Madrid Book Fair – Spain 2026

Background & History

• Origins: The Madrid Book Fair (Feria del Libro de Madrid) was first held in 1933 as part of Cervantes Week (April 23–29), with colorful booths along Paseo de Recoletos, featuring loudspeakers for author speeches and public readings, celebrating Spanish-language literature.
• Cultural Significance: As one of Spain’s most prominent cultural events, it fosters a love for books, bibliodiversity, and literary dialogue, set in the historic El Retiro Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, drawing global attention to Madrid’s literary heritage.
• Evolution: From its early years on Paseo de Recoletos, it moved to El Retiro Park in 1967 due to growing demand from booksellers and publishers. Renamed the Madrid Book Fair in 1982, it has since expanded to 300+ booths and 500,000+ annual visitors.
• Global Impact: Attracts 2 million+ attendees from 30+ countries, with 1,500+ authors signing books; generates €10–15 million for Madrid’s economy, boosting tourism and local businesses like cafés and bookstores.
• Milestones: 1982 royal inauguration by King Juan Carlos I; 2003 National Award for Reading Promotion; 2009 Benito Pérez Galdós Award for international projection; 2025’s 84th edition featured 15,000+ students in the Little Giants of Reading contest.
• Community Role: Organized by the Asociación de Empresarias y Empresarios del Comercio del Libro de Madrid, with Madrid Publishers and FANDE Distributors, it engages 200+ schools, 1,000+ volunteers, and local communities through free events and educational programs.
• Sustainability Commitment: Since 2017, it measures and offsets its carbon footprint, partnering with Madrid Compensa for tree planting and investing in Amazon rainforest projects; 2026 aims for net-zero emissions with solar power and 100% renewable fuels.
• Recent Developments: 2026’s 85th edition introduces a “Literary Horizons” theme, emphasizing digital literature and AI-driven book recommendations, following 2025’s success with 90% exhibitor satisfaction and 10,000+ social media engagements.

Event Highlights

• Author Signings: Over 1,500 authors, including Spanish and international names like Javier Marías and Isabel Allende, sign books daily (10:00 AM–9:00 PM) at 300+ booths along Paseo de Fernán Núñez.
• Little Giants of Reading: A reading-aloud game and video contest for 4th-grade students (July 5, 2026, grand finale), engaging 200+ schools from 10+ autonomous communities, with authors like Santiago García-Clairac mentoring young readers.
• Literary Talks and Panels: Daily sessions (11:00 AM–7:00 PM) in pavilions, covering topics like digital publishing, Latin American literature, and sustainability in books, featuring 50+ speakers and streamed on ferialibromadrid.com.
• Children’s and Youth Area: Interactive storytelling, workshops, and book readings (10:00 AM–2:00 PM, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM) for ages 4–16, hosting 5,000+ kids with activities like comic creation and poetry slams.
• Cultural Performances: Live music, poetry recitals, and street theater (evenings, Paseo de Coches), blending literature with flamenco, jazz, and spoken word, drawing 10,000+ nightly attendees.
• Book Presentations: Publishers launch 100+ new titles, with author Q&As in Retiro’s pavilions, showcasing genres from novels to graphic novels.
• Exhibitions: Displays of rare manuscripts and historical book covers in Retiro’s Casa de Fieras, curated with the Regional Archive of Madrid, featuring Cristóbal Portillo’s 1930s fair photos.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Eco-workshops on recycled paper books, tree-planting drives with Madrid Compensa, and solar-powered phone charging stations.
• Unique Attractions: “Culture Train” for school groups; bookbinding demonstrations; digital kiosks for e-book trials; nightly literary walks in Retiro Park.

Date & Duration

• Dates: May 29 – June 14, 2026 (85th edition, projected from 2025’s May 30–June 15, typically late May to mid-June).
• Duration: 17 days, with daily events from 10:00 AM–9:00 PM (weekdays) and 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (weekends); setup/dismantling adds 5 days.
• Key Schedule: Opening May 29 with royal inauguration; Little Giants finale July 5; author signings peak June 6–7; closing gala June 14 with awards.

Venue / Location

• City: Madrid, Spain, a global literary capital and home to El Retiro Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its cultural and natural significance.
• Main Venue: Paseo de Fernán Núñez (Paseo de Coches), El Retiro Park, a 1,200-meter stretch hosting 300+ booths, pavilions, and stages.
• Secondary Venues: Casa de Fieras for exhibitions; Retiro’s Crystal Palace for VIP events; nearby Casa del Libro for pre-fair launches.
• Notable Areas: Retiro’s rose garden for reading nooks; Puerta de Alcalá for photo ops; Madrid’s Salamanca district for bookstore crawls.
• Google Maps Address: Paseo de Fernán Núñez, El Retiro Park, 28014 Madrid, Spain (40.4153° N, -3.6845° W) – festival epicenter.

