# ARCO Madrid: what to do between sessions in Madrid

Source: https://eventweekends.com/trade-show/arco-madrid/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 3 to 7 March 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** IFEMA Madrid, Madrid, Spain, about 9 km from the centre
- **Free time:** The show floor takes the day, so the evenings, a companion day and the day after are free.
- **Best base:** Sol, Gran Vía and Huertas: Central, on many metro lines, walk to the museums.
- **Getting there:** Madrid-Barajas (MAD) is 13 km northeast.
- **Weather:** In March, Madrid averages highs of about 14°C and lows of 2°C, with roughly 48 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 11 h 17 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Prado Museum guided tour; Santiago Bernabéu stadium tour; Toledo day trip

## Weather and what to pack

In March, Madrid averages highs of about 14°C and lows of 2°C, with roughly 48 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 11 h 17 min of daylight.
- A warm coat, hat and gloves: nights can drop close to freezing.
- A light rain jacket, just in case.
- Comfortable shoes: a day on the show floor easily means 15,000 steps.

## Airport to venue

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.

Metro line 8 to Feria de Madrid.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Lavapiés and La Latina. Cheaper hostels and hotels, tapas streets and El Rastro on Sundays.
- **mid:** Sol, Gran Vía and Huertas. Central, on many metro lines, walk to the museums.
- **luxury:** Salamanca and the Paseo del Prado. Grand hotels near the Retiro park and the shopping streets.
- Hotels we would book: Generator Madrid (budget), Hotel Riu Plaza España (mid), Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Evening one (Wednesday 3 March)

After the show floor closes: dinner and a short evening outing.
- Evening: Tapas and wine tour. Three or four bars in the old town with a local guide.
- Eat: Calle Cava Baja, A street of tapas bars

### Evening two (Thursday 4 March)

Team dinner night. Book early: every group in town wants the same tables.
- Eat: Mercado de San Antón, Market with a rooftop terrace in Chueca
- After dark: Rooftops at Círculo de Bellas Artes and Gran Vía hotels.

### Companion day (Thursday 4 March)

For partners who came along and do not have a badge.
- Full day: Warner Bros Park Madrid. Theme park 30 km south of the city.

### The day after the show (Monday 8 March)

Push the flight back a day. A full free day costs little and the city empties out.
- Half-day: Royal Palace tour. The largest royal palace in western Europe.
- Eat: Sala de Despiece, Modern tapas bar on Calle Ponzano
- Free: Free evening hours at the Prado (last two hours most days) and the Reina Sofía.

### Team outing

For corporate groups of 10 to 40: private tours and tastings book out first.
- Eat: Bodega de la Ardosa, Old tavern famous for its tortilla
- Evening: Flamenco show. Tablao show with optional dinner.

## Tours worth booking

- [Prado Museum guided tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Prado%20Museum%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): Velázquez, Goya and Bosch in two hours with skip-the-line entry.
- [Santiago Bernabéu stadium tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Bernabeu%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): The rebuilt Real Madrid stadium, dressing rooms and trophy museum.
- [Toledo day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Toledo%20day%20trip%20from%20Madrid&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): Medieval city of three cultures, 35 minutes by train.
- [Segovia and Ávila day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Segovia%20Avila%20day%20trip&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): Roman aqueduct, Alcázar castle and medieval walls.
- [Tapas and wine tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Madrid%20tapas%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): Three or four bars in the old town with a local guide.
- [Flamenco show](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Madrid%20flamenco%20show&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): Tablao show with optional dinner.
- [Royal Palace tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Royal%20Palace%20Madrid%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): The largest royal palace in western Europe.
- [Bike tour of Madrid](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Madrid%20bike%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): Retiro park, Madrid Río and the old town in three hours.
- [Churros and chocolate cooking class](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Madrid%20cooking%20class&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): Paella or tapas class with lunch.
- [Warner Bros Park Madrid](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Parque%20Warner%20Madrid&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-arco-madrid): Theme park 30 km south of the city.

## 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

## With kids

- 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.

## Rainy-day backups

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

## Getting around

- 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.

## Questions people ask

### When is ARCO Madrid 2027?

The next edition is 3 to 7 March 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during ARCO Madrid?

In March, Madrid averages highs of about 14°C and lows of 2°C, with roughly 48 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 11 h 17 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to 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. Metro line 8 to Feria de Madrid.

### Where should I stay for ARCO 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 ARCO 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 ARCO Madrid?

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

### How far is IFEMA Madrid from Madrid centre?

About 9 km in a straight line. Metro line 8 to Feria de Madrid.

More in Madrid: https://eventweekends.com/city/madrid/