Madrid

A vibrant mix of culture and nightlife

Madrid stands out as a city where history and modern life mix naturally. The capital of Spain, it holds grand palaces like the Royal Palace alongside lively squares such as Plaza Mayor. Museums display art from Spanish masters including Velázquez and Goya. Parks provide space for locals to relax, while tapas bars serve small plates in every neighborhood. Public transport connects districts efficiently, making walking easy. From bustling markets to quiet residential streets, Madrid offers everyday experiences that feel genuine without relying on tourist clichés.

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City in Spain

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.4

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and by younger generations. However, some basic Spanish phrases can be helpful in more local spots.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Madrid Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Outstanding for art museums and nightlife. Visit the Prado and major galleries, explore royal palaces, relax in city parks and enjoy late-night tapas.

Place score

9.2

Best at:

Museums

Large cities

Fine dining

Local cuisine

Art

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🌈 9

LGBTQ+

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Spain – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted in Spain, particularly in urban areas and tourist destinations. Credit and debit cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are available in many establishments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Spain but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is customary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may also be tipped, though it is less common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is restricted in some regions, particularly in tourist-heavy cities. Local laws may vary.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned indoors in public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas.

La Tomatina (August)	A famous tomato-throwing festival, expect large crowds in Buñol.
Semana Santa (March/April)	Religious parades and events make this a busy time in major cities.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive celebrations, with tourist areas becoming busier.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Cabify, Bolt, Uber
Other:	Spain is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and vibrant festivals. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Madrid, Spain

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	April - June, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, July - Aug., Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

July and August: temperatures often above 35°C, plan sightseeing for early morning or evening

August: many local restaurants and small shops close as residents leave the city

Don't miss

🎨 Admire world-class art at the Prado Museum
🌳 Stroll through Retiro Park and relax by the lake
👑 Visit the Royal Palace and marvel at its grandeur
💃 Watch a flamenco show in a traditional tablao
🍷 Explore the lively tapas bars around La Latina
🌇 See panoramic views from the rooftop of Círculo de Bellas Artes

You've been here?

Why travel to Madrid?

Madrid has an incredible energy that pulls you in. From exploring the Golden Triangle of Art to wandering through bustling plazas, there’s always something happening. The food scene is amazing too – tapas, churros and fine dining. The nightlife is legendary, but be prepared for late nights! On the downside, summers can get very hot and pickpocketing can be an issue in crowded places.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Prado Museum
The Prado Museum in Madrid houses world-class art collections within elegant halls and gardens. Its historic building features impressive facades, spacious courtyards and galleries that showcase masterpieces from European masters across centuries.
2 Royal Palace
This historic residence on Madrid's main square houses opulent royal apartments and stunning art collections. Visitors explore grand halls, intricate gardens and ceremonial rooms within this iconic architectural masterpiece of Spanish monarchy.
3 Temple of Debod
This ancient Egyptian temple stands proudly in Madrid's Retiro Park, offering a serene escape from the city bustle. Its well-preserved columns and hieroglyphs provide a fascinating glimpse into history, making it a must-visit cultural landmark for travelers exploring Spain's capital.
4 Plaza Mayor
This bustling square in Madrid's historic center features ornate fountains, grand statues and lively cafes. Surrounded by elegant architecture, it serves as a vibrant meeting point for locals and tourists alike.
5 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
6 Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
7 Puerta del Sol
8 Royal Palace of Madrid
9 Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

🎡Places for activities

1 Teatro Real
2 Matadero Madrid, Centro de creación Contemporánea
3 Círculo de Bellas Artes

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 El Retiro Park
A peaceful oasis in Madrid's heart, El Retiro Park features stunning gardens, historic monuments and serene lakes. Visitors enjoy boating on the water or strolling through shaded paths away from the city bustle.
2 Jardín histórico El Capricho de la Alameda Osuna
3 Casa de Campo
4 Madrid Río
5 Juan Carlos I Park
6 Monte de El Pardo
7 Parque del Oeste

🛍️Shopping

1 Gran Vía
This bustling avenue in Madrid's heart features wide sidewalks, historic architecture and vibrant street life. It connects major landmarks like Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía metro station, serving as a central hub for shopping and culture.
2 Las Rozas Village
3 Mercado de San Miguel
4 El Corte Inglés
5 Gran Vía
6 Centro Comercial ABC
7 Petit Palace Preciados
8 Centro Comercial Príncipe Pío
9 Serrano
10 Dia Market

🎈Events

San Isidro Festival
Madrid Pride
Three Kings Parade
Fiestas de la Paloma
Veranos de la Villa
Madrid Jazz Festival
Gastrofestival Madrid
Madrid Fashion Week
Christmas Markets
Noche en Blanco

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Plan for late dining; many restaurants open for dinner after 8pm.
Stay around Sol, Gran Vía or Huertas for walkable access to museums, nightlife, Royal Palace and main plazas.
Buy skip-the-line tickets for Prado Museum and Royal Palace, especially in high season and on weekend or holiday dates.
Join locals with a relaxed tapas crawl along La Latina or La Cava Baja, sharing small plates instead of one big sit-down meal.

How to travel to Madrid

Madrid is well-connected with Adolfo Suárez Madrid‑Barajas Airport (MAD), offering flights from all over the world. High‑speed trains (AVE) link Madrid to other Spanish cities and long‑distance buses are also an option.

Access summary

From Madrid-Barajas (MAD): Metro, airport bus or taxi, about 25–40 minutes.
From Barcelona: High-speed AVE trains to Madrid Puerta de Atocha, around 2.5–3 hours.
From Lisbon: Direct or connecting flights to Madrid-Barajas, usually about 1–1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Madrid

Madrid has a wide range of accommodations from luxury hotels to budget hostels. The central areas like Sol, Gran Vía and Malasaña are great for first-time visitors. For a quieter stay, Salamanca offers a more upscale vibe.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Puerta America hotel

8.7

Hotel Chamartín The One

8.2

Hotel Quatro Puerta del Sol

Catalonia Plaza Mayor Hotel

9.1

Catalonia Atocha Hotel

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Madrid

Madrid's public transport is excellent, with an extensive metro, buses and commuter trains. Walking is also enjoyable, especially in central neighborhoods. Taxis and ride-sharing services are widely available.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-17 %

Daily expenses in Madrid are around 17% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£60	£136	£362
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£68	£165
🍝 Food per day	£27	£60	£169
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£8	£28

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£24
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9
☕ Cappuccino	£2.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£50
🤧 Cold medication	£9
💇 Basic haircut	£15

Safety information overview

General safety

Madrid is generally safe. Like any major city, be cautious of pickpockets, especially in tourist-heavy areas and on public transport.

Health & Medical

Madrid has excellent healthcare facilities, both public and private. Pharmacies are common and many healthcare professionals speak English.

Accessibility

The city is quite accessible, with adapted public transport and many accessible attractions. Older buildings may lack full accessibility, especially in historic areas.

Tap water

Tap water in Madrid is safe to drink and considered among the best in Europe. Public drinking fountains are also available in parks and some streets.