My last travel to Madrid was many years ago, so I will need to go back soon to update this post! I spent a few days there in the hot summer, which I can only imagine has gotten even hotter since then. It is a great city to walk around, though it is quite big so public transport might be necessary if you don’t like to walk a lot. The Prado and Reina Sofia museums were highlights, both for the architecture and the art. Unfortunately, I can’t remember any specific places I ate back then so my information may be a bit out of date.
Highlights
- Museo Nacional del Prado
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- Temple of Debod
- Atocha station indoor garden
- Catedral de la Almudena
- Metropolis Building
- Plaza de España
- El Retiro Park
- Palacio de Cristal
- Puerta de Alcalá
- Plaza Mayor
- San Fernando Market
- Mercado de la Paz
- Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
- Sorolla Museum
- Casa de Campo Lake
- See a flamenco show
- Circulo de Bellas Artes- visit the rooftop
Before you go
- Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, located in the middle of the country
- Madrid is hot in the summer and cool in the winter, and the hottest months are usually July and August
- Some shops have a siesta in the afternoon when they are closed for a few hours, so check opening times
- People eat dinner late so don’t be surprised if restaurants do not open for dinner until 8PM
- Tipping is appreciated but not required
- Tap water is safe to drink
- During the tourist season, book tickets in advance for the attractions; some attractions offer skip-the-line tickets if you are short on time
Transport
- Madrid has a large international airport, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas to the northeast
- The public transport in Madrid is convenient and cheap. It includes buses, metro, tram and light rail
- Walking is possible around the centre, but the city is large so public transport or taxis/Uber are probably necessary
Accommodation
- I can’t remember where I stayed but, as usual, I recommend checking reviews on Booking.com or using AirBnB to choose a place
Food
As with many places in Spain, the tapas are delicious and found in many bars and restaurants. You’ll find the typical favourites. Although paella is originally from Valencia, it can be ordered in Madrid, usually for lunch. Try to avoid the very touristy areas for food, as the prices will be higher and the food usually just average.
In Spain, you can order wine by the region, rather than the grape variety. Near to Madrid, the red wine varieties Tempranillo and Garnacha are popular.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: No, it is easy to find the places of interest around the city
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Some people speak English but it is helpful to know a few words in Spanish and have a translator app such as GoogleTranslate
Q: Is it a walkable city?
A: No, it is a large city so some parts are walkable, but you will likely need to take public transport or taxis
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