Planning a city break and wondering what to pack for Madrid in December? This Madrid packing list is your guide to staying warm and stylish in Spain’s vibrant capital.
Madrid in December is stylish, festive, and full of life. From twinkling lights in Plaza Mayor to world-class museums and tapas bars buzzing with locals, the Spanish capital offers a winter escape that mixes elegance with comfort.
Expect cool days, chilly evenings, and occasional rain. Madrid is known for its dry winter air, clear skies, and fashion-forward locals. So layer well, look sharp, and be ready for long city walks, cozy cafes, and a bit of holiday sparkle.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Madrid in December. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- Average high: 10°C / 50°F
- Average low: 3°C / 37°F
- Rain: 5–6 days per month, light showers
- Snow: Rare, but evenings get cold
- Vibe: Stylish, festive, cultural, and great for day-to-night outfits
What to Pack for Madrid in December
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Medium suitcase – Fits layers & fashion essentials 🧳
- Carry-on backpack – For train trips or daily use 🎒
- Duffel bag – Ideal for weekend getaways 👜
- Daypack – Hands-free museum or market exploring 🎒
- Packing cubes – Keep layers organized 📦
- Shoe bags – For wet winter footwear 👞
- Waterproof toiletry case – Leak-proof in cold temps 🧴
- Document pouch – Passports, tickets, bookings 📁
- Reusable shopping tote – For markets & stores 🛍️
- Laundry bag – Separate worn winter wear 🧺
- Luggage scale – Avoid fees if shopping ⚖️
- Travel lock – Protect during transit 🔒
- Neck pouch – Great for valuables in crowds 🎟️
- Quick-dry towel – Optional for budget stays 🧼
- Neck pillow – For flights or trains 🛏️
- Sleep mask – Hotel windows can be bright 😴
👗 Clothes
- Long-sleeve shirts (3–4) – Base for layering 👕
- Chic sweaters (2–3) – Style + warmth 🧶
- Button-downs/blouses (2–3) – Perfect for dinners 👚
- Stylish blazer or cardigan – Dress up your look 🧥
- Jeans/trousers (2–3) – Warm and versatile 👖
- Midi skirt or dress – With tights for chic winter style 👗
- Thermal leggings – Ideal for under pants 🧘
- Evening outfit – Madrid is fashionable at night ✨
- Wool coat – Classic and warm 🧥
- Packable down jacket – Great for layering 🪶
- Activewear – For parks or lounging 🚶
- Warm pajamas – Hotels can get chilly 💤
- Swimsuit – For hotel spas or saunas 👙
- Underwear (7+) – Comfortable & breathable 👙
- Bras (2–3) – Include one seamless or sport 👚
- Wool socks (5–7) – Keep your feet warm 🧦
- Tights – For layering under skirts or pants 🧤
💆 Skincare
- Hydrating cleanser – Combat dry air 🧴
- Balancing toner – Keep skin happy 💧
- Thick moisturizer – For cool winter weather 🧴
- Sunscreen – Even in winter, especially sunny days ☀️
- Makeup remover – Micellar water or wipes 🧻
- Exfoliator – Use once weekly 🧽
- Eye cream – For puffy or dry under-eyes 👁️
- Hydrating mist – Refresh your skin on the go 💦
- Sheet masks – Pamper after a travel day 🧖
- SPF lip balm – Wind + dry = chapped lips 💋
- Spot treatment – Just in case 🩹
💄 Makeup
- Tinted moisturizer or BB cream – Light but effective 💁
- Concealer – Brighten tired eyes 👁️
- Pressed powder – For shine control 💨
- Blush – Bring warmth to winter cheeks 🌺
- Highlighter – Soft glow in evening light ✨
- Bronzer – A little goes a long way 🌞
- Neutral eyeshadow – For day-to-night looks 🎨
- Waterproof eyeliner – Tear-proof on windy days 🖊️
- Mascara – Volumizing or waterproof 💧
- Brow gel – Keep brows neat all day 👁️
- Lipstick or balm – Pick a bold shade for evenings 💄
- Setting spray – Lock in makeup 🌬️
- Brush kit – Travel-friendly size 🖌️
💇 Hair Care
- Brush or detangler – Compact and reliable 💇
- Hair ties & clips – For windy Madrid days 🌬️
- Shampoo & conditioner – Hydrating formulas 🧴
- Dry shampoo – Quick fix between washes 💁
- Heat protectant – Cold + styling = dryness 🔥
- Frizz serum – Helps with static & dry air 💧
- Mini dryer – Hotel ones are weak 💨
- Styling tool – Curler or straightener 🌀
- Wool hat or beret – Warm and stylish 🧢
- Accessories – Barrettes or bands 🎀
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Leather ankle boots – Madrid chic + weatherproof 👢
- Sneakers – For long city walks 👟
- Dressy flats – For stylish dinners 👠
- Wool scarf – Cozy and fashionable 🧣
- Gloves – Lightweight but warm 🧤
