Planning a holiday in Madrid? Here is a Madrid travel guide and useful tips for travelling to Madrid.
- Travel guide and tips for Madrid
- Transport in madrid: flights, airport, public transport, metro
- Guide to Madrid: accommodation, prices, attractions
- Is Madrid expensive (prices in Madrid)?
- Where to stay in Madrid?
- What to taste in Madrid?
- Useful tips to enjoy Madrid
- Map of Madrid
- More information about Spain
Madrid is the capital of Spain and, with 3.3 million inhabitants, the largest city in the country. It is known for its lively and incredibly authentic atmosphere, ornate architecture, lush parks and the famous Real Madrid football club.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know if you’re planning to visit Madrid – where to book flights, how to get around the city, prices, safety in Madrid and other useful tips.
Travel guide and tips for Madrid
Transport in madrid: flights, airport, public transport, metro
Guide to Madrid: accommodation, prices, attractions
Is Madrid expensive (prices in Madrid)?
In terms of prices, Madrid is average compared to other European cities. There are more expensive cities like London, but at the same time prices are higher than in other Spanish cities (except Barcelona).
Prices may increase during the peak tourist season (late spring to early autumn) and during major holidays.
Madrid is very adaptable to budgets – offering luxury and budget accommodation, restaurants and experiences. So it’s up to you how you plan to approach your visit to Madrid.
Here are the approximate costs you can expect in Madrid:
- Street and fast food: Fast food such as sandwiches or tapas costs around €5 to €10.
- Mid-range restaurants: a meal in a decent restaurant will cost around 15 to 30 euros per person.
- Luxury restaurants: expect to pay between €30 and €60 per person in luxury restaurants, especially in touristy areas.
- Taxi: basic rate 3 €, then approximately 1-1.2 € per kilometre.
- Bicycle rentals: Daily rental fees range from 10 to 15 euros.
- Food: If self-catering, expect to spend around 20 to 50 euros per week.
- Water (1,5 l) – 0,87 €
- Bread (500 g) – 1,52 €
- Cheese (1 kg) – 13,12 €
- Chicken breast (1 kg) – 7,44 €
- Potatoes (1 kg) – 1,36 €
- Tomatoes (1 kg) – 2,33 €
- Bananas (1 kg) – 1,79 €
Where to stay in Madrid?
- Hotel RIU – Iconic city centre hotel with rooftop terrace, restaurant and excellent service
- Hostal Abadia Madrid – 3* guesthouse at a great price right in the centre, with air conditioning and private bathroom
- Ilunion Atrium – Modern hotel with swimming pool, restaurant and excellent access to the centre
- NYX Hotel Madrid by Leonardo Hotels – Stylish 4* hotel with swimming pool, restaurant and minutes from Real Madrid stadium
- Vértice Roomspace – Cheap, modern hotel on the outskirts of town with a restaurant and a short walk from the train station
Hotels in Madrid 😴
What to taste in Madrid?
What is the typical food in Madrid?
- Cocido Madrileño: Stewed meat (usually beef, chicken and pork), chickpeas, potatoes and vegetables.
- Tapas: Small portions of food – from olives to cheese to small portions of meat. There are many bars and restaurants in Madrid where you can sample tapas (especially in the La Latina district).
- Callos a la Madrileña: A traditional Madrid dish of beef or pork intestines cooked with peppers, tomatoes and onions.
- Bocadillo de Calamares: baguette stuffed with fried calamari
- Churros con Chocolate: Churros are fried dough that is traditionally dipped in rich hot chocolate. It’s a Madrid breakfast or dessert favourite.
- Tortilla Española: This Spanish omelette, often called tortilla de patatas, is a simple but tasty dish made with eggs, potatoes and sometimes onions.
- Huevos Rotos: A simple dish of poached eggs, served with potatoes and usually some kind of meat such as ham or chorizo. Ideal for a light lunch or dinner.
What drinks to try in Madrid?
- Sangría: This is a popular Spanish drink that combines red wine with fresh fruit, a little sweetener and sometimes sparkling water or liqueur.
- Tinto de Verano: Less well-known than sangría but just as refreshing, this drink is a mixture of red wine and lemonade (or sometimes sparkling water with lemon or lime juice). It is a popular summer drink in Madrid.
- Vermut: Vermouth is very popular in Spain, especially as an aperitif. Madrid residents love vermouth on tap, usually served on the rocks with a slice of orange or lemon and an olive.
- Spanish wines: Madrid is perfectly located for excellent wine regions – for example Ribera del Duero, Rioja, or local Madrid wines.
- Cava: a Spanish sparkling wine that is an excellent alternative to French champagne.
- Horchata: A non-alcoholic traditional drink made from tiger nuts, water and sugar, and served chilled.
- Café con Leche: For coffee lovers, café con leche, which is the Spanish version of latte, is a staple drink. It’s strong coffee mixed with hot milk.
Useful tips to enjoy Madrid
- Late dinner: Dinners in Madrid are usually late, often starting after 21:00 or even later.
- Nightlife: Madriders love the nightlife. The city is known as “la ciudad que nunca duerme” (the city that never sleeps), with many bars, clubs and cafés open until the early hours of the morning.
- Paseo: One of the typical activities for Madriders is the “paseo” or evening walk. After dinner, people often stroll around the city, meeting friends and enjoying the lively atmosphere of the city.
- Tapas: Eating tapas is not just about food, it’s a social ritual. Madriders often go from bar to bar, sampling one or two tapas in each, all accompanied by a small drink called a caña (small beer) or a glass of wine.
- Traditional markets: visit traditional markets such as the Mercado de San Miguel or Mercado de San Antón, where locals shop and enjoy tapas. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture.
- Fiestas: Madrid loves its fiestas and festivals. If you’re in town when there’s a local celebration, be sure to attend (we were lucky enough to do so and it’s definitely worth it). These include the Fiesta de San Isidro, the city’s patron saint, when the city is transformed into a place full of music, dancing and traditional Spanish costumes.
Map of Madrid
HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map with tips on things to do in Madrid. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the Madrid travel guide. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.
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These were our tips and Madrid travel guide. Do you have a question? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!
More information about Spain
MADRID: Get inspired by our itinerary for 3 days in Madrid or check out the things to do in Madrid. Here is a detailed guide to transport in Madrid (how to get from the airport, metro, tickets, etc.).
BARCELONA: Check out tips on things to do in Barcelona (entrance fees, opening hours, photos, map) or plan your trip with 3 days Barcelona itinerary. If you have more time, here is an itinerary for 4 days in Barcelona.
SPANISH CITIES: Valencia is another beautiful city in Spain. Granada is a historical gem, home to the world-famous Alhambra Palace. Seville will captivate you with its beautiful architecture and the Alcázar Fortress. Malaga has it all – rich history and long sandy beaches.
SPAIN: In our list of the most beautiful places to visit in Spain, we give you tips on what to see in Spain.
