Madrid faces one of the biggest mobility operations in recent years this weekend due to the visit of Pope Leo XIV. Thousands of people will participate in the various events planned between Saturday the 6th and Tuesday the 9th of June, which will require significant traffic restrictions and modifications to public transport, especially in the center of the capital.
The disruptions will be concentrated around the Castellana axis, Plaza de Cibeles, and other key points in the city, where some of the main events of the papal agenda will be held.
Here are the key points to know before traveling around Madrid.
La Castellana will be the main focus of restrictions
The first disruptions will begin on Saturday afternoon. From 2:30 PM, a special operation will be activated in the vicinity of Plaza de Castilla, where access to the tunnel will be diverted to the surface via Bravo Murillo and Mateo Inurria.
One of the most sensitive points will be the Paseo de la Castellana. The City Council plans a total closure between Plaza de Cuzco and Plaza de Gregorio Marañón, although restrictions could be extended to Plaza de Colón if the influx of people makes it necessary.
Streets such as General Perón, Concha Espina, and Joaquín Costa will also suffer significant limitations, with progressive closures planned for the afternoon. The municipal recommendation is clear: avoid the northern axis of Castellana and use the M-30 as the main alternative to bypass the area.
Saturday night will be marked by closures in the center
The restrictions will not end at the close of the day. Between 10:00 PM on Saturday and 6:30 AM on Sunday, new closures will be implemented in a large part of the center of Madrid.
Affected roads include Goya, Génova, Plaza de Colón, Recoletos, Cibeles, and Paseo del Prado up to Atocha. Strategic intersections such as Alcalá with Cedaceros, Alcalá with Príncipe de Vergara, Plaza de la Independencia, and Carrera de San Jerónimo will also be affected.
In some cases, tunnels and specific movements will remain open to facilitate traffic flow, although the City Council warns that restrictions may be extended depending on security needs.
Sunday will be the most complicated day
The celebration of the mass gathering planned in Plaza de Cibeles will make Sunday morning the most delicate moment from a mobility perspective.
From 06:30 hours, numerous road closures will be reactivated along the Castellana-Colón-Recoletos-Cibeles-Prado axis, as well as on streets such as Goya, Génova, Serrano, and Alcalá.
The Cibeles area will concentrate a large part of the attendees, so authorities recommend avoiding unnecessary travel in the city center during the central morning hours.
Furthermore, the coincidence with other large-scale events planned in the city could further increase pressure on mobility.
Changes in Metro and public transport
Regarding the Metro network, temporary closures or access limitations may occur at stations located in areas with high public attendance during different times of the weekend, especially in the vicinity of Castellana and Cibeles.
Authorities recommend checking updated information before starting any travel and opting for alternative routes whenever possible. Public transport will, in any case, be the most recommended option for accessing areas near the scheduled events.
Advice for residents and visitors
The basic recommendations for those who have to travel around Madrid on the days the Pope is in Madrid are simple:
- Avoid the Castellana-Recoletos-Cibeles axis whenever possible.
- Use the M-30 and other ring roads for car travel.
- Check the traffic and public transport status before leaving.
- Advance purchases or errands that require travel through the center.
- Allow for longer travel times than usual.
The City Council also reminds that schedules and restrictions may be modified depending on public attendance and the operational needs of the security operation.
For several days, Madrid will experience an exceptional situation. Planning travel in advance will be the best way to avoid problems and minimize the effects of an operation that will mobilize thousands of people throughout the city.