Madrid Holidays

The most comfortable times to visit Madrid are in the spring and fall, when temperatures average 25°C. Summers can be hot and relentlessly sunny, and many days reach 30°C and higher in June, July and August. If you are looking for pleasant weather without the crowds, visit Madrid during Easter, when many residents head out of the city for holiday. The winter is the low season, when you will find shorter lines at the city's museums. From late November until February, temperatures can drop to 1 degree Celsius and rain is common around Madrid.

Watch a Bullfight

As one of Madrid’s most traditional and controversial sports, bullfights provide a fascinating glimpse into the country’s cultural past. The main bullring in Madrid is La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas del Espíritu Santo.

The arena has a unique style of red brick and ceramic tiles. The construction of the site was finished in 1929, and now services political speeches and rock concerts in addition to bullfights. It is the third largest in the world. Fights are held on Sundays.

Go to a Fútbol Match with Real Madrid

Head to Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to witness Spain’s favourite sporting event. With some of the world’s best players like Ronaldo, Kaka, and Higuain on the field, the atmosphere of a live Real Madrid game is incomparable. Most tickets are held on reserve for club members, but leftover tickets are sold at the stadium days before the match. Visitors can try this option or buy online, although the latter is more expensive.

Listen to and watch some of Spain’s best flamenco

Flamenco artists from around the country have flocked to Madrid since the 1800s, so it is no surprise to find Flamenco music in many different bars and restaurants around the city.

The most famous spot is the Corral de la Moreria. It is the oldest flamenco restaurant in the city, and has some regular notable artists like Antonio Gades, Lucero Tena, and Mario Maya. If travellers want to learn how to dance flamenco, they should take some classes at Amor de Dios Academy, one of the city’s most famous.

Shop at the Rastro Flea Market

The largest market in the city happens every Sunday in the centre from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., catering to shoppers who are looking for products both antique and modern. The name comes from the trail of blood left from cattle that were brought to neighbouring tanneries. The market has over 3,500 different booths that line up and down streets and the Plaza de Cascorro.

Prado Museum

Arguably Madrid's most popular attraction, the Prado Museum is home to countless masterpieces by Goya and Velázquez.

Royal Palace

One of the largest royal buildings in Europe, Madrid's palace is an architectural masterpiece that makes a perfect way to spend a day.

Madrid Cathedral

Enjoy a brief rest in peace and quietness at the Madrid Cathedral, where you can sit and listen to the prayers echoed off from the cavernous ceiling.

Convento de las Carboneras

Visit this quiet convent to buy pastries and cookies from the nuns, who sell their wares each morning.

Hemingway Bar Crawl

Ernest Hemingway was a regular in Madrid, and many tour companies offer pub-crawls to his favourite bars.

Plaza Mayor

Mingle with Madrid's locals in this busy plaza, where you can grab a drink and enjoy a meal at an outdoor cafe.

Plaza de Oriente

Enjoy some of the best people watching in Madrid in this plaza, which is located outside the royal palace.

Chueca

When you want to party, head to lively Chueca, where you can dance and drink until the wee hours of the morning.

Find a Miracle

Visit the Convento de la Encarnación to watch the crowds heading to pray for a miracle.

Cable Car

Ride the Teléferico Madrid, the cable car that will take you to above the city and get excellent views.

The Royal Palace

This is one of the first stops guests should check out within the city. The Palacio Real is the largest building in the city, and easily the most beautiful. The neighbouring Plaza de Oriente Square gives the palace a run for its money, however.

The palace was designed for King Felipe V in the 18th century. Originally built for all of the king’s courtiers, today the palace has antique furniture, and artwork by artists such as Goya, Giordano, and Mengs.

The Puerta del Sol

This square is located in the centre of the city, and just a few blocks from Plaza Mayor. It was once the eastern edge of the city, and its gates face the sun (hence its name).

Located in the heart of the city, the square is surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the clock towered Real Casa de Correos, which was part of the post office. On the other side of the square is the city’s official symbol the “Bear and Strawberry Tree” statue.

The Prado Museum

Arguably Madrid’s most famous cultural destination, this museum has one of the most complete art galleries in the world. The museum has historic works from European artists like Velázquez, Goya, Raphael, and Bosch.

The building itself is almost 200 years old, and the name “Prado” comes from the gardens that originally surrounded the area. Notable works include Velazquez’s “Las Meninas”, “The Triumph of Bacchus”, and Rembrandt’s self-portrait, “Artemisia”. Another classic is Goya's once-controversial “The Naked Maja.”

The Santa María de la Real de la Almudena Cathedral

Visitors cannot leave Madrid without visiting at least one historic religious site such as the main cathedral. Construction began 100 years ago, but was not completed until 1993. Pope John Paul II consecrated the church, and its name holds true to Spain’s European and Arabic cultural mix. The architecture has neoclassic and gothic styles, and contains both granite and marble.

To and from Madrid

Madrid is located in the central region of Spain and for this reason it can be accessed by various means of transportation. The Renfe train system is good for knowing places outside of Madrid as it is used often as a national form of transport to the south, north, east and west.

