Airport to Finish: Retiro park

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 course crosses the centre and finishes at Retiro.

Public transport directions to Finish: Retiro park

Where to stay by budget

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Generator Madrid
• Mid-range: Hotel Riu Plaza España
• Splurge: Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid

Links search the nights from 22 April to 26 April. 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 marathon weekend schedule for 23 to 25 April 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family-friendly picks

• Retiro rowing boats on the lake.
• Madrid Zoo Aquarium in Casa de Campo, reached by cable car.
• Faunia and the Warner theme park on the outskirts.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

• Rooftops at Círculo de Bellas Artes and Gran Vía hotels.
• Malasaña and Chueca bar streets after midnight.

Ten tours worth booking for Madrid Marathon

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

Where to eat

• Mercado de San Miguel Glass market hall of tapas stalls by Plaza Mayor
• Sobrino de Botín Roast suckling pig in the world's oldest restaurant
• Chocolatería San Ginés Churros and thick chocolate, open late
• Casa Lucio Huevos rotos institution in La Latina
• Calle Cava Baja A street of tapas bars
• Mercado de San Antón Market with a rooftop terrace in Chueca
• Sala de Despiece Modern tapas bar on Calle Ponzano
• Bodega de la Ardosa Old tavern famous for its tortilla

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

Rainy-day backups

• Reina Sofía museum (Guernica).
• Thyssen-Bornemisza museum.
• Naval Museum and the Archaeological Museum.

Getting around on event days

• Metro covers the whole city until about 1:30 am; a 10-trip card works on buses too.
• Both stadiums are on the metro: Santiago Bernabéu (line 10) and Estadio Metropolitano (line 7).
• Uber, Cabify and Free Now work in Spanish cities. Taxis are metered and reasonable.
• Renfe high-speed AVE and Ouigo/Iryo trains link Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga, Valencia and Zaragoza. Book early for event weekends.

Day trips from Madrid

• Toledo: 35 minutes by AVE
• Segovia: 30 minutes by high-speed train
• El Escorial: 1 hour by Cercanías

Questions people ask

When is Madrid Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 23 to 25 April 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Finish: Retiro park?

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 course crosses the centre and finishes at Retiro.

Where should I stay for Madrid Marathon?

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

What else can we do around Madrid Marathon?

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 Madrid Marathon?

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

How far is Finish: Retiro park from Madrid centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. The course crosses the centre and finishes at Retiro.

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