Madrid is the new home of Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix. Here’s what F1 fans can see and do in the Spanish capital away from the track when attending the all-new Spanish Grand Prix in 2026.
Madrid becomes the new host of the Spanish Grand Prix in 2026, taking over from Barcelona. The all-new Spanish Grand Prix will be held on the Madring circuit, a part-street course which is centred around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre, the halls of which will form F1’s temporary pit and paddock complex come race week.
F1’s move to Madrid means that racegoers have a brand new destination to explore. The Spanish capital is famed for its world-class museums, stunning architecture and energetic nightlife. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best things F1 fans can see and do away from the track during their visit to the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix.
Racing Before the Main Event
Want to experience the thrill of racing for yourself during your visit to the Spanish Grand Prix? The 450-metre indoor Las Rozas circuit has you covered, with the Carlos Sainz Karting experience available to book. Three 10-minute karting sessions are available 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 enjoyed by both beginners and experts in professional-grade karts.
2026 won’t be Formula 1’s first visit to Madrid. From 1968 to 1981, the Spanish Grand Prix took place regularly at the Circuito del Jarama, 32km north of the city. Now, you can drive the track yourself with various experience packages allowing you to take to the track in a Ferrari, a Lamborghini or Porsche. Guided tours of the former F1 venue are also on offer.
You can expect plenty of F1-themed activations, like fan festivals and other team-organised events throughout the city during race week at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Further details will be available closer to the race.
September in Madrid
The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix, F1’s first visit to the new Madring circuit, is set to take place on September 11-13. September is a great time to visit Madrid, when the summer heat has slightly subsided and when a number of unique events take place across the city.
F1 isn’t the only sport taking place in Madrid in September. Swap four wheels for two by witnessing the closing stages of the Vuelta a España, one of cycling’s prestigious Grand Tours. Held annually, the final stage takes place in Madrid in mid-September, with world famous cyclists completing laps of the city centre, usually ending in an exciting bunch sprint finish. The event is free to watch from the streets.
Spain’s premier football competition La Liga begins in August each year, meaning it’s likely that there’ll be some big-name games coinciding with F1’s visit at the Metropolitano or Santiago Bernabéu stadiums, home to Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid respectively. Both stadiums offer daily guided tours.
Elsewhere in the city, Fiestas de la Melonera is a neighbourhood festival which takes place in September and features concerts, fireworks, parades and – as the name suggests – traditional melon eating! Also in September, the city’s galleries come together to put on a unique program of free exhibitions for an event known as the Apertura Madrid Gallery Weekend.
Madrid Fashion Week takes place in September, likely the week after the Spanish Grand Prix in 2026, and is organised by IFEMA, featuring runway shows by top Spanish and international designers. There are usually public events and exhibitions outside of the main shows.
Art & Culture
Madrid is home to several world-class museums, with the so-called “Golden Triangle of Art” home to three of the city’s most iconic museums. Museo del Prado houses a fine collection of European art, notable for its classic works by Spanish masters Velázquez and Goya. More modern pieces, like Picasso’s Guernica, can be found in Museo Reina Sofía, while Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza bridges the gap between classic and modern with over 1,600 paintings.
Take in a slice of traditional Spanish culture by heading to venues – or “tablaos” – like Corral de la Morería or Cardamomo for live Flamenco shows, see the Spanish National Orchestra perform at the Auditorio Nacional de Música or spend a night at the Teatro Real, the city’s stunning royal opera house.
You don’t even need a ticket to soak up culture in Madrid, as you’ll likely see and hear street performers – like guitarists, mime artists and portrait artists – in some of the city’s busiest areas, like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor.
Architecture & History
The aforementioned symbolic centre of Spain’s road network, Puerta del Sol, and grand historic square Plaza Mayor are also where you’ll find some of Madrid’s most interesting architecture, with a dynamic mix of baroque, neoclassical, art deco and ultra modern. The best place to see it all at once is from the rooftop at Círculo de Bellas Artes, open daily from 10:00 until the early hours of the morning.
Among the highlights is the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real), the largest functioning royal palace in Western Europe. Be sure to see the changing of the guard ceremonies, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Visit the emblematic Metropolis Building (Edificio Metrópolis) on the corner of Calle Alcalá and Gran Vía, one of the most photographed façades in Spain. Cross the street to see the dome in full, which is best photographed at sunset.
Away from the hustle and bustle, Madrid has green spaces too. Retiro Park is the perfect spot for a relaxing walk, picnic or boat ride, while Casa de Campo – the city’s largest public park – houses the amusement park Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, as well as the Madrid Zoo; an ideal day out if you’re heading to the race with the whole family.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Madrid is legendary. With a culture where dinner is usually served after 9pm, the wild and energetic partying usually gets started after midnight and goes on until dawn. Start your night at one of the many tapas bars (El Minibar, Taberna El Sur and Rosi La Loca are among Madrid’s top-rated), before heading to a cocktail bar (check out 1862 Dry Bar for a speakeasy-style space), then get the party properly started at one of Madrid’s many clubs.
One of the most popular clubs – both in Madrid and internationally – is Teatro Kapital. Set out over five floors, each floor offers a different experience, from commercial music, to karaoke, cocktail bars, mojitos and more. Elsewhere, BarCo is an underground music venue, with flamenco nights, funk shows and DJs, while the 40,000 capacity Fabrik – on the outskirts of the city – hosts Madrid’s biggest techno, house and trance nights. Catch a 30-minute bus ride from Plaza de España for an unforgettable party!
Food, Drink and Shopping
Gran Vía, referred to as “Spanish Broadway”, is the centre of Madrid’s shopping area. Here, you’ll find flagship stores of high street brands like Zara, H&M, a five-storey Primark, plus El Corte Inglés – one of Spain’s iconic department stores. Head to the top floor for a gourmet food experience, overlooking the city. More high street fashion brands can be found in the La Vaguada mall, while ABC Serrano, in the Salamanca district is perfect for those looking for boutique, luxury items.
Madrid has a number of vibrant markets, like the Mercado de San Miguel, a haven for foodies near Plaza Mayor, or Mercado de Maravillas, one of the largest covered markets in Europe. Famed for its tapas culture, you can find plenty of places to enjoy small plates, like jamón ibérico, tortilla española, and patatas bravas.
For more substantial meals, some of the oldest and most famous restaurants in Madrid include Sobrino de Botin, in operation since the 18th century and dubbed “the oldest restaurant in the world”, and Lhardy founded in 1839, famous for its roasts and stews. You can also dine amidst centuries of history at La Bola, with its timelessly elegant interior.
Although not steeped in quite as much history as the aforementioned restaurants, there are a diverse range of more modern options in Madrid. Of course, for a high-end experience, the city is home to numerous Michelin-star restaurants.
Got a sweet tooth? Chocolatería San Ginés is the oldest chocolateria in the city and its popularity is clear from its seemingly ever-present queue. Churros with chocolate is a quintessential Madrid experience!
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