🎨 At The Sun Places we know that luxury is also expressed through art. That's why we invite you to discover ARCOmadrid, the International Contemporary Art Fair of Spain, which celebrates its 45th edition from 4 to 8 March 2026 at the IFEMA MADRID exhibition centre.
Consolidated as one of the main platforms of the global art market, ARCOmadrid once again turns Madrid into the epicentre of reflection, creation and cultural exchange, bringing together 211 galleries from 30 countries.
And to experience it to the fullest, The Sun Places offers you our Luxury Apartments in Madrid in the heart of the Madrid Golden Mile.
ARCOmadrid is much more than an art fair; it is the thermometer of the international art market, an unmissable meeting point for collectors, gallery owners, artists and art lovers from all over the world.
In 2026, its 45th edition has brought many new features: a special section for its anniversary, a majority international presence and an economic impact that reinforces Madrid as the European capital of contemporary art.
Walking through pavilions 7 and 9 of IFEMA is to immerse yourself in the latest creative trends, discover new talents and, for collectors, a unique investment opportunity. The Sun Places invites you to immerse yourself in this unique cultural experience.
ARCOmadrid was born in 1982, during the Spanish democratic transition, thanks to gallery owner Juana de Aizpuru, who promoted this project together with Francisco Sanuy, Adrián Piera and Rosina Gómez-Baeza.
Its first edition was held between 10 and 17 February 1982 at the IFEMA Exhibition Palace, then located on Madrid's Paseo de la Castellana, and featured the participation of 364 European and American artists.
Since then, ARCOmadrid has become one of the most important fairs in the world for collectors and galleries, acting as a catalyst for the Spanish art scene and its international projection.
In its more than four decades of history, ARCOmadrid has witnessed the evolution of the art market, launched the careers of now-established artists and consolidated Madrid as a first-class cultural destination.
Below, we tell you all the details of this historic edition.
📅 When is ARCOmadrid 2026?
ARCOmadrid 2026 takes place from 4 to 8 March 2026. The first three days (from Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 morning) are dedicated exclusively to professionals in the sector (gallery owners, collectors, curators, museum directors).
The fair opens its doors to the general public from 3:00 pm on Friday 6 March, as well as throughout the weekend (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8).
The general opening hours are from 12:00 to 20:00. If you stay with The Sun Places, our concierge service can arrange ticket purchases and, for collectors, organise personalised guided tours at exclusive times.
📍 Where is ARCOmadrid 2026 located?
ARCOmadrid 2026 is held at the IFEMA MADRID exhibition centre, located at Avenida del Partenón, 5, in the Barajas district.
For this edition, the fair will occupy pavilions 7 and 9 of IFEMA. Access is very easy: Metro line 8 ("Feria de Madrid" station) connects directly with the airport and the city centre (Nuevos Ministerios), with a travel time of approximately 15 minutes.
From our Luxury Apartments in Madrid in the Salamanca District or near Serrano Street, you can reach the venue in 15-20 minutes by car or taxi.
The Sun Places can arrange a private chauffeur service for your transfer.
🖼️ What can you see at ARCOmadrid 2026?
ARCOmadrid 2026 brings together 211 galleries from 30 countries, with 66% international participation, reflecting its global character. Of these, 175 are part of the General Programme, while the rest are integrated into specialised curated sections. Among the most notable sections are:
- ARCO2045: the future for now: A special section with 17 galleries, curated by José Luis Blondet and Magalí Arriola to commemorate the fair's 45th anniversary. It invites reflection on the tentative languages of art and glimpses new creative horizons for the coming decades.
- Opening. New galleries: A space dedicated to young galleries, with 19 proposals from galleries with less than eight years of experience, selected by Anissa Touati and Rafa Barber Cortell. It is a unique opportunity to discover emerging talent.
- Perfiles | Latin American art: A section that, with 12 galleries selected by José Esparza Chong Cuy, reinforces ARCOmadrid's historic link with Latin America.
The fair exhibits works by around 1,300 artists, with a growing female presence reaching 40% of the total. On the national scene, established firms such as 1 Mira Madrid, Elvira González, Elba Benítez and Travesía Cuatro stand out.
Internationalisation can be seen in galleries such as Carlos/Ishikawa, Green Art, Lia Rumma, Thaddaeus Ropac, Esther Schipper and Luisa Strina.
The artistic panorama is "very broad, from the avant-garde with works by Miró, Picasso and Juan Gris, to artists aged 25 or 26 in the Opening section," according to the fair's director, Maribel López.
💰 Importance of ARCOmadrid for the art market and collecting
ARCOmadrid is a sales engine where high-level institutional and corporate acquisitions are made.
In the 2025 edition, the Reina Sofía Museum, through the Ministry of Culture, made 17 purchases worth €402,760, acquiring works by 14 artists, nine of them women, including Annette Messager, Claudia Andujar, La Ribot and Ester Chacón. Other institutions such as the IVAM in Valencia and Es Baluard in Mallorca have also returned to institutional purchases.
The Community of Madrid, the Madrid City Council, the Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson and the Fundación Sorigué also made significant acquisitions.
In total, the economic impact of ARCOmadrid on the city of Madrid is estimated at €195 million, also contributing to the maintenance of 1,475 jobs.
🤝 Who organises ARCOmadrid 2026?
ARCOmadrid is organised by IFEMA MADRID, the capital's trade fair institution, also responsible for other major events such as FITUR or the Madrid Motor Show.
The fair is directed by Maribel López, who has been a key figure in the evolution and international consolidation of ARCOmadrid. The event has the strategic support of Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), which collaborates in the International Guests Programme (bringing more than 130 curators, museum directors and critics from around the world) and in the Museums Programme, thus facilitating interaction with the Spanish art scene and the export of national talent.
🎭 What ARCOmadrid represents for Madrid, the Community of Madrid and The Sun Places
ARCOmadrid is the main showcase for contemporary art in Spain and one of the most important in the world. Its celebration turns Madrid into the nerve centre of the art market, attracting thousands of collectors, gallery owners and art lovers from around the world.
For the Community of Madrid, ARCOmadrid is a first-class tourism and economic engine, injecting millions of euros into the local economy and projecting an image of a cultured, open and avant-garde city. For The Sun Places, experiencing ARCOmadrid is a natural extension of our philosophy of offering complete luxury experiences.
That is why our Luxury Apartments in Madrid are located in the heart of the Madrid Golden Mile.
Furthermore, ARCOmadrid is connected to other major cultural events in the capital: the concerts of Madrid Luxury Music, the fashion of Vogue Fashion Night Out, the exhibitions of La Milla del Arte, the haute cuisine of the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Madrid and the history of Madrid of the Austrias. All of this makes the capital a unique destination in the world.
✨ The perfect plan with The Sun Places for ARCOmadrid 2026
Friday 6 March: Arrival and first contact.
- In the afternoon, you visit ARCOmadrid (open to the public from 3:00 pm).
Saturday 7 March: Art and shopping day.
- In the morning, you return to ARCOmadrid to discover the curated sections and international galleries.
Sunday 8 March: Contemporary art and farewell.
- Last chance to visit ARCOmadrid before it closes at 3:00 pm.
Ready to discover ARCOmadrid on the Madrid Golden Mile with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us organise your perfect artistic getaway.
But if you prefer other destinations, The Sun Places also has ready for you: Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, Luxury Accommodation on the Costa Brava, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, Luxury Apartments in Puerto Banús, Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Luxury Apartments in Córdoba.