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Mad Cool 2026 practical guide: how to get there, return and what to take
Mad Cool 2026 comes to Madrid from 8 to 11 July and will once again move thousands of people towards the Iberdrola Music venue in Villaverde. For those going to the festival, the key will not only be choosing concerts: it is also worth being clear about how to get there, how to return in the early hours and what can be taken in to avoid problems at the entrances.
Public transport will be the most practical option. The recommended stop is Villaverde Alto, on Metro line 3, although it will also be possible to arrive by Cercanías at Villaverde Alto and San Cristóbal Industrial. For those coming from Getafe, Metro line 12 to Los Espartales appears as another useful alternative.
The return journey is the most delicate point, especially when the main concerts end. Metro will reinforce line 3 from Villaverde Alto towards the centre: on 8 July there will be a special service until 2:00 and on 9, 10 and 11 July until 3:30. On these journeys, passengers will only be able to board at Villaverde Alto and alight at Legazpi, Embajadores and Sol.
Cercanías will also have a special night service between Villaverde Alto and Atocha, with no intermediate stops, on schedules similar to those of the Metro reinforcement. In addition, there will be EMT shuttle services from the Villaverde area to Legazpi and Atocha during the festival exit, with frequencies designed to absorb a large part of the public.
Those who prefer buses have lines such as 22, 79, T41 and N14, as well as several interurban services linking nearby municipalities. Even so, it is advisable to check for possible diversions due to road closures, because the movement of attendees and restrictions in Villaverde may alter usual routes.
Private cars do not seem to be the most comfortable option. There will be specific points for dropping off and picking up passengers, but the area around the venue will be heavily affected by closures, waiting areas and outbound traffic. Taxis will have an enabled area on Calle San Eustaquio, while VTCs will have a meeting point at Valle de Tobalina.
There will also be checks at the entrances. Only handbags, rucksacks or bags of up to 30 x 30 centimetres and made of non-rigid material are allowed. Objects such as glass, rigid containers, chairs, suitcases, umbrellas, aerosols, selfie sticks, flares, laser pointers and professional cameras with interchangeable lenses may not be brought in.
The best strategy for enjoying Mad Cool without turning the night into an obstacle course is to arrive with time to spare, take only what is necessary and agree a meeting point before signal coverage fails. At an event of this size, getting around Villaverde well can make the difference between remembering the festival for the concerts or for the wait to get home.