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Madrid prepares for a historic June: the arrival of the Pope and Bad Bunny sparks hotel madness

Madrid is set to welcome Pope Leo XIV and Bad Bunny this June, unleashing an unprecedented tourist wave.

Ana TorresAna Torres· · 2 min read

An unprecedented June in Madrid

The Spanish capital is in full swing ahead of the imminent arrival of two major events that promise to attract thousands of visitors: the visit of Pope Leo XIV and a series of concerts by the famous artist Bad Bunny. With almost 80% of hotels already fully booked, finding accommodation in Madrid for those days has become an almost impossible task.

Leo XIV will be in Spain from June 6 to 12, starting his tour in Madrid before continuing to Barcelona and the Canary Islands. This will be his first trip to Spain, making him the ninth Pope to visit the country. The last time a pontiff was on Spanish soil was Benedict XVI, who presided over World Youth Day in August 2011, an event that gathered more than a million people.

Simultaneously, Bad Bunny will perform up to ten concerts at the Riyadh Air Metropolitan Stadium during his world tour. On June 6 and 7, coinciding with the papal visit, a massive influx of both local and international fans is expected. His latest album, ‘Debí tirar más fotos’, includes hits like ‘DtMF’ and ‘Café con ron’, generating unprecedented demand for tickets and accommodation.

As the key dates approach, booking platforms like Booking have reported that 76% of accommodations are fully booked. For those seeking more affordable options, the situation is even more critical; 95% of hotels with rates below one hundred euros per night are no longer available.

Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida has highlighted the crucial role of tourism for Madrid, describing it as the «flagship» of local economic growth. In June last year, Madrid welcomed nearly 914,496 tourists, with a notable percentage coming from abroad. It is estimated that this year those numbers will be surpassed thanks to these unique events.

Looking ahead to 2025, the City Council estimates a total international spending of approximately 17.9 billion euros, representing a significant increase compared to the previous year. The average spending per visitor is also expected to rise, reaching 1,960 euros per person.

Ana Torres

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Ana Torres