Madrid's architecture and design community opens its calendar to the public for the XXIII Semana Internacional de la Arquitectura, a festival of exhibitions, talks, guided tours and building visits organised by the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid (COAM). Most of the programme is free, spread across venues throughout the city rather than a single site.
What it is
Running from 1 to 13 October, the programme is organised by COAM and the Fundación Arquitectura COAM, based on Calle Hortaleza. It centres on two things a typical exhibition can't offer: more than 45 guided urban itineraries covering themes from modernist Madrid and Le Corbusier's influence to the Salamanca district and Usera, and over 70 buildings normally closed to the public opening their doors, among them the Spanish Senate, the Royal Spanish Academy, the Reina Sofía Museum, Madrid Metro's control centre and RENFE's historic headquarters.
Alongside the tours, COAM's own galleries host a retrospective on architect Antonio Lamela (1926–2017), an exhibition of contemporary Swiss architecture tied to the Prix SIA award, and a design market. The talks programme runs daily, covering everything from Gaudí's sustainable-design legacy to a debate on the Barcelona Declaration on architecture for a planet in transition, with family workshops, concerts and a documentary screening filling out evenings and weekends.
Why it's worth attending
With more than 70 buildings open and 45-plus guided routes, this reaches a scale most single-theme festivals in Madrid don't attempt, letting visitors get inside spaces such as the Senate or Metro's control centre that are otherwise off-limits. The programme also runs several strands in parallel, architecture history and heritage, contemporary design and awards, and a family-oriented sideline, so the week suits a specialist crowd and a first-time visitor equally.
Practical info
Registration through the festival's website is required for guided tours and itineraries, capped at two per person; talks, workshops, exhibitions and concerts have no such limit. Building visits and tours run in limited time slots and fill quickly, particularly for landmark sites like the Senate or RENFE's headquarters, so booking early in the week is worth it.
FAQ
How many buildings can I visit during Madrid's Architecture Week?
More than 70 buildings not normally open to the public, including the Spanish Senate, the Royal Spanish Academy, the Reina Sofía Museum, Madrid Metro's control centre and RENFE's historic headquarters.
How many guided tours does the programme include?
More than 45 guided urban itineraries, covering themes such as modernist Madrid, Le Corbusier's influence, the Salamanca district, Usera and Madrid's historic cemeteries.
Do I need to book guided tours and building visits in advance?
Yes, tours and itineraries require registration through the festival's website, and each person can book a maximum of two; other activities like talks and exhibitions have no registration limit.
What exhibitions run during the Architecture Week?
COAM hosts a retrospective on architect Antonio Lamela (1926–2017), a contemporary Swiss architecture exhibition tied to the Prix SIA award, and a design market, alongside external shows such as the Francisco Javier Carvajal centenary exhibition in Retiro Park.
Is Madrid's Architecture Week free?
Most of the programme is free, though guided tours and building visits require advance registration through the festival's website due to limited capacity.
