More about: 13 Things to Do in Madrid in August
Despite the heat, August in Madrid is the ideal time to enjoy all the festivals and cultural activities that flood the city and complement all the attractions that Madrid already offers its visitors throughout the year.
During August, you can have fun at various street parties that take place in different neighbourhoods of the capital. Theatre lovers also have their place in Madrid, as do those who never miss a concert. Finally, don't forget to bring your swimsuit in case you feel like escaping the heat at a swimming pool.
1. Have fun at Madrid's best attractions
Summer is the ideal time to enjoy some of Madrid's most entertaining leisure activities with family and friends, such as its amusement parks and zoos. Keep reading and sign up for at least a couple of the following suggestions!
- Madrid Amusement Park—from S$35:
An ideal plan if you like adrenaline, as you can ride roller coasters, escape the heat on the water rapids or ride attractions such as Tornado, Abismo or Lanzadera. What's more, if you go with the little ones, they'll be amazed by the children's themed facilities such as Nickelodeon Land.
- Parque Warner Madrid—from S$82:
This is another alternative if you are a fan of Warner Bros and DC Comics. Opened in 2002, it has 34 attractions, including 6 roller coasters and 4 water attractions, perfect for this time of year.
- Madrid Zoo Aquarium—from S$39:
Another ideal plan if you are travelling with children and friends is the Madrid Zoo Aquarium, which has more than 333 different species from five different continents. It also has an aquarium and an aviary.
- Faunia in Madrid—from S$32:
And if you still want to explore the animal world, don't miss this theme park that combines the natural ecosystem and traditional zoo with more than 700 animal species and a thousand plant species.
2. Escape the heat with a stroll through the Retiro
What better place to escape the heat than Retiro Park, one of the essential places to see and do in Madrid. The city's most popular park is home to numerous stories and monuments. That's why I recommend booking a tour of the Retiro and exploring this wonderful enclave with a tour guide who will tell you all sorts of surprising facts and anecdotes.
And if you want to get the most out of the experience, you can also choose to do:
- Tour of the Retiro and tapas in Madrid—from S$45
- Segway tour of the Retiro—from S$53
- Private Segway tour of the Retiro—from S$63
Discover certain points of interest such as the Crystal Palace, which hosts a large number of art exhibitions, or statues such as the Fallen Angel or the great Monument to Alfonso XII.
3. Take a trip to the mountains
And if you want to escape the heat, be sure to take a trip to the Guadarrama National Park, where you will discover its wonderful natural landscapes such as La Pedriza or the mountain passes of La Morcuera and Navacerrada. A personalised experience in which you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will explain in detail the great geological wealth and local fauna. You can also choose to enhance the experience and take a private excursion to the Sierra de Guadarrama from Madrid from S$459
In addition, before returning to Madrid, you will pass by the Castillo de los Mendoza, a symbol of Gothic-Isabelline architecture.
Enjoy a unique natural environment less than an hour from Madrid, located in the provinces of Madrid and Segovia, with mountainous landscapes and rock formations. And if you want to enhance your experience in the mountains, you can book a hot air balloon flight over the Guadarrama Regional Park.
4. Visit museums for free in August
August is one of the best months of the year to stroll through the beautiful streets of Madrid, thanks to its long, sunny days. However, if you visit the city, you need to get to know its most artistic and historical side, which can be enjoyed in its beautiful palaces and many museums. The best part? During the summer, most of them offer free admission to all permanent exhibitions.
Without a doubt, the museums for which you need to secure tickets are:
- Prado Museum in Madrid
- Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid
- Royal Palace in Madrid
- Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid
And if you have time, here are some other options I recommend:
- National Archaeological Museum: Located at Calle Alfonso XII, 68; the nearest underground station is Atocha.
- Sorolla Museum: Located at Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 37; the nearest metro station is Iglesia.
- Romanticism Museum: Located at Calle San Mateo, 13; the nearest metro station is Tribunal-Alonso Martínez.
5. Experience Veranos de la Villa: gastronomy, music and art
In July and August, you can enjoy the Veranos de la Villa festival in the Spanish capital; a traditional celebration among Madrileños and a must-see if you are in the city on holiday during this time.
The festival offers a varied and interesting programme, including musical performances, circus arts, art and craft exhibitions and, of course, gastronomy.
Where it takes place
Almost all over Madrid! The best part of the Veranos de la Villa event is the large number of different locations it uses, with at least 10 of the 21 districts that make up the city included in the route of performances.
How to purchase tickets
To stay up to date with the performance calendar, exact dates, prices and locations, it is best to visit the official Veranos de Villa website a few weeks before your trip to Madrid.
6. Enjoy the summer cinemas
No summer in Madrid would be complete without the traditional cinema nights that take advantage of the cooler evenings. Various cultural and leisure centres throughout the city offer citizens the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the seventh art.
If you're in town at this time of year, you have the perfect excuse to stroll through the streets, enjoy a good film and take a tour of Madrid's best tapas bars.
The best summer cinemas in Madrid
Among the places in Madrid where traditional summer cinemas are set up are:
- Fescinal: in Parque de a Bombilla, Av. de Valladolid, film screenings are held from the end of June to September.
- La Terraza Magnética: Until mid-August, the rooftop terrace known as La Terraza Magnética will host summer film screenings and concert nights for anyone who wants to participate.
