The images we hold of Madrid are always sunny, and although the sun does often shine brightly on the Spanish capital, this is mostly the case during some months of the year only. Winters can be quite harsh and the low temperatures can take some by surprise, although you shall rarely see snow. Summers, on the other hand, are extremely hot and thermometers might easily reach 40C/105F degrees. If you happen to enjoy the heat, we recommend July as a better month to experience the city. Avoid August since it is packed with tourists, the madrileños head to the beach, and some of the best restaurants, bars and even some less famous cultural attractions are closed. Spring may be an ideal time to travel to Madrid, although April usually does bring some rain, as temperatures are mild and the city’s many parks become painted in enchanting golden colors.