Great Runs in Madrid
Madrid is one of the most iconic and vibrant cities in the European Union. Third largest, following London and Berlin, it is a hub of business, culture and tourism. While Madrid is well known for its food, history and of course, soccer, it also has more green spaces than any other European city. Madrid’s lovely weather, in addition to the plethora of parks, makes it a great city for running. Route highlights include exploring green spaces such as Casa de Campo (five times the size of New York City’s Central Park) and Madrid Rio Esplanade, or following major avenues to see some of Madrid’s most iconic locations from the Royal Palace of Madrid, to the Museo Nacional del Prado (The Spanish National Art Museum). Most of our routes are in or near Madrid’s large center (Centro) and are near major sites, hotels, and public transport. Note: Calle is Spanish for ‘street’.
There are lots of public transit options for getting around Madrid. The Metro (subway) along with the four lines of the Light Metro are the most popular. Another option, is the Cercanías local railways. This system is used for long distances inside Madrid, is faster than the Metro and has less stops inside the center of the city. It has several connections with Metro and Light Metro. Finally, there is a dense network of bus routes, run by the municipal body Empresa Municipal de Transportes, or EMT, which operate 24 hours a day. There are multiple bus types. The red and blue buses operate inside the city (with more than 200 bus lines), the green buses run routes in the neighborhoods outside the center of the city (with 459 suburban bus lines), and the yellow buses running the Airport Express route. Additionally, several neighborhoods have their own bus lines.
The Madrid region experiences a mild semi-arid climate. Winters are cool to mild, with average highs of 50F (10C),with sporadic snowfalls and temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. Summers are hot with average daytime highs over 90F (33C). Due to Madrid’s altitude and dry climate, diurnal ranges are often significant during the summer. Madrid is one of the driest capitals in Europe. So you shouldn’t have to worry about rain getting in the way of your run.
The Iconic Routes
- Casa de Campo
- Historic Sites Loop
- Madrid Río
- Parque de Retiro
- Anillo Verde (The Green Cyclist Belt of Madrid)
- Parque del Oeste
- Juan Carlos I Park
The Routes
Casa de Campo
4 miles RT. Start: Royal Palace of Madrid MAP
Madrid is home to one of the biggest parks in the world, the Casa de Campo, which is five times the size of New York City’s Central Park. This massive park, located just a few kilometers west of Madrid’s historic center, of is one of the best destinations in the city for a multitude of activities, including a zoo, amusement park and much more. It is also home to miles of paths that reach across its greenery. Our route begins at the Royal Palace and loops through a small section of the park. Another great route begins at the Batán Metro Station and loops on the Ctra. Zarzón past the amusement park and zoo. Depending on where you are staying and what entrance you are closest too, you may want to find your own route among the hundreds of paths. The topography includes gentle undulating hills and several valleys west to east, presenting a maximum elevation gain of 360 ft. Bikers and runners share the paths and it can be busy on the weekends. To avoid crowds, start early. Click here for more information about the park including a park map.
Historic Sites in Madrid
4.7 miles RT. Start: Museo Nacional de Prado MAP
This is sort of a ‘Madrid Highlights’ Tour. Madrid has a fascinating history as the capital of one of the world’s greatest empires. This history is reflected throughout the city by the large collection of architectural heritage, spread throughout the city. There are grand, wide boulevards laid out on a broad scale. This route follows some of Madrid’s historic and major avenues through several of Madrid’s most important sites. Starting at the famous Prado Museum, follow Paseo del Prado to view the CaixaForum Madrid, one of Madrid’s latest cultural and architectural stars, and The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Spain’s National Museum of 20th-Century Art. Further along this loop, you will be entranced with the grand architecture of numerous Cathedrals along with various Plazas and City Parks. Along the way, you will pass Royal Palace of Madrid, see Museo Cerralbo and run through Plaza de España. As you loop back towards Paseo del Prado, you will reach one of the most beautiful grand squares in Madrid, Plaza de Cibeles. turn right to run towards the Fountain of Apollo back to the start.
Madrid Río
6.9 mile loop Start: Puerta de San Vicente MAP
Madrid Rio Park offers nearly 10km of running paths along the Mazanares River. The park is located within the central part of Madrid (Centro). Recently renovated, this esplanade provides beautiful views of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral and other famous landmarks. Our route is slightly over 10k loop on both sides of the river and is very straightforward to follow. Start where it is convenient, or pick up the path from the Puerta de San Vicente (at the foot of Casa de Campo and near the Palacio Real) by crossing over the river on Puente del Rey, where the Spanish football team celebrated its victory in the South Africa World Cup in 2010. Continue along the paved multi-use path, enjoying the serene river environment and various impressive bridges. Cross over the second bridge after the path runs under the Calle de Vado de Sta. Catalina to return to the start on the opposite side. There are numerous bridges connecting the paths on either side of the river which make for great smaller loops. For more information on all the sites located along the path and a detailed map, see this link — you can design your own ‘running tour’!
