Madrid is a city that seemingly never sleeps and welcomes everyone with open arms. Whether you are looking for culture, history, gastronomy or just a good time, Madrid has something for everyone.
Madrid is the vibrant capital of Spain and has over 3 million inhabitants. An entire empire was once ruled from here. So it’s no wonder that this metropolis offers visitors a fascinating mix of traditional and contemporary experiences.
A good starting point for an exploration tour is at Puerta del Sol, the geographical center of Spain and a central meeting point in Madrid. Here you will find the historic Casa de Correos post office building with its famous clock, where Spaniards traditionally greet the New Year. Just a stone’s throw away is the Plaza Mayor, a picturesque square that was once the scene of bullfights, markets and royal ceremonies.
No visit to Madrid would be complete without a detour to the royal palace Palacio Real, which impresses with its magnificent architecture and lushly landscaped gardens. Opposite is the Almudena Cathedral, another of the city’s architectural highlights.
Art lovers will be in their element in Madrid’s famous museums, such as the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. These museums house countless masterpieces, from classical to modern art. But there are also always interesting exhibitions in smaller galleries.
For a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, head to Retiro Park, a green oasis where locals and tourists alike can relax. Here you can take a boat trip on the small lake, admire the glass architecture of the Palacio de Cristal or simply stroll through the carefully tended gardens.
Madrid’s culinary scene is just as diverse as the city itself. From traditional tapas bars to modern gourmet restaurants, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. A visit to the lively markets, such as the Mercado de San Miguel, is not to be missed. Here you can sample local delicacies.
When the sun goes down, Madrid’s nightlife comes to life. The city is known for its exuberant atmosphere, which ranges from quaint taverns to chic nightclubs.
Sightseeing in Madrid
Big, very big and really impressive is the Palacio Real, the Royal Palace of Madrid. The palace is one of the most important sights in Madrid and countless people visit the building every day.
Directly opposite the Royal Palace of Madrid is the imposing Almudena Cathedral. The royal wedding of Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano took place here in 2004 and I was very curious to see what such a place for royal weddings would look like.
We love to discover the green oases during our tours through a city. Parque del Retiro on the eastern edge of Madrid's city center is definitely one of the city's most impressive parks.
Rather by chance, I came across 3 free activities in Madrid that are not just a great day out for railway fans. Who can claim to have visited a ghost station in the Madrid Metro Museum…
Hotels in Madrid
Travel information for Madrid
Arrival in Madrid
By plane:
With the Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, the city has the largest airport in Spain. Numerous airlines land and take off here. The airport is particularly important as a hub for Spanish domestic flights.
It is important for travelers to note that, due to the size of the airport, transfer times should not be too short. Especially if you have to change between Terminal 4 and the other Terminals 1-3, you will have to rely on a shuttle bus.
From the airport, you can reach the city center by metro line 8 (from all terminals) and S-Bahn C1 (from Terminal 4). In addition, an express bus runs from terminals T1, T2 and T4 to Atocha station in the city center.
By train:
Madrid has two major long-distance train stations. The city is the center of the Spanish long-distance rail network. High-speed trains run from here to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Málaga and Córdoba, for example.
The Estación de Puerta de Atocha, known as Atocha for short, is not far from the city center. Metro line 1, numerous bus lines and also the airport bus stop here.
The Estación de Madrid-Chamartín, or Chamartín for short, is also served by metro lines 1 and 10.
By bus:
The city is served by long-distance buses. It is also possible to explore the surrounding area comfortably by bus.
By car:
The Spanish freeway network is laid out almost like a spider’s web and Madrid forms the center of this network. This makes it possible to reach the capital from anywhere in the country. There are ring highways around the city (M-30 and M-40).
On the way in Madrid
Public transportation:
Public transportation is very well developed. It is possible to travel by metro, bus and the underground local trains (Cercanías).
The prices for the bus and metro are not high. However, it took us a while to choose our tickets. There are divisions into zones, number of stations and extra airport prices. Tickets of ten can be bought at the metro counters and at the estancos (“tabaco stores”). The ten-ride cards must be validated for each journey and each passenger needs their own card.
Our tip: The Bilet Turistico tourist season ticket (any number of journeys in the specified period, children under 11 pay half price), which you can buy by the day. This ticket is particularly worthwhile if you know that you will be making many journeys in one day.
The Bilet Turistico A is valid on the Metro Zone A, Metro Ligero 1, all buses of the EMT de Madrid, the suburban trains Cercanias of Renfe in the zones 0 and A.
