Ultimate Guide to Madrid's Best Summer Cinema – Open-air theaters, film festivals, special screenings and more!

by James

When it comes to film, Madrid goes all out during summer—the city’s movie theaters, museums and cultural centers offer open-air cinema and special screenings, with tickets costing an average of 3€ (or sometimes, free!)

Here’s a list of 12 places to catch some of Madrid’s best summer cinema, brought to you by the Spotahome team. Enjoy!

1. Conde Duque, The Urban Beach Cinema

Conde Duque is a cultural center that holds free exhibits all year long. Every summer, it shows films outside on its 300-m2 screen for up to 800 viewers. This year, Conde Duque is taking the party to the next level with its beach-themed offerings – food trucks, a DJ and picnic tables will all be set up in its courtyard, and the pop-up market, Nomada Market, will be selling independent designer items on Saturday and Sunday. So even if you missed the movie, you’ll have plenty to enjoy!

  • Price: 6€
  • When: July 10 – September 12
  • Hours: Terrace: open from Sunday to Thursday, 12pm-12:30am, Friday and Saturday from 12pm-2:30am, with free access. Pop-Up Nómada Market: open on the weekend from 11am to 12am.
  • **Movie schedule & Tickets: Conde Duque Web & Urban Beach Cinema Web

2. Cine de Cibeles, Sunset Cinema – classics in the palace

The gorgeous Palacio de Cibeles is holding a film festival called “Sunset Cinema” from July 1 – Sep 3. Attendees will get the chance to view a different classic movie every day under the stunning glass roof. Don’t miss it!

  • Price: 6€
  • When: July 1st – September 3
  • Movie schedule & Tickets: Sunset Cinema Web
  • Where: Plaza Cibeles, 1

3. Renoir – movies you missed for €4!

Renoir theater is located near metro Plaza de España and shows movies in original version. Throughout the summer, you can see all the films you didn’t see from last year (or see them again) for just €4, thanks to its campaign called – “Missed it? smile!”

4. Museo del Traje, Thursday Film & Fashion Series I

Madrid’s fashion museum, located near Moncloa, is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been. During the summer, the museum puts on a film series, presented by Hola Fashion. Every Thursday you can see a different film, such as Moulin Rouge or Les Miserables for free, as long as you get there in time! You can only get tickets at the museum, 30 minutes before the showing.

  • Price: free
  • When: July 2 – Aug 13
  • Movie schedule & Tickets: See Movie Listings Here, get tickets at the museum
  • Where: Avenida de Juan de Herrera, 2

5. Cine Doré Filmoteca Española, charming old theater

Perhaps one of Madrid’s greatest gems, Cine Doré is a unique theater situated near metro Antón Martín (and next to one of the city’s best neighborhood markets, by the way). Here you can see all types of movies year round, from old-school classics to more recent foreign films. Best of all, tickets cost €2.50, always!

6. La Casa Encendida, rooftop films!

“The Burning House” is a cultural center near Embajadores. It holds art exhibits, concerts, workshops and talks year round. On top of that, during July and August it offers film screenings out on its beautiful rooftop terrace at 10pm for only €3. This year’s screenings are dedicated to “Marcianadas”, in connection with its current exhibit, Arstronomy.

7. CineCebada, open-air short film + movie in La Latina

Campo de la Cebada is an abandoned outdoor space in the heart of La Latina. It used to be part of a sports complex that was taken down. Today, it’s a cultural space and city hang-out spot that holds a number of outdoor activities. During the summer on Thursdays at 9pm, you can see a short film and movie that are somehow related to one another.

  • Price: free
  • When: every Thursday at 9pm
  • Movie schedule & Tickets: Facebook (web is under construction)
  • Where: Plaza de la Cebada, 4

8. Casa-Museo Lope de Vega, private garden in Huertas

Nestled in the charming area of Barrio de las Letras, you’ll find the former home of one of Spain’s most famous artists, Lope de Vega. Every Wednesday and Thursday of July at 10pm, you can see a film in the house’s garden. To get your ticket, you just have to arrive at least 15 minutes before the film begins. Tickets are given as first come, first serve.

  • Price: free
  • When: every Wednesday and Thursday of July
  • Movie schedule & Tickets: See Movie Listings Here
  • Where: Calle Cervantes, 11

9. Fundación Olivar de Castillejo, in a natural oasis

Not far from Santiago Bernabéu stadium, you’ll find a foundation that keeps more than one hundred centenarian olive trees. This green oasis plays host to a number of different cultural activities throughout the year, and during the summer, you can enjoy Spanish films and documentaries.

  • Price: €6
  • When: 28 July – 8 August (except Aug 2 & 3)
  • Movie schedule & Tickets: See Movie Listings Here
  • Where: Menéndez Pidal, 3 bis

10. Centro Cultural Paco Rabal, in Vallecas![

One of Vallecas’ most active cultural centers, Paco Rabal has an exhibition hall, public library, gym, café and a number of cultural activites on offer all year round. In the summer, it sets up a big screen on its lawn, where it shows the best films from last year.

  • Price: €2
  • When: Fridays at 10:15. July 24 – August 14
  • Where: Calle de Felipe de Diego, 13

11. Solar de Grilo – an urban DIY plot

This abandoned plot was converted into an urban garden with the help of neighbors and collectives such as Patio Maravillas and Asamblea 15M from Malasaña. With a DIY spirit, Solar de Grilo holds local/organic markets, workshops and activities for people of all ages. During the summer, you can also enjoy outdoor film from June 18th onwards.

  • Price: free
  • When: Every Thursdays (Check their Facebook)
  • Movie schedule & Tickets: Movie schedule & Tickets: free until seating capacity, movies start at 22:00
  • Where: Solar de Antonio Grilo, 8

12. Matadero – an old slaughterhouse

By far one of Madrid’s best spots, El Matadero was a former slaughterhouse. Today it’s a cultural center located near metro Legazpi and the city’s river, Madrid Río. One of the old naves was turned into a movie theater, called**La Cineteca**, which showcases films year round, ranging from independent short films to documentaries. During the summer, you’ll have the perfect chance to enjoy a good movie and then walk along the river afterwards. Can’t think of anything better!

You may also like our previous posts:

If you liked this article, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!