- Wool beanie or beret – Adds flair and warmth 🧢
- Compact umbrella – For light December rain ☔
- Sunglasses – Madrid gets lots of sun 😎
- Jewelry – Statement earrings or layered necklaces 💍
- Watch – Stay on schedule for museums ⌚
- Crossbody bag – Hands-free and secure 👜
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + copies – Essential for entry 🛂
- Visa (if needed) – Schengen rules apply 📝
- ID card – For domestic travel or check-ins 🪪
- Travel insurance – For peace of mind 🧾
- Tickets/reservations – Museums, trains, shows 🎟️
- Cash + card – Tapas bars may be cash-only 💶
- Contacts list – Printed and saved 📇
- Offline maps – For exploring without signal 🗺️
- Receipts – For returns or VAT 🧾
- Notebook & pen – Journaling or planning 🖊️
- Travel wallet – RFID-blocking preferred 👛
- Safe pouch – Leave valuables at the hotel 🔐
🚑 First Aid
- Blister pads – Cobblestone streets = sore feet 🩹
- Wipes – For hands or small cuts 🧼
- Gauze/tape – Basic wound care 🩺
- Tweezers – Multi-use ✂️
- Travel scissors – Nail or tag fixes ✂️
- Thermometer – For cold symptoms 🌡️
- Cotton pads/Q-tips – For face or first aid ☁️
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescription meds – Full supply 💊
- Pain relief – Walking or cold relief 🤕
- Cold/allergy meds – Dry air issues 🤧
- Motion sickness pills – Optional 🚗
- Vitamins – Stay energized 💊
- Feminine hygiene – Stock your go-to 🩸
- Hand sanitizer – Busy cities = must-have 👐
- Disinfecting wipes – Plane or restaurant use 🧽
- Bug spray – Not needed in December 🚫🦟
- Contraceptives – Pack what you use ❤️
- Eye drops – Dry air indoors 👁️
- Contact lens supplies – And backup glasses 👓
- Compact mirror – Makeup or eye care 🪞
- Toothbrush + paste – Travel size 🪥
- Floss – Small but essential 🦷
- Deodorant – Stick or roll-on 🧼
- Razor – Manual or electric 🪒
- Nail kit – File or clip 💅
- Perfume – Rollerball is ideal 🌸
- Tissues – Cold temps = sniffles 🧻
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Phone – Navigation, bookings, translation 📱
- Laptop/tablet – Optional for work or browsing 💻
- Camera – Or phone for great street shots 📸
- Chargers – Don’t forget USB cords 🔌
- Power bank – Long city days = battery drain 🔋
- Plug adapter – Spain uses Type C/F ⚡
- Cloud storage or USB – Backup photos 💾
- Offline apps – Maps, metro, Spanish phrases 🗺️
- SIM/eSIM – For affordable data 🌐
- E-reader – For parks or cafés 📖
- Earbuds or headphones – Music or calls 🎧
- Phone case – Protect your tech 📱
🎧 Entertainment
- Books – Spanish authors or travel reads 📚
- TV or movies – Download for downtime 🎬
- Podcasts – For airport or metro 🎶
- Journal – Document your cultural finds 📓
- Games/cards – Travel-friendly fun 🃏
- Magazines – For cafés or flights ☕
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – For flights or late-night bites 🍫
- Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated 💧
- Shopping bag – For Christmas markets 🛍️
- Laundry detergent – Hand wash items 🧼
- Sewing kit – Wardrobe fixes 🧵
- Whistle – For solo travel safety 🔊
- Lint roller – For dark winter coats 👕
- Footrest – Long train rides or flights ✈️
- Shoe deodorizer – In case of rain 👃
- Melatonin – Adjust to Spain’s late nights 😴
🌍 Travel Tips
- Madrid is dry but cold – Layer smartly 🌬️
- Pack chic eveningwear – Spaniards dress up at night ✨
- Metro is efficient – Download the app 🚇
- Book museums early – Prado & Reina Sofía 🎟️
- Wear boots on flight – Save space & stay warm 👢
🛂 Visa Tips
- Spain is in the Schengen zone 🛂
- Apply 3+ weeks early if required 🗓️
- Carry printed proof of return & hotels 📄
- Bring passport photos – Just in case 📷
- Know customs rules – For souvenirs 🧾
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport – Valid 6+ months 🌍
- Travel insurance – For health & theft 🛡️
- Phone + SIM – Maps, booking, translation 📱
- Cash & card – Some places are still cash-only 💶
- Adapter – Spain plug type ⚡
- Health kit – Cold meds & essentials 🧼
- Offline maps – In case of signal loss 🗺️
- Confirmations – Hotel, train, tours 🧾
- Crossbody bag – Safety & convenience 👜
- Water bottle – Stay hydrated 💧
👍 Good-to-Have
- Blanket scarf – Warm and stylish 🧣
- Backup chargers – Leave one in your bag 🔌
- Luggage tags – Easy ID 📛
- Sleep aid – For jet lag or city noise 😴
- Extra tote – For market finds 🎁
- Travel steamer – For wrinkle-free outfits 🧺
- Extra gloves or hat – In case of loss 🧤
