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Madrid: Before You Go
The practical basics for a smooth trip to Madrid — how to get here, how to get around, when to come, and the small local things worth knowing.
Hola! I'm Gonzalo Tudanca, co-founder of Madrid Tours & More. My friends call me Gonzalo — and I'd be glad if you did too.
I created Madrid Tours & More to be the largest site of its kind for the city — bringing together more tours, tickets and experiences than anywhere else, in one place you can rely on, with technology and thoughtful touches that make discovering Madrid fun, varied and rewarding.
Think of this corner of the site as our little travel notebook — practical, honest pointers for making the most of the city, from the big sights to the small things that make a trip here special. Like any good notebook it grows over time, with new tips added as the city and its seasons change.
I hope this site helps fill your trip with memories you'll want to come back for, year after year.
Two to three days is enough for the heart of Madrid — the Royal Palace, the Prado, Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, with long lunches and late tapas in between. With four to six days you can add a couple of the great day trips, a show or a football night, and still keep the pace relaxed.
Madrid's airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD), about 12 km north-east of the centre. The cheapest ways in are Metro Line 8 and the Cercanías C-1 train; the 24-hour Airport Express bus runs to Atocha; and official taxis charge a fixed fare to the central zone. Pre-booked private transfers wait in arrivals.
You won't need a car. The Metro is fast, clean and reaches almost everywhere, backed by frequent city buses, the Cercanías commuter trains and plentiful taxis. The centre is compact and walkable, and there's dockless bike hire (BiciMAD). A single ticket or a rechargeable Multi Card covers Metro and bus.
Madrid has a dry continental climate: hot summers and crisp, sunny winters. The sweet spots are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October), when days are warm and the light is lovely. July–August are hot and many locals leave the city; December–February are cold but bright, with a festive buzz around the holidays.
The essentials: the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral, the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, a wander through Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía, tapas at the Mercado de San Miguel, an evening of flamenco, and — for football fans — a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu.
Madrid is a brilliant base for day trips. Top of the list are Toledo and Segovia, both under an hour by train, plus the walled city of Ávila, the royal monastery of El Escorial, the gardens of Aranjuez and the pretty town of Chinchón. Most are easy as a self-guided train trip or a guided tour.
Madrid's signature dish is cocido madrileño, a hearty chickpea-and-meat stew served in courses. Try a bocadillo de calamares (fried-squid roll) near Plaza Mayor, callos, a tortilla española, and plenty of tapas with a glass of vermút or Spanish wine. Finish with churros con chocolate. Lunch runs long and dinner is late — nobody rushes you.
Most visitors base themselves in the Centro around Sol and Plaza Mayor for walkable sightseeing. Malasaña and Chueca are hip and lively; La Latina is the classic tapas-and-terraces barrio; Salamanca is elegant and upmarket; and Chamberí and the area by Retiro are leafy and residential. All are well connected by Metro.
Spain uses the euro, and cards (including contactless and phones) are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small bars and markets. Tipping is modest and optional: round up or leave a few coins for good service, a euro or two per person at a nice restaurant. Tap water is safe to drink.
Life here runs late: lunch from around 2pm, dinner from 9–10pm, and nightlife later still. Many shops and some restaurants close on Sunday afternoons — though the El Rastro flea market fills La Latina on Sunday mornings. Summer afternoons are hot, so sightsee early or late, and keep a little cash for the smallest bars.
The cheapest and easiest options are Metro Line 8 and the Cercanías C-1 train; the 24-hour Airport Express bus runs to Atocha, and official taxis charge a fixed fare to the central zone.
Do I need to book attractions in advance?
For the big sights — the Royal Palace and the Prado especially — and for popular day trips to Toledo and Segovia, booking ahead is wise in high season, as timed tickets sell out.
Can I get around without a car?
Yes. Madrid's Metro is fast and reaches almost everywhere, the centre is compact and walkable, and taxis are plentiful — you won't need a car to see the city.
