Madrid’s Parque de Atracciones is set for a sweeping overhaul as the city prepares a new concession. The winning bid must deliver new rides, improved accessibility, energy savings, and safeguard the park’s 1927 carousel. Major changes are on the horizon for this family favorite.
Madrid’s Ayuntamiento is preparing to launch the most significant transformation in the nearly 60-year history of Parque de Atracciones. In the coming weeks, the city will open a public tender for the park’s management, ending a concession that has been in place since 1967 and closely tied to Parques Reunidos. The new contract aims to bring the park into a new era, with a focus on innovation, accessibility, and sustainability.
The upcoming concession will require bidders to commit to substantial investments. Proposals that prioritize the renewal of existing facilities and the introduction of new attractions will be favored, as the city seeks to strengthen the park’s appeal for both locals and tourists. According to municipal data, Parque de Atracciones welcomes around one million visitors annually, with families and young people making up the majority of its audience.
One of the most notable requirements in the new tender is the preservation of the park’s historic Tiovivo, a hand-crafted carousel built in France in 1927 and acquired by the park in 1968. This art déco and modernist piece, protected under a wooden pergola, must be carefully maintained and restored as needed by the future operator. Its continued presence is seen as a vital link to the park’s heritage.
Beyond new rides, the city is demanding improvements in accessibility to ensure the park is inclusive for all visitors. Energy efficiency is another key priority, with the concessionaire expected to implement measures that reduce the park’s environmental footprint. Importantly, any investments or upgrades will be funded by the operator or third parties, not by the city itself. The terms also stipulate that green spaces and landscaped areas must not be reduced by future works.
Since opening, Parque de Atracciones has undergone five major renovations, including a 1970s expansion, the creation of themed zones in 1998, the addition of roller coasters Abismo and Tarántula in the mid-2000s, and the development of the Nickelodeon children’s area between 2014 and 2018. The current concession is set to expire on September 27, 2027, following a recent extension granted to offset pandemic-related losses.
This move by Madrid’s city council reflects a broader trend of revitalizing historic leisure spaces to meet modern expectations. Similar efforts to blend tradition with innovation can be seen elsewhere on the Iberian Peninsula, such as the transformation of Portugal’s medieval fairs into immersive cultural experiences, as highlighted in this overview of Caminha’s historic festival revival.
As the city prepares to select a new operator, the future of Parque de Atracciones will depend on balancing its storied past with the demands of a new generation of visitors. The next few years will determine how this Madrid landmark adapts to changing tastes while preserving the elements that have made it a family favorite for decades.
