Madrid

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Bienvenidos a Madrid!

Spain’s capital has a long and colorful history flowing through its streets and adorning its palace walls, but there is so much more to Madrid than just its bygone days.

 

Today, the bustling city plays host to world-class art and culture of all disciplines, from the classics to the cutting-edge. Documenting its past and displaying its present and future in dozens of art galleries and museums, it is impossible to avoid Madrid’s creative flair. Its innovative culinary scene consistently ranks in the top tier, providing a whole spectrum of traditional and delicious eats from haute cuisine to street food, keeping the hungry happy and the indecisive positively overwhelmed. Around every corner is another hidden gem or grand gallery, and when it all gets too much there are bountiful green spaces throughout the city for that recuperative siesta.

 

Historical beauty by day – party animal by night – Madrid is another city that never sleeps (only naps), with its vibrant nightlife offering countless opportunities for fun, frivolity, and unforgettable experiences. From basking in the lights of the central Gran Vía (a.k.a. “Spanish Broadway”) to navigating the bohemian backstreets of Malasaña, there is adventure to be found and a thriving alternative scene to be uncovered in the beating heart of Spanish culture.

Where to Go in Madrid

A selection of some of our favorite spots

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Our Favorite Madrid Neighborhoods

Madrid has a neighborhood for every style and budget, and here are a few special barrios to get you inspired:

 

La Latina – Located in the oldest part of the city, La Latina is a colorful maze of historic streets popular for kicking off an evening tapas bar crawl. Don’t miss the city’s largest flea market, El Rastro on the weekend. 


Chueca – One of Madrid’s hippest neighborhoods, Chueca is commonly known as a LGBTQ+ epicenter. By day, foodies and art lovers converge on the trendy restaurants and up-and-coming galleries that line its narrow streets; by night, throngs of partiers dart between the bars and clubs making the most of the nightlife offerings.


Malasaña – Back in the 80s, this barrio was the heart of Madrid’s counterculture movement and to this day it retains a grittier and youthful vibe. Malasaña gives Chueca a run for its money when it comes to a vibrant nightlife with live music venues, pulsing nightclubs and cocktail and wine bars. Daytime offers an abundance of hipster cafes, restaurants, and boutiques to choose from. 


Salamanca – The neighborhood for our luxury shopping addicts, take a stroll through Salamanca for a glimpse into high-end Madrid for the latest fashions, upscale dining, and grand architecture all well represented. 

Good to Know Before You Go

Some of the things you need to know to visit Madrid with ease!

 

Don't forget to schedule in a siesta - Whether or not you need to take a nap during siesta time, you should be aware that you will find many shops closed between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

 

Be prepared to party hard into the wee hours of the night - Dinner in Madrid starts late, usually not before 9:00 pm and the festivities continue from there. If you prefer an early dinner don't be surprised if you have some difficulty finding a restaurant that's open before 8:00 pm.

 

Spring and fall are the the ideal times to visit Madrid - Although there really isn't a bad time to come to the Spanish capital. It can be very hot in the summer but the humidity tends to be low and the winter tends to be somewhat mild (although it can get cold enough to snow) with less crowds.  

 

The city center is extremely walkable - If you do find yourself needing a mode of transportation we recommend getting a public transport card (TTP) and buying 10 journeys for 12.20 euros. You can pick one up at any train/metro station and reload as needed. 

 

Outlets icon
Outlets Type C and F
Currency icon
Currency Euro €
Population icon
Population over 3 million
Language icon
Language Spanish (Castellano)
Best time to visit icon
Best time to visit Spring (May) or Fall (October)
Getting Around icon
Getting Around Metro & Bus or by foot
Tipping icon
Tipping Tipping is optional in Spain. In restaurants, service charges are often included in the bill.

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