The Ultimate Guide to Madrid, Spain

After Berlin, Madrid is the largest city in the European Union and sits higher than any other European capital at just over 2,000 ft. Madrid is the country’s geographical center, where all the roads in Spain begin. Spain’s underrated capital beautifully blends historical and modern and is full of history, art, culture, great food, and countless activities. 

You’ll experience all four seasons with numerous days of sunshine year-round. The best times to visit Madrid for ideal weather are from mid-April to the beginning of July and from September to the end of October.

Getting To the Heart of the City

Once you arrive at Madrid-Barajas airport, you can take a taxi, uber, or the metro to the center. Taxis have a set rate of 30 euros one way to anywhere in the center. You may be able to find cheaper rates if you schedule an Uber, depending on the season and time. The metro system is very cheap and practical, but it will take longer to reach your accommodation and isn’t ideal if you have several pieces of luggage.

Additionally, you can use the bus or e-scooters like Lime, Bird, Spin, GoTo, and Dott to get around the city center. 

If you’re coming from Barcelona as part of a longer Spain itinerary or Eurotrip, I recommend taking the train! The fastest journey you can book via Trainline is only 2.5 hours, and I found it way easier than trying to catch a quick flight between the two.

Top Activities to Do in Madrid

Visit Retiro Park & the Crystal Palace

The infamous Retiro Park first opened to the public in 1868. It was the former garden of the royal palace and is one of the most visited attractions in the city. The Crystal Palace is in the central southern part of the park and has different exhibitions on display throughout the year that are free to visit.

Fill an afternoon walking around this beautiful park, and be sure to rent a boat to row around the pond! Make a reservation in advance on the Madrid Movil app to skip to the front of the line. It is 6 euros per boat for 45 minutes.

While you’re over here, you can also pop next door to explore spots like Real Jardín Botánico (botanical gardens) and Museo Nacional del Prado (aka the Prado Museum), the main Spanish national art museum.

Check Out the Temple of Debod in Parque del Oeste

The Egyptian government donated this 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple and transported it in pieces to Madrid. The temple often has temporary closures for preservation purposes, so be aware that there is a chance you may not get to enter the main temple on your visit. If you can’t, don’t worry! It is a beautiful park to walk around, and you can still get very close to the pillars.

Try to go around sunset for great lighting and a great view of the city’s western countryside.

Tour the Royal Palace, The Cathedral of Almudena, and the Sabatini Gardens

All 3 sites are located right next to each other, and you can easily visit them all in one morning or afternoon. Walk around Sabatini Gardens for free when the weather is best during the day. The Almudena cathedral is also free to enter, but they appreciate a donation of a few euros upon entry. 

Buy skip-the-line tickets for the Royal Palace in advance. Tickets run anywhere between 10 and 35 euros depending on many factors, like a guided audio tour or whether you are a student.

Learn at the Golden Triangle of Museums

Madrid has some of the best museums in the world. The Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofia museums are considered the golden triangle of art along one street, Paseo del Prado.

El Prado displays pieces from world-famous artists of the 16th to 19th centuries, such as Velazquez and El Greco. The Reina Sofia has Picasso’s famous Guernica and other works by Dalí and Diego Rivera. The Thyssen-Bornemisza was originally a private collection that was opened to the public in the early 90s and displays impressionism and cubism works of art.

See the View from Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes

The terrace of the Fine Arts building is one of the most popular terraces in Madrid. You have an amazing view of the bustling Alcalá Street, the longest street in the city.

Join a Tapas Crawl with Eat Out Madrid

You can’t leave Spain without trying their best invention, tapas. Eat all the tapas on a tapas crawl through the city. Book a tour with Eat Out Madrid and enjoy ham, mushrooms, potato omelets, cheese, octopus, garlic shrimp, chorizo, roasted peppers, croquetas, and many more.

Exploring Real Jardín Botánico (botanical gardens) next to Retiro Park

Get Off the Beaten Path in Madrid

Bathe at a Turkish Bathhouse

Madrid still has a lot of Moorish influence in the city today. Looking for a different experience? Visit the unique Turkish bathhouse Hamman al Andalus in the middle of the city for a massage and a spa day.

Explore El Capricho Park

Capricho Park is a lesser-known, underrated park and garden east of Retiro. The best way to get there is by taking metro line 5 to the ‘El Capricho’ stop and walking about 20 minutes north.

Visit the Matadero Cultural Center

Enjoy outdoor markets and art exhibitions in the building that was once the city’s traditional slaughterhouse. Many of the exhibitions are free, and walking around the outdoor markets on a nice day is a treat. Afterward, stroll along the river (Madrid Rio).

