Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid) 2027: things to do between sessions in Madrid

10 to 12 September 2027 · ConfirmedMadrid, Spain

Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid) fills Madrid with fans for three days, but the track only runs for a few hours a day. Practice starts around lunchtime, qualifying leaves the morning free and the day after the race is open. This guide fills those gaps.

Know before you go

Airport to Madring, IFEMA Madrid

Madrid-Barajas (MAD) is 13 km northeast. Metro line 8 reaches Nuevos Ministerios in 25 minutes; the Cercanías C1 train serves Atocha and Chamartín; the Exprés Aeropuerto bus runs 24 hours to Atocha. Taxis charge a flat 33 euros to the centre.

The new circuit runs around the IFEMA trade fair grounds and the Valdebebas district near the airport. Metro line 8 (Feria de Madrid station) and Cercanías trains to Valdebebas serve the area.

Public transport directions to Madring, IFEMA Madrid

Where to stay by budget

BudgetWhereWhy
BudgetLavapiés and La LatinaCheaper hostels and hotels, tapas streets and El Rastro on Sundays.
Mid-rangeSol, Gran Vía and HuertasCentral, on many metro lines, walk to the museums.
SplurgeSalamanca and the Paseo del PradoGrand hotels near the Retiro park and the shopping streets.

Three hotels we would book

Links search the nights from 9 September to 13 September. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual Grand Prix weekend schedule for 10 to 12 September 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 9 September

Nothing on track that matters yet. Check in, then use the afternoon.

Practice day

Friday 10 September

First practice rarely starts before lunchtime, so the morning is free.

Qualifying day

Saturday 11 September

Support races fill the morning. Skip them for a slow start in town and reach the track after lunch.

  • Easy outingChurros and chocolate cooking class Half day · Food · Indoor
    Paella or tapas class with lunch.
  • FreeFree evening hours at the Prado (last two hours most days) and the Reina Sofía.

Race day

Sunday 12 September

Go to the track early and stay after the flag: leaving straight away means the worst of the traffic.

  • EveningTapas and wine tour Evening · Food · Nightlife
    Three or four bars in the old town with a local guide.

The day after

Monday 13 September

A full free day before the flight home. This is the best day for a longer trip out of town.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Indoor · Family

Royal Palace tour

The largest royal palace in western Europe.

Half day · Family

Bike tour of Madrid

Retiro park, Madrid Río and the old town in three hours.

Full day · Family

Warner Bros Park Madrid

Theme park 30 km south of the city.

Half day · Family · Indoor

Santiago Bernabéu stadium tour

The rebuilt Real Madrid stadium, dressing rooms and trophy museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Tapas and wine tour

Three or four bars in the old town with a local guide.

Evening · Nightlife · Indoor

Flamenco show

Tablao show with optional dinner.

Full day · Family

Warner Bros Park Madrid

Theme park 30 km south of the city.

Full day · Family

Toledo day trip

Medieval city of three cultures, 35 minutes by train.

Full day

Segovia and Ávila day trip

Roman aqueduct, Alcázar castle and medieval walls.

After dark

Ten tours worth booking for Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid)

TourLengthGood for
Royal Palace tourHalf dayBad weather, Families
Bike tour of MadridHalf dayFamilies
Churros and chocolate cooking classHalf dayFood lovers, Bad weather
Warner Bros Park MadridFull dayFamilies
Prado Museum guided tourHalf dayBad weather, Tired legs
Santiago Bernabéu stadium tourHalf dayFamilies, Bad weather
Toledo day tripFull dayFamilies
Segovia and Ávila day tripFull dayEveryone
Tapas and wine tourEveningFood lovers, Night owls
Flamenco showEveningNight owls, Bad weather

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor · Family

Royal Palace tour

The largest royal palace in western Europe.

Half day · Food · Indoor

Churros and chocolate cooking class

Paella or tapas class with lunch.

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Prado Museum guided tour

Velázquez, Goya and Bosch in two hours with skip-the-line entry.

Getting around on event days

Day trips from Madrid

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid).

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid) 2027?

The next edition is 10 to 12 September 2027.

How do I get from the airport to Madring, IFEMA Madrid?

Madrid-Barajas (MAD) is 13 km northeast. Metro line 8 reaches Nuevos Ministerios in 25 minutes; the Cercanías C1 train serves Atocha and Chamartín; the Exprés Aeropuerto bus runs 24 hours to Atocha. Taxis charge a flat 33 euros to the centre. The new circuit runs around the IFEMA trade fair grounds and the Valdebebas district near the airport. Metro line 8 (Feria de Madrid station) and Cercanías trains to Valdebebas serve the area.

Where should I stay for Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid)?

For most visitors the best base is Sol, Gran Vía and Huertas: Central, on many metro lines, walk to the museums.

What can we do between sessions at Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid)?

Good short outings in Madrid include Prado Museum guided tour, Santiago Bernabéu stadium tour, Royal Palace tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid)?

Family-friendly picks: Santiago Bernabéu stadium tour, Toledo day trip, Royal Palace tour. Retiro rowing boats on the lake.

How far is Madring, IFEMA Madrid from Madrid centre?

About 9 km in a straight line. The new circuit runs around the IFEMA trade fair grounds and the Valdebebas district near the airport. Metro line 8 (Feria de Madrid station) and Cercanías trains to Valdebebas serve the area.

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