13 Things to Do in Madrid in August
You'll love Madrid in August, despite the heat, as you'll be able to enjoy street festivals, street markets, festivals and summer cinemas... A month full of fun activities to enjoy!
Madrid, Spain | ©Chris Yunker
Despite the heat, Madrid in August is an ideal time to enjoy all the festivals and cultural activities that flood the city and complete all the attractions that Madrid already offers to its visitors all year round.
During the month of August you will be able to enjoy yourself at various street festivals that take place in different neighbourhoods of the capital. Theatre lovers, meanwhile, also have their place in Madrid, as do those who don't want to miss a concert. Finally, don't forget to take your swimming costume in case you feel like escaping the heat in a swimming pool.
1. Have fun like a child at Madrid's best attractions
Summer is an ideal time to enjoy some of Madrid's most fun leisure activities, both with family and friends, such as its amusement parks and zoos. Read on and sign up for at least a couple of the following proposals!
- Parque de Atracciones de Madrid: An ideal plan if you like adrenaline, as you can go on roller coasters, escape the heat in the water rapids or ride rides such as Tornado, Abismo or the Lanzadera. Also, if you go with the little ones, they will be amazed by the children's themed installations such as Nickelodeon Land.
- Parque Warner de Madrid: This is another alternative if you are a lover of the Warner Bros and DC Comics world. Opened in 2002, it has 34 attractions, including 6 roller coasters and 4 water rides, perfect for this time of the year.
- Zoo Aquarium of Madrid: Another ideal plan if you are travelling with children and friends is the Zoo Aquarium of Madrid which has more than 333 different species from the five different continents. It also has an aquarium and an aviary.
- Faunia in Madrid: And if you still want to explore the animal world, don't miss this theme park that combines the natural and traditional zoological ecosystem with more than 700 animal species and a thousand plant species.
2. Escape the heat with a stroll through the Retiro Park
What better place to escape the heat than the Retiro, one of the essential places to see and do in Madrid. The most popular park in the city hides many stories and monuments. For this reason, I recommend you to take a two and a half hour tour, in which you will walk around this wonderful enclave with a tour guide who will tell you several curiosities and anecdotes that will surprise you.
Discover certain points of interest such as the Palacio de Cristal, which houses a large number of art exhibitions, or statues such as the Fallen Angel or the great Monument to Alfonso XII.
And best of all, the tour includes a tapas tasting. Need any more reason?
3. Take a trip to the Sierra
And if you want to escape the heat, don't miss a trip to the Guadarrama National Park where you will discover its wonderful natural landscapes such as La Pedriza or the mountain passes of 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 the local fauna.
In addition, before returning to Madrid, you will pass by the Mendoza Castle, a symbol of Gothic-Isabelline architecture.
Enjoy an unparalleled natural environment less than an hour from Madrid, located in the provinces of Madrid and Segovia, with mountainous landscapes and rock formations.
4. In August you'll find free museums in Madrid
August is one of the best months of the year to walk through the beautiful streets of Madrid, due to its long and sunny days. However, if you visit the city it is necessary to get to know its artistic and historical side and this can be enjoyed in its beautiful palaces and its many museums. The best part? During the summer, most of them offer free admission to all permanent exhibitions.
Once you've visited Madrid' s iconic Museo Nacional del Prado, Museo de la Reina Sofia and Palacio Real, here are some other options to consider.
- Museo Arqueológico Nacional: Located at Calle Alfonso XII, 68; the nearest metro station is Atocha.
- Museo Sorolla: Located at Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 37; the nearest metro station in Madrid is Iglesia.
- Museo del Romanticismo: Located at Calle San Mateo, 13; the nearest metro station is Tribunal- Alonso Martínez.
5. Take part in the Veranos de la Villa: a festival of gastronomy, music and art.
In the months of July and August you can enjoy the Veranos de la Villa festival in the Spanish capital; a traditional celebration among the people of Madrid and a must if you are in the city on holiday at this time of year.
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 everywhere in Madrid! The best part of the Veranos de la Villa event is the large number of different locations they use; adding at least 10 of the 21 districts that make up the city to the performance route.
How to buy tickets
To keep up to date with the calendar of performances, precise dates, prices and locations, it is best to visit the official Veranos de Villa website weeks before your trip to Madrid.
6. Don't miss out on the fun summer cinemas
No summer in Madrid would be complete without the traditional movie nights that take advantage of the time when it starts to get cooler. Various cultural and leisure centres throughout the city offer citizens the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the seventh art.
If you are in the city at this time of year, you already have the perfect excuse to walk through the streets, enjoy a good film and take a trip to the best tapas bars in Madrid.
The best summer cinemas in Madrid
Among the places in Madrid where the traditional summer cinemas are installed are:
- Fescinal: in the Parque de a Bombilla, Av. de Valladolid, film exhibitions are held from the end of June until September.
- La Terraza Magnética: Until mid-August, the rooftop terrace known as the Terraza Magnética will host summer film screenings and concert nights for anyone who wants to participate.
7. Attend the August verbenas all over Madrid
One of the best things to do in Madrid in summer, specifically in August, is to attend the traditional verbenas (street parties) that are held almost consecutively in three important 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 the people of Madrid.
