Madrid is the brand new residence of System 1’s Spanish Grand Prix. Right here’s what F1 followers can see and do within the Spanish capital away from the observe when attending the all-new Spanish Grand Prix in 2026.
Madrid turns into the brand new host of the Spanish Grand Prix in 2026, taking up from Barcelona. The all-new Spanish Grand Prix might be held on the Madring circuit, a part-street course which is centred across the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre, the halls of which is able to kind F1’s short-term pit and paddock advanced come race week.
F1’s transfer to Madrid implies that racegoers have a model new vacation spot to discover. The Spanish capital is famed for its world-class museums, beautiful structure and energetic nightlife. Beneath, we’ve rounded up among the finest issues F1 followers can see and do away from the observe throughout their go to to the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix.
Racing Earlier than the Fundamental Occasion
Need to expertise the fun of racing for your self throughout your go to to the Spanish Grand Prix? The 450-metre indoor Las Rozas circuit has you lined, with the Carlos Sainz Karting expertise accessible to guide. Three 10-minute karting classes can be found for €42 Monday to Thursday, or €44 Friday to Sunday. Co-owned by rally legend – and father of namesake F1 driver – Carlos Sainz, the circuit is designed to be loved by each rookies and consultants in professional-grade karts.
2026 gained’t be System 1’s first go to to Madrid. From 1968 to 1981, the Spanish Grand Prix occurred usually on the Circuito del Jarama, 32km north of the town. Now, you possibly can drive the observe your self with numerous expertise packages permitting you to take to the observe in a Ferrari, a Lamborghini or Porsche. Guided excursions of the previous F1 venue are additionally on provide.
You’ll be able to count on loads of F1-themed activations, like fan festivals and different team-organised occasions all through the town throughout race week on the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Additional particulars might be accessible nearer to the race.
September in Madrid
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, F1’s first go to to the brand new Madring circuit, is about to happen on September 11-13. September is a good time to go to Madrid, when the summer time warmth has barely subsided and when a lot of distinctive occasions happen throughout the town.
F1 isn’t the one sport going down in Madrid in September. Swap 4 wheels for 2 by witnessing the closing levels of the Vuelta a España, one in all biking’s prestigious Grand Excursions. Held yearly, the ultimate stage takes place in Madrid in mid-September, with world well-known cyclists finishing laps of the town centre, normally ending in an thrilling bunch dash end. The occasion is free to observe from the streets.
Spain’s premier soccer competitors La Liga begins in August annually, that means it’s probably that there’ll be some big-name video games coinciding with F1’s go to on the Metropolitano or Santiago Bernabéu stadiums, residence to Atlético de Madrid and Actual Madrid respectively. Each stadiums provide every day guided excursions.
Elsewhere within the metropolis, Fiestas de la Melonera is a neighbourhood pageant which takes place in September and options live shows, fireworks, parades and – because the title suggests – conventional melon consuming! Additionally in September, the town’s galleries come collectively to placed on a novel program of free exhibitions for an occasion often called the Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend.
Madrid Vogue Week takes place in September, probably the week after the Spanish Grand Prix in 2026, and is organised by IFEMA, that includes runway reveals by prime Spanish and worldwide designers. There are normally public occasions and exhibitions outdoors of the primary reveals.
Artwork & Tradition
Madrid is residence to a number of world-class museums, with the so-called “Golden Triangle of Artwork” residence to 3 of the town’s most iconic museums. Museo del Prado homes a fantastic assortment of European artwork, notable for its traditional works by Spanish masters Velázquez and Goya. Extra fashionable items, like Picasso’s Guernica, could be present in Museo Reina Sofía, whereas Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza bridges the hole between traditional and fashionable with over 1,600 work.
Soak up a slice of conventional Spanish tradition by heading to venues – or “tablaos” – like Corral de la Morería or Cardamomo for stay Flamenco reveals, see the Spanish Nationwide Orchestra carry out on the Auditorio Nacional de Música or spend an evening on the Teatro Actual, the town’s beautiful royal opera home.
