August weather: very hot and very dry
| Madrid-Retiro normals | August |
|---|---|
| Average maximum temperature | 31.3 °C |
| Average minimum temperature | 18.8 °C |
| Rainfall | 10 mm |
| Rain days (at least 1 mm) | 1.7 |
Source: AEMET, normal values for the Madrid-Retiro station (1981-2010). These are averages: a heatwave can exceed them clearly and nights stay warm. Organise your days as in July: outdoors in the morning, somewhere cool in the afternoon, outdoors again after dinner. For the whole season, see Madrid in summer; for the other months, the best time to visit Madrid.
Closures, public holiday and prices in August
15 August (Assumption) is a national public holiday: in 2026 it falls on a Saturday, in 2027 on a Sunday. On that day, check the opening hours of the places you want to visit and book your meal.
Many residents take their holidays in August. Bars, family restaurants and small shops sometimes close for part of the month, with a "cerrado por vacaciones" sign on the door. Do not assume that a closed door means the whole neighbourhood has stopped, but check before crossing the city for a specific address. The big museums, monuments and tourist sights stay open, sometimes with changed hours. The city is less congested and hotels are often more affordable than in spring. To choose a neighbourhood, see where to stay in Madrid and, for costs, the Madrid travel budget.
August 2026 events
The La Paloma, San Cayetano and San Lorenzo festivals
Three neighbourhood festivals followed one another in the centre: San Cayetano from 4 to 7 August, San Lorenzo from 8 to 11 August and the Virgen de la Paloma from 13 to 16 August 2026, with decorations, dances, concerts and family activities. 15 August is the religious day of La Paloma. The Paloma festivals page details the venues (Las Vistillas, Plaza de la Paja, Lavapiés, Embajadores). Free municipal events cost nothing; food and drinks are paid. The 2027 programme has not been announced.
Veranos de la Villa: until 29 August
The Veranos de la Villa festival ran its main programme until 29 August 2026, with open-air concerts, dance and cinema in several districts. Some associated exhibitions continued until 20 September.
The Sunday Rastro
On Sunday mornings the El Rastro flea market also runs in August, but it gets very hot quickly: arrive at opening time. See also Sundays in Madrid.
What to wear and bring in August
- Light clothes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- A water bottle; tap water is safe to drink, see tap water in Madrid.
- A thin layer for air-conditioned interiors.
- A reservation for meals at small restaurants, open or closed depending on the week.
- If you feel unwell from the heat, call 112; see health and emergencies in Madrid.
The best things to do in August
- Air-conditioned museums: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum; check the hours for the day.
- Parks early in the morning: Retiro Park or Madrid Río.
- Late afternoon: the Círculo de Bellas Artes terrace or the Temple of Debod.
- A cooler day: the Sierra de Guadarrama or a day trip from Madrid, checking opening hours.
- Dining late: see meal times in Madrid.
August 2026 at a glance
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 7 August | San Cayetano festival | Embajadores and Rastro, free entry |
| 8 to 11 August | San Lorenzo festival | Lavapiés, free entry |
| 13 to 16 August | Virgen de la Paloma festival | La Latina, Las Vistillas |
| Saturday 15 August | Assumption | National public holiday |
| Until 29 August | Veranos de la Villa (42nd edition) | Free or paid depending on the show |
| All month | 31.3 °C in the afternoon, fewer than 2 rain days | Some small businesses closed |
Going further
August follows what to do in Madrid in July and comes before what to do in Madrid in September. For all the neighbourhood festivals, see Madrid's popular festivals.
