Things to Do in Madrid When It Rains: Plans Near Goya
If you are wondering what to do in Madrid when it rains, the good news is that the city has plenty under cover: museums, theatres, cinemas and corners where you can wait for the sky to clear. This guide starts in the Salamanca district, near Goya and El Retiro park, and suggests a whole day out without getting wetter than necessary.
Things to do in Madrid when it rains: the basic idea
When it rains in Madrid, the trick is to link nearby indoor plans rather than crossing the city from end to end. The Goya and El Retiro area makes a very good base: major museums are a short walk away, there are shopping streets, and plenty of places to sit down until the rain eases.
Go out with a small umbrella and shoes that can cope with puddles, and leave long outdoor routes for another day. Before visiting any museum or theatre, check its official website for opening times, whether it is wise to book ahead and whether any exhibition is closed. We do not give other venues' times here because they change.
Which museums can you visit near El Retiro when it rains?
Madrid has a great concentration of museums, and several are close to the park. They make ideal rainy-morning plans:
- Museo del Prado: Spanish and European painting, with famous names such as Velázquez and Goya. It stands along the Paseo del Prado, on the far side of the park.
- Museo Reina Sofía: twentieth-century art, with Picasso's Guernica as its best-known work.
- Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza: a tour through several centuries of painting under one roof, very comfortable for an unhurried visit.
One tip: choose just one. A big museum deserves a whole morning and, if you try to see three, you will end up tired and remember very little.
A museum closer to Goya
If you would rather stay in the Salamanca district, the Museo Arqueológico Nacional is on Calle de Serrano and takes you from prehistory to more recent times, with well-known pieces such as the Lady of Elche. It is a good choice if you fancy something other than painting.
Where can you walk without getting soaked?
The Salamanca district is one of the most comfortable places to stroll in the rain: shopping streets, shop displays and doorways to duck into for a moment. Walking along Calle de Serrano and the streets around it, popping in and out of the shops, is an easy plan that does not depend on the weather.
In light rain, El Retiro has its own charm: fewer people, wet ground and a different light from sunny days. Inside the park, the Palacio de Cristal, a large glass and iron structure from the nineteenth century, is a good spot to watch the rain. You will find more ideas in our guide to what to see in El Retiro and in the one on El Retiro in autumn.
Watch out for strong winds: when severe weather warnings are in force, Madrid's parks can close for safety reasons. Check the city council's information before you go.
Are there theatres and cinemas for a rainy day?
Yes, and they are among the best resources for the afternoon. Gran Vía has a large share of the city's theatres and is famous for its musicals; to learn about its history and buildings, read our article on Gran Vía in Madrid. Check the programme on each theatre's official website, and do not leave your ticket until the last minute at weekends.
If you prefer something simpler, there are cinemas all over the centre and the neighbouring districts. A film is a calm way to let the downpour pass.
What should you eat in Madrid when it rains?
A rainy day calls for a hearty spoon dish. Madrid's cocido is the city's most traditional stew and a meal to enjoy slowly, with no rush to leave. If you want to know how it is eaten and why it is served in separate courses, read our article on Madrid's cocido stew.
For an afternoon snack, any café in the district will do for a coffee or a hot chocolate to warm up. You do not need to look for anything special: when it rains, the best place is whichever one is closest.
A rainy-day itinerary near Goya
If you want a ready-made plan, this one works well and can be trimmed to suit your energy and the weather:
- In the morning: a museum, the Prado or the Archaeological Museum, depending on whether you prefer painting or history.
- At midday: lunch with a hearty spoon dish, taking your time.
- In the afternoon: a short walk in El Retiro if it clears up, or along the shopping streets of the Salamanca district if it keeps raining.
- As the day draws in: a theatre or cinema around Gran Vía.
- To finish: a quiet dinner before heading home.
Where can you take a break near Goya?
On Calle de O'Donnell, in the heart of the Salamanca district, you will find Bingo Odonnell. It opens every day: Sunday to Thursday from 12:30 to 03:00, and Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays from 12:30 to 03:30. The nearest metro stations are O'Donnell and Goya, and El Retiro is about 10 minutes away on foot. If you come by car, there is free parking. All the details are in how to get here.
Its restaurant and café serves lunches, afternoon snacks and dinners every day in a comfortable, welcoming setting, and there is no need to book. Entry is for over-18s only, with a valid DNI, NIE or passport.
Quick tips for a rainy day in Madrid
- Choose a few plans close to each other: when it rains, the fewer journeys the better.
- Always check the official website of museums and theatres before setting out.
- Wear comfortable shoes and an extra layer, even if it is not cold.
- If a strong wind warning is in force, leave the parks for another day.
- Make the most of the rain for what works best indoors: museums, good food and a long table talk.
With a little planning, a grey day in Madrid can be one of the most enjoyable. If you want more, head to the blog and keep exploring the area.
18+. Gambling can be addictive. Over-18s only. More information on responsible gambling.
Bingo Odonnell is an in-person bingo hall at Calle de O'Donnell, 21-23, Madrid. Open every day from 12:30. Over-18s only, with ID card, NIE or passport. Please gamble responsibly.
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