World Pride Madrid 2017

This year, Madrid is playing host to World Pride, 23 June – 2 July 2017. A series of events will be taking place throughout the city to not only celebrate World Pride but to also celebrate Madrid Pride and European Pride. Preparation and knowing where to go in an emergency are vital – so, if you are planning on attending World Pride 2017, please read the advice below!

What's happening and where

A large number of visitors are expected for all the World Pride celebrarions, particularly for the parade on 1 July, which will take place on the main streets of Madrid fromn Atocha to the Plaza de Colón from 17.00 - 24.00. We advise citizens to exercise caution in large gatherings; to be careful with their personal belongings, to remain calm in crowds, to respect the crowd restrictions at some of the event locations, and to follow the instructions of the Spanish authorities and the event organisers. The Spanish authorities are employing special measures to ensure public safety at these events. A significant police presence and vehicle restrictions can be expected in the city centre and at the airport and train stations.

Citizens should be aware that there will be significant vehicle restrictions in place in the city, in particular on the days 28 June – 2 July. These restrictions include prohibiting the circulation of heavy vehicles (with a MAM of over 3,500kgs) during specific hours, traffic diversions, and parking restrictions for all vehicles, including mopeds and bicycles, in certain areas. For details on the traffic restrictions and to learn of alternative routes if you are travelling in private transport, please consult the following website, Mobility and Transport Information [link no longer available]. Citizens are encouraged to use public transport, whose services and capacity will be increased. Information on public transport can also be found at the above link.

A full list of all events, including locations and times, can be found on the World Pride website. A large amount of the events are concentrated in the city centre in the areas of Chueca, Plaza de Colón, Plaza de España and Puerta del Sol. Citizens are advised to plan their itinerary in advance and allow time to arrive at each event.

Information, including registration requirements, for the Madrid Summit, an International Human Rights Conference being held on the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid campus in Cantoblanco from the 26th – 28th June, can be found at http://www.worldpridemadrid2017.com/en/summit.

Further tourist information (in English) for World Pride can be found on the Official Madrid Tourism website.

Health and safety tips

The Department of Health in Madrid has drawn up a helpful leaflet in English with health recommendations for visitors to World Pride which can be found at Recommendations Madrid Salud WP M'17.

The tips include –

• If you suffer from a chronic illness do not forget to take your medication. If travelling with prescribed medication it is advisable to keep the medication in its original packaging accompanied by the doctor’s prescription.
• Summer temperatures in Madrid are very high which leaves you at risk of suffering from sunstroke and heatstroke. Remember to use a high factor sunscreen and reapply it regularly, wear a hat, sunglasses and light coloured clothing, drink at least 2 litres of water a day, and take breaks from being out in the direct sun.
• Rest and sleep, take breaks!
• Manage how you deal with crowd situations, breathing slowly and deeply can help.
• Be mindful of hygiene, purchase and consume food in authorised establishments, and use the designated toilet facilities.
• Alcohol can dehydrate you. Be mindful of alcohol and drug consumption.
• Prevention continues to be the only effective way to fight against HIV and other STDs. Health officials stress the importance of practicing sex safe.

There will be mobile information points throughout the city centre should citizens need police assistance or need to receive medical attention. These mobile information points will be situated near Plaza de España, Puerta del Sol and Puerta de Alcalá. Their exact locations will be advertised on the World Pride website and also via the World Pride app which will be launching shortly. Citizens are encouraged to download this app once available.

Additional tips and useful travel advice for citizens can be found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Travel Advice for Spain website, and also via the Travel Wise App. 

Some of these useful tips include:

• Get comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling and check what it covers.
• Travel with your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which can be applied for through the HSE.
• Keep your passport in a safe place - carry your passport card on you, a photocopy of your passport and a picture of your passport on your mobile telephone.
• If your passport is lost/stolen, the Embassy can issue you with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) - you will have to get a police report and come in person to the Embassy during office hours (www.irlanda.es). Please also bring 2 passport size photos with you, as well as any other additional ID you may have on you and a copy of your return travel itinerary. There is a fee of €30 for an ETC. In the case of minors, consent of both parents will have to be obtained before an ETC can be issued.
• Fill in the emergency contact details option on your passport.
• Keep your valuables in a safe place.
• Keep one of your bank cards and some cash separate from the rest of your valuables and avoid carrying too many valuables with you.
• Beware of pick pockets in crowds, restaurants, cafés, on buses or metro, near ATMs and never leave your bag or belongings out of sight/unattended.
• Let people know where you are and make sure you know where your friends are.

Useful contact details

Emergency call 112 (service available in English)

Information about the city of Madrid call 010

Gender Violence call 016

Information on health services call (0034) 900 102 112

National Police call (0034) 902 102 112

Embassy of Ireland
Paseo de la Castellana, 46-4, 28046 Madrid (metro Rubén Darío, Line 5)

Tel: 0034 914364093 (in case of an emergency outside of opening hours please leave a message and the Embassy’s Duty Officer will return your call)

Fax: 0034 914351677
Public Counter: Mon – Fri 09.00 – 14.00
Telephone Line: Mon – Fri 09.00 -18.00
Email: madridembassy[at]dfa[dot]ie (email account monitored Mon – Fri 09.00-17.00)
Twitter: @IrlEmbMadrid