Top 5 reasons to visit Madrid this summer

Discover summer in Madrid

Now that summer is well and truly upon us and we're all basking in the glorious Spanish sunshine, we thought we'd take some time to reflect on all the other things that make summers in Madrid so special. Although it is an amazing and exciting city to visit all year round, there are tons of reasons why you should definitely make the trip this summer. Here in this article we present you with our top 5.

 

1. Parks and Swimming pools in Madrid

 

The Retiro Park in summer
The perfect place to enjoy the sun

Madrid is home to some of the best parks in Spain, the most famous of which is the Retiro. Situated right in the centre of the city, the Retiro is one of the most popular spots in Madrid for those seeking to make the most of the Spanish sun or those that simply need their daily fix of nature. Local Madrilenians gather there to have picnics, do sports, have siestas and generally take a break from the city life. In fact, both the students and the Spanish teachers at AIL Madrid go to Retiro for lunch after class. When the weather gets too hot and you need to cool down, Madrid is full of public swimming pools where you can go for a refreshing dip. The fares are modest, the swimming pools are well maintained and there is always a friendly welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're a keen swimmer, or simply want to sunbathe by the poolside, Madrid's vast selection of public swimming pools won't disappoint.

2. Tapas in Madrid

 

Madrilenians enjoying some tapas
in the sun

Madrid is famous for its tapas. Tapas are a great representation of the typical Mediterranean diet and consist of a vast array of small portions of quality food, ranging from cheeses and meats to paella and seafood and are perfect for summer. In some of the more traditional bars which you'll find in abundance in the neighbourhoods outside the centre of Madrid, you are given a portion of tapas with every drink you order. Sitting outside on a terrace in the sun with an ice cold beer or sangria and some tasty tapas is the perfect way to socialize and experience traditional Spanish culture. One of the nicest places to go for tapas in Madrid is La Latina district where the old streets are filled end to end with tapas bars. Trying to make your way from one end to the other, going into each bar you pass for some tapas and a a drink, is a great food challenge.

3. Mountains and Lakes

 

 

Manzanares el Real
The perfect summer day-trip

Less than 50 km north of Madrid you will find some of Spain's most stunning landscapes and scenery. The mountainside village of Manzanares el Real has everything - mountains, lakes, typical Spanish cuisine, an ancient castle and a fascinating history. You can go hillwalking in the mountains and take in the breathtaking scenery, grab something to eat in the village, visit the castle and go for a swim in the lake to cool off at the end of the day. It is the perfect summer day trip and is only a 45 minute bus journey from the centre of Madrid. 

The 742 bus leaves regularly from the Plaza de Castilla and tickets cost only €3.50.

4. Sales: Shopping in Madrid

 

Gran Via Madrid
Spain's shopping utopia

Madrid is the fashion capital of Spain, boasting a huge variety of independent shops and shopping centres which are home to all the world's leading fashion labels. A walk around the centre of Madrid in summer and you will find it is littered with shops to suit everyone's tastes. You are certain to find the bargain you are looking for, especially from the end of June onwards when the sales start and reductions as high as 50% off are commonplace. If you're summer wardrobe needs replenishing, there's no better time or place to do so than in Madrid this summer.

5. Perfect destination to learn Spanish

 

Madrid is without a doubt the best place to learn Spanish. It is widely accepted that the people of Madrid speak the purest form of Castellano, and unlike some of the other Spanish cities, it is the only language spoken in the street.

The people of Madrid are very proud of both their city and their language and as a result, they take very kindly to foreigners that try and speak Spanish, something they see as a great compliment. Being that it is the capital, it is the political and cultural centre of the whole of Spain – you can't ask for a better environment than that to learn the language. Here at AIL Madrid, we organise all sorts of fun activities for our students during summer, which happens to be the most popular time of the year. That means more fun, more friends, more parties and more opportunities to practice your Spanish.

There you have it, our top 5 reasons why you should visit Madrid this summer. If you need any more reasons to come visit, be sure to check out our website where you'll find lots of information about Madrid and how you can learn more about the Spanish language, traditions and culture.