BTS in Madrid: A Local’s Guide for Visiting ARMY
Photo of Madrid taken by our Resident Spaniard, Patricia
BTS is returning to the stage after many years and also making their long-awaited Spanish debut at Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Spanish ARMYs are legendary for their passion, so this European leg is going to be electric. As AP529’s resident Spaniard, I’ve curated this "Bangtan-Style" guide to help you navigate my hometown like a pro.
✈️ Arriving in Madrid: "A la Billionaire" or "Bon Voyage"?
Madrid, the capital of the “Kingdom of Spain”, is located more or less in the middle of the country. If you are coming by air, you’ll likely land at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) airport. Here’s how to get to the city center from there:
Location of Madrid within Spain
Public Transport (The "Bon Voyage" Route)
Metro/ Subway (Line 8 - Pink): Connects all terminals to Nuevos Ministerios. From there, you can transfer to almost anywhere. Cost: ~$5 (including the 'Multi' card). Time: 30-40 mins.
Airport Express Bus (Line 203): The bright yellow 24/7 bus. It drops you at Plaza de Cibeles or Atocha. Cost: €5 (Pay by card/mobile). Time: 40 mins.
Cercanías Train (C1): Best from T4 to Chamartín or Atocha. Cost: ~$3. Time: 25 mins.
Private Transport (The "Billionaire" Route)
Taxi: Fixed rate of €33 to the city center (interior of M-30). No surprises!
Ride-Sharing: Use Uber or Cabify (the local favorite). Note: They have specific pickup points in the airport parking garages.
🗺️ The "Bangtan-Style" Itinerary
Madrid is a big city that has a small town feeling. If I were tour-guiding the members through Madrid, here is where we’d go:
RM: Art & Rare Books
Namjoon came to Spain with his family before military service in the Spring of 2023. He did an interview for the biggest Spanish newspaper, El Pais, and gifted us several IG photo drops (Drop 1, Drop 2, Drop 3), sharing some of the sights he enjoyed, including landmarks in Barcelona and Bilbao.
As someone who deeply appreciates art, I would take Namjoon to one of the most important museums in the world: El Museo del Prado. Namjoon will certainly love this “museum of painters,” built with the private collections of kings who favored specific masters. Here, he could see the entire lifespan of genius of artists like Goya, whose raw and visceral works are on the same wavelength as RM’s 2024 album, Right Place Wrong Person.
I can see him spending a long time contemplating Las Meninas by Velázquez—which is a meta-commentary on the act of seeing and being seen. This is a topic RM often also reflects on in his lyrics. Since Namjoon already saw Picasso's famous reinterpretation of this work in Barcelona, his visit to Madrid would finally allow him to experience the original. Afterward, we’d take a walk to the tree-lined Cuesta de Moyano, an open air book market that sells rare editions and vintage books. It’s the perfect place for him to pick up a beautiful coffee table book for his new home.
Jin: The Culinary King
ATEEZ on their churro raid at Chocolateria de San Gines.
Jin probably won’t have to repeat his "TEMU mulhoe" shenanigans in Madrid. Spain has several highly-rated Korean restaurants (Namjoon reportedly visited one with his family), but even if Jin is super loyal to his country’s cuisine, I would love for him to experience an “Eat Jin: Spanish Version.”
Our culinary exploration would have to start with a tapas feast. Tapas are the “appetizers” in Spanish cuisine, but they can be combined together to form a whole meal shared between friends and family. I would take Jin to Mercado de San Miguel. Once a traditional market, it now houses everything from the best Spanish jamón (premium dry-cured ham) to the freshest shellfish—a true “Disney World” for the palate (Namjoon can attest to that; the photo above shows him visiting el Mercado).
Nearby sits the oldest restaurant in the world, Casa Botin, which has been serving Spanish delicacies for over 300 years and has had illustrious visitors like Miguel de Cervantes, the writer of Don Quixote. And for dessert? Jin should definitely listen to the members of ATEEZ, who made a famous late-night raid of Chocolateria de San Gines. Their thick hot chocolate and churros are a favorite of madrileños (residents of Madrid) of every age. I’d suggest bringing Hobi along for the ride too, since we know he loves churros!
A beautiful guitar made by Guitarras Ramirez.
SUGA: Guitars & Views
Yoongi mentioned in passing that he was looking forward to the Barcelona stop of the MOTS tour to maybe visit some of Gaudi’s architectural marvels. His visit to Catalonia will have to wait, but there are still some locations in Madrid he would surely enjoy.
Even if Yoongi wasn’t a fan of woodworking, I am pretty sure he would change his mind after visiting one of the most prestigious guitar houses in the world, Guitarras Ramirez, which has been making high quality guitars for five generations. Or maybe he would like to attend a concert for classic or flamenco guitar and discuss the nuances of wood and construction with the staff of Guitarras de Luthier.
From the tour visit to Chicago, we know he enjoyed the views of the city from the highest buildings. The terrace of Circulo de Bellas Artes is not quite as high, but it has a stunning 360° view of the city center and its most emblematic buildings, particularly at sunset.
j-hope: Dancing & Shopping
I would love to get j-hope to dance in Spain, maybe giving him ideas for a new Hope on the Street documentary episode. We also know that he is quite a fashionista, so some shopping is in order for our Hobi.
