If you’re planning a trip to Spain’s capital, this post shares 15 things to know before visiting Madrid. We’ll give you easy Madrid travel tips, show you what to know before you go, and help you avoid common tourist mistakes. These are real tips from locals to help you have a better trip. Even if you’ve been to Madrid before, we think you’ll learn at least one helpful thing to make your visit even better.
Don’t forget to download your FREE Madrid Travel Guide
We made a free Madrid travel guide with all our favourite places—restaurants, rooftop bars, top things to see, foods to try, and more. It’s fully hyperlinked so just click on the place and it will take you straight to google maps. You can download it to help plan your trip or when you’re out exploring the city.
15 Things To Know Before Visiting Madrid
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
Now, about flight and accommodation prices: The cheapest time to visit Madrid is typically during the low season, which runs from mid-November to mid-March, excluding holidays like Christmas and New Year’s. The absolute cheapest months are January and February. The most expensive times are late Spring to early Summer and September to early October.
Spring in Madrid
Spring is the perfect time to visit Madrid: the weather is great—mostly sunny days that aren’t too hot—though you should be prepared for the possibility of rain. The parks are full of pink and white almond blossoms, you can experience San Isidro (a traditional festival in Madrid to honor the patron saint with parades, dancing and food, celebrated every year from May the 3rd to the 15th).
Spring is just the perfect time to sit on a terrace with a tinto de verano (red wine mixed with lemon soda, so delicious and refreshing!). Just keep in mind, it’s a popular time to visit, so expect crowds.
Autumn in Madrid
Autumn is another great time to visit, especially if you prefer cooler, but still mild, weather. The city is covered in orange and brown autumn leaves, perfect for strolling through. It’s also a great time to stop by San Ginés, a popular place to get churros and chocolate. Plus, you can attend Madrid’s Jazz Festival (scattered around different stages all over Madrid).
Summer in Madrid
Finally, we don’t recommend coming in the Summer—unless you love +40°C weather. The air feels extremely hot and heavy. Even at night, it doesn’t cool down. On the plus side, there aren’t many crowds, since most locals leave the city to vacation or spend the summer in their pueblo (their family’s hometown). If you love festivals and concerts, this might actually be the best time for you to visit Madrid.
Christmas in Madrid
Although flight and accommodation prices go up, December is still a wonderful time to visit because Christmas in Madrid is magical—with all the Christmas markets and lights. We have a whole video on Christmas in Madrid, definitely go check that out after this! Just keep in mind that Madrid gets really cold in the winter, so pack warm layers. While snow in the centre is rare, it can happen, and you can easily take a day trip to the mountains to see snow by car or public transport (best snowy day trips: Navacerrada and Cercedilla, which we’ll get into later).
What to wear in Madrid
Outside of summer, Madrid’s weather can be all over the place—especially in fall and spring. You might be in a T-shirt during the day and freezing by sunset. Our advice? Pack layers. It can rain, but there is no need to waste space packing an umbrella, just buy a cheap one at any souvenir store in the city if necessary.
And speaking of what to wear, people in Madrid dress well. Locals tend to look polished, especially in the evenings. Smart-casual is a safe bet.
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Public transport in Madrid
Avoid things like taxis, car rentals, or ride-shares—these options can really add up and, most of the time, just aren’t worth it. Madrid is super walkable, and its public transport system is reliable, affordable, and easy to use.
There are even free ways to get around! For example, Bus 001 is completely free and stops at major tourist spots, running from Atocha to the iconic Gran Vía or Paseo del Prado, home to the famous Prado Museum. It runs from 7 AM to 11 PM and comes every 7–8 minutes on weekdays. Madrid also has city bikes, electric scooters, and a clean, efficient subway and train network.
We break it all down in our Madrid Transport Guide video, including a budget-friendly ride-share option you might not know about—so definitely check that out!
How to get from Madrid Airport to City Centre
By Metro
The easiest and most budget-friendly option is taking Line 8 on the metro. There are two stops at the airport, depending on which terminal you arrive at. The stop here (Barajas) is actually just a neighborhood by the airport. From there, Line 8 will take you to Nuevos Ministerios, which connects to three other lines. Depending on where you’re staying, you can either get off at the first connecting stop, Mar de Cristal on the brown line, or the second one, Colombia on the dark purple line.
