Madrid, Spain and the Riyadh Air Metropolitano are preparing for a major new tourism attraction as Gemswell Surf Madrid brings an artificial surf lagoon to the Spanish capital in spring 2027. The €60 million project will use Wavegarden Cove technology to create a year-round surfing destination alongside hospitality, wellness and sports facilities, introducing a completely new dimension to Madrid’s visitor economy.
And yes, Madrid is about to get waves without an ocean anywhere nearby.
Madrid’s Surf Scene Is Moving Inland
Madrid has long built its international tourism reputation around museums, gastronomy, royal heritage, football and nightlife.
Now surfing is entering the conversation.
Gemswell Surf Madrid is planned as a large-scale artificial surf destination at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, home of Atlético de Madrid. The project is expected to combine surfing with hospitality, wellness, leisure and sports entertainment.
The development is designed to operate throughout the year, removing the seasonal limitations associated with traditional coastal surfing destinations.
For travellers, that creates a new reason to add Madrid to an adventure-focused itinerary.
Wavegarden Technology Creates the Surf Experience
The project will use Wavegarden Cove technology, an artificial wave system designed to produce repeatable surfing conditions.
That technology allows a landlocked city to offer structured surfing experiences without depending on natural ocean swells.
The lagoon is expected to accommodate different levels of surfers, creating opportunities for beginners and experienced riders.
For tourism, the significance goes beyond surfing itself. Artificial surf destinations can combine sports participation with restaurants, accommodation, wellness, events and spectator experiences.
Madrid is therefore positioning the project as an integrated leisure destination rather than simply a swimming pool with waves.
€60 Million Investment Adds a Major Tourism Asset
The development represents an investment of approximately €60 million, underlining the scale of the project.
Around 23,000 square metres of hospitality, wellness and sports facilities are planned as part of the wider destination.
The development is expected to attract approximately 500,000 visitors annually once operational.
That would place Gemswell Surf Madrid among the city’s major leisure attractions and potentially create a new tourism cluster around the Metropolitano area.
For visitors, the location also offers convenient access to Madrid’s wider transport and tourism network.
Surfing Becomes Part of Madrid’s Tourism Mix
Madrid’s tourism offer is already highly diverse.
The Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Retiro Park, Gran Vía, Santiago Bernabéu and Atlético Madrid’s stadium are among the city’s major attractions.
Gemswell Surf Madrid adds something fundamentally different: active participation.
Visitors will not simply look at art, architecture or sporting history. They can potentially get into the water and surf.
That shift reflects the growth of experience-led travel, where travellers increasingly combine traditional sightseeing with sports, wellness and recreational activities.
A New Sports Tourism Hub
The project could also strengthen Madrid’s position as a sports tourism destination.
Football already attracts enormous international attention, while basketball, tennis and other major sporting events contribute to the city’s visitor economy.
Surfing introduces another audience.
Competitions, training camps, coaching programmes and recreational sessions could create reasons for sports travellers to visit throughout the year.
The surrounding hospitality facilities could also encourage visitors to stay longer rather than treating the surf lagoon as a short excursion.
Wellness Adds Another Layer
The planned wellness facilities give the project an additional tourism dimension.
Wellness travel has expanded beyond traditional spas and retreats, with travellers increasingly looking for destinations combining exercise, relaxation and healthy lifestyles.
A surf-focused complex can naturally incorporate fitness, recovery, food and wellness services.
For visitors, that could mean building an entire day around surfing rather than simply booking a single session.
500,000 Annual Visitors Could Reshape the Area
The expected annual visitor figure is significant.
If Gemswell Surf Madrid reaches its projected 500,000 visitors a year, the attraction could generate additional demand for accommodation, restaurants, transport and nearby leisure businesses.
The Metropolitano area could consequently become more relevant to tourists who traditionally concentrate their Madrid itineraries around the historic centre.
That geographical shift could help distribute visitor activity across more parts of the capital.
Madrid Gets a New Adventure Identity
The project also changes the way Madrid can be marketed internationally.
The city has traditionally competed through culture, food, heritage and football. Adding surfing creates another tourism narrative.
Visitors could spend the morning exploring museums, enjoy lunch in the city centre and then finish the afternoon surfing at the new lagoon.
That combination makes Madrid potentially attractive to travellers who want both cultural sightseeing and active experiences.
Key Stats
- €60 million: Investment announced for Gemswell Surf Madrid.
- Spring 2027: Expected opening period.
- 23,000 sq m: Planned hospitality, wellness and sports facilities.
- 500,000: Projected annual visitors once operational.
- Year-round: Surfing and leisure activities are planned to operate throughout the year.
- Wavegarden Cove: Technology selected for the artificial surfing lagoon.
Travel Guide: Visiting Madrid for the Surf Experience
Travellers planning a Madrid visit after the project’s expected opening can combine surfing with the city’s established cultural attractions.
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano is located in the northeast of Madrid and is connected to the city’s public transport network.
Visitors can combine a surf session with sightseeing in central Madrid, while sports fans can add football-related attractions to the itinerary.
Because the project is still under development, travellers should check opening dates, session availability, pricing and access arrangements before planning a dedicated surf holiday.
FAQ
1. When is Gemswell Surf Madrid expected to open?
The project is scheduled to open in spring 2027.
2. How much is the project costing?
Gemswell Surf Madrid represents an investment of approximately €60 million.
3. How many visitors could the attraction receive?
The development is expected to welcome approximately 500,000 visitors annually once operational.
Timeline and Events
2026 — Development and construction preparations continue for Gemswell Surf Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Spring 2027 — Gemswell Surf Madrid is expected to open its artificial surf lagoon and wider leisure facilities.
2027 onwards — The year-round attraction is projected to accommodate up to 500,000 visitors annually.
Conclusion
Madrid is about to add an entirely unexpected ingredient to its tourism recipe: surfing.
Gemswell Surf Madrid’s €60 million development will bring artificial waves, sports, wellness and hospitality to the capital, creating a destination designed for year-round use. With 23,000 square metres of supporting facilities and a projected 500,000 annual visitors, the project has the scale to become a significant addition to Madrid’s tourism landscape.
The Spanish capital may be hundreds of kilometres from the nearest ocean, but from spring 2027, travellers will have another reason to pack a surfboard alongside their museum tickets and football plans.