For inspiration, I would send him to the Nuevos Ministerios Esplanade, which is not only near one of the main hubs of transportation but also an iconic spot where local street dancers gather to practice. Breakdancers and hip-hop crews practice in the smooth stone floors, and maybe he could record a quick freestyle video for his TikTok. After checking out some dancing crews, he can go get himself some cool street wear from two Spanish brands: Nude Project, known for its exclusive high-end streetwear, and Loewe, the classic alternative Spanish version of LV.
To end the day, it’d be great to reunite SOPE, and have j-hope and Yoongi visit a classic flamenco tablao like Corral de la Moreria or Cardamomo. SUGA has a deep respect for "unfiltered" emotion in music and j-hope, as an expert technical dancer, need to discover this deep music genre. Yoongi would appreciate the intricate guitars and the duende, an untranslatable word that embodies flamenco’s emotional spirit, and I can only hope our Hobi would like to jump on stage and try to match the energy of the flamenco dancers.
Jimin: Angels & Demons
Jimin, with his dancer stance and his sweet disposition, can tag along to any of the other members’ plans I have described. He’d probably enjoy the Spanish food tour with Jin, or even a flamenco show with SOPE. Still, I have my own plans for Jimin.
I can totally see the maknae line, with Jimin as their captain, renting a boat at the Gran Estanque in Parque del Buen Retiro. This is the "green lung" of Madrid, a 350-acre UNESCO World Heritage site known for its lush gardens. Jimin can bring RM to do some quintessential Namjooning by taking a walk in the rose garden (La Rosaleda), or just sit in quiet contemplation by the Palacio de Cristal. The Park also reminds me of our Jimin’s duality as it displays the only statue of the devil in a public park in the world, el Angel Caido (the Fallen Angel).
As a trained contemporary dancer with a deep love for performance art, Jimin would be captivated by a night at Madrid’s Teatro Real. This grand theater with interiors that parallel the location of “Black Swan,” hosts world-class ballet productions. During intermission, you can step on the balcony overlooking the beautiful Plaza de Oriente and the Royal Palace.
Torres Blancas, where V filmed “Rainy Days”.
V: Parisian Chic & Jazz
Kim Taehyung visited Spain when he was preparing Layover. He filmed all the M/Vs for the album in several locations across Spain. In Madrid, he chose one of the apartments at the top of Torres Blancas, a brutalist architectural gem in Avenida de America, in which to film “Rainy Days”.
Tae can find some of the Parisian chic he loves in the Baroque and Neoclassicly designed Royal Palace, which is surrounded by the Sabatini Gardens, a perfect place for a taking pictures while on a thoughtful walk. Not far away, at Puerta del Sol, he could visit Viena Capellanes, which is famous for its flaky, buttery croissants. The chain, founded in 1873, is perfect for a quick lunch or a pastry and has an old-timey feel—decorated with pretty marble-topped wrought iron tables V would love.
For the evening, I would definitely send him to the Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter) for a visit to Cafe Central. This Art Deco club has been hosting world-class jazz for four decades and is known for its exceptional acoustics. Sitting at a table on the outdoor terrace to people-watch while listening to the music drift outside sounds like a perfect plan for our Tae Tae.
Daredevil maknae Jung Kook skydiving in “Are You Sure?!” Season Two
Jung Kook: High-Energy Adventures
Our Golden Maknae is a daredevil who needs some adrenaline-fueled alternatives to fill the time between concerts in Madrid. I can definitely find some heart-pounding activities that will match his athletic and adventurous nature.
JK can start with defying gravity at Madrid Fly. This is one of the largest and most modern indoor skydiving facilities in Europe. Here you can experience the rush of a free fall without a parachute, guided with professional instructors, and you can also watch professional flyers exhibiting advanced aerial maneuvers. Knowing Jung Kook, he will probably master them in no time.
The other option is X Madrid, an unconventional commercial space dedicated to extreme sports, urban art, and alternative retail. It features a massive climbing wall, a deep diving pool, and a skate park, along with several motorbike gear stores and a wide selection of niche streetwear. After his exploration, maybe the maknaes can all head together for a drink in one of Madrid’s most famous underground spots, Medias Puri. Hidden behind the facade of a hosiery shop, this club hosts high-production live shows including aerialists and dancers. Our guys can get “lost in the lights” and enjoy Madrid’s legendary nightlife.
Namjoon with his parents in Toledo / Source: Namjoon’s IG
💜 ARMY Activities in Madrid
While you're waiting for soundcheck or during your "off" days, here is how to keep the purple energy going in the city:
BT21 Shopping: You don't have to go to Seoul for your merch fix. Head to the Line Friends sections in the major El Corte Inglés department stores (the ones at Preciados or Castellana are your best bets).