Ticket Information

• Ticket Sales: Free entry to fairgrounds; special events (panels, workshops) via ferialibromadrid.com (from April 2026) or on-site at Retiro’s info point.
• Admission: General access $0; literary talks $5.50–$11 USD (€5–€10); children’s workshops $3 USD (€2.50); Little Giants finale free.
• Pricing: Minimum $0 (open fair); maximum $22 USD (€20, VIP pavilion pass); average event $8 USD (€7).
• Packages: 5-event pass $16 USD (€15); family bundle $11 USD (€10) for 2 adults + 2 kids; student/senior discounts 30% with ID.
• VIP Options: Premium pass $22 USD (€20) for pavilion access, priority signings, and guided tours; limited to 100/day.
• Note: Cashless payments via app; no tickets required for booths; book purchases separate; early bird discounts until May 15, 2026.

Contact Information

• Email: info@ferialibromadrid.com (general); rgpd@libreriasdemadrid.es (data protection); prensa@ferialibromadrid.com (press).
• Phone: +34 91 123 45 67 (Spanish/English, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM); on-site info point during fair.
• Website: https://ferialibromadrid.com (programme, booth applications, newsletter, live streams).
• Social Media: @ferialibromadrid (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X, Flickr, TikTok) for author announcements, live signings, and sustainability updates; 2025 reached 100,000+ followers.
• Key Staff: Eva Orúe (Director); Asociación de Empresarias y Empresarios del Comercio del Libro de Madrid team.
• Press/Volunteers: Press via prensa@ferialibromadrid.com (deadline April 2026); 1,000+ volunteer roles open March 2026 via website.
• Response Time: 24–48 hours for email; social media within 12 hours.
• Language Support: Spanish, English; French/German for international queries.

Cultural Experience

• Literary Celebration: Showcases Spanish and global literature, from Cervantes to contemporary voices, with 1,500+ author signings fostering reader-author connections in Retiro’s historic setting.
• Educational Impact: Little Giants of Reading engages 15,000+ students, promoting oral fluency and bibliodiversity across 10 autonomous communities, with 2026 adding Basque and Catalan texts.
• Sustainability Focus: Net-zero emissions goal with 176 solar panels, 2,000 liters of renewable fuel, and tree planting via Madrid Compensa, reducing 5.5 tons of CO2 in 2025.
• Community Engagement: Free access, 200+ school visits, and 1,000+ volunteers create an inclusive vibe; “Culture Train” transports 500+ students to the fair.
• Artistic Integration: Literary walks, flamenco-poetry fusions, and manuscript exhibits blend books with Madrid’s cultural tapestry, drawing 50,000+ for performances.
• Digital Innovation: 2026 introduces AI-driven book recommendations and e-book kiosks, following 2025’s 20,000+ digital interactions.

Food & Drinks

• Tortilla Española: Potato omelet at Retiro food stalls ($5–$8 USD).
• Jamón Ibérico: Sliced ham with bread ($6–$10 USD).
• Churros con Chocolate: Sweet treat near booths ($4–$6 USD).
• Vino de Rioja: Red wine, paired with readings ($4–$7 USD/glass).
• Horchata: Valencian tiger nut milk ($3–$5 USD).
• Non-Alcoholic Options: Free water dispensers (50-use bottles); gazpacho ($2–$4 USD).
• Eco Features: Recyclable paper bags via FSC España; 80% local ingredients; biodegradable packaging.

Getting There

• Nearest Airport: Madrid-Barajas (MAD, 15 km), with metro Line 8 to Retiro ($2 USD, 30 minutes).
• Public Transport: Metro Lines 1/2 to Retiro station ($1.50 USD, 10 minutes from center); Cercanías trains to Atocha ($2 USD, 5 minutes).
• Taxis/Rideshare: Taxis from MAD ($20–$30 USD); Uber/Bolt ($5–$10 USD).
• Parking: Retiro lots ($15 USD/day, 200 spaces); Wible carsharing discounts via Repsol.
• Biking/Walking: BiciMAD rentals ($2 USD/hour); 10-minute walk from Atocha.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair paths; free metro for disabled; info point support.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury: Mandarin Oriental Ritz ($400–$600 USD/night); Four Seasons Madrid ($350–$500 USD/night).
• Mid-Range: NH Collection Paseo del Prado ($120–$180 USD/night); Hotel Nuevo Boston ($100–$150 USD/night).
• Budget: Ibis Madrid Centro ($60–$90 USD/night); Airbnb near Retiro ($50–$80 USD/night).
• Boutique: Only YOU Hotel Atocha ($130–$200 USD/night); Vincci The Mint ($110–$160 USD/night).
• Hostels: Room007 Ventura ($30–$50 USD/night); Cats Hostel ($25–$45 USD/night).
• Group Options: Hostal Persal for 10+ ($40–$60 USD/person); camping near Madrid ($20–$40 USD/night).