The first destination most people will think of when visiting mainland Spain is Barcelona. But don’t overlook Madrid! You may be asking yourself, is Madrid worth visiting? The short answer, absolutely! It has the perfect mix of culture, food, nightlife and amazing weather and for being one of the most famous cities in Europe, Madrid is one of the most affordable cities I’ve visited. The food is super cheap and the city itself is very walkable so you probably won’t need to spend much on taxis or public transport.

Overall, I think you would need at least 2 days to see Madrid but I could have stayed longer just to enjoy all of the wonderful food. If you’re already convinced to visit Madrid, go ahead and

Skip to the full Madrid Travel Guide below.

Why is Madrid worth visiting? Well, here are all the reasons to visit Madrid.

Delicious Food in Madrid

Spanish cuisine is in my top 3 favourite cuisines of all time and the food in Madrid does not disappoint. There are so many great restaurants to suit any budget or appetite from the local standing only seafood joint to tapas at the bar or a sit down dinner. I have some great suggestions for you below in the guide.

Great Weather in Madrid

Madrid is warm and sunny for most of the year which makes it easy to plan a trip without the worry of getting rained out. My friends and I visited in September and it felt like the perfect summer temps the whole time. I go over the average temperatures throughout the year below in my guide.

Stunning Architecture in Madrid

As Madrid is the capital city of Spain, you will of course notice the modern infrastructure, but you’ll also notice the preservation of the historical architecture dating back to numerous historical periods. Some of the most famous sites to take in the architecture include the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Royal Theatre, the Bueno Retiro Park, and the Golden Triangle of Art.

Rich Culture and History of Madrid

The documented history of Madrid dates back to the 9th century, so you could say a thing or two has happened since. You should absolutely try and book a tour to hear more about it. Of course with such a long history comes rich culture and traditions. One of the things I love most about visiting Spain are the festivals. Everyone’s outside enjoying the sunshine, with a drink and probably some type of street food in hand, dancing to the music and having a great time. There’s nothing like it which is why the culture of Spain and Madrid is what keeps drawing me back time and time again.

Madrid is a Very Walkable City

Anyone who’s been to Europe before knows how pedestrian friendly it is and Madrid is no exception. My friends and I ended up exploring by foot the whole time. Sometimes we would just wander with no map or destination in mind to see what hidden gems we’d discover. You can definitely get around Madrid solely by walking and see some of the best sites, especially if you’re staying in the city center.

Madrid Travel Guide

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Tips for Visiting Madrid / FAQs About Madrid

How many days do you need in Madrid

Madrid is one of the best places for a quick city break in Europe as it’s so easy to get to. A long weekend or 2 days in Madrid is definitely enough time to have a great experience, but you’ll only scratch the surface of everything this beautiful city has to offer. I’d personally recommend 3-4 days if you really want time to take it all in. Either way, be sure to check out my recommendations for things to do and places to see below so you can make the most of your time.

How to get to Madrid

You can get to Madrid a number of ways depending on where you’re coming from. Flying, driving, or via train are all options. Coming from London myself, I found the easiest and quickest way to get to Madrid was to fly from Gatwick Airport (P.S. if you want to move to London, I have an entire guide on that). We flew on AirEuropa which I’d actually never flown before and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a budget airline like EasyJet and the service was great and the flight was on time. The airport in Madrid is pretty small so it was relatively quick to get through immigration and out the door! Getting from Madrid airport to Madrid city center only takes about 20 minutes via taxi or 35 minutes via the train.

How to get around Madrid

There are a few different ways to get around Madrid. Firstly, if you’d like to take a taxi, Uber is available in Madrid and the rates are pretty reasonable. There are also licensed taxis and they take cash or card. In addition to Ubers, there are also electric scooters and bikes available to rent.

Secondly, there is a public transport system in Madrid which consists of buses and the Metro.

Lastly, as I mentioned above, Madrid is a very walkable city, so this is really how I made my way around the most so I could see all of the sites.