By Bus
Another easy and budget-friendly option is the bus. The simplest choice is to hop on a direct bus from the terminal where your flight lands straight into the city center—like the 203 line or the Airport Express Bus. This one runs 24/7 and connects the airport to key spots in central Madrid, such as O’Donnell, Cibeles, and Atocha. Just a heads-up: if you’re arriving late at night (between 11:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.), the bus skips the Atocha stop. A ticket to the city center costs 5€.
By Taxi or Uber
If you have a lot of luggage, the metro might be a nightmare because of the stairs and connections. In that case, you might want to consider taking a taxi or Uber. Taxis have a flat rate of 33€ (which you can pay by card in all taxis), but Bolt (a budget-friendly version of Uber) sometimes offers discounts, so it’s worth checking both options first.
Cercanías Renfe Train
The last option is the Cercanías Renfe trains, but keep in mind they only leave from Terminal 4.
Madrid Pass
Definitely consider booking the Madrid Pass online before your visit. It includes entry to either the Bernabéu Stadium or the Prado Museum, plus access to the Royal Palace or the Reina Sofía Museum. You’ll also get tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus tour, a flamenco show, a Madrid audio guide app, and a 10% discount on any other attraction. We’ve linked the website where you can book the pass in advance and check out all the benefits.
Is Madrid Safe?
Madrid feels super safe, and it is, but like any big city, you’ll want to keep an eye on your stuff, especially in busy spots. Violent crime is rare, but pickpocketing can happen in crowded areas like Sol, Callao, Gran Vía, and on the metro (line 1 is the busiest, especially during the morning rush and around 2–4pm when everyone’s heading home from work). Just keep your valuables close and stay aware, and you’ll be totally fine.
Where to Stay in Madrid
We highly recommend staying on the metro line for convenience. A lot of tourists, especially budget travelers, don’t consider this, assuming that staying further from the city will save them money. But it’s not that simple. While accommodation prices might be lower, you’ll likely spend more on transport getting to the main attractions in the city centre, and it takes longer, meaning you lose valuable time. Fortunately, there are plenty of neighbourhoods in the more suburban areas of Madrid with lower prices that are still on the metro line.
Hotels in Madrid
If you’re feeling splurgy…
- The Ritz Mandarin Oriental Located next to the Museo del Prado. The closest metro station is Banco de España.
- The Four Seasons Madrid This hotel isright in the heart of Madrid. The closest metro stations are Sevilla and Sol.
- Gran Hotel Inglés Madrid Located in El Barrio de las Letras, just a 5-10 min walk from Sol metro station.
- Gran Meliá Fénix This hotel is right next to the Plaza de Colón Christmas Market. It is located very close to Retiro Park and Puerta de Alcalá (10 min walk away).
- Riu Plaza España Madrid This hotel is the iconic tall building towering over the Plaza de España. The closest metro stop is Plaza de España.
- Rosewood Villa Magna The closest metro stop is Serrano.
- Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid The closest metro stop is Retiro.
Some not so splurgy (medium budget options)…
- Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid Located between Plaza de Colón (Colón metro station), Chueca metro station and Fuente de Cibeles (Banco de España metro station).
- H10 Madrid Hotel. Closest metro station is Gran Vía.
- The Dear Hotel located on the corner of Gran Vía and Calle de los Reyes. The closest metro station is Plaza de España, or Santo Domingo which is 4 mins away by foot.
- NH Collection Hotels Madrid The closest metro station is Gran Vía.
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado The closest metro station is Estación del Arte.
- Barceló Torre de Madrid The closest metro station is Plaza de España.
- Hotel Atlántico The closest metro station are Callao or Gran Vía.
- Petit Palace Plaza del Carmen The closest metro station are Gran Vía, Sol or Callao.
- Emperador The closest metro station is Santo Domingo.
- Sercotel Gran Hotel Conde Duque The closest metro station is San Bernardo.
Budget-friendly hotels in Madrid
- Sercotel Alcalá 611 The closest metro station is Canillejas.
- Eurostars i-hotel Madrid The closest metro station is Colonia Jardín.
- Exe Getafe The closest metro station is Getafe Central.
- NH Alcorcón The closest metro station is Parque Oeste.
- Be Casa – San Sebastian de los Reyes The closest metro station is Hospital Infanta Sofía.