Madrid’s Barajas Airport is about 15 kilometres from the centre of the city. For this reason there are taxis services, chauffeur specialty vehicles, buses, car hire in Madrid, and metro. A good taxi service is Aerocity, but you may need to reserve in advance. Travellers looking for comfort and reliability can choose Aresmobile. Otherwise there is the 89 bus route that goes to the Plaza Colón, and the Terminal T2 has the Metro which runs every 5 minutes.

Around town

Once in the Madrid metro area there are several ways to get from point A to point B. The most common options are taxis, the underground, and buses.

The EMT bus network operates in the city. They operate within designated bus lanes and run almost 24 hours per day. Beware that it is necessary to flag the bus down. The price is 1 euro per ticket.

A single ticket for travel on the Metro is priced at €2 each. A 10-journey pass provides a discount. Trains arrive about every three minutes, but on weekends wait can be up to ten minutes. The Metro runs from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and is open year round.

Late-Night Flamenco

Instead of catching an early dinner and flamenco show, plan to stay out until after midnight, when the best acts perform.

Sunday Drinks

Take a group of friends and head out for tapas on Sunday afternoons, and don't be afraid to have a few drinks.

Matadero Madrid

Join the locals for food and cinema at Matadero Madrid, which used to be a slaughterhouse.

Retiro Park

Spend a sunny afternoon wandering around Retiro Park, or rent a bicycle to explore the leafy paths.

Explore the Botanic Gardens

Just outside the Prado Museum, you can lose yourself in the luscious flowers and plants of Madrid's Botanical Gardens.

One of the classiest hotels in all of Madrid, the ME Madrid Reina Victoria Hotel lies in the heart of the city, just blocks from the Prado Museum and Puerto de Sol square. Rooms are comfortable with patios, furniture with 100 thread-count linen, and bathrooms with all of the amenities. High Speed Internet is always available, and spa services provide ultimate relaxation.

For guests who are looking for a modern and stylish hotel, the 30-storey Eurostars Madrid Tower Hotel is the place to stay. Three large pillars support the building’s structure and create its unique shape. The 478 guest rooms have LCD televisions, big bathrooms, designer furniture, tapestries, and an incredible view of the city.

If you are interested in affordable yet comfortable lodging, be sure to check out the Alexandra Madrid Hotel for Madrid’s finest budget lodging. This hotel was built in the 20th century and has since been restored. It is located in the centre of the city just minutes from the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace. Rooms come standard with air conditioning, satellite television, and a nice bathroom.

Guests can get an antique feel in the former 18th century palace, Catalonia Las Cortes Hotel. This hotel is near the Plaza de las Cortes in the bohemian Las Letras neighbourhood. Located close to the main city attractions, the hotel also features original frescos paintings, free wireless Internet, and a restaurant.

Click here for more information about hotels in Madrid so that you can plan your perfect vacation.

Guests looking to taste the finest Spanish and Portuguese cuisine in the most comfortable environment available should check out the Terraza del Casino (Alcalá, 15). This restaurant features spectacular views of the city. Some of chef Ferran Adrià's top dishes include Galician Hake, Creamed Asturian bean soup, and Cured Ham. Wine connoisseurs will enjoy the long lest of Spanish and French vinos.

Those wanting to taste Spanish and Portuguese flavours without having to spend a fortune should go to Casa Lucio (Calle Cava Baja, 35), a favourite hotspot for major players from Spanish royalty to Latin American film stars. The place has a comfortable vibe with antique accessories and cured hams hanging from the roof. The menu includes shrimp in garlic sauce, Hake with sauce, and roasted lamb.

Txirimiri (Humilladero, 6) is an incredible dining destination for budget travellers. Located in the Salamanca district of the city, this restaurant has great tapas and a generous Basque menu. Txirimiri is famous for its quiet and enjoyable atmosphere, along with its signature Pinchos and other plates such as the Grilled steaks.

For more general Mediterranean cuisine, check out Pan de Lujo (Jorge Juan, 20). The restaurant’s design is trendy and contemporary, with a glass wall opening to an illuminated reflecting pool. A great meal might include eggplant, olive oil, and hummus appetizers followed by a fish plate with grilled vegetables.

Health

There are no necessary vaccinations for a trip to Madrid. Water is potable, however bottled water is recommended for babies.

Madrid’s health infrastructure is very good. It is recommended to have a European Health Insurance Card just in case.

In the case of an emergency, visitors should dial 112 for emergency rescue or 085 for the fire department. Some good clinics include the Ramon y Cajal Hospital in Madrid (91) 336 8000, the Princesa Hospital (91) 520 2200, and the Ciudad Sanitaria La Paz (91) 358 0851.

Safety

Unfortunately, criminal acts and assaults have increased in recent years around the city. There are certain neighbourhoods that tourists should try to avoid, such as the areas that surround Retiro Park, the Prado Museum, and Colon Square. Do not walk alone at night and do not walk around with flashy jewellery or electronic gadgets like MP3 players that might attract unwanted attention from strangers.

Do not accept any food or drinks from strangers that you meet in bars or restaurants, and do not walk around with too much cash on hand. It is recommended that you make photocopies of original travel documents like passports and credit cards in the case they become lost or are stolen.

Carry a mobile phone with some emergency numbers stored in the contacts in case of an incident. If assaulted, do not panic and do not resist.

The possession and consumption of drugs is illegal in Spain, and alcohol is only permitted for those older than 18. Prostitution is also outlawed.