The Spanish capital is a true paradise for all its visitors, whatever their tastes and preferences.
This is the positive side of being one of the great cities of Europe; it has a cultural and leisure offer as wide as the tastes and needs of its tourists or inhabitants.
Today we are going to give a present to all the runners who pass through Madrid. Join us in our list of the best routes and the perfect places to go running, whatever your level of demand.
And if you want to test yourself in a real race, we bring you a compilation of the best-known and most popular ones. Lace up your running shoes and stretch, we’re getting started.
Best places and routes for running in Madrid
El Retiro
We can’t think of a better place to start than at the Retiro. If you are someone who enjoys watching the sunrise while running and not being in the middle of a big crowd, come to the Retiro early in the morning, starting at 6 am.
Its different paths will take you through a more urban side, another with more trees or discover great monuments such as the Crystal Palace or the pond. In addition, its routes are mostly flat, perfect whatever your level, with almost 5 kilometres of perimeter.
Puerta del Sol, Templo de Debod y Gran Vía
The Retiro is too small for you, you want more, you want to keep discovering mythical corners of Madrid. Great, because we have a great plan for you. Take Calle Alcalá, one of the most famous streets in the capital, and head for the Templo de Debod, passing through Plaza de Oriente.
If your reference point, beginning and end is Retiro Park, then you should return along the most famous avenue in all of Spain, Gran Vía. This urban route will take you past some of the most important and popular monuments in the capital.
Monumental Madrid
We set our sights on the most monumental and spectacular sights of Madrid; the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral. Starting from El Retiro, we go down looking for the Prado Museum, and for about ten kilometres we will walk along the streets in search of the impressive Royal Palace.
Here you will discover places like Tirso de Molina, La Latina neighbourhood, Puente de Segovia, Madrid Río and, finally, Plaza de Oriente, which leads us to our destination. Once there, you’ll have other interesting places to visit such as the Royal Theatre or the Sabatini Gardens.
Campo del Moro
El Retiro is not the only park in Madrid, far from it. The capital is full of green corners, and while you’re in the area of the Royal Palace, we can’t leave behind Los Jardines del Campo del Moro.
Believe it or not, this beautiful park with incredible gardens and an unbeatable location is not as bustling as you might imagine. It has many shady spots and is the perfect place to end a quiet walk.
Madrid Río
We have mentioned Madrid Río in passing, talking about the route of the most monumental Madrid, but it could well be a route in itself. Its track, like the whole park, is very flat, perfect for relaxing and not demanding too much. Its nine linear kilometres along the river will show us a new side of Madrid.
Well-Known Streets
Believe it or not, there are still some well-known streets that you may not have passed through. The Recoletos and Castellana areas are recommended for those who are not looking for monuments but appreciate the beauty of the architecture of the buildings in the area.
Very quiet in the early hours of the day. Although if you are looking for a challenge and to test your twins, the street to visit is Calle Segovia. Another popular with locals, although runners know it for being one of the longest hills in the whole city, ready to take on the challenge?
Casa de Campo
We go a step further, leaving the centre of Madrid to look for one of the best places to run in the capital. It has it all; flat trails, slopes, fantastic views and even fountains to cool off in. A place for all runners, regardless of their level.
If you’re just starting out or simply enjoy a leisurely jog, try the Tapia de la Casa de Campo, which is about 17 kilometres long and has just a couple of baskets that will require you to make an effort.
If, on the other hand, you are one of those who see a path where others only see trees and chaos, you have your place here too. Get lost, not literally please, among its paths, trees and changes of level. In total, some 25 kilometres for all running lovers.
Parque del Canal de Isabel II
We continue to visit green areas without losing track of the centre of the capital. Now we go to the area outside Chamartín. A nice, short and very easy route, although the price to pay is that its kilometre of rope is usually quite crowded.
El Capricho
We walked away, towards Barajas, but the walk is well worth it if you want to enjoy one of the best parks in Madrid. A really beautiful park, with monuments and well-tended gardens, where you’ll have to fight not to stop and start taking photos.
Statues, pavilions, ponds, paths and trails will accompany you in your training. Be careful because the entrance is usually limited to a thousand people, and its doors are only open on weekends. From 9am to 9pm you can enjoy this fantastic corner of Madrid.
Best races in Madrid 2024
These are some of the most popular races and events that take place in Madrid throughout the year, all of which have in common the passion for running and, on many occasions, a great deal of solidarity.
Carrera Solidaria Fundación Real Madrid 2024
With the intention of using all the money raised for different charity projects of the Real Madrid Foundation, this race consists of two different distances; 5 kilometres and 10 kilometres. It takes place on 28 February 2024 and will start from the outskirts of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and pass through places such as Plaza de Colón and the Nuevos Ministerios area.
Carrera Madrid en Marcha contra el Cáncer 2024
A well-known charity race that aims to help and collaborate with organisations that care for and look after the welfare of people suffering from cancer. This year the race will take place on 14 April 2024.
The two options are 4.5 and 10 kilometres. Activities will be held in the Plaza de Colón and the start of the races will be on the Paseo de la Castellana. Madrid supporting all those who fight against cancer.
Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll running series Madrid 2024
We are still in April and one of the biggest races of the year takes place on the 28th of this month in its 2024 edition. This race has a very special vibe and atmosphere – rocker runners never die!
Almost 40,000 participants will leave the starting line with the aim of finishing one of the three distances; 10 kilometres, half marathon or marathon. This is one of the most important sporting events in the city throughout the year, and it becomes a real party.
Carrera de la Mujer 2024
This sporting event full of solidarity aims to promote and make women’s sport even more visible and to continue the fight against breast cancer. Sign up on 5 May 2024 because that’s when it’s time to take to the streets of Madrid and run for a great cause.
Carrera del Medio Ambiente EcoRun Madrid 2024
Casa de Campo is hosting this event to celebrate ‘World Environment Day’. There is no excuse not to be part of this party; the motive of helping the environment is perfect, and the distances to be covered are for everyone. Three distances ranging from one and a half kilometres for the more experienced runners, 5 kilometres and, finally, 10 kilometres.
Ibercaja Madrid corre por Madrid 2024
10,000 participants will meet on 15 September 2024 to cover the 10 kilometres of another of the most famous and essential races in every runner’s calendar.
From the Paseo de la Castellana to its finish at the Paseo de Camoens, in the Parque del Oeste, participants will enjoy a fantastic route. The organisers will donate part of the proceeds to non-profit associations and charity projects.
Carrera de la Ciencia Madrid 2024
When a race celebrates its 43rd edition, you know that something is working and very well. Here, people are running for and for science, supporting projects and research. On 20 October, the start and finish line will be in Calle Serrano, where the CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas) is located. Possibly the most beautiful ten kilometres you will ever see in a running event.
San Silvestre Vallecana 2024
This is the perfect example of how there’s nothing wrong with coming in last. The last event on our calendar brings us to the most famous running event in Madrid, and possibly in the whole of Spain; the San Silvestre Vallecana.
This event attracts the attention of half the world, and this is what you can see among the people who take part in the start of the race. On 31 December there is more than just grapes and more to celebrate than a new year. Remember that there are two types of races; the popular and the professional, so be careful where you place yourself, nobody wants to get lost.