Summer in Madrid Río: open-air cinema, terraces and plans for the heat

Madrid in summer has a reputation for being an oven, and the fame is deserved. But we Madrid people know where it’s good when the asphalt burns: next to the river. This is our summer manual in Madrid Río.

Summer cinema at Matadero

The Matadero programs open-air cinema in summer: classics and recent films under the stars, in the warehouse area. The rounded plan is a movie + light dinner on one of the terraces of the venue. Check their agenda when you arrive in the city: sessions are announced by week and usually fill up.

Terraces by the water

Throughout the park, especially in the Arganzuela and Matadero sections, there are terraces for having breakfast, having vermouth or dining outdoors. The difference with the downtown terraces: here there is a breeze, shade from trees and views of the park instead of traffic.

The water jets

With children, the summer master plan: the urban beach of Madrid Río. Free, refreshing and ten minutes from home.

Long sunsets

In summer it gets dark after half past nine. The golden hour next to the Arganzuela Bridge — the propeller lighting up as the sky goes out — is one of the best free images of Madrid.

Survival Tips

• Local time: indoors from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (museums, nap, shopping); outside from 7:30 p.m.
• Water: bring a bottle; There are fountains in the park to refill.
• Big festival next door: In summer, the city’s big festival (Mad Cool) is held in Villaverde, in the district neighboring Usera — another reason to sleep in this area if you come to concerts.

Staying next to the river changes the summer in Madrid. Look at our accommodations in Usera and turn the heat into the best plan of the year.

Cover photo: María Sacristán, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.