13 Things to Do in Madrid in August
Madrid in August, despite the heat, you'll love it, as you can enjoy street parties, 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 live to the fullest all the festivals and cultural activities that flood the city and complete all the attractions that Madrid already offers to its visitors throughout the year.
Thus, during the month of August you will be able to have fun in several festivals that take place in different neighborhoods of the capital. Theater lovers, meanwhile, also have their space in Madrid, as well as those who do not miss a concert. Finally, don't forget to bring your swimsuit in case you feel like escaping the heat in a swimming pool.
1. Have fun like a kid at the best attractions in Madrid
Summer is an ideal time to enjoy, both with family and friends, some of the most fun leisure plans in Madrid, such as its amusement parks or 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 ride the roller coasters, escape the heat in the water rapids or ride rides like Tornado, Abismo or the Shuttle. In addition, if you go with the little ones, they will be amazed with the children's themed facilities such as Nickelodeon Land.
- Warner Park in 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 traveling 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, do not miss this theme park that unites 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 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 numerous stories and various monuments. Therefore, I recommend you to take a two and a half hour tour, in which you will walk through this wonderful enclave with a tour guide who will tell you various curiosities and anecdotes that will surprise you.
Discover certain points of interest such as the Crystal Palace, 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 from the heat, don't miss an excursion 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 personalized experience in which you will go with a professional guide who will explain in detail the great geological wealth and its 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 will 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 know its most artistic and historical part and this can be enjoyed in its beautiful palaces and its many museums. The best part? During the summer a large part of them offer free opening hours for all permanent exhibitions.
When you have already visited the emblematic Museo Nacional del Prado, the Museo de la Reina Sofia and the Royal Palace of Madrid, here are some other options to consider.
- National Archaeological Museum: Located at Calle Alfonso XII, 68; the nearest metro station is Atocha.
- Sorolla Museum: Located at Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 37; the closest metro station is Iglesia.
- Museo del Romanticismo: Located at Calle San Mateo, 13; the nearest metro station is Tribunal- Alonso Martínez.
5. Participate 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 vacation for these dates.
The proposal of the festival is varied and interesting, 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 to the route of presentations at least 10 of the 21 districts that make up the city.
How to buy tickets
To be aware of 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 centers throughout the city offer citizens the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the seventh art.
If you are in the city for these dates you already have the perfect excuse to walk the streets, enjoy a good movie and take a tour of 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 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 called La Terraza Magnética will host summer movie 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 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 the people of Madrid.
The neighborhood celebrations include several of the following activities: small competitions, children's games, mus championships, performances by local musical groups, tapas bar tours, parades with processions of the saints and more.
Where it takes place
- Verbenas de San Cayetano: Held between August 6 and 7 in the Rastro and Embajadores areas.
- Verbenas de San Lorenzo: Between August 10 and 11, in the neighborhood 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 August 14 and 15 in La Latina.
How to buy tickets
You do not need tickets for these celebrations, they are free and open to the public.
8. The Scenes of Summer Festival will have free activities
Between the months of July and September, the Escenas del Verano Festival takes place in Madrid, with hundreds of activities including music, theater, cinema, performing arts, dance, circus acts and much more.
During the nearly two months of events, the festival is divided into several cycles that include the traditional Summer Classics, Summer Cinema screenings, the Teatralia Circus and the 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 know in detail the program of activities and locations it is best to visit the website of the Community of Madrid, in the section "culture and tourism", a few weeks before your trip.
How to buy tickets
The almost 500 activities that take place during the festival are completely free.
9. Attend the best of theater at Corral de Cervantes
Approximately from the end of July to the end of September, the best of theater takes place every year at the Corral de Cervantes during the entire summer season. The objective is to bring to the public the best of the Golden Age by local actors and international companies that perform an average of 200 performances during the duration of the festival.
The staging is complemented by the presence of concerts and other cultural activities. If you visit Madrid during the summer you cannot miss this fantastic show.
Where it takes place
Traditionally the event is held in the beautiful urban park Madrid Rio. To get to this area of the city, the fastest way is to take the Metro of Madrid, Piramides station is the closest to the park is only 9 minutes walk.
How to buy tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the official website of Corral Cervantes. If you want to attend the scheduled 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 about 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 are in the city for these dates organize your itinerary and go to one of these performances.
The concert entitled Musical Walks in the Botanical 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 at the Royal Botanical Garden of the Complutense University of Madrid. You can easily get there by Metro de Madrid, taking line 16 to Ciudad Universitaria station.
How to buy tickets
Tickets have an average cost of 11€ and include the pass to enjoy the garden facilities and the ticket for the concert that 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 doors of the Mad Beach Club are open. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best places if you are looking for what to do at night in Madrid during the summer.
Being one of the most innovative educational and sports festivals, the Mad Beach agenda is one of the most varied you can 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 must go to the Escenario Puerta del Angel stage, located in the fairgrounds of the Casa de Campo. You can access this area of Madrid using the city's subway; the nearest stations are Puerta del Angel and Lago stations.
How to buy tickets
One week before your trip to Madrid keep an eye on the official website of the Mad Beach Club for information on prices but also on the calendar of activities and presentations.
12. Discover the most spectacular pools in Madrid
Many emblematic pools in Madrid begin to open their doors in spring, but undoubtedly the best time to enjoy it is the hot summer.
If you are visiting the city and you 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 pools: Open all summer. They usually start their activity from mid-May. Consult the listof municipal swimming pools by neighborhoods.
- 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, these can be weekly, monthly or seasonal markets.
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.