Best time to visit Madrid

As Madrid experiences four season, deciding when is Madrid worth visiting would depend on what type of weather you’re after and the level of crowds you are willing to deal with. High season in Madrid runs from June-August and the temperatures are quite hot, around 30 degrees celsius. The city is also crowded as there are many festivals including Madrid Pride in June. The low season is in January and February as temperatures dip to around 10 degrees Celsius. The months of March to May and September to November are what you would consider the “shoulder season” in Madrid. This means temperatures are starting to heat up or cool down and aren’t unbearable and the crowds haven’t arrived yet. These are the best months to travel if you’re on a budget and looking for a good deal. Just be aware the weather can be unpredictable during these months.

Currency used in Madrid and is Cash or Card preferred

The currency used in Madrid is the Euro and most places accepted card while only a few preferred cash.

How much should you tip in Madrid

The general rule of thumb in a restaurant would be to tip around 10% if it’s not already included. At a café or bar where table service isn’t provided, it’s normal to round up to the nearest Euro and sometimes add another on top if you’d like. Madrid taxi drivers won’t expect a tip, but if they provide something a but extra like giving directions, tips, or helping with your luggage, I’d throw in an extra Euro or two.

How to get phone data when visiting Madrid

If your phone provider doesn’t have a great international roaming plan, then I’d recommend getting an eSIM. I normally use the Airalo app to get my eSIM to access data abroad. You can use my code WRIGHT3 to get $3 off your first eSIM with Airalo.

Do people speak English in Madrid

While the main language spoken in Madrid is Spanish, plenty of people will speak English as their second language so it’s fairly easy to communicate. Pro Tip: I use the Google Translate App on my phone to translate text or audio when I’m abroad.

Is Madrid a good destination for solo travellers

Yes! Madrid is a great place for solo travellers as there’s plenty to do, the people are friendly, and the city is safe. As a solo female traveller, I would definitely recommend Madrid for your next solo trip.

Is Madrid Safe

Yes Madrid is very safe. I felt completely comfortable walking around day and night everywhere in Madrid. Like most big cities, you need to watch out for pickpockets but other than that, there’s not much to worry about.

No matter how safe a destination is, you should ALWAYS have travel insurance. I highly recommend Safety Wing for travellers who will be traveling long term. Their essential plan not only covers medical emergencies but also travel emergencies such as lost luggage or trip cancellation.

Must-see sights and things to do in Madrid

Flamenco Show

I am not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in my entire life and it is hands down one of the best activities you can do while in Madrid. Everything about it was completely mesmerizing. The music, the singing, the dancing, all of it. I booked a Flamenco show through Get Your Guide which was on at the Tablao Flamenco Torres Bermejas. The dancers were incredible and I’m now a Flamenco fan for life!

The Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace is a must see site while visiting Madrid. As you’d expect it’s a very grand and regal building plus there are actual guards patrolling which is pretty cool to see. On the day we went, there was actually a procession of the horse guards welcoming diplomats and someone told me this happens quite often, so you might be lucky and see the same.

Catedral de la Almudena

The Cathedral is literally right next to the Royal Palace and is now in my list of top 3 churches in Europe I’ve ever seen (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris being the first). Entry is $6 and it’s completely worth it. The best part is the rooftop dome where you can walk along the perimeter and enjoy 360 views of the city. Back inside the main part of the Cathedral where services take place, you will notice the unique Spanish painting and architecture which is absolutely breath-taking. I was standing there looking at the ceilings for at least 10 min.

El Retiro Park

I love exploring parks in Europe and the one in Madrid was beautiful with stunning landmarks and multiple gardens to explore. It’s located right in the centre and very easy to walk. The park itself is huge, we wandered around for at least 2 hours and saw the grand pond where you can rent paddle boats, a rose garden, multiple snack pavilions where you can grab a bite to eat or a glass of wine, and the Crystal palace. After we left the park, we walked by the Art Museum and bought some really cool prints from the local vendors outside.

Palacio de Cristal

The Crystal Palace is located in El Retiro Park but I wanted to list it separately as I think it deserves it’s own shoutout. It was such a stunning piece of architecture and I’d never seen anything quite like it before. It looks like something straight out of the Secret Garden.

Guided Tour

Call me a tourist all you want (because I am one!), but I think booking a guided tour is one of the best ways to learn about a new city, get your bearings, and maybe get some great tips from the local guide! Here are some great tour options I found on Get Your Guide which will help you get to know the city and have fun while doing it! Just click the photo to get more info.

