Things to Do in Spain in July
July weather, activities, events & insider tips
July Weather in Spain
Is July Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak summer festival season - July brings San Fermín in Pamplona (July 6-14), countless village fiestas across the country, and the best outdoor cultural programming in cities like Madrid and Barcelona with open-air concerts and cinema screenings
- Mediterranean beaches and coastal areas hit their stride - water temperatures reach 24-26°C (75-79°F), perfect for swimming, and beach towns have full services operating with beach clubs, water sports, and evening chiringuito culture in full swing
- Extended daylight hours give you serious exploring time - sunset doesn't happen until 21:30-22:00 (9:30-10:00 PM) in most of Spain, meaning you can sightsee until early evening, take a break during the afternoon heat, and still have hours of daylight left
- Spanish summer lifestyle is at its peak - terraza culture dominates, locals eat dinner at 22:00-23:00 (10:00-11:00 PM) when it's cooler, and cities feel genuinely alive until 2:00-3:00 AM with a social energy you won't find other months
Considerations
- Interior cities like Madrid, Seville, and Córdoba regularly hit 38-42°C (100-108°F) during the day - this isn't just warm, it's genuinely oppressive heat where you'll need to structure your entire day around avoiding midday sun and seeking air conditioning
- July is peak tourist season with corresponding prices - accommodation costs typically run 40-60% higher than shoulder season, major attractions have 60-90 minute wait times even with advance tickets, and coastal areas get genuinely crowded with both international tourists and Spanish families on summer holiday
- Many locals take their annual vacation in August, but businesses start closing for summer holidays in late July - you might find your favorite neighborhood restaurant shuttered or shops with reduced hours, particularly in smaller cities and towns where this tradition runs stronger
Best Activities in July
Northern Coast Beach Towns - Basque Country and Cantabria
While everyone flocks to the Mediterranean, Spain's northern Atlantic coast offers something special in July - temperatures around 24-26°C (75-79°F) instead of the scorching southern heat, beautiful beaches like La Concha in San Sebastián that locals actually prefer in summer, and the bonus of incredible pintxo culture. The water is cooler at 20-22°C (68-72°F) but refreshing rather than cold, and you'll experience authentic Spanish beach culture without the Mediterranean crowds. The Basque Country particularly shines with its food scene - July brings peak season for seafood and the famous txakoli wine harvest approaches.
Early Morning Alhambra and Granada Exploration
Granada in July requires strategy, but get it right and you'll understand why this city captivates people. Book the first Alhambra entry slot at 8:30 AM when temperatures are still manageable at 22-24°C (72-75°F) and the complex is relatively empty. By 10:00 AM you're done with the main palace and can retreat to the Generalife gardens where centuries-old irrigation systems keep things surprisingly cool. Spend midday in the Albaicín's carmen restaurants with shaded patios, then explore the neighborhood's narrow streets in late afternoon when shadows return. July evenings in Granada are magical - outdoor flamenco in Sacromonte caves, rooftop bars with Alhambra views, and the kind of warm night air that makes you understand why Spaniards live outside in summer.
White Villages of Andalucía - Hill Town Escapes
The pueblos blancos like Ronda, Arcos de la Frontera, and Grazalema offer a different July experience - yes, it's hot at 35-37°C (95-99°F) midday, but these villages were designed for summer heat with narrow streets providing constant shade, thick whitewashed walls keeping interiors cool, and elevated positions catching breezes that valley cities miss. July is actually ideal for experiencing authentic Andalusian summer life - locals sit in shaded plazas until late evening, restaurants serve gazpacho and salmorejo at their peak, and you'll find summer festivals in smaller villages that tourists rarely see. The dramatic landscapes around Ronda look their best before August browns everything out.
Pyrenees Mountain Hiking and Valley Exploration
July is the absolute best month for the Spanish Pyrenees - mountain passes are fully clear of snow, wildflowers are at peak bloom, and temperatures at elevation stay comfortable at 18-22°C (64-72°F) while the rest of Spain bakes. The Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Aigüestortes, and valleys around Benasque offer serious hiking with refugio-to-refugio routes for experienced trekkers or easy valley walks for families. You're also hitting peak season for Pyrenean culture - shepherds move flocks to high pastures, mountain cheese production is in full swing, and valley towns host summer festivals. The contrast with coastal Spain is dramatic - you'll need a light jacket for evenings.
Madrid's Summer Terrace Culture and Evening Museum Hours
Madrid in July requires embracing the local rhythm - the city empties slightly as locals head to the coast, which actually makes it easier to navigate. The key is timing: sleep late, have a leisurely breakfast, then hit museums from opening until 13:00 when heat peaks at 38-40°C (100-104°F). Retreat to air-conditioned spaces or hotel pools for the afternoon siesta that suddenly makes perfect sense. The magic starts around 19:00-20:00 when temperatures drop to 30-32°C (86-90°F) and the city comes alive - rooftop bars, terrace restaurants in neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca, and outdoor cultural events like Veranos de la Villa festival programming. Major museums offer extended evening hours in summer, letting you visit the Prado or Reina Sofía from 18:00-20:00 when it's cooler.
Balearic Islands - Ibiza, Menorca, and Mallorca Beyond the Beaches
The Balearics in July mean perfect beach weather - 29-31°C (84-88°F) air temperature, 25-26°C (77-79°F) water, and virtually guaranteed sunshine. But the real insider move is exploring beyond the coasts: Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana mountains stay cooler for morning hikes, Menorca's interior towns like Ciutadella host traditional summer fiestas with horses and medieval pageantry, and even Ibiza has quiet agricultural villages and sunset watching spots away from the club scene. July is also peak season for boat trips to smaller islands and coves only accessible by water - the calm Mediterranean conditions make this the most reliable month for island-hopping adventures.
July Events & Festivals
San Fermín - Running of the Bulls
Pamplona's world-famous festival runs July 6-14 every year - this is Spain's most internationally recognized fiesta with the encierro (bull run) each morning at 8:00 AM, but the real experience is the 24-hour street party atmosphere, traditional processions, and the way an entire city transforms for nine days. You don't need to run with bulls to experience San Fermín - the festival includes concerts, fireworks, traditional Basque sports, and the kind of communal celebration that defines Spanish festival culture. Fair warning: accommodation within 100 km (62 miles) books out 6-12 months ahead, and the city is genuinely packed with over a million visitors.
Veranos de la Villa - Madrid Summer Arts Festival
Madrid's major summer cultural program runs throughout July and August with open-air concerts, theater, dance performances, and cinema screenings in parks, plazas, and historic venues across the city. Most events are free or low-cost (5-15 EUR), and the programming is genuinely excellent - this isn't tourist entertainment but what locals actually attend. The outdoor cinema series in Parque del Retiro and concerts in the Jardines del Museo Sorolla take advantage of those long summer evenings and make the July heat worthwhile.
Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB)
One of Europe's major music festivals happens in mid-July in this coastal town between Valencia and Barcelona. While it's evolved from its indie rock roots to broader programming, FIB still attracts major international acts and Spanish bands, with the beach location meaning you can swim during the day and see concerts at night. The festival runs 4 days with camping options or hotel stays in nearby towns. This represents Spain's summer festival culture where music, beach life, and social scene merge into one experience.