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 monitor 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 shall 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 complicated come race week.
F1’s transfer to Madrid signifies 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 a number of the finest issues F1 followers can see and do away from the monitor throughout their go to to the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix.
Racing Earlier than the Foremost Occasion
Wish 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 coated, with the Carlos Sainz Karting expertise out there to guide. Three 10-minute karting periods 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 came about often on the Circuito del Jarama, 32km north of town. Now, you’ll be able to drive the monitor your self with numerous expertise packages permitting you to take to the monitor in a Ferrari, a Lamborghini or Porsche. Guided excursions of the previous F1 venue are additionally on supply.
You possibly can anticipate loads of F1-themed activations, like fan festivals and different team-organised occasions all through town throughout race week on the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Additional particulars shall be out there nearer to the race.
September in Madrid
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, F1’s first go to to the brand new Madring circuit, is ready to happen on September 11-13. September is a good time to go to Madrid, when the summer season warmth has barely subsided and when a lot of distinctive occasions happen throughout town.
F1 isn’t the one sport happening in Madrid in September. Swap 4 wheels for 2 by witnessing the closing levels of the Vuelta a España, considered one of 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 town centre, normally ending in an thrilling bunch dash end. The occasion is free to look at from the streets.
Spain’s premier soccer competitors La Liga begins in August every year, which means it’s seemingly 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 supply each 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 identify suggests – conventional melon consuming! Additionally in September, town’s galleries come collectively to placed on a singular program of free exhibitions for an occasion often called the Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend.
Madrid Trend Week takes place in September, seemingly the week after the Spanish Grand Prix in 2026, and is organised by IFEMA, that includes runway exhibits by prime Spanish and worldwide designers. There are normally public occasions and exhibitions exterior of the primary exhibits.
Artwork & Tradition
Madrid is residence to a number of world-class museums, with the so-called “Golden Triangle of Artwork” residence to a few of town’s most iconic museums. Museo del Prado homes a advantageous assortment of European artwork, notable for its traditional works by Spanish masters Velázquez and Goya. Extra trendy items, like Picasso’s Guernica, might be present in Museo Reina Sofía, whereas Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza bridges the hole between traditional and trendy with over 1,600 work.
Absorb a slice of conventional Spanish tradition by heading to venues – or “tablaos” – like Corral de la Morería or Cardamomo for reside Flamenco exhibits, see the Spanish Nationwide Orchestra carry out on the Auditorio Nacional de Música or spend an evening on the Teatro Actual, town’s beautiful royal opera home.
You don’t even want a ticket to absorb tradition in Madrid, as you’ll seemingly see and listen to road performers – like guitarists, mime artists and portrait artists – in a number of 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 trendy. The very best place to see it unexpectedly is from the rooftop at Círculo de Bellas Artes, open each day from 10:00 till the early hours of the morning.
Among the many highlights is the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Actual), the biggest functioning royal palace in Western Europe. Be sure you 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 crucial 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 trip, whereas Casa de Campo – town’s largest public park – homes the amusement park Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, in addition to the Madrid Zoo; a perfect day trip if you happen to’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 night time 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 (take a look at 1862 Dry Bar for a speakeasy-style area), then get the social gathering correctly began at considered one of Madrid’s many golf equipment.
Some of the standard golf equipment – each in Madrid and internationally – is Teatro Kapital. Set out over 5 flooring, every ground gives a unique expertise, from business music, to karaoke, cocktail bars, mojitos and extra. Elsewhere, BarCo is an underground music venue, with flamenco nights, funk exhibits and DJs, whereas the 40,000 capability Fabrik – on the outskirts of town – hosts Madrid’s greatest techno, home and trance nights. Catch a 30-minute bus trip 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 road manufacturers like Zara, H&M, a five-storey Primark, plus El Corte Inglés – considered one of Spain’s iconic shops. Head to the highest ground for a gourmand meals expertise, overlooking town. Extra excessive road style manufacturers might be discovered within the La Vaguada mall, whereas ABC Serrano, within the Salamanca district is ideal for these in search of boutique, luxurious objects.
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 coated markets in Europe. Famed for its tapas tradition, you will discover loads of locations to take pleasure in small plates, like jamón ibérico, tortilla española, and patatas bravas.
For extra substantial meals, a number of 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 trendy choices in Madrid. In fact, for a high-end expertise, town is residence to quite a few Michelin-star eating places.
Obtained 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!
