Your Essential Guide to Visiting Madrid
So you’re thinking about visiting Madrid? You’ve made an excellent choice. Spain’s capital is an extremely friendly destination that happily accommodates tourists while still retaining its unique identity.
Duck down any side street, away from the souvenir stalls selling magnets and flammable flamenco frocks, and you’ll discover pretty little squares, dusty 100-year-old artisanal shops, and the somber doors of cloistered convents.
Although I’ve been living here for 10 years, I continue to be surprised by the city, which, though small, seems to contain infinities. It’s particularly magical at sunset when residents come out in force to walk their dogs, nip into the shops, or have a caña – a small, chilled glass of beer with a good head of foam.
While other cities might feel frenetic, Madrileños always take life at their own pace. This is particularly important to bear in mind when you’re waiting to order a drink! Service is invariably slow, yet delivered with a winning smile. Still, it’s nice to feel that in the heart of a busy metropolis, nobody is rushing things. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of your trip to Madrid.
1. Give Yourself at Least Two Days
Madrid is a compact, walkable city, but you’ll still need at least two or three days to get a proper handle on it. If you want to add in day trips to nearby destinations like Toledo, Segovia, and Cuenca, give yourself at least a week.
2. Know How to Get into the City
While the metro is the best way around town, it’s not necessarily the best way in, especially if you have a lot of luggage. From the Madrid airport’s Terminal 4, you can catch the Cercanías train to Atocha via Chamartín and Nuevos Ministerios. From T1, T2, and T3, look out for the bus that takes you to Atocha. This will save you a long walk to the metro station. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs a fixed €30 rate.
3. Be Ready for All Seasons
Outside of summer, Madrid’s weather is notoriously changeable. This is particularly true in autumn and spring, when you might find yourself in shorts and a T-shirt only to start shivering when the sun sets.
In terms of style, anything goes. Spaniards are easygoing about fashion, though they may have a good laugh at your expense if you’re spotted wearing short sleeves in winter. Men should be aware that going topless in the city is frowned upon, even in the hottest months.
4. Pack Some Earplugs
Madrid is unapologetically noisy: conversations in bars are loud and dramatic, train carriages buzz to the beat of tinny speakers, and on weekends citizens party way into the wee hours.
The best way to cope is to bring earplugs and ensure your accommodations are situated away from busy roads. Be wary of choosing a hotel right next to a bar, as the vibrant nightlife can sometimes be overwhelming.
5. Go Exploring on Foot
Madrid’s metro is efficient, clean, and cheap. However, walking is a fantastic way to get to know the city. You’ll find locals more than happy to point you in the right direction. Unfortunately, many might confidently provide incorrect information, so take any hesitations into account!
6. Don’t Stress About Tips
Tipping is not the norm for Spaniards, though some like to leave a euro or two. Consequently, this means that waiters don’t always go the extra mile to please. If you are happy with the service, don’t hesitate to tip generously. When paying by card, you can ask taxi drivers and waiters to add the tip to the bill.
7. Bring the Kids Along
Madrid is a child-friendly city. Restaurant owners go out of their way to accommodate families, often providing high chairs for toddlers. You can also find playgrounds scattered around the city beside bars with outdoor seating, where parents can enjoy a drink while keeping an eye on their kids. Plaza de la Luna is particularly great for this.
8. Spread the Love
Spaniards love to gush over cute dogs and babies alike. If you’re traveling with a child or a pooch, expect to receive plenty of attention. Conversely, don’t be shy about cooing over other people’s adorable offspring or pets – part of the joy of visiting Madrid is striking up conversations with friendly locals.
9. Don’t Take Offense
Happily, Madrid doesn’t suffer from overtourism as much as other cities, though you might encounter some graffiti railing against tourists in specific areas. Generally, most businesses are pleased to serve tourists. However, don’t be offended if they don’t respond in English; while younger staff tend to be confident speakers, older individuals may have been less exposed to the language.
10. Take Safety Precautions
Be cautious of pickpockets on the metro: opportunistic thefts are common, and unsuspecting tourists are prime targets. As long as you keep a close eye on your valuables, you should feel safe walking the city streets at any time. However, be extra vigilant in areas like Lavapiés, near Tirso de Molina metro, and the tunnels by Plaza de los Cubos, where incidents of muggings occur.
Lastly, watch out for daylight robbery in restaurants and bars. Always check for a menu before going in, as bill padding is a common scam here. Without a price list, you may find yourself losing out to unscrupulous establishments.
11. Don’t Be Afraid to Drink the Water
The first line of Madrid’s motto is, “I was built on water.” This references the abundant underground springs that used to bubble up underfoot. While these may be long gone, the excellent water pumped in from the nearby mountains remains a source of pride for Madrileños. Many believe it tastes much better than bottled alternatives.
