Madrid is the most underrated major capital in Europe. The Prado Museum has arguably the greatest collection of Spanish and Flemish painting in the world and costs €15. The Royal Palace is one of the largest functioning royal palaces anywhere and costs €15. Tapas at a local bar costs €2-€4 each. This guide covers the things to do in Madrid that justify the trip, the transport pass that makes navigation simple, and why the Paseo del Arte card (three museums for €32.80) is one of the best-value passes in European tourism.
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you - it helps keep this blog running. Thank you!
Check what is available. Compare Madrid tours and attraction tickets now - the Royal Palace and Bernabeu Stadium tour book up during peak season.
Getting to Madrid and Getting Around
Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) is 12 kilometers from the center with a direct metro connection on Line 8.
| Transport | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 8 to center | €4.50-€5 (airport supplement) | 25-30 min | Direct to Sol/Gran Via |
| Exprés Aeropuerto bus | €5 | 40-50 min | 24-hour service |
| Taxi from MAD | €30-€40 | 20-35 min | Fixed zone rate |
| Cabify/Uber from MAD | €25-€35 | 20-35 min | Book in app |
Inside Madrid, the metro costs €1.22 per ride with a 10-trip ticket (€12.20 total, the standard way locals travel). Single tickets cost €1.50-€2 depending on zone. A Tourist Pass covering all zones costs €8.40 (1-day) to €35.40 (7-day) and includes unlimited journeys including the airport.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Madrid?
April, May, September, and October are the best months. Temperatures 15-22°C, spring flowers in Retiro Park, and the city's museums without July-August crowds. Hotel rates in May run 25-30% below peak summer.
July and August reach 35-38°C in peak heat waves. Many local restaurants close in August as residents leave for the coast. October through November brings the city's best food season.
Top Things to Do in Madrid: What Is Worth Your Time
The Prado Museum
The Prado holds the largest collection of Spanish painting in the world: Goya's Black Paintings, Velazquez's Las Meninas, Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights. Entry costs €15 (free on weekdays 6-8pm and Sunday afternoons 5-7pm). Book online to skip the queue. Budget 3 hours minimum - the collection is enormous and the quality density is extraordinary.
The Paseo del Arte: Three Museums for €32.80
The Paseo del Arte card covers the Prado (€15), Reina Sofia (€12), and Thyssen-Bornemisza (€13) for €32.80 total - saving €7.20 versus individual tickets plus it is valid for 1 year and includes skip-the-line access at the Thyssen. If you plan to visit two of the three museums, buy this card.
Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace is the largest functioning royal palace in Western Europe - 3,418 rooms, 135,000 square meters. Entry costs €15 (€10 for EU citizens, free on Monday and Wednesday afternoons for EU residents). The State Rooms, the Royal Armory, and the Pharmacy are all included. Visit on a Monday or Wednesday if you qualify for free entry.
Retiro Park
Retiro is a 350-acre park in central Madrid with a lake where you can rent rowing boats for €8/hour, a glass-and-iron Crystal Palace used for art exhibitions, and one of the best places in the city to spend a Sunday morning. Completely free to enter.
El Rastro Sunday Market
El Rastro is Madrid's famous flea market, running every Sunday and public holiday from 9am to 3pm in the La Latina neighborhood. Free to browse. Antiques, clothing, collectibles, street food. Get there before 11am to browse before the crowds. The surrounding La Latina tapas bars do their best Sunday trading from noon onwards.
Where to Stay in Madrid: Best Areas by Budget
- Sol / Centro: Geographic center, walking distance to Prado and Royal Palace. Noisy and busy. Hotels €100-€220/night.
- Malasana: Best neighborhood in Madrid. Independent cafes, bars, vintage shops, younger crowd. Hotels €80-€160/night.
- La Latina: Historic, best tapas streets, Sunday El Rastro. More residential feel. Hotels €80-€160/night.
- Chueca: Lively, LGBTQ+ district, good restaurant scene. Hotels €90-€180/night.
How Much Does Madrid Cost? A Real Daily Budget
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €30-€70/night | €100-€200/night | €220-€450+/night |
| Food | €18-€30/day | €40-€70/day | €100+/day |
| Transport | €5-€10/day | €10-€15/day | €20-€40/day |
| Attractions | €10-€25/day | €30-€60/day | €60-€100/day |
| Daily Total | ~€60-€110 | ~€160-€250 | €350-€600+ |
The menu del dia (€12-€18 for a 3-course lunch with wine) is how you eat properly in Madrid without overspending. Evening tapas circuits in La Latina - bar to bar, ordering 2-3 tapas and a beer at each (€5-€8 per stop) - cover dinner for €25-€35 per person including drinks.
Practical Tips Before You Visit Madrid
Meal times: Lunch is 2-4pm, dinner is 9-11pm. Showing up at 7pm for dinner will get you a restaurant that is empty and not at its best. Restaurants not full at 10pm in Madrid on a weekday are the tourist ones.
Free museum entry: The Prado is free weekdays 6-8pm and Sunday 5-7pm. The Reina Sofia is free Monday and Wednesday afternoons 2:30-7pm and Sunday afternoons 1:30-7pm. These slots get crowded but it is genuinely free entry.
Visa: EU citizens need no visa. US and non-EU visitors need ETIAS from 2025 - €7. Spain uses euros.
My Honest Take on Madrid
Madrid consistently underperforms in the 'first European city to visit' conversation because it is not as photogenic as Paris or as historically obvious as Rome. That is its main advantage. The food is excellent and affordable, the museums are world-class and not yet overwhelmed, and the local nightlife culture is unlike any other European capital. Go in spring or autumn. Get the Paseo del Arte card. Eat tapas in La Latina on a Sunday. Madrid rewards visitors who approach it on its own terms.