Parque de Retiro
2.6 mile RT. Can be looped easily. Start: Puerta de Alcala MAP
Transport: Metro stations on each side of the park
The Parque de Retiro is one of the largest parks in Madrid. Centrally located, the park is just east of the Prado. The site belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, when it became a public park filled with beautiful sculptures, a peaceful lake, graceful paths wonderful for running. Running along the edge of the park makes for a great loop that hits all the sites, which include Palacio de Cristal, an 1887 glass house hosting contemporary art. Additionally, there are many smaller paths crossing the park. Feel free to experiment with your own route or take ours! It’s about 2km north-south and a little over 1km east west.
Anillo Verde (The Green Cyclist Belt of Madrid)
40 mile loop Start: Various MAP
The Green Cyclist Belt of Madrid is a 40 mile multi-use path around the municipality of Madrid. It’s like a cycling/walking “beltway”. The red asphalt path is well maintained with divided lanes for bikes and pedestrians. The part of the path that is closes to Madrid’s center skirts the eastern section of Casa de Camp. Depending on where you are staying, pick up the path from one of the various metro stations along the way (there is a station every 3 miles or less). If you need a rest, no worries, there are 45 resting areas equipped with benches, fountains, path maps and trees to provide shade. Run for as long as you desire and take the metro back to the start.
Parque del Oeste
3.1 mile loop Start: Templo de Debod MAP.
Metro: Principe Pio, or several stops along Calle de la Princesa.
This route provides a more varied 5K route with streams, lakes, oak trees, rolling hills, and the famous Templo de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple which was dismantled and rebuilt in Madrid. This park used to be the city’s landfill in the 20th century, but has now become a place of beauty, one of many stunning parks in Madrid. The route wanders the perimeter of the park providing an easily accessible route right in the city. It’s possible to do about 5k within the park. Add on by heading over to Casa de Camo, just to the west.
Juan Carlos I Park
3.1 mile loop Start: Juan Carlos I Park Parking Lot MAP
It you are interested in modern art, Juan Carlos I Park is the route for you. Located in northeast of Madrid, in the neighborhood of Corralejos (District Barajas), this 148 acre park features a large lake, olive groves, the Three Cultures (“Tres Culturas”) garden and 19 open-air sculptures! To get the best tour of all the sculptures, follow the well defined 5K “Sculptures Path”. If you are looking to extend your route, there are an additional 8 miles of paved trails inside this park. A free tourist train loops the park, so if you get tired you can hop on and enjoy a ride back to the start. The park is about a 20 minute (2okm) drive northeast of the center, and reachable by metro/light rail in about an hour (Campo de las Naciones (L8) Metro Station or Bus Routes 104, 112, or 122).
Stay
Madrid’s downtown, or Centro, houses the majority of hotels for travelers. Parque de Retiro, Parque de Casa Campo, Historic Sites Loop, Madrid Río, Anillo Verde (The Green Cyclist Belt of Madrid) and Parque del Oeste routes are all easily accessbile from these hotels. The Juan Carlos I Park is further from the Centro Hotels but accessible through public transit.
Stores and Group Runs
See our map for store locations. Green icons have group runs. Click on it for location, directions, details on group runs.
Stores
Running Company Specialized Running Shop.
Decathlon Multiple Locations. All day you will find passionate athletes to welcome you, advise you and provide you with a personalized service.
Group Runs
Lactic Acid Junkies A meetup with Multiple Locations, Times and Distances. All runners are welcome.
Citylife’s Running Club The club meets every Monday and Wednesday at 7:25 pm at the Asics Shop — Calle Alcala 44.
Madrid Outdoor Sports: Paid running tours of Madrid. **Big thanks for their help outlining the best running routes in Madrid**
Events
Madrid has numerous running events. Running calendars below.
Events Calendars #1. from Madrid Running Company.
Events Calendar #2. 23 of Madrid’s best running events.
Some of the major events are:
Medio Maratón Nacional Ciudad de Getafe (National City Getafe Half Marathon) January. Half Marathon
Carrera popular Cerro Marmota (Fun Run and Walk Walker Woodchuck Hill) November. 10K and 25K. All proceeds fund childhood cancer research.
Rock ’n’ Roll Madrid Marathon and Half April. 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon.
Medio Maratón Villa de Madrid (Asics Half Marathon Madrid) April. 5K and Half Marathon. Enjoy the sites of Madrid with this race starting in Paseo del Prado and finishing in Parque del Retiro.
Medio Maratón Rockero de Villaverde (Villaverde Rocker Half Marathon) December. Half Marathon.
Marcha la Carrera Solidaria por la Parálisis Cerebral (Solidarity Race for Cerebral Palsy) June. 5K or 10K.
Carrera de la Mujer (Madrid Women’s 5K) May. Part of the biggest female running series in Europe.
