Madrid, Spain
This high-energy city is Europe’s third largest and sits at the highest elevation of any EU capital. With amazing tapas and over 2700 hours of sunshine/year, this city makes for a great vacation.
Let’s visit Madrid!
By day, explore Madrid’s never-ending array of amazing museums, plazas, and markets. At night, (after a nice siesta) experience Madrid’s wealth of food and fun.
Visit Madrid: Don’t Miss Some of Spain’s Best Museums
With over fifty to choose from, Madrid’s museums could keep you busy for weeks. Although for first-timers, Madrid’s “Big Three” should probably not be missed. Known as the “Golden Triangle of Art,” you can find all three in Madrid’s city center.
Prado
One of the largest museums in all of Spain, the Prado features one of the world’s rarest collections of European art. You could spend the better part of a day wandering through this massive gallery.
Thyssen-Bornemisza
Once a private collection, this museum now hosts a million visitors a year. Here you’ll find over 1,000 works, spanning from the 17th to the 20th centuries, including pieces by Van Gogh and Monet.
Reina Sofia
If Spanish contemporary art is your thing, then look no further. Founded in 1992, Reina Sofia is home to many works of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Joan Miro.
Visit Madrid: Relax In The Centuries-Old Plazas
Like much of Spain, Madrid is full of plazas, both quaint and grand. While you’re likely to stumble upon a number of them in Madrid, these two should be on your list:
Puerta del Sol
Spanish for ‘Gate of the Sun’, this plaza is the heart of Madrid and the physical center of Spain. Here you’ll find the Kilometer 0 stone, the “Bear and the Strawberry Tree” statue (the symbol of Madrid), a giant neon Tio Pepe sign, and a King Charles III monument.
Plaza Mayor
Dating back to 1617, this iconic plaza was once the home of bull fights and executions. Today you’ll find street performers, restaurants, a bronze statue of King Philip II, and even a pop-up coin and stamp market every Sunday morning.
Visit Madrid: The Incredible Colors of Madrid’s Markets
Why shop at grocery stores when you can meet the farmer?? Here’s our a few of our favorite markets in Madrid:
Mercado de San Miguel
Located just west of Plaza Mayor, this 1916 market is home to over 30 different vendors offering the cutting edge of new Spanish cuisine . Once a traditional market, Mercado de San Miguel has been converted into a gasto-market AKA a hungry Spaniard’s dream. Vendors sell delicacies such as fresh oysters, jamon Serrano, and even Vermouth from the tap.
Mercado de la Cebada
If you’re looking for fresh veggies, fruits, eggs, meat, and cheese, shop with the locals at Mercado de la Cebada. Located in the La Latina neighborhood this colorful market will keep your refrigerator and belly full.
Visit Madrid: When The Sun Sets, Get Out!
After a well-deserved siesta, head out on the town for some amazing food and fun!
Food
We recommend leaving the tourist-filled city center behind for a taste of traditional Madrid in La Latina neighborhood, or explore the creative offerings of the Malasaña neighborhood.
In La Latina, check out the patio and tapas at La Tomasa. While the prices are a bit on the steep side, you can’t beat the people watching from the huge terrace.
In Malasana you’ll find Clarita, a great Mediterranean Spanish restaurant with fantastic drinks and pintxos. Afterwards, head down the street to AIO, a Sardinian joint with incredible free tapas and a fun atmosphere.
Nightlife
If you’re looking for more of a nightclub scene, we highly recommend Mondo Disko in the Sol neighborhood. This nightclub hosts international DJs every weekend, accompanied by an incredible light and sound show. Check out a few moments of fun we had at Mondo Disko.
Drinks
Haven’t had enough of Madrid’s magical nightlife?? If you want to have a drink or two at an authentic old school tavern, you must visit Palentino. This charming bar attracts young and old alike. Call it a dive bar, call it a hipster paradise.. It’s good! And, it’s cheap!
Visit Madrid: Book a Tour!
Getting to Madrid
Getting to Madrid: TRAIN
Trains throughout Spain are a great option. You’ll avoid lines at the airport, enjoy beautiful scenery, and they’re generally very comfortable. If you plan on doing a lot of traveling through Spain make sure to look into the Spain Pass, only available to non-residents. Fares & Schedules
Getting to Madrid: FLY
If planned in advance you can find reasonably priced direct flights to Madrid from cities like Paris($17), London($20), Berlin($23), or Lisbon($38) with our favorite flight search site, Skyscanner.
Madrid Flight Deals
Getting to Madrid: BUS
Buses are not our favorite mode of travel.. The seats can be verycramped, the ride is bumpy, and departure/arrival times can be unpredictable. This said, bus travel is generally the least expensive. In particular, the route from Cordoba Spain is only $19 for the 5 hour trip.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport to Madrid City Center
Fly into Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport(MAD) AKA Madrid–Barajas Airport and head towards Lisbon’s city center, about 9 miles away. How will you get there?
Metro
Madrid–Barajas Airport has two Metro stations (at Terminal 2 and 4) served by Metro Line #8. Line #8 connects directly to the Nuevos Ministerios station in the city center. If arriving in Terminal 2 or 4, just follow the Metro signs outside the arrivals area. If arriving in Terminal 1 or 3, there is a free airport shuttle that will connect you to the airport Metro stations. Purchase tickets from the station vending machines for 5EUR, and the trip to Nuevos Ministerios should take about 12 minutes.