The Bilet Turistico A is valid on the Metro Zone A, Metro Ligero 1, all buses of the EMT de Madrid, the Cercanias suburban trains of Renfe in zones 0 and A.
The Bilet Turistico T is also valid on Intercity buses in the Madrid region and the cities of Guadalajara and Toledo, the entire Metro network, the Metro Ligero ML2 and ML3, all zones of the Cercanias suburban trains of Renfe and the Parla streetcar. You can buy the Bilet Turistico at all metro stations, at the Centro de Atención al Viajero (Passenger Assistance Center) in the metro stations at the airport terminals T1, T2, T3 and T4, at the offices of the Tourist Information, Plaza Mayor 27 and the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid.
If you are traveling by bus, please note the following:
The buses run from around 6 am to around 10.30 pm. At other times you have to rely on the night bus, which runs less frequently and often on different routes.
Buses only stop when they are given a hand signal. It is customary to wait in line for the bus (at large bus stops).
On the bus, a single journey can also be paid for contactlessly with a credit or debit card when boarding at the ticket readers, as well as with a cell phone or smartwatch via Google Pay and Apple Pay.
Cercanías are the RENFE trains that run from the city center to the suburbs. They only stop at a few stations within the city. The fare depends on the distance.
There are 9 lines:
C-1: Príncipe Pío – Atocha – N. Ministerios – Chamartín – Aeropuerto T4
C-2: Guadalajara – Alcalá – Atocha – Chamartín
C-3: Aranjuez – Atocha – Sol – Chamartín
C-3a: San Martín de la Vega – Pinto
C-4: Parla – Atocha – Sol – Chamartín / Cantoblanco – Alcobendas / Cantoblanco -Colmenar Viejo
C-5: Móstoles – El Soto – Atocha – Fuenlabrada – Humanes
C-7: Alcalá de Henares – Atocha – Chamartín – Príncipe Pío – Atocha – Chamartín – Fuente de la Mora
C-8: Atocha – Chamartín / Villaba – El Escorial / Villalba – Cercedilla
C-9: Cercedilla – Cotos
C-10: Villalba – Príncipe Pío – Atocha – Chamartín – Pitis – Fuente de la Mora
By car:
The inner city area is characterized by narrow streets, one-way streets and pedestrian areas. Traveling by car can be quite confusing.
By bike:
There is a public rental system for bicycles. Unfortunately, registration is quite complicated. Even if you only want to use the system once, you have to provide your ID card or passport number and have your credit card charged with a deposit of €150 (you need a credit card with a PIN).
The development of cycle paths is not yet very advanced.
On foot:
Most tourist destinations are located in the old town. The routes can easily be covered on foot.
By taxi:
Attention! The official taxis can be recognized by the red stripe on the side and the city’s coat of arms.
The price is calculated based on the time of departure, tariff zone of the journey per kilometer and surcharges from the train station or airport.
By cable car:
The Teleférico Madrid does not run all year round. Only in the months of March-September do visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic view of the city from the Casa de Campo park.
Best time to travel to Madrid
Madrid has a continental climate with hot summers and cool winters. Here are some points that travelers should keep in mind:
Spring (March to May):
Spring is one of the best times to visit Madrid. Temperatures are mild, with average temperatures between 15°C and 25°C. The city comes to life with blossoming trees and fewer tourists than in summer.
Summer (June to August):
Summers in Madrid can be very hot, with temperatures often rising above 30°C. If you want to avoid the heat, this may not be the best time to visit. On the other hand, summer offers long days and a lively atmosphere with many festivals and events.
Fall (September to November):
Similar to spring, the fall months are a great time to visit Madrid. The temperatures are pleasant and the city is less crowded. The leaves changing color in the city’s parks provide a beautiful backdrop.
Winter (December to February):
Winters in Madrid are relatively mild compared to other European capitals. However, there is snow in the city every year. It is a quiet time to explore the city, although it can be colder and the days are shorter.
In summary, spring and fall are ideal for mild temperatures and fewer crowds, while summer is lively but hot and winter is cooler and quieter.
Parking in Madrid
Parking on the street is only possible to a limited extent:
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
in August: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
Prices vary according to the time of day: from 11 am to 1 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm is more expensive, from 9 am to 11 am and 1 pm to 6 pm is cheaper.
Parking in blue parking spaces (marked on the curb or street) is possible for a maximum of two hours and you pay different prices depending on the parking duration and time. Parking in green parking spaces is permitted for a maximum of one hour. Here too, the price is calculated according to the duration of parking.
In the controlled parking zones there are parquímetros where you can pay in cash or with the Tarjeta monedero.