A local's guide to Madrid from the halls of the Prado to the taverns of La Latina
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Day 2 · Central Madrid · 5 stopsPick an area and get all of its guides.
Madrid is one long table: cocido madrileño simmering on a low flame, a bocadillo de calamares in the Plaza Mayor, churros with thick hot chocolate in the morning and a glass of vermouth on tap before you eat. Do not leave without knowing what to order and where to sit.
Every museum, palace, neighborhood, park and day trip from our guides, on one map.
Destination
More than 400 of the best places in Madrid, in one guide with photos and tips.
The core guides to start from.
How to do the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen without burning out: what to see, when to go, how the free hours work and how to plan your art day.
The best day trips from Madrid by train or car: Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial, Ávila and Aranjuez, with time needed, how to get there and what to see.
How to move around Madrid: the rechargeable card, which pass is worth it, the zone boundary that catches people out, Cercanias for day trips and taxis.
How to eat well in Madrid: tapas to order, dishes the city invented, when locals eat, the best neighborhoods for a crawl and how to skip tourist traps.
Where to stay in Madrid by neighborhood: Sol and the center, Huertas, Chueca and Malasaña, Salamanca, La Latina and more, and who each area suits.
When to visit Madrid: a month-by-month and season-by-season breakdown of weather, crowds, prices and events, and the sweet spots for any kind of trip.
How rooftop bars in Madrid work, which views are worth booking for, when the terraces are open, and how dress codes and minimum spends usually apply.
How Madrid's low-emission zone works in 2026, what it means for a Spanish hire car and for a foreign-plated one, and how to avoid an automatic fine.
Madrid's two largest green spaces, what to do in each, how to reach them, and why the cable car everyone recommends has not carried a passenger since 2022.
A circular arcaded square that becomes a bullring, a hilltop castle ruin, anís and honest lamb, and why the bus beats a train that does not exist.
How to see Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu: match tickets, the stadium tour, matchday tips, and how to catch Atlético at the Metropolitano too.
A flea market that has run on Sunday mornings for centuries, a covered arcade of antique dealers behind it, and the food halls that are the other half.
Browse Madrid the way you like to travel.
Travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and most visa-waiver countries do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area, with a passport valid at least three months beyond departure. Note that the ETIAS online authorisation is being introduced, so it is worth checking and sorting it before you fly.
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the most pleasant, with mild weather for walking the city. Summer in Madrid is very hot and dry, and winter is crisp and bright. Madrid is a year-round destination, you just match your hours to the season.
Madrid is a mid-priced European city, usually cheaper than Barcelona for both stays and food. The currency is the euro and cards are accepted almost everywhere. A rechargeable transit card saves money, and booking the Prado and the Royal Palace ahead of time saves both time and cash.
Madrid is a city built around the table. Order cocido madrileño, the slow-cooked chickpea stew, a bocadillo de calamares in the Plaza Mayor, churros with thick hot chocolate in the morning, and a glass of vermouth on tap before you eat. Our food guide walks you through what to order and where to sit, from the tapas bars of La Latina to the San Miguel market.
Madrid is very safe when it comes to violent crime, but pickpocketing is a real problem in crowded spots like Sol, Gran Vía, the metro and the Rastro market. Keep your bag in front, never leave your phone on the table, and see our safety guide for all the tips.
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