Where to Eat in Madrid

Madrid is all about the food! Spanish food is famous for taking simple ingredients and turning them into a delicious masterpiece. This metropolis has thousands of great restaurants; narrowing it down on your trip here will be difficult. Here are some top recommendations to eat out in Madrid.

Cervantes ($)

In the famous poetry neighborhood of central Madrid, Cervantes is a local favorite with traditional Spanish dishes, including amazing broken eggs called “huevos rotos” (fried potatoes covered with runny eggs and Spanish ham). Enjoy the authentic atmosphere and then head over to explore Retiro Park.

Alhambra ($-$$)

Enjoy a glass or two of wine and the famous egg omelet (tortilla) for an excellent price in the city center. They have many traditional Spanish dishes, so order a few different ones to share with your travel partners.

Asador en Busca del Tiempo ($-$$)

Visit this Basque restaurant in the center for delicious tapas and drinks. Asadors are typically pricier than traditional Spanish restaurants, so make sure to visit during their happy hour from 5:30-8 PM on weekdays.

El Sobrino de Botin ($$$)

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, El Sobrino de Botin is the world’s oldest restaurant. And it still uses its original oven from the 1700s! Some famous literary works by Hemmingway and Fitzgerald mention this historic restaurant. The most famous dish is the roasting suckling pig, which is cooked to perfection. It is well worth the visit for the history, let alone the food.

Lamiak ($)

Lamiak has 2 locations, and both have fantastic wine and tapas options. It’s great to get local wines and try flavorful dishes!

StreetXO ($$$)

Be prepared to wait to eat at StreetXO! This 3 Michelin star restaurant does not take reservations. The eclectic menu brings a new voice to street food. I recommend getting in line around 6:30 if you plan to have dinner.

Markets, or mercados, are a huge food scene in Madrid. They have many restaurants in one location, and you can easily hop from one to the other, trying different dishes and drinks. Make sure to visit a few of the best markets in Madrid!

La Buha ($-$$)

This fun and lively two-story tavern is well known for its variety of Spanish omelets (tortillas) and other Mediterranean dishes. I highly recommend the fig salad and the mini tortilla with goat’s cheese and onion. If you’re more than 2 people dining, opt for the regular size tortilla!

Restaurante Archuri ($-$$)

Authentic Spanish food right in the middle of the diverse Lavapies neighborhood well known for its croquetas. Stop for dinner here and hop around the local bar spots for a fun evening out.

Bel Mondo ($$)

Operated by the Big Mama Group (the people behind Pink Mama in Paris and Circolo Popalare in London), Bel Mondo is a trendy and Instagrammable Italian restaurant in Madrid. You’ll find three main dining areas at Bel Mondo: Salon Naranja, Salon Amarillo, and Terrazza Cubierta, and you can pick your fancy of which one when making your reservation (and I do recommend making a reservation, as this is one of the hippest restaurants in Madrid).

Mercado de la Paz

A must-visit because you’ll find yourself at Casa Dani, which is celebrated as making the best egg and potato omelet (tortilla) in all of Spain! It was also featured on season 5 of the Netflix hit Somebody Feed Phil.

Now, when you get here, your only big decision is, with or without onion?!

Mercado San Fernando

Mercado San Fernando is a local spot in the Lavapies neighborhood, great for large gatherings, and has a variety of food stalls to pick from. Try a bottle of Asturian cider for 5 euros!

Mercado Vallehermoso

Eat your way around different countries in Vallehermoso at Mercado Vallehermoso. Located in the up-and-coming Chamberi neighborhood, this market has so many options it’s almost overwhelming. Select from South American, Thai, BBQ, fusion, etc. 

Mercado de Motores

This market isn’t only food! It’s also a second-hand flea market where you can buy anything from jewelry to clothing to art. Stop at one of their several food trucks and shop the afternoon away.

Best Cafes 

• Cafe Comercial – traditional style cafe with a modern touch
• Cafe del Art – eclectic interior, great selection of food, and great coworking atmosphere 
• Novo Mundo – great coffee, amazing deserts, also a great spot to do some remote work
• HanSo Cafe – great avocado toast in the heart of one of the most eclectic neighborhoods
• ACID Cafe – amazing, fresh pastries and great coffee
• Plenti – next to Retiro Park, outdoor seating, and great coffee and toast
• Hola Coffee – small cafe, grab-and-go or sit with a book 
• Alma Nomad Bakery – possibly the city’s best ham and cheese croissant. Grab a coffee and pistachio croissant to go!

Brunch 

• Mazal Bagels and Cafe – NY-style bagels and all the brunch goodies 
• J&Js Books and Coffee – great bagel brunch and cheap mimosas
• Pum Pum Cafe – always has a line on Sundays, so be sure to get there early
• Plántate – a small and cozy, hole-in-the-wall with a great brunch selection in Lavapies neighborhood

Cocktail Bar Scene

• 1862 Dry Bar
• La Santoria
• Mix and Me Bar
• Marrufo Cocteleria
• Baton Rouge Cocktail Bar
• Bad Company 1920

Bad Company 1920 is an American speakeasy-themed cocktail bar that is a memorable experience. To get in, you need a password, which can be found on their Instagram page. Once you’re inside, you get a performance from the hostess/staff and a rundown on the history of prohibition. Select from a list of very unique, prohibition-themed cocktails and enjoy! 

Each drink comes with a story when it’s brought to you. Many of the staff members are bilingual, so you can ask them to explain everything in English. 

Nightlife in Madrid

Like NYC, Madrid is a city that never sleeps. Every day of the week you can find bars, clubs/discotecas open and on the weekends, many places are open until 6 am. If nightlife is your thing, check these out:

• Sala Barco
• Cafe Berlin
• Uñas Chung Lee
• ThunderCat Club
• Teatro Magno
• Suiza
• YASS!
• Sala Cool
• Teatro Barceló

If you watched the Netflix hit series Elite, you’ll recognize Teatro Barceló, where they filmed several party scenes. It is in a very central location, a little more expensive, and full of a mix of Spanish people and foreigners.

The Best Rooftops in Madrid

Circulo de Bellas Artes 

The rooftop staple to visit along Alcala Street in the middle of the city. You can visit and tour the fine arts building, and then go up to the top for about 4 euros and enjoy a bottle of wine on one of their day beds.

Palacio de Cibeles Restaurant

Cibeles is one of the most popular rooftops in the city because of its epic Madrid city views. The old post office building is now a hotspot for tourists and locals to tour the cultural center and dine at one of the restaurants. Head to the top floor for the restaurant bar and enjoy a cocktail with some of the city’s best views.

Terraza Santo Domingo in Callao

Enjoy great views of the city and the mountains, where they offer great cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. There are two levels of the rooftop; one is a sunroom where you can enjoy food and drinks, and the other is only for ordering drinks.

Other great rooftop bars include the Gourmet Experience Gran Via (9th floor), WXYZ bar, and Radio Rooftop bar.

Where to Stay in Madrid 

There are many great options for places to stay in central Madrid. Here are our favorites:

Riu Plaza España ($$$) – great hotel in Plaza de Espana with great views and an amazing rooftop bar and restaurant

Hotel H10 Villa de la Reina ($$$) – cute boutique hotel located on Madrid’s central Gran Vía

Hyatt Centric Gran Via ($$-$$$) – conveniently located and stylishly decorated property from the trustworthy Hyatt brand

Dear Hotel Madrid ($$) – one of the best rooftop pools in Madrid

AC Hotel Recoletos ($$) – great mid-tier option by Marriott near to Retiro Park

The Madrid Edition ($$$$) – a top luxury hotel in Madrid with an amazing rooftop pool

Madrid Tips from a Local

As we know, it’s always great to have insider tips from someone who has visited or even lived in a destination before. Here are some top tips from Salina of the Salina Searching blog, who has lived in Madrid since 2018!

Salina’s Top Tips:

• Learn some basic Spanish, numbers, greetings, etc. A little goes a long way!
• Drink Tinto de Verano instead of Sangria – yes, Sangria was invented here, but it is a big stereotype that it is a Spanish staple, and everyone drinks it; it is a tourist drink.
• Don’t eat in Plaza Mayor; however, a drink or coffee is fine. The food is mediocre and overpriced. Walk a few streets down to La Latina or Lavapies neighborhoods, and you’ll find better food for cheaper!
• Public transportation and walking are the two best ways to get around the city. Purchase the rechargeable 10-trip metro pass inside any metro station for €12.20, or you can also use the e-scooters.
  • Caution about using the scooters: Driving in Madrid can be stressful, and the scooters are meant to be driven on the road alongside them. Be extra careful and aware of your surroundings if you use e-scooters to get around on the main roads. The same advice goes if you are also renting a bike. 
• Avoid eating paella in Madrid. Paella is from the coastal region of Valencia, and it is tough to find authentic paella in Madrid since it is not made the same way. Instead, try cocido (meat stew) or a calamari bocadillo (deep-fried squid sandwich).
• Have patience; things just work differently here!
• Understand that Spaniards are more direct in their speech. This is not them being rude!
• Customer service differs from the US; if you want something, you must ask for it directly (e.g., the bill, another drink, etc.)

Madrid is a highly underrated city and, arguably, one of the coolest European cities to explore. Whether you stay for a few days or a week, you will always have something new to do or explore! Spain is widely known for the booming city of Barcelona, but don’t miss out on its vibrant capital city. It will surprise you!