The best places to eat in Madrid

If anyone were to ask me why is Madrid worth visiting, easy, the food. The food is just incredible and incredibly cheap for what I’m used to paying in London. Here are some of my favourite spots around town recommended to me by friends and locals and also some we simply stumbled upon by accident.

La Paloma

A tiny hole in the wall local seafood restaurant that gets quite packed at lunch! This place was recommended to us by one of the waiters at another place. He told us it wouldn’t be anything fancy but it would be local and that it has some of the best seafood in Madrid. Sold! It’s standing only and very tiny so you will be rubbing shoulders with your neighbours which will most likely be locals. Their specialities are the peel and eat shrimp and oysters. They also do how wine and beer on tap. It’s quite affordable and definitely an experience.

Taberna Tempranillo

This is a tapas bar located in the La Latina neighbourhood. They have an entire wall of wines and an extensive menu of local tapas. I would recommend trying to book as it’s quite small and very popular. We got lucky and were able to find a standing spot at the bar.

Los Chanquettas

This is a very popular spot with the locals both young and old. The place is split into two parts. There’s a small bar area right when you walk in where I saw all of the younger generation enjoying drinks and tapas with their friends. In the back there is an actual sit-down dining area which looked to be more popular with the older generation enjoying a nice meal. We went on a Saturday and the place was very lively and everyone was laughing, chatting and having a great time. The best part about this place is that every time you order a drink at the bar you get a free small tapas plate to go with it! You can also order a specific tapa if you want but the free ones were quite good!

Tasca Celso y Manolo

This place was recommended to me by a friend and is in the Chueca neighbourhood of Madrid. It’s a small hip and stylish place and the staff are incredibly friendly. The menu has many local dishes and it’s more of a sharing style but you could also order your own plate if you wish. We had the famous pork dish and a side of their popular tomato salad and it was so delicious. They have an extensive wine and drinks menu to choose from as well.

Los Cuatro Robles

My friends and I actually stumbled upon this place on accident when we were looking for a quick drinks and small snack. It’s right off the main tourist road of Arenal so I didn’t have that high of hopes but I was highly mistaken! This place did incredible local dishes and the sangria was to die for. We tried the croquettes and the pan con tomato and it was simple yet delicious.

San Miguel Food Market

I absolutely love a good food market as it’s the perfect way to try a variety of local cuisines all in one place. The San Miguel Food Market in Madrid is perfect if you’re looking to try a bit of everything as they have croquettes, Spanish tortillas, empanadas, pintxo, and multiple bars to grab a sangria or 2.

Pez Tortilla

If you’re looking for a cheap and quick place to grab a local Spanish Omelette, this is it. It’s nothing fancy, definitely a local hole in the wall but they do such good omelettes where the inside is a little bit gooey and runny still and cooked to perfection.

Where to stay and the best neighbourhoods in Madrid

La Latina

La Latina is a fun hip neighbourhood in central Madrid just a stone’s throw away from the Royal Palace and Cathedral. Its central location in the city center means it’s within walking distance of all the main attractions including El Retiro Park and San Miguel Market. There are tons of bars and restaurants on the famous street C. de la Cava Baja which you can’t miss for a night out! We stayed in this Airbnb and it was super affordable, clean, and a great location. If you’re looking for a hotel, click here.

Chueca

Chueca is a lively LGBTQ friendly neighbourhood located in Central Madrid and home to some of the most spectacular restaurants and bars. It’s right on the doorstep of El Retiro Park which is a must see attraction while staying in the city. The central location means it’s also perfect to base yourself here if you want to see the city by foot.

Where To Go Out in Madrid

We stuck around our local neighbourhood of La Latina for going out at night as there were so many bars and it was super lively! The famous street is called Cava Baja and I’m not exaggerating when I say there are probably 50 bars and restaurants on this one small street. It really comes alive around 9PM. The Plaza San Andres is also right around the corner and has multiple bars and restaurants you can stop in to have a drink and people watch.

The other place I’d recommend for going out but we didn’t really make it is the Chueca neighbourhood. This place was highly recommended by my friends as a place with some of the best nightlife in the city so check it out!

If you liked this guide and are looking for more city break recommendations for Spain, check out this Barcelona guide.