Madrid

Art, tapas and late nights.

Spain · Europe ·

#2 in Euromonitor's overall city ranking (2025)

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Madrid pairs three world-class art museums with lively plazas and a food culture that runs past midnight.

Top attractions in Madrid

Prado MuseumVelázquez, Goya and El Greco.
Royal PalaceOne of Europe's largest royal palaces.
Retiro ParkRowboats on the lake and the Crystal Palace.
Plaza Mayor and San Miguel MarketHistoric square and gourmet tapas market.
Reina SofíaPicasso's Guernica.
Day trip to ToledoMedieval city 33 min by high-speed train.

Where to stay

Sol and Huertas for sights, Malasaña and Salamanca for local life.

LuxuryFour Seasons Hotel MadridSol

Mid-rangeOnly YOU Boutique HotelChueca

ValueRoom Mate ÓscarChueca

Get hotel rates for Madrid

Getting there and around

From the airport. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD): Metro Line 8 or the Airport Express bus, about 40 min to the center.

In the city. Extensive metro; the center is walkable.

Train and bus tips

Metro everywhere; buy a Multi card.
AVE trains: Barcelona 2.5h, Seville 2.5h, Toledo 33 min.
Cercanías commuter trains to El Escorial.
Buses to Segovia about 1h15.

Events, nightlife and sports

Mid-MaySan IsidroMadrid's patron saint festival.

Late June–early JulyMadrid Pride (MADO)One of Europe's biggest.

DecemberChristmas and New Year at Puerta del SolTwelve grapes at midnight.

SummerVeranos de la VillaOpen-air concerts and theater.

Nightlife and parties. Malasaña and La Latina bars, clubs like Teatro Kapital, rooftop terraces on Gran Vía.

Sports. Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, Atlético at the Metropolitano, Mutua Madrid Open tennis (April–May).

Dates change every year; check official sites before booking. The concierge can get tickets.

What to eat

Jamón ibéricoBocadillo de calamaresCocido madrileñoChurros con chocolateTortilla española

Local tours in R Travel

Our picks for Madrid, plus more options once you search.

Coming soonPrado masterpieces2 hours

Skip-the-line tour of the Prado's greatest works.

Reserved entry
Art historian
Small group

Coming soonTapas and wine crawl3 hours

Four historic taverns in La Latina.

Four bars
Wine pairings
Local guide

Coming soonToledo and SegoviaFull day

Two UNESCO cities: cathedral, aqueduct and Alcázar.

Roman aqueduct
Toledo cathedral
Transport included

Book a tour in Madrid

Practical info

When to go

April–June and September–October.

Money

Euro (EUR)

Language

Spanish

Visa (US passport holders)

No visa needed for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen area). Since April 2026, first entries are registered biometrically (EES) at the border — no advance application. ETIAS pre-registration is delayed to 2027, not required yet.

R Travel tip

Lunch is at 2pm and dinner after 9pm; plan museum time around that.

Entry rules shown are for US passport holders and change often — always confirm with the destination's embassy or your airline before booking. Other nationalities should check separately.

Good to know

Summer afternoons are very hot.
The Prado has free late-afternoon entry.
Sunday morning El Rastro flea market.

Opening hours, prices, event dates and entry rules change. Check official sites before you go. Written by the R Travel team.