Madrid residents will face major traffic changes this coming weekend. City authorities warn that a series of protests and rallies in various neighborhoods will lead to restrictions and altered routes. These measures aim to ensure participants’ safety and minimize risks for everyone moving around the city. The impact will be felt most by those planning trips in the city center and eastern districts.
Restrictions in the city center
On Saturday, attention will turn to a large demonstration organized by the unions UGT FICA, CCOO de Industria, and ELA. The event is linked to negotiations over a new labor agreement for Iberdrola employees. The march will follow a busy route, starting from Puerta de Alcalá, passing through Plaza de Cibeles and along calle Alcalá to Puerta del Sol. From 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, traffic in these areas will be affected, with likely delays and temporary closures. This window overlaps with peak activity in the center, when the streets are crowded with tourists and locals.
Tensions have risen due to employee demands on Iberdrola management. Despite the company’s record profits, workers report declining purchasing power and are asking for pay increases. As reported by El confidencial, the situation has worsened against the backdrop of recent economic shifts.
Impact on public transport
Restrictions will affect not only drivers. Many EMT bus routes, including popular lines 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 27, 34, 52, and the airport express, will operate on modified schedules. Special routes passing through the city center will also be adjusted. Delays and longer travel times are expected.
On Sunday, the situation will become more complicated due to several protests in different districts. From 11:00 to 14:30, avenida de Montecarmelo will host a protest against a controversial construction project that has sparked a wave of discontent among locals. More than 14,000 people have already signed a petition against the development. At the same time, local road closures are expected on calle Alhambra, adding to traffic on surrounding streets.
Second wave of protests
The climax of the protest weekend will come on Sunday afternoon. From 15:00 to 16:00, and in reality from 14:30 to 18:00, another major demonstration will follow the route: avenida de Arcentales, Plaza de Grecia, avenida de Canillejas a Vicálvaro, calle Alcalá, then through Cibeles, Gran Vía, Plaza de España, calle Princesa, and up to avenida de la Memoria. During this period, dozens of EMT bus routes as well as intercity lines connecting Madrid with the suburbs will have to change their routes.
City authorities recommend avoiding private vehicles in protest areas and opting for the metro or Cercanías commuter trains, which are unaffected by the changes. It is also advised to check current information in advance on official EMT and City Hall resources to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Practical tips
With widespread road closures and delays, planning your journey in advance becomes especially important. Past experience shows that, on such days, the city center quickly becomes inaccessible to cars, and buses often get stuck in traffic jams. Authorities emphasize: it’s better to switch to the metro or commuter trains to avoid wasting time in congestion.
A similar situation occurred at the end of December, when the traditional San Silvestre Vallecana race led to the closure of key streets in the capital. Many residents then followed advice from the feature on public transport during the festive nightto avoid inconvenience and choose the best route.
In recent years, Madrid has regularly faced temporary traffic restrictions due to mass events, races, and protests. Each time, this sparks discussions among residents and requires a swift response from transport services. City authorities strive to inform locals about upcoming changes in advance to minimize negative impacts. Such situations are becoming increasingly frequent, especially during periods of heightened public activity and major city events.