K-Pop Cafés & Cupsleeves: Madrid’s Malasaña district is the heart of the local fan scene. Check out Han-A Madrid or the local bubble tea shops; they almost always host cupsleeve events during concert weeks. It’s the best way to meet Spanish ARMYs and trade photocards!
The "Namjooning" Day Trip: If you have an extra day, I wholeheartedly recommend a trip to Toledo (only 30 mins by high-speed train). Namjoon visited with his parents in 2023, and you can recreate his iconic photo from the Parador balcony. The view of the medieval city is breathtaking.
BTS Madrid Concert Guide
The ARIRANG Tour is heading to one of Europe’s most modern stadiums. Located in the San Blas-Canillejas district, it has a 70,000 capacity and an incredible atmosphere.
Fun Fact: The Metropolitano is the home of Atlético de Madrid. Their fans are known for being the Spanish Soccer League "underdogs"—resilient, passionate, and incredibly loud. It feels poetic for BTS to perform here! Their colors are also Red and White…does that remind you of something?
📅 Essential Concert Details
Dates: Friday, June 26 & Saturday, June 27, 2026
Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid
Showtime: 20:00 (Expected)
📍 How to Get There
Metro (Recommended): Take Line 7 (Orange) and get off at Estadio Metropolitano. This station was built specifically for massive crowds, so it’s huge and efficient.
Alternative Metro: If Line 7 is too packed, Line 2 (Las Rosas) and Line 5 (Canillejas) are about a 15-minute walk away.
Bus: Lines 28, 38, 48, 140, E2 serve this area. After the show, look for the "Búhos" (Owls)—our night buses that run when the Metro closes.
💡 Resident Spaniard Pro-Tip: Buy your "Tarjeta Multi" (transport card) at the airport and top it up with a 10-trip pass. It’ll save you from the massive ticket machine queues after the concert, and you can use it for the Metro and buses all week. The subway in Madrid is modern, clean, fast, safe, and reliable. After living in NYC for over 20 years, el Metro feels like heaven.
🧳 Packing List: Survival in the Madrid Heat
Madrid in late June is hot. We’re talking 30°C (86°F) and very dry. To avoid feeling like a "burnt crisp," don't forget:
Army Bomb: This concert is happening after Busan so you will need the new version to connect to the app and be part of the light show at the concert.
Hydration: Bring a sealed water bottle (50cl max). Security usually removes the cap at the entrance, so drink up while in line!
Sunscreen: Apply profusely, Kim Taehyung style. The Spanish sun does not play.
The "Abanico": You can use a battery fan, but I suggest going the traditional way with a Spanish abanico (hand fan). Spanish ARMY wants to fill the stadium with purple fans for the concert so it is a perfect excuse to get yours!
Power Bank: Between digital tickets and 4K fancams, your battery will die fast.
Small Bag: The stadium is strict—aim for a small transparent bag (30x15x30 cm/ 12"x6"x12") or a tiny clutch.
ℹ️ Fan Etiquette & Safety:
Fan Chants: Get loud! Spanish crowds are famous for their energy, and the members have waited a long time to hear us.
Respect other ARMY: When filming, try to keep your phone at eye level so you don't block the ARMY behind you. Let's all see the magic!
Clean after yourself: Let's leave the Metropolitano spotless so the staff remembers ARMY as the best fandom in the world.
Respect the Neighborhood: The stadium is in a residential area. When we leave after the show, let’s try to leave the "shouting" and fan chants at the stadium and be quiet as we head to the Metro.
Basic ARMY Spanish
🏟️ Concert Essentials
"¿Dónde está la cola para el merchandising?" – Where is the line for merch?
"¿Me puede rellenar la botella de agua, por favor?" – Can you refill my water bottle, please? (Madrid tap water is actually famous for being the best in Spain!)
"¿Por qué puerta se entra?" – Which gate to enter?
"¡No empujéis, por favor!" – Don’t push, please! (Useful for barricade safety).
"¿Me puedes hacer una foto?" – Can you take a photo of me?
🛍️ Shopping with Hobi & Tae
"¿Tenéis esto en otra talla?" – Do you have this in another size?
"Es mazo chulo." – This is super cool. ("Mazo" is the most famous Madrid slang for "very" or "a lot").
"Me flipa tu outfit." – I'm obsessed with your outfit. (A great way to make friends in the merch line).
"¿Aceptáis tarjeta?" – Do you accept card?
🥘 "Eat Jin" Phrases
"Una de churros con chocolate, por favor." – An order of churros and chocolate, please.
"Agua del grifo, por favor." – Tap water, please. (Saying "grifo" instead of just "agua" tells them you want the free, delicious Madrid tap water).
"La cuenta, cuando puedas." – The bill, whenever you can. (A polite way to ask for the check).
"Está mazo rico." – This is super tasty.
🚇 "Namjooning" Basics
"¿Sabe dónde para el Búho?" – Do you know where the night bus stops? (Remember, Búho means "Owl," which is what we call the night buses).
"¿Este metro va hacia el centro?" – Does this train go toward the city center?
"¡Vale!" – Okay! / Understood! (You will hear this 100 times a day. It’s the universal Spanish word for "OK").
