Madrid in the heat: shade, museums and a long siesta
How to spend a day in the city in summer, when temperatures easily exceed +35°C.
Do not try to walk all day
In summer, central Madrid heats up sharply by midday. Instead of long routes, it is better to build the day around a few places that are easy to reach on foot or by metro.
The most comfortable times for walking are the morning before 11 a.m. and the evening after sunset.
Use the middle of the day differently
From midday onward, it is better to move activity indoors. The Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum or the Reina Sofía allow you to wait out the hottest hours in comfort.
After the museum, take a long lunch or coffee break instead of rushing straight back onto the street.
The city comes alive in the evening
After eight in the evening, the streets fill with people again. This is the best time for walks along Gran Vía, Plaza de España or the Malasaña district, where terraces and small bars are open.
Do not be surprised if many restaurants only start filling up after nine in the evening — for Madrid, that is the usual rhythm of life.