace usually starts at €14, while the cathedral is free and you only pay if you go up to the dome. If you prefer to avoid queues and learn about the details behind each monument, you can find combined tours for these places starting at €50.
• Opening hours: the Royal Palace's opening hours are generally divided by season, so it is important to check the website before visiting. The cathedral is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• How to get there: both are close to the Ópera metro station.

The Liria Palace is a hidden gem that many tourists tend to overlook. On a rainy day when plans seem limited, there is nothing better than exploring its charming corridors. It is a royal residence with around 14 rooms, so you can spend a couple of hours there. Although it is difficult to visit the gardens when it is raining, you can tour the luxury suites and appreciate the works of art it houses.

This museum is very different from other attractions in Madrid, as it offers cultural activities, concerts, and a glimpse into the lives of the noble families of the past. When you buy tickets for the Palacio de Lira, you will have access to the most impressive rooms, including:

• The Great Hall, one of the most spectacular rooms due to its neoclassical decoration with period frescoes.
• The Library, which has more than 40,000 historical manuscripts. If you are interested in historical tours of Madrid, you should visit this room.
• The Empress's Room, a place that houses 18th-century furniture and tapestries.
• The Royal Dining Room, where the duchy's private dinners were held.
• The Chapel, designed for the direct marriages of the Duchy of Alba.
• The Ballroom, the space for meetings and parties that marked the history of the 18th century.

Details of interest

• Price: from €15 per person.
• Opening hours: Mondays from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
• Location: on Calle de la Princesa.
• How to get there: you can get there via the Argüelles or Príncipe Pío stations.

If you're looking for indoor activities and don't know where to go, another good option is to buy tickets for the Wax Museum. This place houses more than 450 wax figures representing different artists, scientists, monarchs, soccer players, and politicians. You can take pictures with Taylor Swift, Marilyn Monroe, or Christopher Columbus.

It also offers installations decorated based on themed worlds and characters, and there are even small replicas of places in Spain. And the best part is that during the visit you can learn about the process of producing the wax figures.

Buying tickets in advance ensures you skip the lines so you can optimize your time. In addition, you can ride the train of terror and enjoy a themed tour, as well as themed simulators.

Details of interest

• Price: from €22 per person.
• Opening hours: April to September from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and October to March from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Location: on Paseo de Recoletos.
• How to get there: the nearest metro station is Colón.

Rain doesn't have to spoil your vacation, especially in a city like Madrid where life never stops. To embrace the local culture and enjoy a rewarding experience, I suggest attending a flamenco show. In the city center, you'll find a wide range of tablaos, where some of the country's best artists perform.

If the bad weather prevents you from going out for dinner, look for a show that includes dinner. This way, you can enjoy Madrid's cuisine through tapas and main courses. There are different options, and the only thing they have in common is that they all guarantee quality and fun. However, there are two that I especially recommend:

• Book a show at Tablao Torre Bermeja if you want to accompany the experience with dinner.
• Sign up for a show at the Teatro Flamenco if you prefer to focus on footwork, rhythmic solos, castanets, and dancing.

As you can see, discovering Madrid at night gives you a taste of the gastronomic, cultural, and artistic side of this metropolis.

Details of interest

• Price: from €34 per person.
• Schedule: each tablao offers its own schedule, but shows generally take place every day between 6:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

If you wake up excited to spend a day in Madrid, but find that bad weather has put a damper on your plans, just look for alternatives. A museum tour can be an excellent option, especially if you immerse yourself in one of the most entertaining ones: the Museum of Illusions.

This place offers corridors with a variety of optical illusions, as well as interactive games for the whole family. Dare to walk through the Vortex Tunnel or enter the Steep Room. In total, there are around 80 games and themed rooms for you to enjoy during your visit.

Details of interest

• Price: from €14 per person.
• Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Location: in the historic center, between Lavapiés and Puerta del Sol.
• How to get there: you can walk from Sol, Lavapiés, and Antón Martín stations.

To keep warm, you can look for cozy places. And there's no place more picturesque and pleasant than Chocolatería San Ginés. It's one of the capital's leading churrerías, so you have to try the house specialty: steaming chocolate with churros. The thick consistency of this drink makes it the perfect accompaniment to the salty, crunchy churro dough.

You also can't miss trying porras, a similar option to churros but thicker. This place is located in a picturesque alley and has several locations, so the wait time is relatively short. Once inside, you'll find quite striking vintage decor, perfect for taking pictures and immortalizing the moment.

In general, Madrid's cuisine stands out for its traditional flavors full of surprises. So, when the weather improves, I recommend taking a tour of different restaurants and traditional markets, either on your own or with a guide, to learn more about Madrid's culture. Of course, your gastronomic tour must include cocido, patatas bravas, and bocata de calamares.

Details of interest

• Price: between €4 and €5 per serving.
• Hours: open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• Location: in the charming San Ginés passageway.
• How to get there: get off at the Sol or Ópera station.

If you think you're running out of options, you should know that in Madrid it's impossible to run out of things to do, even if it's pouring with rain. In addition to the iconic flamenco shows, you can choose to learn some basic moves and become a true master of Andalusian rhythms. It's an ideal activity for having fun and sharing with other people, while the instructor explains the cultural significance of this genre.

For an hour, you can learn to move your feet and hands while several professional dancers help you perfect your technique. It is suitable for all levels, and all you need to bring is a good attitude, comfortable shoes, and a willingness to learn. Please note that it is not recommended for pregnant women or people with health problems.

Overall, this activity is considered one of the best classes and workshops to do in Madrid.

Details of interest

• Price: from €42.
• Schedule: classes usually take place after 6:00 p.m., but you should check before booking.

A rainy day is no excuse to be stuck indoors, especially when you can use your tickets to Ikono. This place offers a whirlwind of immersive art and is one of the most striking places for :::link|text=photography tourism in Madrid|element=sc-121-5453:::. Forget about the rain and instead activate your senses in the interactive spaces, where you can play with lights, sensations, colors, and textures.

It's ideal if you're planning to visit Madrid with children, as it has environments for all ages and unusual activities. For example, you can enjoy a simulation of a bamboo park. You're also free to jump into the ball pool and walk through the graffiti-covered corridors.

Details of interest

• Price: from €15 per person.
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Location: Calle de Sánchez Bustillo.
• How to get there: just take metro line 1 and get off at Arte Station.

Another must-see in Madrid on gray days is the Sweet Space Museum, which is characterized by sensory and themed experiences. In this space dedicated to sweets, you can see works by different artists, such as Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada. You'll find installations that resemble sugar clouds and, of course, you can't miss the ice cream laboratory, where you can taste and create your own flavors.

Further on, get ready to lose yourself in the candy forest and put your senses to the test: touch, smell, and taste without fear. When you buy tickets for this museum, you'll have access to 10 interactive themed rooms with unique spaces and enjoy a waffle tasting in the museum shop.

Details of interest

• Price: from €17 per person
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Location: Calle Serrano 61.
• How to get there: The nearest metro station is Serrano, connected to line 4.

• Use an umbrella and raincoat: you'll be able to get around easily and won't get stuck anywhere.
• Wear appropriate footwear: this way, you'll avoid getting your feet wet.
• Stay calm: when the rain gets heavier, waiting times for taxis increase and the subway tends to get crowded.
• Be flexible: have several alternatives in your itinerary, as plans may change depending on the weather conditions.
• Don't stay in your hotel: this is a city that hardly ever stops, and if you plan to spend five days in Madrid or even less, you won't want to waste a single second.