Things to do in summer in Madrid

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Summer is the time to kick back and relax. As the days get longer and the weather improves, Madrid offers a whole host of events and activities to suit all tastes. The best music festivals, rooftop terraces and swimming pools, summer cinemas, traditional festivities...The city certainly doesn't rest in the summer months.

A FESTIVAL FOR THE WHOLE SUMMER

Veranos de la Villa Festival 2025
Madrid’s summer festival par excellence will once again fill the city with a wide variety of cultural and leisure activities (Various venues. July and August).

Veranos de la Villa Festival 2025

TAKE THE PLUNGE!

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Swimming pools in summer
The Madrid Edition pool
VP Plaza España Design pool
Hotel NH Collection Madrid Colón pool
Hotel Santo Domingo pool
Hotel Emperador pool
Ocean Drive Madrid pool
Thompson Madrid pool

Madrid has a large number of public swimming pools managed by the City and Regional councils. As the warmer weather arrives, swimming pools kick off the summer season as they open up in the middle of May.

ENJOY THE LAID-BACK LIFESTYLE

Autocine Madrid

Enjoy the latest releases and classic films at the largest drive-in cinema in Europe.

Bike Rental in Madrid

Explore the city in a healthy, sustainable way. Through the Madrid 360 initiative, the city reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and improving environmental protection.

Rosaleda de El Retiro © Álvaro López del Cerro

Parks and Gardens

Madrid boasts an array of public parks and gardens from Casa de Campo, Spain's largest green space, to El Retiro Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Estanque del Parque de El Retiro / Monumento a Alfonso XII

The Retiro Park Lake

The lake is one of the symbols of the Retiro; visitors can hire boats or simply relax on the steps.

FALL IN LOVE WITH OUR SUNSETS

Mirador de la Cornisa observation deck

Between the Royal Palace and La Almudena Cathedral, this observation deck offers wonderful vistas of the Casa de Campo and Campo del Moro parks.

Temple of Debod

A 2nd-century Egyptian temple donated to Spain following the construction of the great Aswan Dam.

Mirador Madrid

Great observation deck at Cibeles Palace, from which you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city.

Azotea del Círculo

A rooftop terrace on which you can enjoy a wide range of cocktails as you take in the wonderful views.

Faro de Moncloa

Enjoy wonderful vistas of the city from this observation deck. Open Tues-Sun (except for special dates). Don't miss the souvenir store!

Casa de Campo Lake

This lake, with exceptional views of Madrid, is a recreational area where people of all ages can spend their free time.

BEAT THE HEAT

Artisan ice cream parlours

Try some fabulous flavours in Madrid’s great ice cream parlours.

¡Abanicos para combatir el calor! Estos tan coloridos son de Casa de Diego (©Álvaro López del Cerro).

Fans for the summer

With over 2,800 hours of sunlight per year, our city is one of the sunniest capitals in Europe. In these two shops, one classic and the other modern, you’ll find the perfect summer accessory.

CELEBRATE OUR FESTIVITIES

Madrid Pride
Join Madrileños in celebrating diversity and standing up for a more tolerant and inclusive society (28 Jun-6 Jul 2025).

Madrid Pride
August Fiestas
August is a fantastic month to experience Madrid at its most traditional, as it celebrates the San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and Virgen de la Paloma festivities (August 2025).

August Fiestas

AND OUR TERRACES....

As soon as the heat starts to kick in, Madrid opens up its terraces, on pavements or the rooftops of hotels and emblematic buildings.

Doñaluz The Madrid Rooftop

Terraza RT60 (Hard Rock Hotel Madrid)

El Jardín de Diana

360º Roof Top Bar (Hotel Riu Plaza de España)

Terraza Jardines de Sabatini©Hotel Jardines de Sabatini

Terraza de Sabatini

Terraza Florida Park

SPORTING EVENTS

Don't miss

Carreras en el Hipódromo de la Zarzuela (Temporada de primavera)

Horse Racing: 2024 Season

Enjoy a thrilling horse racing experience at La Zarzuela Racecourse all year round (check calendar).

CULTURAL EVENTS

The Lion King

No summer holiday for this acclaimed musical, which keeps running through these months.

Emotions: Flamenco Show

An authentic flamenco show featuring mesmerizing dancing, singing and guitar playing (Madrid Flamenco Theatre at Teatro Alfil. Monday to Sunday. Till 30 December).

On the move. National Heritage vehicles and carriages

Journey through the history of the carriage in Spain by means of fifty vehicles used by Spanish monarchs from the 16th to the 20th century (Royal Collections Gallery. Till 1 September).

Legends. The Home of football

Discover the history of football through original kits worn by some of the best players at this one-of-a-kind museum right beside Puerta del Sol.

APERTURA - Madrid Gallery Weekend 2025

The great contemporary art party in which galleries and museums kick off the new season (Various locations. 11-14 September 2025).

PHotoESPAÑA 2024

The International Festival of Photography and Visual Arts is holding a new edition with 84 exhibitions and the participation of 293 photographers and visual artists. (Various locations. 10 May-29 Sept).

The Last Days of Pompeii. The Immersive Exhibition

Immersive exhibition to discover the life and customs of the city that was the symbol of the rising power of the Roman Empire (Matadero Madrid - Hall 16. Until 21 July). Tickets on sale

THE BEST FESTIVALS

Noches del Botánico

A selection of national and international artists will give live performances in this natural setting (Complutense University Botanical Garden. June-July 2025). To be confirmed