7. Have fun at Madrid's street parties
One of the best things to do in Madrid in summer, particularly in August, is to attend the traditional street parties that are held almost consecutively in three major areas of the city. If you want to get off the beaten tourist track, don't miss these celebrations that bring out the festive and sociable side of Madrid's residents.
The neighbourhood celebrations include several of the following activities: small competitions, children's games, mus championships, performances by local music groups, tapas bar tours, parades with processions of saints and more.
Where it takes place
- Verbenas de San Cayetano: Held between 6 and 7 August in the Rastro and Embajadores area.
- San Lorenzo Festival: Between 10 and 11 August, in the neighbourhood and church of San Lorenzo located on Calle Dr. Piga.
- Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paloma: Considered the most important of the three, it takes place on 14 and 15 August in La Latina.
How to get tickets
You do not need tickets for this type of celebration, they are free and open to the public.
8. Experience the Escenas del Verano Festival and its free activities
Between July and September, Madrid hosts the Summer Scenes Festival, with hundreds of activities including music, theatre, cinema, performing arts, dance, circus acts and much more.
During the nearly two months of events, the festival is divided into several cycles, including the traditional Summer Classics, Summer Cinema screenings, Teatralia Circus and Galapajazz. This is complemented by family workshops and exhibitions.
Where it takes place
This event takes place at different locations in Madrid, such as the Cervantes Birthplace Museum, the Lope de Vega Museum, the Madrid Regional Library and many others.
For detailed information on the programme of activities and locations, it is best to visit the Community of Madrid website, in the "culture and tourism" section, a few weeks before your trip.
How to purchase tickets
The nearly 500 activities that take place during the festival are completely free.
9. Enjoy the most creative theatre at FIT Madriz
Every summer, the Madrid International Puppet Festival (FIT Madriz) brings the Retiro Puppet Theatre to life, becoming one of the capital's must-see cultural events in August. For almost two weeks, national and international companies present puppet shows, dance, theatre and innovative stage performances.
This festival, heir to the historic Retiro Puppet Festival, is ideal for families with children as well as lovers of alternative theatre looking for something different to do under the Madrid summer sky.
Where it takes place
At the Retiro Puppet Theatre, located within the city's most emblematic park. You can easily get there by underground, getting off at Retiro or Ibiza station.
How to purchase tickets
Most of the FIT Madriz performances are free until full capacity is reached. To ensure a good seat, it is advisable to arrive early. The detailed programme is published every summer on the official website of Madrid City Council.
10. Enjoy concerts at sunset in the Botanical Gardens
From mid-May to early September, approximately, the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid holds a series of concerts every Friday at sunset, accompanied by the warm summer weather and the lush nature of the gardens.
If you are in the city during this time, plan your itinerary and attend one of these performances.
The concert entitled Paseos musicales del Botánico (Musical Walks in the Botanical Gardens) is performed by the CaixaBank Symphony Orchestra and includes performances on the cello, viola, violin and classical flute.
Where it takes place
The performances take place in the Royal Botanical Garden of the Complutense University of Madrid. You can easily get there by taking Metro line 16 to the Ciudad Universitaria station.
How to purchase tickets
Tickets cost an average of €35 and include a pass to enjoy the garden facilities and admission to the 50-minute concert. They can be purchased on the official website.
11. Spend your summer on Madrid's beach: Mad Beach Club
Mad Beach Club is open from mid-June to mid-September. It is undoubtedly one of the best places to go if you are looking for things to do at night in Madrid during the summer.
As one of the most innovative educational and sporting festivals, Mad Beach has one of the most varied programmes you will find in the city, with summer concerts, beach volleyball, cinema under the stars and much more.
Where it takes place
To attend the event, you will need to go to the Escenario Puerta del Ángel esplanade, located in the Casa de Campo Fairgrounds. You can access this area of Madrid using the city's underground; the nearest stations are Puerta del Ángel and Lago.
How to purchase tickets
A few weeks before your trip to Madrid, keep an eye on the official Mad Beach Club website for information on prices and the calendar of activities and performances.
12. Discover the most spectacular swimming pools in Madrid
Many of Madrid's iconic swimming pools begin to open their doors in spring, but without a doubt the best time to enjoy them is during the hot summer months.
If you are visiting the city and want to enjoy a dip with your friends and family, you will have more options than you can imagine.
The best swimming pools in Madrid
- Municipal swimming pools: Open all summer. They usually start operating in mid-May. Check the listof municipal swimming pools by neighbourhood.
- Swimming pools in Madrid hotels: Hotel Axel; Dear Hotel Madrid; Riu Plaza España; Iberostar Las Letras on Gran Vía.
13. Take a tour of Madrid's charming street markets
No visit to Madrid would be complete without a tour of its famous markets. They are the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of Madrid. Depending on the market and the area of the city, they may be held weekly, monthly or only during specific seasons.
The best markets in Madrid and how to get there
- Librerías de la Cuesta de Moyano: Located in the tourist area of Paseo del Arte Calle Claudio Moyano. You can get there by taking the underground to the Arte-Atocha station.
- Las Ranas Market: Takes place in Plaza Santa Ana, Barrio de las Letras. The nearest underground stations are: Antón Martín, Estación del Arte and Sol.
- El Rastro: The most popular flea market in Madrid. Located on Ribera de Curtidores (La Latina neighbourhood), every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.