10 Things to Do in Madrid in July
With summer in full swing, July is a fantastic month to enjoy the Spanish capital. Concerts, film nights, theatre, sport... Fun is guaranteed!
Plaza Mayor | © Mati Angulo
July is one of the best times to get to know Madrid because of the great range of fun and entertainment it has to offer. In addition to the traditional things to see and do in Madrid all year round, the Spanish capital offers fabulous plans specific to July. Enjoy your holiday!
1. Attend the iconic Botanical Nights concerts
Throughout the month of July you can enjoy a music festival focused mainly on jazz, blues, pop and rock. If you want to soak up the youthful atmosphere of Madrid's youth festivals, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss.
Since its foundation in 2016, the festival stands out for presenting a calendar of concerts, between 25 or 40 on average, which brings together leading artists from the local and international scene, such as Gloria Gaynor, Bomba Estéreo, Jorge Drexler, The Lumineers, Nathy Peluso, Pink Martini and many more.
And if music is your thing, you can't miss a very traditional plan: book a zarzuela dinner in Madrid and enjoy an unforgettable evening where you'll taste typical dishes from Madrid's gastronomy served by waiters who also sing zarzuela.
Where it takes place
In the Royal Botanical Garden Alfonso XIII, located in the Complutense University of Madrid. It is located in the tourist area of Princesa and can be reached by Metro de Madrid, taking line 16 to Ciudad Universitaria station.
How to buy tickets
The best way to buy tickets and find out more about the performance calendar is through the official website of the Noches del Botánico event.
2. Join the celebration of Pride in Madrid
Since 2007, the LGBT community's festival has been taking place in Madrid with week-long celebrations. They generally begin on the last Wednesday in June and last until the first Sunday in July, so if you're in Madrid during the first days of the month you can't miss it.
The celebration includes reflective acts such as the reading of the manifesto on the opening day, but also fun festive events such as the traditional Heel Race that takes place in the Chueca neighbourhood.
If you feel like getting to know Madrid's most modern areas and the city's nightlife, you can't miss out on a night tour of Madrid. You'll love it!
Where it takes place
The celebrations take place mainly in the Chueca area. During the week in the most important squares there are performances and concerts by popular artists on the local and international scene. It is best to keep an eye on the calendar of events by visiting the official Madrid Orgullo website.
How to buy tickets
This event is completely free and open to the public.
3. Enjoy Madrid's swimming pools in summer
One of the best things to do in Madrid's summer is to visit the city's fantastic swimming pools. This is an excellent opportunity if you are visiting Madrid with children, as most of the complexes have their own children's area.
In fact, you can book a seat on the Madrid tourist bus and take advantage of the opportunity to go sightseeing on your way to or from your destination. You won't get hot and tired and you will be able to see some of Madrid's most important monuments sitting comfortably.
Swimming pools in Madrid and opening dates
- City Hall Swimming Pools: They are usually open from mid-May. Consult the listof municipal swimming pools by neighbourhood.
- Community of Madrid swimming pools: They open in June and close in September. The most important ones are the one located in the Canal de Isabel II Sports Facility, the one in the Puerta de Hierro Sports Park, the one in the M86 Sports Centre and the one in the San Vicente de Paúl Sports Facility.
- Complutense de Madrid swimming pool: Exclusive only for students and professors, so you must prove you belong to a study centre.
- Warner Beach water park.
- Aquópolis de Villanueva.
4. Go to the open-air cinema nights
The best way to enjoy the best summer nights in Madrid is to attend the film festivals that take place all over the city. Check out the schedule of the different locations of Madrid's summer cinemas and prepare your itinerary to attend as many of them as your cinephile side demands.
For culture fans I have another unbeatable proposal: buy a Madrid Art Walk pass that includes tickets to the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen Museums and priority access to these three important museums.
The best summer cinemas in Madrid
- Institut Français: Located at Marqués de la Ensenada, 12. Shows every Thursday and Friday in June and July.
- Fescinal: Held in the Parque de a Bombilla, Avenida de Valladolid. From the end of June to September.
- Casa Museo Lope de Vega: Located at Calle de Cervantes, 11. The house museum holds free exhibitions every Wednesday in July.
- La Terraza Magnética: Located at Ronda de Valencia, 2; performances are held from the beginning of July until approximately the end of August.
5. Visit the Madrid Zoo Aquarium
Madrid in July can be a bit oppressive, especially if you are not used to the heat. That's why I suggest you escape the city and get in touch with the flora and fauna by booking tickets for the Madrid Zoo Aquarium.
This is one of the most important zoos in the world, with more than 20 hectares and more than 300 different species of animals and marine creatures in their natural habitats from all the continents of the world.
