The best terraces for summer evenings in Madrid

Temperatures rise and the days get longer. This is when Madrid surrenders to the charm of its terraces, which become protagonists of the urban landscape, inviting locals and visitors alike to enjoy the city from a different perspective. Whether on rooftops with spectacular views—the capital boasts many—or in spaces at street level, terraces offer a respite and a complete experience: music, food, cocktails, and even movies. It's a time of open skies, gentle breezes, and endless sunsets.

Diana's Garden Balearic Soul

The Mediterranean comes alive on the terrace of the Hyatt Centric Gran Vía Madrid hotel (c/Gran Vía, 31), which each year reveals a new destination that sets the pace of summer on its iconic rooftop. This time, El Jardín de Diana travels to the Balearic Islands, bringing with it the taste of the sea, the slow pace of Mediterranean evenings, and an atmosphere that reeks of vacation. Live music accompanies every sunset with DJ sets, in an environment where you can soak up the soul of the archipelago. Not only through its decor, but also through its gastronomic and cocktail offerings.

The menu includes dishes such as fried sea bream with roasted sweet potatoes and citrus mayonnaise, a delicate and contemporary take on one of Mallorca's most iconic dishes; roasted eggplant coca with sobrasada, Mahón cheese, and honey; or peasant salad with rosemary and orange croutons, codfish , and crystal peppers. Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 12:30 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m.

Nomadic Gastro and Afrohouse music

With its ethnic-inspired decor and Afrohouse music that livens up every evening, Nômadâ (c/ Serrano, 41) creates the magic of an urban oasis where you can unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its spectacular terrace is designed like a contemporary tent wrapped in lush vegetation. Handcrafted furniture, natural textiles, and lighting do the rest.

Their culinary offerings pay homage to the flavors of the world, with must-haves like Russian salad with diced bluefin tuna and quail egg, lacquered prawn gyoza in spicy sauce, Josper avocado with bluefin tuna tartar and nori powder, or steak tartare in panipuri with smoked butter and kimchi. For rice lovers, there's the creamy Galician blonde rice, and for carnivores, the Simmental beef entrecote or the aged beef burger with boletus mushrooms , truffle, and Parmesan cheese. Cocktails are also part of the journey. Their bestsellers include the Alina, with Grey Goose vodka, passion fruit, and Prosecco Martini; the Sumatra, with Kraken rum and elderflower; and the Maffeo, with 400 Conejos mezcal, lychee, and Angostura amaro. Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The Urban Terrace Michelin-starred bites

La Terraza del Urban—in the 5*GL Hotel Urban (Carrera de San Jerónimo, 34)—returns, as it does every summer, with its privileged views of Alcalá, Gran Vía, and, on the horizon, the green expanse of El Retiro Park; its cocktail menu; and a new snack menu designed, as always, by chefs Javier Sanz and Juan Sahuquillo (Cebo, Michelin star). Mordiscos by Cebo launches light dishes and sophisticated tapas, including classics like the Joselito ham and sheep's milk croquette or the smoked Idiazábal cheese and quince jelly fritter, as well as bites like the mini octopus a feira hotdog with homemade kimchi, the Rock & Roll beef rib and chipotle mayo, or the calamari sandwich with garlic emulsion.

For this new season, Urban offers a liquid menu featuring cocktails such as the Aviation (Bombay sapphire, Luxardo maraschino, lemon, and violet), the Mai Tai (Bacardi Superior, Santa Teresa 1796, orange curacao, almond, and lime), and the Naked and Famous (Mezcal, yellow chartreuse, Aperol, and lime). Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

'Women at the edge of…' the pool Hotel Emperador

On June 14th, between 10:30 p.m. and midnight, the terrace of the Hotel Emperador (43 Gran Vía Street) will be transformed into an improvised open-air movie theater to host, once again this year, the screening of Pedro Almodóvar's classic, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown ." With the Madrid skyline as a backdrop, the iconic hotel launches its new entertainment program for the season. A perfect option for enjoying the beach club's hammocks and savoring popcorn with a refreshing drink. This idyllic evening (27 euros) can be completed, if desired, with a pre-screening dinner to sample the hotel's menu.

At La Terraza, open from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., you can enjoy contemporary, relaxed, and fresh cuisine. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., the beach club and pool are open to all guests and locals who want to cool off. It features a solarium, chill-out area, Balinese beds, and a snack bar, in addition to its unique sky bar.

Gran Vía 18 Casual cuisine and signature cocktails in the heights

On the top floor of the Wow Building (c/ Gran Vía, 18), under the watchful eye of the Capitoline Wolf, the Gran Vía 18 rooftop offers an open-air meeting space with unparalleled views and a gastronomic and fluid menu ideal for sharing tapas with friends, enjoying a sunset with a cocktail in hand, or extending the after-dinner conversation until nightfall. Divided into two terraces—one with views of Gran Vía and the other overlooking Calle Clavel—the rooftop offers a nearly 360º experience in the heart of Madrid. Open Sunday through Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Thursday until 2:00 a.m., and Friday and Saturday until 2:20 p.m.

At the stove, chef Jairo Jiménez creates a casual menu with irresistible bites such as steak tartare or anchovy brioche, grilled bikini, saam with tempura shrimp popcorn, crispy Iberian pork snout taco, or veal pepito. For more classic dishes, there's also bravas with a sweet potato twist and an Idiazábal cheese fritter. The menu is complemented by a signature cocktail bar designed by Daniel Regajo, who, after his time at StreetXO and The Gibson (London), dazzles with combinations such as the WOW Spritz, with St. Germain, lemon, mint, Grey Goose, and champagne; or the Sky Garden, with Leblon, Ambrato Martini, kiwi, apple, jalapeño, and cilantro.

Hard Rock Hotel RT60 Rooftop “Sips in the City”

Picture-perfect afternoons and sunsets where music, cuisine, and panoramic views merge to celebrate the warmer weather. RT60 Rooftop returns this season on the eighth floor of the Hard Rock Hotel (Ronda de Atocha, 17) with a nod to the Sex and the City universe and in the spirit of the "Sips in the City" campaign. Creative workshops, silent concerts, outdoor screenings, and many other experiences will be part of an irresistible program running Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturdays from 2 p.m. to midnight, and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This rooftop terrace debuts a menu that combines the classic with the unexpected: from Iberian ham, patatas bravas, or homemade guacamole with tortilla chips, to mac & cheese croquettes with jalapeño mayo, or the irresistible Tupelo Chicken with honey mustard and homemade spicy BBQ. Plus, three burgers: the Hickory Smashburger, with double patty, cheddar, crispy bacon, caramelized onions, and BBQ sauce; the RT60 Signature, with pickled gherkins and a subtle touch of Japanese mayonnaise; and the Greenwich Burger, made with pea protein, lettuce, tomato, and mild mayonnaise. On the cocktail front, RT60 Rooftop surprises with four exclusive creations inspired by the series starring Carrie Bradshaw and her friends. Among them, a Cosmopolitan.