The Best Sunbathing Spots in Madrid

Many people, including myself, like to spend their summer holidays soaking in the sun! The English especially, but who can blame us when our summer weather is normally no more than 23 degrees. I don’t want to promote sunbathing as a daily ritual; I, in fact, have pure white skin and there are obviously a lot of risk factors if you overexpose yourself to the sun. But I do believe moderate exposure to the sun can help with depression, boost your mood, and help Vitamin D production! It's also nice to have a golden glow in the summer.

Although Madrid doesn't have a beach or coastline there are so many other places you can catch the rays. So get your factor 50 out and try out these sassy substitute sunbathing spots in Madrid!

Lakes

Well, if the city is becoming too hot and crowded to manage which believe me it happens too often, you can always head to the lake and embrace nature!

Hmm, I suggest heading to Rio Manzanares in La Pedriza which has the most amazing waterfalls and swimming holes. You have to go on a bit of a hike in Sierra de Guadarrama, however, La Pedriza is fairly simple to get to. You need to travel to metro Plaza de Castilla and get the green bus 724 to Manzanares and follow Avenida de La Pedriza uphill along the river until you arrive at the park. Follow the river until you reach the waterfall and you will find amazing sunbathing spots which are so relaxing when you can hear the running water. Don’t forget to bring a picnic!

Parks

This might sound obvious because it is, but Madrid’s Parks are memorising for sunbathing. I don’t want to tell you too much because I could write a whole other blog on the fantastic parks here so watch out for that!

Now if you know Madrid well, you know how difficult it is for me to choose just one park because we’re so lucky to have Retiro, Rio and Casa de Campo which really make up for not having a beach. I feel bad not to mention all three.

Retiro Park has an artificial lake where you can hire a row-boat for an alternative style of catching the sun. There’s plenty of grass to spread your towel out and talented street performers to see.

Locate - Plaza. de la Independencia, 7

Casa de Campo Lake is one of my favourite places here to sunbath in Madrid. I love watching the glowing skinned Spaniards practising water sports on the lake, whilst I lye like an ill beach whale on my blanket eating way too much guacamole and high-calorie Doritos.

Locate - Paseo de la Puerta del Ángel, 1

Rio Park features a trio of oval-shaped waterside enclosures, including a refreshing shallow pool and a squirting water jets feature. Beyond the water-filled fun, there’s lots of grass where you can just relax and bathe in the beauty of Madrid.

Locate - Paseo de la Ermita del Santo, 14

City Pools

The city pools tend to be the most popular places for people to sunbath as they have pretty good facilities.

If I can recommend just one, it would be the ‘Lago Pool’ which has got to be the most popular pools here in Madrid. This is a large community venue with an Olympic size pool if you need to cool down and clean grassy areas to enjoy the weather. Bring a beach towel and a few snacks if you want a spend a couple of hours relaxing here in the sun. Piscina Lago is a cheap €4.50 entry, open May- September.

Locate - Pisina Lago - Centro Deportivo Muncipal Casa de Campo, Paseo de la Puerta del Angel,

Hotel Rooftop Pools

As you may already know, I love a rooftop and great views, so if your willing to splash the cash a little and be boujee like me, try out the sun here!

I will recommend the Axel Hotel and its crown jewel roop top floor which features a swanky sky bar and chic pool with the most fabulous view of Madrid. They, of course, have a cocktail bar too if you want to live your #bestlife. What more could you want whilst getting a tan (or attempting too like me)! This place has an Instagramable design so prepare your summer body!

Locate - Axel Hotel Madrid - Calle de Atocha, 49

Now in all seriousness, for the love of everything, please wear a high protection sun factor, take breaks for the sun in the shade. If you’re a naturally white gal like me, be proud to embrace it! Love the skin your in! And sunbathe sensibly friends! Let me know your favourite sunbathing spots in Madrid!

“Ô, Sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth.”

― Roman Payne