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 the saints and more.
Where it takes place
- Verbenas de San Cayetano: Held between the 6th and 7th of August in the Rastro and Embajadores areas.
- Verbenas de San Lorenzo: Between the 10th and 11th of August, in the neighbourhood and the church of San Lorenzo located in Dr. Piga street.
- Fiestas de la Virgen de la Paloma: Considered the most important of the three, it takes place on the 14th and 15th of August in La Latina.
How to buy tickets
You don't need tickets for these celebrations, they are free and open to the public.
8. The Escenas del Verano Festival will have free activities
Between the months of July and September the Festival Escenas del Verano takes place in Madrid, with hundreds of activities including music, theatre, cinema, performing arts, dance, circus acts and much more.
During the almost two months of events, the festival is divided into several cycles including the traditional Summer Classics, Summer Cinema screenings, the Teatralia Circus and Galapajazz. This is complemented by the presence of family workshops and exhibitions.
Where it takes place
This event takes place in different locations in Madrid, such as: the Cervantes Birthplace Museum, the Lope de Vega Museum, the Regional Library of Madrid and many others.
To find out more about the programme of activities and locations, it is best to visit the website of the Community of Madrid, in the "culture and tourism" section, a few weeks before your trip.
How to buy tickets
The almost 500 activities taking place during the festival are completely free of charge.
9. See the best of theatre in Corral de Cervantes
From around the end of July to the end of September, the best of theatre is brought to the Corral de Cervantes every year throughout the summer season. The aim is to bring the best of the Golden Age to the public, with local actors and international companies putting on an average of 200 performances over the duration of the festival.
The staging is complemented by concerts and other cultural activities. If you visit Madrid during the summer, you can't miss this fantastic show.
Where it takes place
Traditionally the event is held in the beautiful urban park Madrid Río. To get to this area of the city, the quickest way is to take the Madrid Metro, Piramides station is the closest to the park and is only a 9 minute walk away.
How to buy tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the official website of Corral Cervantes. If you want to attend the programmed events estimate an average cost per person of €15 for the plays and €17 for the concerts.
10. Enjoy concerts at sunset in the Botanical Garden
From around mid-May to the beginning of September, the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid holds a series of concerts that take place every Friday at sunset, accompanied by the warm summer weather and the lush nature of the gardens.
If you happen to be in the city at this time of year, organise your itinerary and go to one of these performances.
The concert entitled Musical Walks in the Botanic Gardens is performed by the CaixaBank Symphony Orchestra and includes performances of cello, viola, violin and classical flute.
Where it is performed
The performances take place in the Royal Botanical Gardens of the Complutense University of Madrid. You can get there easily on the Madrid Metro, taking line 16 to Ciudad Universitaria station.
How to buy tickets
Tickets cost an average of 11€ and include a pass to enjoy the garden facilities and a ticket for the concert, which lasts 50 minutes; they can be purchased on the official website.
11. Go to the beach in Madrid: at the Mad Beach Club
From mid-June to mid-September the Mad Beach Club opens its doors. Without a doubt, it's one of the best places if you're looking for things to do at night in Madrid during the summer.
As one of the most innovative educational and sporting festivals, the Mad Beach agenda is one of the most varied you'll find in the city; with summer concerts, volleyball on the sand, cinema under the stars and much more.
Where it takes place
To attend the event you will have to go to the Escenario Puerta del Ángel stage, located at the Casa de Campo Exhibition Centre. You can get to this area of Madrid using the city's metro; the nearest stations are Puerta del Ángel and Lago.
How to buy tickets
A few weeks before your trip to Madrid, keep an eye on the official Mad Beach Club website for information on prices as well as the calendar of activities and presentations.
12. Discover the most spectacular pools in Madrid
Many emblematic pools in Madrid start opening their doors in spring, but the best time to enjoy them is undoubtedly the hot summer.
If you are visiting the city and feel like enjoying a dip with your friends and family, you will have more alternatives than you can imagine.
The best swimming pools in Madrid
- Municipal swimming pools: Open all summer. They are usually open from mid-May. Consult the listof municipal swimming pools by neighbourhood.
- Swimming pools in hotels in Madrid: Hotel Axel; Dear Hotel Madrid; Riu Plaza España; Iberostar Las Letras de la Gran Vía.
13. Take a tour of Madrid's charming street markets.
No visit to the city of Madrid would be complete without a tour of its famous street markets. They are the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of Madrid. Depending on the market and the area of the city, they can be weekly, monthly or seasonal.
The best street markets in Madrid and how to get there
- Librerías de la Cuesta de Moyano: Located in the tourist area Paseo del Arte Calle Claudio Moyano. You can get there by taking the metro to Estación del Arte-Atocha.
- Mercado de Las Ranas: It takes place in Plaza Santa Ana, Barrio de las Letras. Nearby metro stations are: Antón Martín station, Estación del Arte and Sol station.
- Mercado de Diseño - Femme Creators: In Paseo de la Chopera; Madrid Río tourist area. Legazpi is the nearest metro station.
- Mercadillo del Gato: In Plaza Cortes, Paseo del Arte tourist area. The nearest metro stations are Banco de España and Sevilla station.