Ateneo de Madrid: rooms for conferences and talks

What kind of event suits the Ateneo?

The Ateneo is one of Madrid's best-known cultural institutions, and its building on Calle del Prado retains rooms that have hosted public debate for more than a century. That heritage works in your favour when your event has a message to get across: an industry conference, a forum with speakers, a report launch or an institutional ceremony.

We suggest it for meetings and seminars, training days, press conferences and talks for up to 341 delegates. It also works as the content venue for a product launch that wants a serious tone rather than a TV-studio feel.

Rooms and capacities

Space	m²	Capacity
Cátedra Mayor	347	233 stalls + 10 box + 98 first floor
Sala Ramón y Cajal	105	90 chairs
Salón Ciudad de Úbeda	110	77 chairs
Sala Larra	92	72 chairs
Sala Pérez Galdós	80	50 people
Sala La Pecera	130	42 desks
Café Central Ateneo	70	55 people
Galería de Retratos	109	On request
La Cacharrería	142.68 (two rooms of 71)	On request
Sala Azaña	37	On request

Source: Ateneo de Madrid room hire page. The rooms with the most character (Galería de Retratos, La Cacharrería, Sala Azaña) have no published capacity: we confirm it according to the layout.

Getting there

The Ateneo is at Calle del Prado 21, in the Barrio de las Letras. Antón Martín (line 1), Sevilla (line 2) and Sol (lines 1, 2 and 3, plus Cercanías commuter rail) are all a few minutes' walk away. Atocha, with AVE high-speed trains, is about 15 minutes on foot. The street is narrow: coaches drop off around Neptuno or Canalejas and the group walks the last stretch.

Production tips

Check sightlines from the first floor. The Ateneo's own website warns that first-floor seats in the Cátedra Mayor have restricted views. If the room is full, add delay screens.
Use the anteroom. The Pérez Galdós room has an anteroom that works for registration or a committee coffee break.
Mix formats. A plenary in the Cátedra Mayor with parallel workshops in Ramón y Cajal, Úbeda and Larra works well for a half-day programme.
Listed building. Plan load-in, décor and cabling with the Ateneo before you finalise the design.

What pairs well nearby

On Calle de las Huertas is the Palacio de Santoña, for a lunch or dinner in 18th-century salons. Down towards Neptuno you have the Palacio Neptuno for a gala dinner and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum for a reception with a private viewing.

See other meeting venues in Madrid or tell us about your event: we will send you a proposal within 24 business hours.

Meeting rooms

All venues

Venue	Area	Maximum capacity	Rooms
Casa de América · Palacio de Linares	Cibeles · Paseo de Recoletos	400	5
COAM · Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid	Chueca	370	17
Espacio Bertelsmann	Retiro (calle O'Donnell)	200
Espacio Rastro Madrid Part of the Marca Condal venue selection	La Latina · Embajadores	300

Frequently asked questions

How many people does the Ateneo's Cátedra Mayor hold?

The Cátedra Mayor covers 347 m² with a 12-metre ceiling. It has 233 fixed seats in the stalls, 10 chairs in the stalls box and 98 seats on the first floor, according to the Ateneo's room hire page.

Which rooms are there for workshops or smaller meetings?

The Ramón y Cajal room (105 m², 90 chairs), the Ciudad de Úbeda hall (110 m², 77), the Larra room (92 m², 72), the Pérez Galdós room (80 m², 50, with an anteroom) and La Pecera (130 m², 42 desks).

Can catering be served at the Ateneo?

Yes. The Ateneo provides catering and food service through its restaurant, and also hires out the 70 m² Café Central for 55 guests at poseur tables.

What information do they need to book a room?

The Ateneo asks for the date, times, content, speakers and expected audience. We prepare that request with you and arrange the technical site visit.

Tell us about your event

We reply with a proposal within 24 business hours. No obligation.

We send a proposal within 24 business hours.
ECM is part of MC Group and specialises in corporate events, congresses and MICE in Madrid, where the team has organised more than 100 corporate events.

Tell us about your event

We reply with a proposal within 24 business hours. No obligation.