17 Nov 2025 Welcome to Madrid, the city with the busiest leisure agenda in the entire country, where everything happens, and if it doesn't happen here, it's not good enough yet. It's that clear.
It seems like the capital never sleeps, that it always has fantastic plans and events, and that no matter what happens, the only thing that doesn't change and remains unchanged is its beauty.
Well, even that can be improved, and that's because Christmas has arrived, and with it all the magic of the Christmas spirit. In addition to the gifts, the Christmas lights, and the festive atmosphere, there's something we can't miss that gives these days a unique touch: Christmas markets.
In Madrid, we're all about markets, flea markets, strolling among stalls discovering our future new treasures, and Christmas is no exception. Here we bring you the must-see Christmas markets in Madrid. Don't miss any of them.
We're starting this list off on a high note, with one of the most iconic places in the entire city of Madrid: Plaza Mayor. Not only will you be treading into the capital's living history and eating the best calamari sandwiches in the country, you'll also enjoy one of the best Christmas markets in all of Spain.
More than a hundred stalls welcome visitors who, drawn by the history of the place, its beauty, the magic of Christmas, or a little bit of everything, will enjoy everything Christmas has to offer.
And this isn't just a saying: among its Christmas stalls, you'll find everything from joke items, very common here, to Christmas decorations, including nativity scenes, and the perfect gift for someone you know. It's always good to lend a hand to the Three Wise Men in their constant search for gifts.
Everything the event's name says is true; it's a real fair, and it takes place on Paseo de Recoletos. Specifically, from Plaza de Cibeles to Plaza de Colón, you'll find more than 150 stalls where you can enjoy authentic craftsmanship.
Masters of all kinds of crafts meet in the capital to share their creations with all visitors. The list of professionals participating in this fair is immense; just to give you an idea, you'll find everything from toy experts to fabric decorators, glassmakers, and jewellers. A true delight for those who appreciate the art of craftsmanship.
In front of the Teatro Real, in Plaza Isabel II, there hasn't been a shortage of traditional Christmas sweets this Christmas. Here, there are no gifts, and craftsmanship is demonstrated among the hearths and ovens.
A paradise for those with a sweet tooth, with an immense variety of traditional sweets for this season. Come here to buy roscos de vino, chocolates, truffles, mantecados, nougat, and much more.
Our advice is to look at everything, because if you start shopping at the first stall you see, you'll be short on arms to carry all the bags you'll have. You'll be surprised by the sweets, which combine traditional local dishes with those from other countries.
Mercado del Gato is more Madrid-like than the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, that's all there is to it. At this market, you'll find everything, whether it's Christmas or not.
The magic of this market is how ephemeral it is; it can last for days, it can be there or here, always choosing special and charming corners of Madrid. But what is certain is that they never fail to deliver their Christmas event.
Stop by Gran Vía to enjoy this magical Christmas cat, which will bring everything from silk scarves to works of art, as well as stalls with hot food and drinks. You'll find everything here. And by the way, can you imagine a better place than Gran Vía?
Christmas pop-up store. How did you feel? To put it mildly, Winter Stories is the largest temporary store in the entire country. Fully dedicated to Christmas, this gigantic store, half shop, half market, dedicates its more than 3,000 square meters to this magical time of year.
More than 100 brands scattered throughout the corners await you with open arms so you can help the Three Wise Men choose gifts. And that's not all; there are also places to drink, grab a quick bite, or sit and enjoy the views.
You can't miss a day without seeing Madrid's Christmas lights, but don't even think about it. They're one of the prides of Madrid, and for good reason. You'll only have to take a stroll through the city centre to enjoy them.
Although starting your Christmas lights route in Callao, heading towards Puerta del Sol, then heading towards Cibeles and returning along Gran Vía is always a good idea. That's just a tip.
If you're an avid athlete who enjoys running like someone who enjoys a bar of nougat, then you can't miss one of the most fun races of the year: the Santa Claus Race. Put on your running shoes, your Santa Claus costume, and enjoy.
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17 Nov 2025 