July weather: hot, dry and sunny
| Madrid-Retiro normals | July |
|---|---|
| Average maximum temperature | 32.1 °C |
| Average minimum temperature | 19.0 °C |
| Rainfall | 12 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 cool down very little. The sun shines an average of 355 hours in July, the sunniest month of the year, with average humidity of about 38%: the heat is dry, but dehydration comes quickly. For the whole season, see Madrid in summer; to compare every month, read the best time to visit Madrid.
Crowds, prices and public holidays in July
No national public holiday falls in July: museums, monuments and shops are open. Crowds are high at the best-known sights, especially early in the month around Pride, when central hotels are booked long in advance and prices rise. In the second half of the month many Madrileños start their holidays and the city empties a little, without closing. To choose a neighbourhood, see where to stay in Madrid, and to estimate your spending the Madrid travel budget. Check that air conditioning is included in your room.
July 2026 events
Madrid Pride: early July
Madrid Pride took place from 25 June to 5 July 2026, with the main march on Saturday 4 July. Around these dates, book accommodation early and expect crowds and access changes in the centre. The 2027 dates have not been announced yet.
Mad Cool: 8 to 11 July 2026
The Mad Cool festival celebrated its tenth edition from 8 to 11 July 2026, at the Iberdrola Music site in Villaverde, in the south of the city. It is a paid-ticket festival with controlled entry, far from the centre: plan your late-night return before buying. The 2027 lineup has not been announced.
Noches del Botánico: concerts in the garden
The tenth edition of Noches del Botánico ran from 3 June to 31 July 2026 in the Royal Botanical Garden: about sixty open-air concerts, with tickets priced by evening. Check the artist, time and access conditions before booking.
Veranos de la Villa: concerts, dance and cinema
The Veranos de la Villa festival began on 7 July 2026 and continued until 29 August. Some events are free, others paid; choose a show first, then its venue.
What to wear and bring in July
- Light, pale clothes, a hat and sunglasses.
- Sunscreen: the sun is strong from the morning.
- A water bottle: tap water is safe to drink, see tap water in Madrid.
- A light layer for air-conditioned interiors, which can be very cool.
- Comfortable walking shoes: the pavement holds the heat in the evening.
- If you feel unwell from the heat, call 112; our guide to health and emergencies in Madrid gives the essentials.
The best things to do in July
- Outdoors in the morning: Madrid Río or Retiro Park before 11 am, then head back into the shade.
- Cool afternoons: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum; pick a few rooms rather than the whole museum.
- Sunset: the Temple of Debod or the Círculo de Bellas Artes terrace.
- Night: dine late like Madrileños (see meal times in Madrid) and the outings described in Madrid at night.
- A day out of the city: the Sierra de Guadarrama is cooler than the centre.
July 2026 at a glance
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 25 June to 5 July | Madrid Pride | March on Saturday 4 July |
| 3 June to 31 July | Noches del Botánico (10th edition) | Paid concerts, Botanical Garden |
| 7 July to 29 August | Veranos de la Villa (42nd edition) | Free or paid depending on the show |
| 8 to 11 July | Mad Cool (10th edition) | Villaverde, paid ticket |
| All month | 32.1 °C in the afternoon, about 2 rain days | No national public holiday |
Going further
July follows what to do in Madrid in June and comes before what to do in Madrid in August. For neighbourhood festivals, see Madrid's popular festivals.
