Quick Answer
Madrid is Spain’s capital and largest city — 3.3 million city, 6.7 million metro. Cosmopolitan, late-night, art capital. Top sights: Prado Museum (world’s greatest paintings — Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, El Greco — €15), Reina Sofía (Picasso’s Guernica, Dalí, Miró — €12), Royal Palace (Palacio Real) (largest in Western Europe — €15), Retiro Park (1,000-acre park with Crystal Palace), Plaza Mayor (17th-century square), Mercado de San Miguel (gourmet market). Top neighborhoods: La Latina (tapas), Malasaña (hipster), Chueca (LGBT), Lavapiés (multicultural), Salamanca (luxury). Best time: April-June, September-October. AVOID July-August (40°C heat). Days needed: 4-5 minimum. Don’t miss: tapas crawl La Latina, flamenco at Cardamomo, El Rastro Sunday flea market, churros + chocolate at San Ginés.
The Golden Triangle of Art
- Museo del Prado: Spanish Golden Age + European masters. Velázquez (Las Meninas), Goya, Bosch (Garden of Earthly Delights), El Greco. €15. 4+ hours.
- Museo Reina Sofía: 20th-century. Picasso’s Guernica, Dalí, Miró. €12. 2-3 hours.
- Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza: private collection from Italian Renaissance to Pop Art. €13. 2 hours.
- Combined ticket: Paseo del Arte 3-museum pass €30.
- Free entry times: Prado free 6-8pm. Reina Sofía free 7-9pm Sundays + late afternoons. Thyssen Mondays free.
Royal + Old Madrid
- Royal Palace (Palacio Real): 3,418 rooms — largest royal palace Western Europe. €15. 2 hours.
- Almudena Cathedral: next to Royal Palace. Crown of Madrid. Free.
- Plaza Mayor: 1620 enclosed square. Bullfights past, restaurants present.
- Puerta del Sol: Madrid’s heart. New Year’s Eve gathering. Kilometre Zero.
- Mercado de San Miguel: 1916 covered market. Gourmet tapas + drinks.
- El Rastro: Sunday flea market in La Latina. 8am-3pm.
Top neighborhoods
- La Latina: traditional tapas. Calle Cava Baja main strip. Sundays especially lively.
- Malasaña: hipster + alternative. Movida Madrileña birthplace (1980s post-Franco scene).
- Chueca: LGBT-friendly. Restaurants, bars, Pride parade end June.
- Lavapiés: multicultural. Indian, Bangladeshi, North African. Hip art galleries.
- Salamanca: luxury shopping. Calle Serrano = Madrid’s Champs-Élysées.
- Las Letras (Literary Quarter): Cervantes lived here. Now restaurants + tapas.
Madrid food culture
- Tapas in Madrid: typically paid (€2-4). Classic spots: Casa Lucio (huevos rotos), Los Galayos, Casa Mira.
- Cocido madrileño: traditional Madrid stew. Multiple courses. Lhardy or Casa Carola.
- Bocadillo de calamares: calamari sandwich. Plaza Mayor area specialty.
- Churros + chocolate: San Ginés (oldest, 1894), Chocolatería Valor.
- Vermut Madrileño: Madrid invented vermut. Aperitif culture.
- Best tapas bars: Sala de Despiece (modernist), Tabernas Sandos, Casa Bigotes (oldest).
- Fine dining: DiverXO (3 Michelin), Coque (3 Michelin), DSTAGE (2 Michelin).
Day trips
- Toledo: 30 min train. UNESCO. El Greco’s hometown. Three cultures (Christian, Jewish, Muslim).
- Segovia: 30 min train. UNESCO Roman aqueduct + Alcázar inspiration for Disney castle.
- El Escorial: 1h train. Felipe II’s monastery + palace UNESCO.
- Aranjuez: 45 min train. Royal Palace + gardens UNESCO.
- Salamanca: 1h30 train. Oldest Spanish university 1218. UNESCO.
- Ávila: 1h30 train. Medieval walled city UNESCO.
Practical info
- Getting there: Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD). Metro Line 8 to center 30 min, €5.
- From Barcelona: AVE 2h30, €40-90.
- From Lisbon: sleeper train 9h or 1h flight.
- Public transit: Metro 12 lines. 10-trip pass €12.20. Day pass €8.
- Best time: April-June, September-October. AVOID July-August (40°C heat, locals leave).
- Where to stay: Centro/Sol (very central), La Latina (atmospheric), Salamanca (upscale), Chueca (LGBT-friendly + lively).
- Pickpockets: watch in Metro Line 1 (Atocha-Chamartín touristic), Sol/Plaza Mayor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need in Madrid?
Minimum 4 days for Prado/Reina Sofía + Royal Palace + tapas crawl. Ideal 5-7 days with day trips to Toledo or Segovia.
Is Madrid better than Barcelona?
Different. Madrid: art capital, late-night culture, tapas, royal heritage, no beach. Barcelona: Gaudí, Mediterranean, beach, more tourists. Both excellent — most do both.
Best time to visit Madrid?
April-June (mild, parks bloom), September-October (warm, post-peak). AVOID July-August (40°C heat, locals leave many places close).
Where to stay first time?
Centro/Sol (very central, walking to everything). La Latina (atmospheric tapas crawl). Salamanca (luxury, business). Avoid: pure tourist hotels far from center.
Madrid art museums — which to prioritize?
Prado essential (4+ hours). Reina Sofía for Picasso’s Guernica (2-3 hours). Thyssen if 3rd day (2 hours). Paseo del Arte combo €30 = €13 savings.
Eat tapas in Madrid?
La Latina traditional (Cava Baja street). Sala de Despiece for modernist. Casa Lucio for huevos rotos. €2-4 per tapa typical. Eat 6-10 across multiple bars.
Recommended on Amazon
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- Lonely Planet Madrid — comprehensive city guide.
- Spanish phrasebook — travel essentials.
- Madrid walking tour book — self-guided.