Summer is not only for disconnecting, but also for reconnecting with creativity. While many seek the coast, others take advantage of the heat to make original summer plans, such as cultural routes and temporary exhibitions that can only be seen during this time of year. If you are wondering what to do summer 2025 to enjoy unique experiences, this guide is for you.
Why choose cultural plans in summer?
Opting for a cultural trip allows you to discover cities with fewer tourists, enjoy exclusive temporary exhibitions and combine art with gastronomy and nightlife. These summer plans will allow you to get to know Spain from a different and artistic perspective.
1. Madrid: From the great classics of the Prado to the multiculturalism of Lavapiés
Madrid is a cultural epicenter also in summer. Apart from the classics such as the Prado, the Reina Sofía or the Thyssen-Bornemisza, the capital stands out for its temporary exhibitions and cultural activities.
Recommended exhibitions in Madrid
- “The hours of the sun. Bleda y Rosal” at the Galería de las Colecciones Reales.
- “So far away, so close. Guadalupe of Mexico in Spain” at the Prado Museum.
- “Néstor reencontrado” at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
Routes and cultural plans in Madrid
- A suggested route is to walk along the Paseo del Arte with stops at CaixaForum, the Mapfre Foundation and the Conde Duque cultural center.
- If you want a more alternative trip, you can extend your route with a visit to the urban art of Lavapiés and Embajadores, where you will find murals, graphic interventions and emerging galleries.
- For hot nights, an evening visit to the Royal Palace or the Royal Collections Gallery is ideal. The Retiro Gardens and the Crystal Palace complete the cultural experience with free admission.
2. Catalonia: Mediterranean art and avant-garde
Barcelona: Art in dialogue with the city
Barcelona combines history, design and contemporary art with a vibrant cultural offer throughout the summer. Among the recommended exhibitions are:
- “Poetry has just begun. 50 years of the Miró” at the Fundació Joan Miró.
- “Rubens and the Flemish Baroque artists” at CaixaForum.
- “Common Objects. Local Stories, Global Debates” at the Dhub, their permanent exhibition which they are now giving a spin and inviting visitors to sit and touch the design pieces.
A suggested route is to visit the MNAC, the Fundació Miró, the MACBA, the CCCB and visit galleries in neighborhoods such as Raval and Gràcia.
Itinerary through the Catalan Romanesque
For those looking for quieter and more introspective summer cultural plans, the Catalan Romanesque route offers history, culture and spirituality.
- Vall de Boí, World Heritage for its Romanesque churches.
- Monastery of Santa Maria de Ripoll, cradle of the Catalan Romanesque.
- Sant Pere de Rodes with sea views.
- Monastery of Poblet and Santes Creus.
Surrealism and landscape art route
Girona, Figueres and the Costa Brava are ideal for combining sea, art and nature.
Recommended stops:
- Dalí Theater-Museum.
- Salvador Dalí House.
- Vila Casas Foundation.
- Thyssen Museum.
- Gardens of Cap Roig in Calella, with exhibitions and outdoor concerts.
3. Northern Route: Art between nature and architecture
If you’re running away from the heat, northern Spain is perfect. Cities like Santander, Bilbao and San Sebastian offer a combination of green landscapes, quiet beaches and contemporary art. These are ideal summer plans for art and nature lovers.
Recommended exhibits in the north
- “Maruja Mallo: Máscara y compás” at Centro Botín, Santander.
- “Helen Frankenthaler: Painting without Rules” at the Guggenheim Bilbao.
- “Hondalea” by Cristina Iglesias at Santa Clara Island, Donostia.
Cultural itineraries in the north
- In Santander, highlights include the Pereda Gardens, the MAS and the Palacio de la Magdalena. You can complement the route with the Altamira Museum in Santillana del Mar.
- Bilbao shines because of the Guggenheim and its Museum of Fine Arts, as well as the murals in the Abandoibarra neighborhood and the Casco Viejo.
- In San Sebastian, the Chillida Leku Museum, the Wind Comb and the Miramar Palace are a must.
4. Route through the South: Tradition and cultural richness
Andalusia combines historical art with contemporary proposals in unique spaces such as palaces, convents and patios.
Recommended exhibitions in Andalusia
- “Nature in Art. Abelló Collection”, at the Cajasol Foundation in Seville.
- “Vassily Kandinsky. Pioneer of abstract art”, at the Centre Pompidou in Malaga.
Art itineraries in Andalusia
- In Seville, the Andalusian Center of Contemporary Art, the Cathedral and the Giralda, the Archive of the Indies and the Hospital de los Venerables stand out.
- Malaga invites you to visit the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Alcazaba, the Roman Theater and the Gibralfaro Castle.
- In Granada, the Alhambra, the Albaicin district and the Museum of Fine Arts are must-sees.
- Cordoba offers the Mosque-Cathedral, the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos and the Jewish Quarter.
If you are interested in starting or expanding your art collection this summer, please consult the auction calendar and our online catalog.
