In partnership with
I love how winter suits Madrid like no other time of year.
The air turns sharp, the light softens, and the city trades its usual heat and hurry for something far more captivating: a real sense of place.
From late November through early March, Madrid feels like it truly belongs to the people who live here. Terraces are wrapped in heaters and blankets, shop windows on Serrano and Salesas become their own quiet performance, and the scent of roasted chestnuts drifts from square to square.
Christmas lights warm the streets, but never slip into anything artificial. Cafés buzz with families, friends, and long, unhurried afternoons. Galleries open new exhibitions, theaters run full schedules, and getting a table at the right restaurant feels like a competitive sport.
In winter, the city is completely in its element.
Excellent food, exceptional wine, and evenings that stretch naturally.
This Week:
From the Editor’s Desk (My Laptop)
I have been thinking a lot about Madrid these past few days.
Not the Madrid of guidebooks or bucket lists, but the Madrid that belongs to people who know how to enjoy a city in winter.
The Madrid that shows up when the temperatures drop and everyone else assumes the season is quiet.
A friend who lives in Chamberí told me something that stayed with me.
“Winter is when Madrid remembers itself.”
I knew exactly what she meant.
It is the season when the city settles into its true rhythm. People linger over coffee because it is cold outside. Families walk down Serrano wrapped in scarves after an early dinner. Theaters fill up. Galleries feel alive. Restaurant reservations disappear faster than you expect.
Over the past week I have gone through my notes, old photos, and the conversations I have had with locals.
Every reminder pointed in the same direction.
Winter is not an afterthought in Madrid. It is a period with its own personality. The light is softer. The food is deeper. The streets feel more human.
And there is something comforting about that.
You stop rushing.
You start paying attention.
You notice scenes you would ignore in summer. A warm bar at the corner of a quiet street. A boutique window glowing at dusk. A plate of seasonal mushrooms that will not be on the menu two months from now.
That is why I wanted to bring Madrid to you today.
Not because it is the trendy winter destination, but because it feels good to be there during this time of year. It reminds you that travel is not only about seeing more. It is about seeing better.
If you are planning a winter escape, Madrid deserves a place in that conversation.
— Alex
How familiar are you with Madrid in winter?
The Savvy Traveler Guide | Madrid in Winter
Why does Madrid feel different when the temperature drops?
Maybe because winter slows the city down just enough for its real personality to surface. Madrid does not perform in winter. It settles. It becomes more intimate, more textured, more itself.
From late November to early March, the city feels warm even when the air is cold. Christmas lights glow softly across plazas, cafés hum with long conversations, and the evening ritual of food and wine stretches into something close to art. This is not a city trying to impress visitors. It is a city living comfortably in its own rhythm.
Why go:
Because winter reveals the Madrid that locals love. Food is better, the streets are calmer, culture is in full season, and the whole city feels made for slow days and long nights.
What to do:
Stroll through Las Letras in the morning
This neighborhood wakes up gently. Narrow streets, classic cafés, and the kind of morning light that makes you want to linger. Stop for coffee, browse a small bookstore, and watch the city ease into the day.
Visit the Sorolla Museum
A quiet, sunlit refuge in the former home of Joaquín Sorolla. Winter light falling across his Mediterranean paintings creates a subtle contrast that feels almost poetic. A museum that rewards unhurried visitors. https://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/msorolla/inicio.html
Take an afternoon walk through El Retiro
In winter, the park feels completely different. Soft air, bare trees, light mist along the paths. No crowds. Just space, calm, and one of the most beautiful urban parks in Europe. Bring a warm drink and wander.
Shop in Salesas
Elegant boutiques, small studios, and curated shops that favor craftsmanship over hype. Winter collections feel especially tempting here. A perfect area for slow shopping without the pressure of major avenues.
Where to eat:
Wine and small plates at La Elisa
Warm light, great wines, and a menu built around seasonal products. A cozy stop before a theater night or after a long walk in the cold. https://www.laelisa.es/
Dinner at Arima Basque Gastronomy
A modern Basque tavern that combines tradition with an urban edge. Comforting dishes, serious flavors, and a dining room that feels like a winter refuge. https://www.arima.es/
Chocolate at San Ginés
Famous, yes. But winter softens the experience. Go before sunset. Order chocolate and churros. Enjoy the simplest pleasure Madrid has perfected for decades. https://chocolateriasangines.com/
Where to stay:
Only YOU Boutique Hotel
Warm interiors, a cozy lobby, and a location that makes winter walks easy. Ideal for travelers who want atmosphere without sacrificing comfort. https://www.onlyyouhotels.com/en/hotels/hotel-only-you-boutique-madrid/
Gran Hotel Inglés
Classic Madrid elegance. Soft colors, great service, and one of the most inviting bars in the city. Perfect for quiet mornings or late-night cocktails. https://www.granhotelingles.com/
URSO Hotel and Spa
A calm, stylish hotel with one of the best spas in the center. Winter feels made for staying here. https://www.ursohotel.com/
Where to Eat Next: Madrid’s New Culinary Wave
Winter is when Madrid’s restaurant scene becomes impossible to ignore. Seasonal produce takes the spotlight, dining rooms feel warmer, and chefs push for the kind of creativity that gets people talking.
This year has been especially exciting. Madrid has opened the doors to a new generation of kitchens that blend global influences, Spanish heritage, and bold ideas. Some have already earned Michelin recognition. Others are rising fast through word of mouth and local buzz. All of them say something important about where the city is heading.
If you want to experience the best of Madrid right now, our new guide highlights the most impressive openings of the year. From fire-led bistros and modern Basque taverns to Japanese omakase counters and contemporary fusion spots, this is the list to plan around.
Discover the new restaurants defining Madrid’s culinary scene.
👉 Read the full guide here.
7 Actionable Ways to Achieve a Comfortable Retirement
Your dream retirement isn’t going to fund itself—that’s what your portfolio is for.
When generating income for a comfortable retirement, there are countless options to weigh. Muni bonds, dividends, REITs, Master Limited Partnerships—each comes with risk and oppor-tunity.
The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income from Fisher investments shows you ways you can position your portfolio to help you maintain or improve your lifestyle in retirement.
It also highlights common mistakes, such as tax mistakes, that can make a substantial differ-ence as you plan your well-deserved future.
Did you enjoyed this week Newsletter?
💌 Join 30,000+ Travel Lovers Who Know Where to Go Next
The Expert’s Guild Travel Journal is your weekly dose of destination inspiration, curated hotel picks, hidden gems, and insider intel, read by over 30,000 savvy travelers around the world.
Already on board? Share the love. Forward this edition to a friend or family member who appreciates a life well-traveled.
Join us here:
