The Complete Guide To Visiting Madrid
The 10 months I spent in Madrid, Spain were among the happiest in my life. I enjoyed sitting at tapas bars and chatting away for hours, taking walks at Retiro Park, and finding deals at El Rastro Market. Spain’s capital doesn’t get as much love as nearby Barcelona, but it’s most definitely worth a stop.
This is the ultimate Madrid travel guide to help you plan a remarkable trip to Spain’s capital. Here, you’ll find a compilation of my best Madrid posts. It has everything you need to know about Madrid, from food to transportation to shopping. Let’s dive right in.
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS AS EXPLAINED IN MY DISCLOSURE POLICY
Overview
Currency
Spain is a member of the European Union and the Eurozone so the currency used is the Euro.
Language
Spanish is the official language in Spain and is the language you’ll find spoken in Madrid. English is sometimes spoken among the business class, but the average person on the street doesn’t speak it.
Climate
Madrid has hot, dry summers and cold winters. Winters in Madrid are colder than in other parts of Spain because of its elevation. The city sits on a mountainous region – the Iberian Plateau.
Siesta
While Madrid may be a large city, many stores, schools, and organizations here observe the Spanish tradition of Siesta or rest. Between the hours of 12-3 pm, people close their shops to go socialize, catch up on sleep, or run errands. Also, note that most grocery stores are closed on Sundays.
What are the best things to do in Madrid?
101 Free or Cheap Things To Do in Madrid
From beautiful parks to museums, there’s no shortage of free or cheap activities to do in the Spanish capital. I’ve compiled a list of 101 free or cheap things to do in Madrid to help you plan your visit. This includes the best restaurants, bars, shops, nightclubs and more.
What are the best places to visit in Madrid?
A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Madrid with Map
A walking tour is one of the best ways to introduce yourself to a new city. Madrid is a walkable city with a lot of top attractions concentrated in the center. This walking tour will guide you to some of the must-see places in Madrid, such as the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace, and Retiro Park.
What are some day trips to take from Madrid?
The Best Day Trips From Madrid
Madrid is located right in the middle of Spain, close to a host of interesting destinations that make for a great day trip. This post breaks down 10 of the best day trips from Madrid – from quiet towns to majestic landmarks.
Where should I eat in Madrid?
Where To Eat in Madrid: Best Restaurants To Try
Madrid is brimming with restaurants with affordable, tasty food. I’m talking about everything from hole-in-the-wall restaurants to rooftop bars to upscale restaurants. Yes, even the upscale restaurants in this city will cost you like 20-25 EUR for a meal.
How do I spend a day in Madrid?
I think one day is way too short a time to see Madrid, but sometimes that’s what you have to work with. This post outlines the top things to do, see, and eat for those who have just one day to explore Spain’s capital. I’ve crafted this itinerary so that you can see the best of Madrid in a day and at a leisurely pace.
How do I spend 3 days in Madrid?
If you want to spend the perfect three days in Madrid, this guide will help you put together your itinerary. There’s a mix of activities – from shopping to discovering the unique street art – so you’ll find something that suits your tastes.
What is there to do in Madrid in the winter?
The Best Things To Do in Madrid in Winter
While most tourists flock to Madrid in the summer, the winter is a truly magical time to visit the city. You’ll find Christmas markets, unique holiday traditions, and a spirit of celebration and camaraderie. This post breaks down the best things to do in Madrid during the winter months of December to February.
What are some mistakes tourists should avoid in Madrid?
6 Common Tourist Mistakes To Avoid in Madrid
If you’ve ever traveled outside your home country, you’ve made a tourist mistake at some point. That’s okay, but it’s still best to be in the know of what to avoid. Find out about some of the most common mistakes tourists make in Madrid and how to avoid them.
Now, I’m going to address some of the most commonly asked questions.
What is Madrid well known for?
Madrid is best known for its rooftop bars, terraces, museums, parks, and interesting neighborhoods. This city has a lot to offer in terms of food, culture, shopping, and nightlife.
When should I visit Madrid?
The most popular time to visit Madrid is between the months of June and August. That said, I think you can visit the city at any time of the year and still have a great time.
What is the best way to travel to Madrid?
Madrid is a walkable city and you can get to most of the top attractions in the center by foot. For longer distances, you can take the local train (Cercanias Renfe), the metro, the bus, Uber, or Cabify.
Is Madrid expensive for tourists?
Madrid is one of the most affordable cities in Europe. You’ll find that food, transportation, museums, and shops are cheaper than at other major European cities like Berlin, Paris, and London. I would say you could easily for 50-75 EUR a day for your visit to Madrid.
Do you tip in Madrid?
No, tipping is not the custom in Madrid or any part of Spain. This includes taxis, restaurants, nail salons, or any other service-based business. A simple “Muchisimas gracias” will do.
Is Madrid safe?
Madrid is a very safe city. I walked around the streets by myself many times at 1 am in the morning and had no problems. I also rode the metro hundreds of times and never experienced pickpocketing. I would practice the same common-sense precautions as you would anywhere in the world: don’t flash your expensive jewelry, call attention to yourself, wander around dark alleys at night.
Travel Resources I Recommend
Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI Device – With portable WiFi, you can say goodbye to ridiculous roaming charges and SIM cards for good. I’ve been using the Tep Wireless Pocket WIFI device, called a Teppy, for a while and love the peace of mind it gives me. The Teppy provides 3G-4G WiFi for at least 6 hours and works in 100+ countries. In my experience, it lasts 9 hours. It also works in a variety of landscapes and terrains. I even filmed a Facebook Live from a boat in the Atlantic Ocean using my Teppy. I can also use Google Maps, request an Uber, call my mom, and do tons of other things I couldn’t do before. A quick tip: turn off the device when you’re not using it so that the battery can last longer. Use code SOMTOSEEKS to get 10% off your order.
Booking.com – Booking.com is my go-to website for booking discounted accommodations around the world. What I love most about Booking.com is the variety of properties you can find, from luxury apartments to treehouses to university housing. It’s hard to beat the insanely low prices. The website also has a flexible cancellation policy, which is great if things come up or you change your mind.
Skyscanner – Skyscanner.com is my go-to website to search for flights. It’s hard to beat the prices! I’ve snagged a $24 direct flight to Milan, a $30 flight to Berlin, a $400 roundtrip ticket to Colombia, and a $500 roundtrip ticket to Japan. I’ve been using Skyscanner since I studied abroad in Spain back in 2012. I check the website along with the Hopper app to determine the best time to buy tickets.
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