Late dinners, world-class art and a centre you can walk end to end.
Overview · MAD
Best timeApr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Time needed3 days
Main airportAdolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD)
Madrid rewards people who plan the paid parts and improvise the rest. The historic centre between Gran Vía, Sol and the Royal Palace is compact, so where you sleep decides how much of the city you see on foot.
Most first-timers need three days: one for the art museums, one for the Royal Palace and the old Habsburg quarter, and one for a day trip to Toledo.
Must-book in Madrid
You can wander Madrid for free. These five you'll end up paying for, so book them before you fly.
01
Must-book · Tickets€from €15
Museo del Prado
The reason art lovers come to Madrid: Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and Bosch under one roof.
Our tip: Buy a timed ticket online. The free last two hours sound great until you see the line.
In Madrid, where you sleep decides how much of the city you see on foot. These are the areas we recommend, and who each one suits.
€€€€€€ Price levels compare the areas within this city.
01
Gran Vía & Sol €€ Mid-range prices
Best for: First-timers who want everything on foot
The most central base in the city. Lively day and night, with the widest spread of prices. Street-facing rooms can be loud.
02
Plaza Mayor & Madrid de los Austrias €€ Mid-range prices
Best for: Couples and history lovers
Old Madrid: arcaded squares, tapas streets and the Royal Palace a few minutes away. Rooms in old buildings run small.
03
Barrio de las Letras €€ Mid-range prices
Best for: People who want character without the crowds
Between Sol and the Prado. Pedestrian streets, good bars, and the three big museums within a 10-minute walk.
04
Salamanca €€€ Higher prices
Best for: Luxury travellers and shoppers
Wide boulevards, designer stores and the city's grand hotels. Quieter at night, a metro ride or long walk from the old centre.
Hotel shortlists
Three picks per question, chosen with our selection criteria, with price ranges and what nobody tells you.
The 3 best cheap hotels on Gran VíaComing soon
The 3 best luxury hotels in MadridComing soon
The 3 best hotels by Plaza MayorComing soon
Airport to city
01
Metro Line 8 ≈ 15 min
About 15 min to Nuevos Ministerios, then change
Cheapest. Fine with light luggage; airport supplement applies.
02
Airport Express bus ≈ 40 min
About 40 min to Atocha, 24 hours a day
Direct to the centre, runs all night. Can be slow in traffic.
03
Private transfer ≈ 25–35 min
About 25–35 min door to door
Someone waits with your name at arrivals. The easy choice with kids, late flights or 3+ people.
Frequently asked questions
The 10 questions everyone asks before going, answered straight.
01Is Madrid safe for tourists?
Yes. Madrid is one of the safest capitals in Europe and you can walk around the centre day and night. The main thing to watch for is pickpockets in crowded places such as Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, the metro and El Rastro market. Carry your backpack in front and don't leave your phone on the table at terrace cafés.
02When is the best time to visit Madrid?
The best times are spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October), when it's pleasant for walking. July and August are very hot, with days above 35 °C, and many locals leave on holiday. Winter is cold and dry, but there are fewer tourists and better prices.
03What language is spoken in Madrid?
Spanish (Castilian). In hotels, museums and tourist areas English is spoken without problems. Learning a few words like "hola", "gracias" and "por favor" is always appreciated.
04How many days do you need in Madrid?
Three days is ideal to see the highlights without rushing. With 5 or 6 days you can add day trips to nearby cities such as Toledo, Segovia, Ávila or El Escorial.
05What are the top 10 attractions in Madrid?
Museo del Prado
Royal Palace
Retiro Park and the Crystal Palace
Plaza Mayor
Puerta del Sol
Gran Vía
Reina Sofía Museum
Temple of Debod
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
San Miguel Market
06Which of these attractions can you visit for free?
Several of the must-sees cost nothing: Retiro Park (including the Crystal Palace), Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía and the Temple of Debod, perfect at sunset. San Miguel Market is free to enter (you only pay for what you eat). You can also visit Almudena Cathedral, opposite the Royal Palace, for free, and the Prado and Reina Sofía have free-entry time slots.
07Which museums are worth visiting in Madrid?
The three must-sees form the so-called Golden Triangle of Art: the Prado (Velázquez, Goya, Bosch), the Reina Sofía (home of Picasso's Guernica) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. After that, the Sorolla Museum, the National Archaeological Museum and the Cerralbo Museum are well worth it. For football fans, the Bernabéu tour is almost compulsory.
08What are the locals like in Madrid?
Madrileños are open, sociable and live out on the street: terraces and bars are full at all hours. Meal times are late: lunch is between 2 and 3 pm and dinner from 9 pm. Tipping isn't required; leaving some change is a nice gesture, not a fixed custom.
09What is the typical food in Madrid?
Try cocido madrileño (chickpea stew), the calamari sandwich (a classic around Plaza Mayor), callos a la madrileña (tripe stew), patatas bravas and huevos rotos. For breakfast or an afternoon snack, churros with chocolate. To drink, a vermouth, a caña (small beer) or a tinto de verano.
10Where should you stay in Madrid?
For a first visit the most practical area is Gran Vía and Sol, because you can walk almost everywhere. Plaza Mayor and the Madrid de los Austrias give you the old town at your door. Barrio de las Letras is ideal if you want something central with charm and tapas bars, and Salamanca is the most elegant and quiet option, with higher prices.
Staying connected
An eSIM is a digital SIM you install on your phone before you fly. No plastic card, no shop at the airport: you land, switch it on and you're online.
Low cost: plans for a few days usually cost far less than roaming
Coverage in every destination on tips2trip, and worldwide
Data from the moment you land: maps, ride apps and your bookings
Book your airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-airport transfers in advance and forget about the taxi queue, the bargaining and the 'where do we go now?'. When you walk out of arrivals, someone is already waiting with a sign with your name on it, helps you with the bags and takes you straight to the door.
Fixed price, agreed before you travel
Flight tracking: they wait if you're delayed
Child seats and vans for families or groups on request
