09/10/2026 The route of the parade will begin near the entrance of the Royal Botanical Garden, continue along the Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos, and conclude at Plaza de Colón. A series of measures have been scheduled, including the deployment of Municipal Police and Mobility Agents, aimed at facilitating attendance for both locals and visitors while minimizing disruptions across the city.
The city of Madrid will host the National Day celebration on Monday, October 12. The military parade is expected to attract around 80,000 attendees, resulting in significant impacts on both pedestrian and vehicular mobility.
To ensure the safety of all participants and the general public, the Madrid City Council has organized several measures to maximize mobility. Citizens are encouraged to use public transport, avoid driving near affected areas, and, if necessary to use private vehicles for long distances, to utilize the M-30 and M-40 ring roads.
The military parade will commence at 11:00 AM and will pass through the districts of Chamberí, Salamanca, Centro, Retiro, and Arganzuela. Key pedestrian access points include the streets of Hermosilla, Goya, Serrano, Génova, Alcalá, and Atocha. Roads along the parade route will be closed to vehicular traffic, ensuring universal accessibility. Additionally, two designated areas will be set up for individuals with reduced mobility to enjoy the event with good visibility.
Pedestrian crossings along the route will remain open until 8:00 AM, except for those at the north and south of Plaza de Cibeles, which will be accessible until 10:45 AM to allow the public to cross the street.
Traffic Implications Before and After the Parade
From 8:00 AM on October 6 to 1:00 PM on October 14, traffic will be restricted in the bus lane and several lanes in Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo due to the setup of stands and structures. Additionally, from 9:00 PM on October 9 to 2:30 AM on October 10, traffic will be halted on Paseo del Prado between Plaza de la Lealtad and the Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V for horizontal signaling work.
On October 10, from 9:30 PM to 2:30 AM on October 11, traffic will be disrupted in various areas including Paseo del Prado and Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo due to rehearsals.
On October 12, from 7:00 AM to approximately 3:00 PM, the following roads will be completely closed to traffic: Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, Paseo del Prado, Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, Plaza de Cibeles, Paseo de Recoletos, Plaza de Colón, Plaza de la Lealtad, Antonio Maura, Ruiz de Alarcón, Felipe IV, Alfonso XII, San Germán, Plaza de Murillo, Espalter, Academia, Santa María de la Cabeza, Paseo de Reina Cristina, Avenida de Ciudad de Barcelona, and Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo.
From 9:00 AM to approximately 3:00 PM, the following roads will also be closed: Serrano, Génova, the lateral of Paseo de la Castellana, Armada Española, Goya, Hermosilla, Ayala, and the lanes of Paseo de la Castellana that allow turns towards Alcalá Galiano. Depending on the situation, authorities may extend these traffic closures, and times may vary based on operational needs.
Municipal Parking and Public Transport Adjustments
From 9:00 PM on October 9 to 2:30 AM on October 11, the entrances and exits of several municipal parking facilities will be affected, including Sánchez Bustillo, Plaza del Rey, Villa de París, Las Cortes, Esteban Villegas, Espalter, and Antonio Maura. On October 12, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, while some parking facilities may remain operational, they will still be impacted by nearby traffic restrictions.
The municipal bus service (EMT Madrid) will experience alterations between approximately 7:00 AM and 3:00 PM, primarily affecting lines that run along the route between Plaza del Emperador Carlos V and Plaza de Colón. A total of 48 daytime bus lines will be impacted, including lines 001, 002, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 32, 34, 36, 37, 40, 41, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 59, 61, C1, C2, 74, 85, 86, 119, 141, 146, 147, 150, 152, C03, E1, and Exprés Aeropuerto.
The mobility plan will also affect the public bike rental service, Bicimad. On October 11 and 12, 11 stations near the parade route will be temporarily out of service, including those at Ronda de Atocha, Calle de Almadén, Avenida de Alfonso XII, Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona, Calle de Claudio Moyano, Paseo del Prado, Calle de Villanueva, Paseo de la Castellana, Paseo de la Reina Cristina, and Calle de Felipe IV.
The nearest metro lines to the parade are lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and the branch line, with the closest metro stations being Atocha, Estación del Arte, Banco de España, Retiro, Serrano, and Colón. Taxi stands in the vicinity of the parade route will also be unavailable during the aforementioned traffic closure times.
