Letizia opens Book Fair with humor and guaranteed traffic

Published on May 30, 2026 | Translated from Spanish

Queen Letizia has kicked off the 85th Madrid Book Fair in El Retiro, which will run until June 14. This year, the literary event will have to contend with two visits that will complicate access: that of Pope Leo XIV and the concerts of Bad Bunny, especially on June 7. The edition focuses on humor and satire, with authors such as Jonathan Coe.

Queen Letizia inaugurating the Book Fair in El Retiro, holding an open book with satirical illustrations, background of literary booths and a red traffic light showing a traffic jam, while in the background there are Bad Bunny concert posters and a papal silhouette, traffic of cars and pedestrians blocked at the park entrance, cinematic photorealistic style, natural Madrid sunset lighting, crowd of visitors with humorous expressions, details of stacked books and fair stalls, vibrant and chaotic atmosphere, high technical definition.

How to navigate the logistical chaos with digital planning 📱

The coincidence of massive events forces a rethink of the route to El Retiro. Real-time map applications will be key tools to avoid traffic jams, especially on June 7. It is recommended to use public transport and check the fair's official accounts for traffic closures. The organization has set up special lanes for pedestrians and differentiated access points, but the key is to leave with extra time and check the status of the streets before moving.

Bad Bunny vs. the books: the duel of the century in El Retiro 🎤

While some seek a signed copy of Jonathan Coe, others will be chanting to Bad Bunny two blocks away. The Book Fair thus becomes a battlefield between literary humor and massive reggaeton dancing. For the more seasoned readers, the recommendation is to bring earplugs and a mental map of alternative routes. Ironies of fate: the year of humor and satire gives us the most absurd gag of the season.