Madrid, Spain’s bustling capital, is a must-see on any trip to the country. Despite the city’s size, the historic heart is fairly walkable, making hopping from one location to another a breeze. This Madrid travelogue will introduce you to the city, list the must-see attractions, suggest where to stay, and much more. Plan to visit Madrid, Spain, and be prepared to enjoy the best moments of your life here.
Madrid’s Best Sights to See
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Madrid has joined the ranks of Versailles and Schonbrunn in Paris and Vienna, respectively. The interiors will astound you with their magnificence. Purchase your tickets in advance if you want to avoid standing in line. The standard admission ticket costs €13 (plus €3 for the audio guide), with discounts available for children, the elderly, students, and others.
Museum Prado
Visit Madrid, Spain, and get blown away by the beauty of Museum Prado. The Prado Museum houses works by Spanish artists such as Goya, El Greco, and Velazquez, and is probably one of the greatest collections of European art in the world. General admission tickets are €15, and free admission is available Monday through Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Temple of Debod
The Temple of Debod is an Egyptian temple, which is probably the last thing you’d expect to see in Madrid. The history of this Egyptian temple dates back to the 2nd century BC. The Egyptians gave it to Spain, which carried it to Madrid, where it was rebuilt stone by stone and opened as a tourist attraction in 1972. If you want to see a beautiful Madrid sunset, here is one of the greatest spots to do it.
Plaza Mayor
This vibrant square, which appears in almost every guidebook and advertisement for Madrid, is worth a quick stop and a few photos. Avoid the restaurants in this area because they are pricey and of poor quality. Stop by Chocolateria San Gines instead for some churros and chocolate.
Retiro Park
Another popular photo location in Madrid. Retiro Park is a beautiful place to visit. Fountains, monuments, rose gardens, and even a tiny lake where you may rent a rowboat to skim across the water are all found here.
How to Get Around
Trains: Madrid has an outstanding metro system that runs from Madrid-Barajas Airport, through the city center, and out to the suburbs. The price of a ticket is decided by the distance traveled and is based on a zone system. The most affordable tickets are around 1.50 Euro. If you are planning to visit Madrid, Spain for a few days only, buy a flat-rate metro card that will cover your entire stay.
Buses: If Madrid’s dozen or so metro and light rail lines can’t get you where you need to go, the city has a fleet of almost 2,000 buses. These buses travel over 200 routes and stop at over 10,000 locations.
Taxis: Taxis have a diagonal red band on their front doors and roof signage. They can be found at taxi stops all across Madrid, hailed by lifting an arm, or summoned via a variety of apps. Remember that in Madrid, fluent English-speaking taxi drivers may be harder to come by than in Barcelona.
Top Hotels to Stay
Four Seasons Madrid Hotel
The Four Seasons Madrid is a new luxury resort in the center of Madrid that incorporates seven ancient structures. The hotel is the first of the Four Seasons brand in Spain, and it is located just steps from luxury shopping on the famous Gran Via. A rooftop patio and pool, as well as a four-level spa, are available at the resort.
SLEEP’N Atocha
This hotel’s central location is not only beneficial for your money, but it’s also good for the environment. This hotel mixes whimsical style with the ideal location to produce a budget-friendly jewel within walking distance of some of Europe’s best art. The hotel promises to be carbon neutral and includes a digital nomad-friendly office space.
The Principal Hotel
This small boutique hotel has only 76 rooms, but its rooftop patio has some of the city’s best views. The five-star hotel is located on the Gran Via, only minutes from some of Madrid’s best shopping, and features a two-Michelin-star restaurant. You’ll definitely not regret your decision to stay in this hotel when you visit Madrid, Spain.
Best Restaurants to Visit
San Gines Chocolateria
Chocolateria San Gines is located in the heart of Madrid, just a short distance from Puerto del Sol. The tiny cafe dates back to 1864 when it first established itself as a popular after-theater dessert spot. San Gines Chocolateria is nestled behind one of Madrid’s oldest churches and serves its distinctive dark hot chocolate and churros 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sobrino de Botin
Head to Sobrino de Botin, the world’s official oldest restaurant and a favorite of authors Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, for a really unforgettable supper. Sobrino de Botin first opened its doors in 1725, and the restaurant’s dishes are still based on the old recipes. Are there any recipes among them? The roast suckling pig is mentioned in Ernest Hemingway’s novel “The Sun Also Rises.”
Corral de la Morería
In Madrid, the Corral de la Moreria is the location to go to see flamenco. Since 1956, this club has been showcasing live flamenco performances all nights of the week. And if you’re looking for dinner and a performance, there may be no better place. A Michelin-starred restaurant is located on the premises of Coral de la Moreria.
What’s the Weather Like?
Madrid has a Mediterranean climate. During the summer, the temperature is hot and dry, while the winters are chilly. The rainiest seasons are, however, spring and autumn. January is the coldest month in Madrid, while July is the hottest month of the year.
How Long Should You Stay?
All that is completely up to you, but a two-day plan should be just enough, you may easily see all of Madrid’s major sights. Dashing from one attraction to the next is a breeze in the historic center’s compact layout.
Two days will give you an excellent sense of the city, allowing you to partake in a tapas crawl or two, visit the Royal Palace, and stroll around a few neighborhoods.
How Much Money Would You Need to Spend a Day in Madrid?
Your visit to Madrid should cost roughly €107 ($122) per day, which is the daily average price. You will be spending an average of €27 ($31) on meals and €15 ($17) on local transportation in a single day. In addition, the average hotel cost for a couple in Madrid is €118 ($135). As a result, a one-week trip to Madrid for two persons costs on average €1,496 ($1,713).
So, what are you waiting for? Visit Madrid, Spain, and enjoy all the above attractions and delicious food this city has to offer. Have a wonderful trip!