Thinking about spending your summer in Madrid? You’re in for something special. From natural mountain pools to neighborhood festivals that go on till dawn, Madrid offers an unforgettable blend of experiences. No matter what you’re here for, this guide will help you make the most of this captivating city.
Is Madrid a good place to spend summer as a student?
Absolutely. Madrid is one of Europe’s sunniest capitals, with over 2,800 hours of sunshine a year. The summer weather heats up to 35–40°C, but the city has perfected the art of hot-weather living. There’s a unique rhythm to living in Madrid in summer, with slow mornings, siestas in the afternoon and nights that don’t start till the sun goes down at 10 p.m.
In July and August, Madrileños eat dinner late, and you’ll see families with children strolling in the streets long past midnight. For visitors, summer means fewer crowds at major attractions, lots of daylight, plenty of time to explore and a full cultural calendar.
What to do in Madrid in summer: must-experience activities
Parks and green spaces: Madrid offers plenty of places to cool off in nature during the day. The Retiro has shady trees and a boating lake, with boats for hire. Casa de Campo, meanwhile, is massive at 1,500 hectares, and features an amusement park and cable car. If you have more time, take a day trip to the mountains to hike or just enjoy the lower temperatures.
Museums and culture: The world-renowned Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza art museums offer air-conditioned escapes from the heat and shorter lines than during the cooler parts of the year. Outdoor movie nights pop up in parks and plazas, showing everything from Spanish classics to Hollywood blockbusters.
Summer events in Madrid: Festivals including Mad Cool, Reggaeton Beach and Noches del Botánico let you catch some of the world’s biggest artists. Veranos de la Villa offers plenty to do outside, including free concerts and dance performances. The traditional neighborhood festivals in August, like La Paloma in La Latina, offer an authentic local nightlife experience.
Time for a swim: While Madrid doesn’t have a beach, the inexpensive municipal pools dotted around the city let you dive in and cool down. Many hotels offer pool day passes for a more sophisticated vibe. In the mountains, natural pools have refreshingly cold springs in an idyllic setting. Or you can head about 20 minutes west of the city to Aquópolis, one of the largest water parks in Europe.
Best places to eat and drink
Madrid’s summer food and tapas culture revolves around terrace dining and clever ways to stay cool. Many locals adopt a diet of salads, gazpacho, ice cream and the summer wine cocktail tinto de verano. Look for terraces with overhead sprinklers and fans if you’re eating while the sun’s out.
If you want something different, dine out at one of the many restaurants around the lake in Casa de Campo, providing a backdrop of greenery rather than concrete and fresher air. Or step into an air-conditioned market, including Mercados San Fernando, San Antón, Vallehermoso, or de la Paz.
As the sun sets, head up to a rooftop bar for cooling breezes, stunning views and creative food and cocktails. Some of the best include the 360° Rooftop Bar at Riu Plaza España, El Jardín de Diana, Ginkgo, and Casa Suecia.
Where to meet people in Madrid in summer
The Spanish capital has a strong international community of students and young professionals from all over the world. Many stay over summer, and the relaxed pace makes them more eager to strike up conversations and meet new people.
Despite the heat, there are still plenty of Madrid summer activities bringing everyone together. Bars still host language exchanges and quiz nights. Group yoga and walking tours allow you to bond over shared interests. And co-working spaces host networking events and workshops, making meeting people a lot easier.
Make your summer count
While the hotter months are ideal for checking out major tourist attractions with sparser crowds, studying abroad in Madrid over the summer is about so much more. Here, you can immerse yourself in a culture that values connection, creativity and living life to the fullest and making the most of your summer.
Whether you’re exploring summer school options or looking for courses to take your career to the next level, IE University Summer School offers a wide range of programs. From arts and culture to breakthrough technology and business innovation, an academic summer in Madrid is an unbeatable opportunity to learn valuable skills, meet new people and discover a diverse, dynamic and vibrant global city.
Experiencing summer courses in Madrid could be the launchpad for your next chapter. Are you ready to experience the ultimate Madrid summer lifestyle? Learn more about summer courses at IE University Summer School.