Bus
Another option is the Airport Express bus, which runs 24 hours and stops at Terminals 1, 2, and 4. The Airport Express only has three stops after the airport, including Plaza de Cibeles in the Madrid city center. Purchase tickets onboard from the driver for 5EUR for the 40 minute ride.
Train
You can also travel by train to Madrid, although most stops are just outside the city center. The airport train station is located in Terminal 4, on the lower level. Purchase tickets for the “Cercanías” C1-Line towards Principe Pio from the station vending machines or ticket window for 2.60EUR. The trip will take 20-40 minutes depending on your arrival station.
Taxi/UBER
Find the taxi stand just outside of arrivals, and expect to pay 30 Euros for any destination within the city center. UBER is also available from Madrid–Barajas Airport, although runs slightly more expensive than taxis from the airport.
Getting around in Madrid
Public Transport
Madrid has a huge public system consisting of the twelve Metro lines and nearly 2000 buses. Single Metro tickets can be purchaed from station ticket windows and vending machines for 1.5EUR for up to 5 stations or 2EUR for longer trips. Bus tickets can purchased for 1.5EUR from the driver or any tobacconist store. To make things easy, you might consider purchasing Madrid Card starting at 47EUR for 24 hours, which not only gives you unlimited public transportation, but free entry to many of Madrid’s best museums, including the “Big Three”: The Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum, Thyssen Bornemisza Museum. Tickets can be purchased at any tourist information office in Madrid.
Taxi/UBER
All of Madrid’s official taxis are white with a red stripe. Expect to pay a minimum fee of 1.95EUR-2.95EUR depending on the time of day, plus 1.10EUR for each kilometer. Madrid taxis are known for charging add-on fees, so it’s best to get an estimate before hopping in. UBER is readily available throughout Madrid as well, and except for rides from the airport, are generally slightly cheaper than a taxi.
Walk
Night or day, Madrid is a wonderfully beautiful city to explore by foot. Walkscore.com gives Madrid’s city center a score of 100, calling it a “Walker’s Paradise”.
Where To Stay in Madrid:
Where To Stay in Madrid: HOTELS
Madrid has a wide range of hotels to choose from. Options span from high-end hotels like Westin Palace Hotel or Hotel Villa Magna for $500 a night to more reasonable hotels like Ilunion Pio XII Hotel or Madrisol for $70 a night. When it comes to hotels, we recommend shopping Agoda.com, far and away the most competitive resource when searching for hotels in Madrid.
Madrid Hotel Deals
Where To Stay in Madrid: HOSTELS
With over 130 options for hostels in Madrid, you’re sure to find one that fits all of your needs. Prices generally range from $15-$20 a night for a dorm room, while a private room will cost a bit more at around $60-$70 per night. Hostelworld is our recommended resource when searching for hostels in Madrid.
Madrid Hostel Deals
Where To Stay in Madrid: AIRBNB
We love Airbnb! From private rooms to entire homes, there are plenty of choices when visiting Madrid. If you’re a first-timer with Airbnb, use this coupon and enjoy $35 off of your stay.
Where To Stay in Madrid: NEIGHBORHOODS
Choosing a neighborhood is an important part of trip planning that should not be overlooked! Here are some neighborhoods worth considering when deciding where to stay in Madrid.
Sol
Located in the city center, this neighborhood is where you’ll find many tourists wandering through Plaza de la Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor. This tourist epicenter is where Madrid’s most popular meeting point is located: The Bear Statue.
Chueca
Known as the gay neighborhood of Madrid, and located northeast of the city center, you’ll find many cafes, boutique shops, and great nightlife. Mercado de San Anoton, a tasty gourmet food market is located here too.
Huertas
Also located in the city center, this is the neighborhood you want to go to for a night out. From funky bars, to fancy nightclubs, to Madrid’s best jazz bar, this neighborhood is a night owl’s playground.
La Latina
This lively neighborhood, known as the old quarter, is just southwest of the city center. Enjoy tapas and beer at one of the many restaurants in the area. Also home to Mercado de la Cebada, one of Madrid’s largest and best markets.
Salamanca
Known as the ‘Upper East Side’ of Madrid, this is the ritzy upscale part of town. In Salamanca you’ll find high-end shops, fancy hotels, and Michelin star restaurants.
Malasana
Known as the hip part of town, located north of the city center, you’ll find vintage shops, tattoo parlors, trendy cafes, and fun restaurants.
Madrid Travel Tips
Madrid travel tips: Money
Spain’s national currency is the Euro, and is currently exchanging at 0.9EUR to $1USD. Credit cards are accepted at most places and ATM machines are readily available.
Madrid travel tips: Tipping
A general rule for tipping in Spain is the 10%. While tipping in bars is not expected, a common tip is 10% to restaurant servers or taxi drivers.
Madrid travel tips: Insurance
Traveling through Madrid is exciting and safe, but you never know when some good travel insurance could come in handy. World Nomads offers the best coverage in the business, is affordable, and is quick to act should something go wrong. For more info, check out our recent World Nomads blog post.