A local's guide to Madrid from the halls of the Prado to the taverns of La Latina
Pick an area and get all of its guides.
Madrid is one long table: cocido madrileño simmering on a low flame, a bocadillo de calamares in the Plaza Mayor, churros with thick hot chocolate in the morning and a glass of vermouth on tap before you eat. Do not leave without knowing what to order and where to sit.
Every museum, palace, neighborhood, park and day trip from our guides, on one map.
All the best places in Madrid, in one guide with photos and tips.
The core guides to start from.
When to visit Madrid: a month-by-month and season-by-season breakdown of weather, crowds, prices and events, and the sweet spots for the best trip whatever you are after.
The best day trips from Madrid by train or car: Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial, Ávila and Aranjuez, with how long to spend, how to get there and what not to miss in each.
How to see Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu: getting match tickets, what the stadium tour includes, matchday tips, and how to catch Atlético at the Metropolitano too.
How to eat well in Madrid: the tapas to order, the dishes the city invented, when locals actually eat, the best neighborhoods for a crawl, and how to skip the tourist traps.
A neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to where to stay in Madrid: Sol and the center, Huertas, Chueca and Malasaña, Salamanca, La Latina and more, with who each area suits.
How to do the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen without burning out: what to see, when to go, how the free hours work and how to plan the perfect art day in Madrid.
How to move around Madrid: the rechargeable travel card, which pass is worth it, the zone boundary that catches people out, the Cercanias trains for day trips, taxis and when to just walk.
How entering Spain works for a Madrid trip: who travels visa free and for how long, how the rolling Schengen count works, the new biometric border, passport validity, and what to have ready at the airport.
How to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid: the state rooms worth slowing down for, the armoury, the changing of the guard, whether to book ahead, and how it fits with the cathedral next door.
Which Madrid district to book: Sol and Gran Via for convenience and noise, Malasana and Chueca for food and nightlife, Salamanca for calm, La Latina for the weekend, and what each costs you.
A four-day Madrid plan that does not rush: the museum triangle, royal Madrid, the tapas neighbourhoods, Retiro, and a day trip out, with the local eating hours built in rather than fought.
Getting from Madrid Barajas into the centre: the metro and its airport supplement, the express bus that runs all night, the fixed-fare taxi, and which terminal changes the answer.
Browse Madrid the way you like to travel.
Travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and most visa-waiver countries do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area, with a passport valid at least three months beyond departure. Note that the ETIAS online authorisation is being introduced, so it is worth checking and sorting it before you fly.
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the most pleasant, with mild weather for walking the city. Summer in Madrid is very hot and dry, and winter is crisp and bright. Madrid is a year-round destination, you just match your hours to the season.
Madrid is a mid-priced European city, usually cheaper than Barcelona for both stays and food. The currency is the euro and cards are accepted almost everywhere. A rechargeable transit card saves money, and booking the Prado and the Royal Palace ahead of time saves both time and cash.
Madrid is a city built around the table. Order cocido madrileño, the slow-cooked chickpea stew, a bocadillo de calamares in the Plaza Mayor, churros with thick hot chocolate in the morning, and a glass of vermouth on tap before you eat. Our food guide walks you through what to order and where to sit, from the tapas bars of La Latina to the San Miguel market.
Madrid is very safe when it comes to violent crime, but pickpocketing is a real problem in crowded spots like Sol, Gran Vía, the metro and the Rastro market. Keep your bag in front, never leave your phone on the table, and see our safety guide for all the tips.
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