Its botanical garden, with more than 100 different species of plants, will also leave you impressed and best of all, you'll have access without queuing and you can enjoy the educational activities that take place daily in the park.
Where it is located
The Madrid Zoo Aquarium is located in the Casa de Campo, the lungs of the city and can be easily reached by public transport, either by bus, metro or local trains.
6. Enjoy music and poetry at CaixaForum Summer Nights
The CaixaForum Summer Nights are one of the most emblematic and traditional events in Madrid. From the end of June to the end of July, every Thursday and Friday, talented artists in the fields of music, poetry and performance take to the stage. The musical part usually includes performances of jazz, gospel and classical music.
Where it takes place
The traditional festival is held at the Caixaforum Madrid art and performance centre, located on Paseo del Prado, so you can take the opportunity to visit the Prado Museum and then attend the festival.
The area is easily accessible by the city's metro, as the Estación del Arte-Atocha metro station is just a 5-minute walk away and the Lavapiés station is just a 10-minute walk away.
How to buy tickets
The calendar of presentations, guest artists and ticket prices are posted on the official website of the Caixaforum Madrid centre.
7. The Royal Palace hosts its own jazz festival.
The city's true jazz fans look forward to the iconic Royal Palace festivals every year. Each year the concert series presents a busy schedule, usually starting in July and concluding in September.
Throughout the month there are 25 to 30 concerts with local and international performers such as Chucho Valdés, Silvana Estrada or Zenet.
The perfect combo could be to book a guided tour of the Royal Palace and then attend one of the festival's concerts.
Where it takes place
The event takes place in different locations, the most striking of which are the beautiful Jardines del Campo del Moro and the Plaza de la Armería, with seating for 1,600 guests. It is advisable to book in advance.
How to buy tickets
Keep an eye on the performance schedule. Tickets are on sale in the "concerts" section of the National Heritage website. At least one free concert will be held during the performance calendar.
8. Make the most of the opportunity to visit Segovia and Toledo from Madrid
Declared a World Heritage Site in 1986, Toledo is a city that will leave you speechless. From the Mirador del Valle viewpoint you'll be able to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city and get a first idea of everything you'll see during the day:
- You will walk through the narrow labyrinthine streets of the old town.
- Explore the Jewish Quarter of Toledo.
- You will discover the Alcázar.
- Visit the Mudejar church of Santo Tomé.
- You will visit a handicraft workshop.
- Learn about the art of damascene painting.
Then you will visit Segovia, of course always accompanied by an expert guide:
- You will see the 2nd century Roman aqueduct in the city centre.
- You will explore the heart of Segovia.
- You will contemplate the apse of the Cathedral of Segovia,
- Visit the Corpus Christi Church, the ancient major Synagogue.
- You will enter the Castle of the Alcázar of Segovia and explore for a few minutes its different rooms and chambers.
Details of interest
The tour lasts about 11 hours and costs 40 €. You can also choose the option of adding Avila, which includes a walk through the old town and along the famous city wall.
9. Enjoy the theatre with the Cervantes Choral Society
From the beginning of June until the end of October you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Coral de Cervantes theatre festival in Madrid, an event that brings the best of the Golden Age theatre to the Spanish capital.
The festival presents an intense agenda, with a programme that includes approximately 200 performances. The event is aimed at all audiences and is open to children and families. Approximately 8 theatre companies from Madrid and surrounding regions perform. Numerous concerts are also held.
Where it takes place
The event takes place in the Madrid Río urban park, which offers beautiful views of the Manzanares River. You can access this location very easily using the metro or intercity train service, the nearest station is the Piramides terminal and is only 9 minutes away.
How to buy tickets
To find out the schedule of activities you should visit the official website of the Corral Cervantes event. Historically, tickets for plays usually cost around 15€ and for concerts around 17€.
10. Music, dance and gastronomy at the Veranos de la Villa cultural festival
One of Madrid's most anticipated summer festivals takes place every year between the first days of July and the end of August.
The festival seeks to pay tribute to Madrid's culture by presenting an extensive agenda that includes: live music of different genres, performing arts, circus acts, craft exhibitions and a gastronomic fair.
And if you're a foodie you can't miss out on a gastronomic tour of Madrid: you'll visit 4 of the most emblematic tapas places and taste the delicious Spanish gastronomy. Mmm!
Where it takes place
The most interesting thing about the festival is its intense performance schedule, which includes events in different venues around the capital. More than 10 of Madrid's 21 districts, such as the Conde Duque Cultural Centre, join in the celebrations. In its central courtyard, different musical performances are held, as well as the opening ceremony of the festival.
How to buy tickets
The best thing to do is to visit the Veranos de Villa website to find out more about the festival's programme as well as the ticket prices for the next edition.