- Eurostars Madrid Foro The closest train station is the Tres Cantos Cercanías Renfe line. Keep in mind, this hotel is accessible, but not on the metro line, which can make a day trip quite inconvenient.
Local Dining Times
Madrileños eat late. Like, really late compared to what most of us are used to. Lunch kicks off around 2 p.m., and dinner? You’re looking at 9:30 or 10 p.m.—that’s when the vibe really comes alive. If you show up at a restaurant at 7 thinking you’re being early and smart… nope. It might be technically open, but you’ll probably be the only one there. (We’ve done it. It’s awkward).
Most kitchens don’t even reopen for dinner until around 8 p.m., so definitely plan around that. Also, between lunch and dinner, a lot of places stay open but the kitchen shuts down. You might still be able to grab a drink or a snack, but most of the menu items are unavailable. Pro tip: if there’s a place you really want to try—make a reservation in advance. Tables fill up fast.
Set Lunch Menu in Madrid
Most local spots in Madrid offer what’s called a menú del día—and honestly, it’s one of the best food hacks in Spain. It’s basically a set lunch menu where you get a starter, a main, dessert or coffee, plus bread and a drink… all for about the same price you’d normally pay for just one main and a drink (We’ve linked a short we made with our best tip for finding great restaurants in Madrid that fit your budget).
If you’re traveling on a budget, make lunch your main meal of the day with a menú del día, and then in the evening, hit up a rooftop bar for a drink and a couple of tapas. Madrid has tons of amazing ones with views of the city.
How to Enjoy Fancy Restaurants on a Budget
One of our favorite tricks when eating out somewhere fancy is to go with a group and share a couple of starters and a main or two. It ends up being way more affordable, and you still get to try a bunch of different dishes without spending a ton. There’s no need to skip out on more luxury experiences just because you’re on a budget, it’s all about how you do it.
Tipping in Madrid
A small tip is appreciated but not expected. Like most countries in Europe, service charges are included in the workers’ salary. Round up the bill or leave €1–€5 if the service was exceptionally good.
You Don’t Need to Book a Long Trip
If you’re short on time in Madrid, you can still see all the main highlights in just one or two days—just make sure to wear comfy shoes. In our 24 Hours in Madrid video, we show you how to hit all the major spots in just a few hours. Be sure to check it out after this video!
Affordable Day Trips from Madrid
What many people don’t realise about Madrid is that you can easily—and affordably—take day trips to nearby medieval towns like Toledo, or even head to the mountains in Navacerrada to see the snow in winter, as mentioned before. We cover some of the best and easiest day trips from Madrid in our Madrid on a Budget video, where we share details about each place and exactly how to get there.
People Take They’re Time at the Table
The pace is slower here, even though it’s a city. People in Spain like to take their time, it’s totally normal to sit back, relax, and really enjoy your meal. This is called sobremesa. Sobremesa in Spain is the time after a meal when everyone stays at the table, talking and relaxing.
No one rushes off—it’s all about enjoying the moment together, usually over a coffee. Don’t expect waiters to bring the bill unless you ask. They’ll usually assume you’re still enjoying your time.
This is one of the reasons we suggest booking a table in advance, because if you don’t there’s no knowing how long you’ll wait for a table.
Tap Water in Madrid Is Safe
Tap water in Madrid is totally safe to drink—in fact, they have some of the best tap water in Europe.
That’s why we highly suggest bringing a reusable bottle that you can easily fold in your bag.
At restaurants, if you’re thirsty, just ask for “un vaso de agua” (a glass of water), and they’ll bring you a glass of tap water free of charge.
Cash or Card? – Save Money With Online Banking
If you’re coming from outside of Europe, don’t waste your money converting to euros—you can pay with card almost everywhere. The only places you might need cash are at some flea markets, but even those are slowly becoming more card-friendly.
To avoid conversion fees when using your foreign card, we suggest ordering a digital or physical travel card from Revolut. It eliminates the extra charges that banks, ATMs, and credit cards usually add.
Other helpful blog posts to plan your next trip to Madrid…
Learn how to move around Madrid to travel confidently during your next trip by following our complete step-by-step guide to using public transport in Madrid.
Traveling to Madrid on a budget? Read up on our top tips for affordable travel in Madrid!
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