August in Madrid
It’s already been more than one and a half years since I moved to Spain. Surprisingly, during all this time I have not felt homesick (when you have a longing for home). Naturally, I miss my parents and friends, but for me, staying here is still a journey. Meeting new people, exploring places within the city and cities in Spain, learning a language, and writing articles, similar to this one help to overcome the yearning.
One thing, that still surprises me, is that there is no snow in Madrid (almost). The climate is warm and dry all year round, with a couple of days around zero degrees in winter.
I am a very climate-dependent person and living here is a paradise for me. Severe frosts in Russia during winters with practically no daylight hours are depressing and establish the appropriate mood and thoughts. In Madrid, almost every day is sunny and bright. You enjoy nature and life. There is no surprise, why Spanish people are so amiable and warm-welcoming.
Thus, I enjoy and rejoice in every month spent here. Except… well, except August. August in Madrid is something special and literally everything is made around the month, but let's slow down and put everything in order.
Weather
August is the hottest month in Madrid with 38, and up to 40 and above degrees. Moreover, at night, the temperature doesn’t drop below 20. If you live near the center, no doubt you can expect even higher temperatures, as the city has few trees and green areas.
It’s better to have an AC, otherwise, even a fan cannot handle so high temperatures. The fan becomes useless when the temperature at home is above 30 since it only accelerates the already hot air.
If you happen to go somewhere during the day, wind becomes your enemy — the hot air flow can be compared with a car heating air on a very cold day.
Dead month
It’s common in many countries to plan vacations during summer, but here, in Madrid, it goes way beyond that. The city is just deserted. Plenty of people go to the north or at least outside the city.
Many restaurants, shops, supermarkets, and offices are closed. There are signs posted everywhere doors stating that an owner has left on vacation and will be back in September, or late August. But don’t expect to see the change on Google Maps or anywhere else. Very few businesses modify it, and as a result, you can end up staying in front of a closed shop, wondering why you didn’t call them first.
Waiting time between metro trains increases drastically — from 3 to 10 minutes and magically all people can fit in without crowding trains. But even if you need to spend more time on transportation because of the delay, you still choose trains, as they offer coolness.
It’s almost impossible to do some business/maintenance work during this period. As an example, last year, when I had an issue with a floor I was waiting the whole 3 weeks for a technician to come and repair it.
Working hours
If you work in Spain and your business or company isn’t closed on vacation, then, you will surely work less. Many firms reduce working hours and it’s pretty common. As an illustration, at my company, every Friday during the whole August we work only half of a day, namely, 4 out of 8 hours. Despite the fact that it sums up to only 4–5 days every year, during August it facilitates greatly. Imagine — leaving work after lunch. Even though at the office we have ACs, the constant heat during the month is so strong, that your general condition deteriorates and productivity declines as a whole.
Activities
Even though the month seems awful and dead, in fact, I find various positive things about it:
- The month to relax. The terrific heat affects your ability to be productive mainly. It’s hard to do hobbies, sports, educate yourself. But everything slows down. August gives the opportunity to ease this endless race to be better, it’s time to reflect on the past and miss the routine that you continue again from September.
- Vacations. Although prices during summer everywhere are high, the weather forces you to explore new places. Such wise, last year I escaped Madrid for the Checz Republic and this year I’m exploring País Vasco, the north of Spain.
- Touring Madrid. As everything is closed and there is a low number of people in the city, it’s not an awful time to explore it. But don’t forget to leave your home only after sunset (otherwise you will be burned alive)!
