(Originally posted July 2026)
It’s hot in the city – VERY hot!!
Temperatures in Madrid soar in July and August to as much as 45º C (113ºF), and that’s in the shade! Areas of pavement sitting in the sun have registered temperatures of up to 65ºC+ (149ºF+)…
And it doesn’t get much fresher at night as the concrete soaks up the heat during the day and lets it out at night, so it only ever really cools down at about 5am and then by 7am it is beginning to get hot again!
Many Madrileños leave the city in August and seek refuge from the heat in the mountains or at the beach and many of the city’s bars close down.
This makes Madrid sound like a summer inferno, and in some ways it is. But it is a dry heat, so is somewhat more bearable, and I am a cold-loving Scot…, and with many less people in the street it can be an interesting time to visit the Spanish capital.
Tips for keeping cool(er)!
Here are a few suggestions on how to battle the heat while you are in Madrid.
Get air conditioned accommodation
Air-conditioning is a MUST in Madrid in the summer and all hotels are bound to have it. However be more careful with Airbnbs and hostales (generally 2* and below hotels) and check that they have it installed. If you are caught out, a fan with a spray (get one of the sprayers you use for doing the ironing) can help a bit!
Do any outdoor activities in the morning
The hottest time of the day in Spain is between 4pm and 7pm, so while I am not usually a morning person, in July and August it is the time to be up and about! Get your sightseeing done before lunch while things are tad cooler!
Visit air-conditioned museums
This kills two birds with one stone – not only do you get to see some of Madrid’s fantastic art, but galleries and museums are a haven of coolness in the summer (you might even need a light sweater for while you are inside admiring the masterpieces!)
Have a siesta
This tradition is specifically designed for when the weather is too hot to work (or do anything much at all), so after lunch hit the sack for a while. They say the ideal siesta is designed to last only 20 mins but I suggest going for a full 2 hours -wake up feeling a bit bleary-eyed, have a cool shower and be ready for the evening!
Eat late
Spain has a very late night culture which helps with the intense heat. Lunchtime in Madrid is any time between 1pm and 4pm (I would suggest starting at 230pm) and dinner starts from 9pm-930pm (better 10pm or 1030pm)! So get onto the Spanish timetable if you can. It makes an enormous difference.
Go for a pre-breakfast stroll
Have an early morning stroll around the Royal Palace, Retiro Park or other gardens and then go for breakfast in Chocolateria San Gines or a local cafe (don’t expect to find much breakfast till 9am). It’s a lovely time to be out and you will often come across weird and wonderful sights – last time I went past the Palace I witnessed a more mature local doing yoga in headphones and pyjamas!!!!
Get a hotel with a pool
They undoubtedly will have a premium price but roof-top pools in the city centre hotels are all the rage, so if you fancy a dip to refresh yourself a bit, do see what you can find!!!!
Roof-top terraces
Once the sun has gone down (or even to see the sunset), roof-top terraces with a mister are great. It might not be good for the perm, but boy does it help you cool down!!!! My favourites are in the Hotel Riu or the Círculo de Bellas Artes
Sun Protection
It’s very obvious, but always carry sunscreen, hats and bottles of water. You will see locals flapping Spanish fans all over the place and while it often might seem you are just moving hot air around it does make a big difference!
A few words of warning
Bars
Many bars/restaurants close or reduce their opening hours without warning in Aug. Check bars are open and always have a back-up plan (don’t rely on google timings as often they are not updated, so if in doubt ring or get your hotel to ring to check)
Fires
We have just experienced the worst fires in the history of Spain in the Community of Madrid (NOT the capital) with 55,000 people evacuated from their homes and more that 25,000 hectares burnt (that’s more than 35,000 football pitches or 73 Central Parks). So please be very careful not to discard cigarette butts or rubbish (any spark or reflection can spark a fire). If you spot a fire, call the emergency number 112.
Our tours
As much of Madrid’s restaurant scene shuts down in August, we take advantage to escape the heat and take some summer holidays too. However we do have some limited tours and can often add last minute availability, so do keep an eye on our calendar if you would like to join us.
Talking about the sun!
On 12th August 2026 there is going to be a total solar eclipse (you can see this in North of the Madrid region but only partially in the capital). At 838pm 70% of the sun will be covered and visible from central Madrid (the process starts at 630pm), so if you fancy seeing it grab the protective glasses (EN ISO 12312-2) and find a high vantage point.