What to do in the summer in Madrid

If you are going to spend summer in Madrid, whether you’re a local resident or have decided to go on a short getaway to the capital during the warmer months, Madrid offers a bunch of possibilities! Apart from the sunny terraces, the relaxing strolls across the city centre, the theatre visits and the touristy excursions around Madrid, at L&H Hotels we’ve put together a selection of other great plans to enjoy your summer in Madrid.

Rooftop terraces

There are many buildings with amazing rooftop terraces to enjoy a drink on a summer night in Madrid. Therefore, we have put together a selection of the best rooftops in Madrid, where you can enjoy fresh vermouth, go for lunch, watch the sunset, dine or have a cheeky drink to start experiencing Madrid’s nightlife. The trending rooftops this year are Picalagartos, the rooftop at Hyatt Centric, El Círculo de Bellas Artes, ABC Serrano, Madrid Skyline, Gourmet experience in Serrano or Callao streets, Room Oscar or the forever-famous Gymage.

Grease style drive-in cinema

A huge novelty when it comes to enjoying the best summer plans in Madrid is the drive-in cinema. They’ve recently opened a new open-air one right at the end of the famous Paseo de la Castellana. This is a fantastic option to watch a movie from your car, with the sound coming out through your vehicle radio. There is also a gastronomic space in the venue called the Ambigú, where you can eat and drink in a classic 50’s Hollywood film style.

“Veranos de la villa”

As they do every year, “Veranos de la Villa” offers a marvellous cultural and leisure programme both in the city centre and the outskirts. From June to September, a series of concerts, theatre shows, movies, magic and alternative spectacles and all sorts of inclusive activities will take place. 80% of the events are completely free, while those you have to pay for aren’t usually more than 15€.

San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and La Paloma festivities

During the first fortnight of August, three famous festivities in Madrid take place consecutively and in neighbouring areas. They kick off with the San Cayetano festival in the Rastro-Embajadores area from the 1st to the 5th, followed by the San Lorenzo one in Lavapiés from the 8th to the 12th. They all come to an end with La Paloma festivities, held in La Latina neighbourhood between the 11th and the 15th of August. Traditional dances, concerts, food stalls, and a big boost of life and colour. If you want to enjoy these fun parties, your best option is to stay in one of the hotels in the centre of Madrid.

Who said there was no beach in Madrid?

Right, we don’t have a beach, but we do know the best way to freshen up, especially now that we have our own “special beach”. There is a particular area in Madrid where you can enjoy the water and sunbathe without there being a beach or a pool. We’re talking about Madrid Río, the 21st Century park surrounded by water fountains and grassland that attracts hundreds of locals and visitors who want to cool down, unwind or spend a fun family day out.

Furthermore, another fantastic idea to enjoy a summer afternoon without being fully in the heat is visiting the San Juan reservoir or the natural pools in the Sierra de Madrid. However, if you don’t want to travel too far, you can also find beautiful covered areas and terraces to enjoy a refreshing drink and relax surrounded by water fountains in any of the parks around Madrid, such as the Parque del Retiro or Juan Carlos I.

You’ve got no excuse… Now you know exactly what to do in Madrid this summer!