WHY YOU NEED
TO VISIT MADRID
As a major European capital city, Madrid offers incredible art, history, and culture, making it a must-visit on any trip to Spain. It remains less touristy than other European capital cities. Until the !6th century, the capital of Spain rested in Toledo. King Phillip II moved the regency to Madrid and created the most beautiful cultural destination to rival other European capitals. Today, it maintains a relaxed, local vibe where visitors blend in. Visiting Madrid gives you insights into the middle eastern, early goths, and Romans. It offers a comfortable and enjoyable way to explore and get to know the city.
Not sure if it’s Madrid or all of Spain, but I fell in love with this city. Maybe it’s that most things center on eating or drinking? Is it the feeling that everyone wants to enjoy life? Not a lot of rushing, urgent walking, or anger. Everyone seems to go with the flow. Slow down and enjoy the moments. Madrid is also a great starting point to explore other areas of Spain.
TRAVEL NOTES
So you are ready to explore Madrid. Well, you probably have a few questions. When should I go? Do you need a visa? How long should I stay?
Get all the necessary details on visiting Madrid. Read our Know Before You Go – Spain.
MUST DO ON YOUR
VISIT MADRID
Whether you are visiting Madrid for the first or fifth time, these famous landmarks, parks, and museums show you something new each time. For first visitors, these spots are a perfect introduction to Madrid life. These are your don’t miss spots.
OUR TOP 15 MUST DO
- ROYAL PALACE OF MADRID
- CAMPO DEL MORO
- TEMPLE DEBOD
- PLAZA MAYOR
- EL RETIRO PARK
- PASEO DEL PRADO
- MERCADO SAN MIGUEL
- PUERTO DEL SOL
- GRAN VIA
- REINA SOFIA
- THYSEEN BORNEMISZA
- PRADO MUSEUM
- EL RASTO
- SANTIAGO BERNABEU STADIUM
- FLAMEQUE SHOW
Madrid Highlights
A few of our favorite experiences, places, and meals from our visits to Madrid. Some of these are also part of our must-do list. There is so much to do and see, we cannot wait to get back.
EXPLORE MADRID
NEIGHBORHOODS
Made up of various neighborhoods, Madrid is easy to explore, making it easy to make the most of your visit. Madrid is an accessible walking city, and neighborhoods blend into each other. As you wander, you notice subtle changes in atmosphere and energy as you move into a new area. Yet each one retains its personality and point of view. We pick a different neighborhood each day and evening to explore – this gives a real feel for the area and the opportunity to find hidden, local spots. These neighborhoods are also great places to book your stay.
CENTRO/sol
This is the most popular area, featuring many of the most popular and historic tourists highlights. It’s centrally located making it a great spot to stay in for your Madrid adventure, but popularity will be a bit more expensive.
LAVAPIES
Open and welcoming, this neighborhood is holding onto its historic feeling. Sometimes referred to as the hippie or alternative., it’s an area that welcomes political and social debates. Many international restaurants can be found here which is a nice break from the traditional Spanish fair.
MALASANA
Hip and trendy with nightlife to keep you moving, It also mixes in history and important events in Madrid. Great area for enjoying outdoor dining and late-night entertainment
CHUECHA
Welcoming neighborhood with small bars, restaurants, and shops focused on the LGBTQ community. It’s a fun area to spend an evening out. Make sure you grab a drink at Taberna de Angel Sierra it’s one of the oldest bars in Madrid.
LA LATINA
We recommend spending an afternoon (into the evening) drinking and eating your way through this neighborhood. Find the many well-known tapas bars on the main street (Calle Cava Baja) You will certainly be entertained by the mix of locals and visitors.
HUERTA
(barrio de la Libros) many famous literary authors lived there. Small quaint streets. 16 and 17 C, some of the most famous Spanish literary artists were born and lived in this area, making it the literary and artistic scene.
CHAMBERI
This area is more local than tourist but a great way to experience Madrid life. Well-manicured streets, offer lovely strolls. You won’t find many tourist spots but you will find perfectly welcoming neighborhood spots. This is also a great area to stay in rental apartments or extended stay accommodation.
GETTING AROUND
MADRID
If you have not visited or lived in a large metropolitan city before; it can seem daunting to navigate the city. Using the metro, we were able to move around the city easily and quickly. As we plan our itinerary, we select different areas to explore day each day and identify metro stops that were convenient. If we ever strayed too far, the metro stop was a great navigational reference.
The map of the metro is a great way to keep yourself aware of where you are in the city. The metro and the Renfe train service can combine to make your trip even more efficient. On one of our visits, we stayed a little further from central Madrid, we took the local Renfe to the main station of Atocha and transferred to the metro to get us where we wanted to be. Check out the Renfe site to begin understanding the city and route options.
PRO TIP: hold onto your ticket both the metro and Renfe need you to scan the ticket at the exit. No ticket=no exit.
Save one of these pins for quick reference.