You don’t even want a ticket to take in tradition in Madrid, as you’ll probably see and listen to avenue performers – like guitarists, mime artists and portrait artists – in among the metropolis’s busiest areas, like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.
Structure & Historical past
The aforementioned symbolic centre of Spain’s street community, Puerta del Sol, and grand historic sq. Plaza Mayor are additionally the place you’ll discover a few of Madrid’s most attention-grabbing structure, with a dynamic mixture of baroque, neoclassical, artwork deco and extremely fashionable. The very best place to see it suddenly is from the rooftop at Círculo de Bellas Artes, open every day from 10:00 till the early hours of the morning.
Among the many highlights is the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Actual), the most important functioning royal palace in Western Europe. You should definitely see the altering of the guard ceremonies, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Go to the emblematic Metropolis Constructing (Edificio Metrópolis) on the nook of Calle Alcalá and Gran Vía, one of the photographed façades in Spain. Cross the road to see the dome in full, which is finest photographed at sundown.
Away from the hustle and bustle, Madrid has inexperienced areas too. Retiro Park is the right spot for a soothing stroll, picnic or boat experience, whereas Casa de Campo – the town’s largest public park – homes the amusement park Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, in addition to the Madrid Zoo; a great time out should you’re heading to the race with the entire household.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Madrid is famous. With a tradition the place dinner is normally served after 9pm, the wild and energetic partying normally will get began after midnight and goes on till daybreak. Begin your evening at one of many many tapas bars (El Minibar, Taberna El Sur and Rosi La Loca are amongst Madrid’s top-rated), earlier than heading to a cocktail bar (try 1862 Dry Bar for a speakeasy-style house), then get the social gathering correctly began at one in all Madrid’s many golf equipment.
One of the well-liked golf equipment – each in Madrid and internationally – is Teatro Kapital. Set out over 5 flooring, every ground affords a unique expertise, from business music, to karaoke, cocktail bars, mojitos and extra. Elsewhere, BarCo is an underground music venue, with flamenco nights, funk reveals and DJs, whereas the 40,000 capability Fabrik – on the outskirts of the town – hosts Madrid’s greatest techno, home and trance nights. Catch a 30-minute bus experience from Plaza de España for an unforgettable social gathering!
Meals, Drink and Procuring
Gran Vía, known as “Spanish Broadway”, is the centre of Madrid’s buying space. Right here, you’ll discover flagship shops of excessive avenue manufacturers like Zara, H&M, a five-storey Primark, plus El Corte Inglés – one in all Spain’s iconic malls. Head to the highest ground for a gourmand meals expertise, overlooking the town. Extra excessive avenue vogue manufacturers could be discovered within the La Vaguada mall, whereas ABC Serrano, within the Salamanca district is ideal for these on the lookout for boutique, luxurious gadgets.
Madrid has a lot of vibrant markets, just like the Mercado de San Miguel, a haven for foodies close to Plaza Mayor, or Mercado de Maravillas, one of many largest lined markets in Europe. Famed for its tapas tradition, yow will discover loads of locations to take pleasure in small plates, like jamón ibérico, tortilla española, and patatas bravas.
For extra substantial meals, among the oldest and most well-known eating places in Madrid embody Sobrino de Botin, in operation because the 18th century and dubbed “the oldest restaurant on the planet”, and Lhardy based in 1839, well-known for its roasts and stews. You may also dine amidst centuries of historical past at La Bola, with its timelessly elegant inside.
Though not steeped in fairly as a lot historical past because the aforementioned eating places, there are a various vary of extra fashionable choices in Madrid. In fact, for a high-end expertise, the town is residence to quite a few Michelin-star eating places.
Acquired a candy tooth? Chocolatería San Ginés is the oldest chocolateria within the metropolis and its recognition is evident from its seemingly ever-present queue. Churros with chocolate is a quintessential Madrid expertise!
