Prado MuseumAttraction
Prado Museum
Spain’s national art museum, with Velázquez, Goya and El Greco.
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Things to do in Madrid
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Madrid in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Tim Adams, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsMadrid-Barajas (MAD)
Getting aroundMetro, buses, local trains and on foot
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Best monthsApril to June, September and October
Madrid in brief
Madrid is Spain’s capital, set on the high central plateau. The old centre around Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor is compact, and most sights are a walk or a few metro stops apart.
Three great art museums stand close together along the Paseo del Prado: the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. With the Royal Palace and Retiro Park, they fill two or three days.
The city keeps late hours. Lunch runs from about two, dinner from nine, and the streets stay busy past midnight. Summers are very hot and dry.
Top attractions in Madrid
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Prado Museum
Royal Palace of MadridAttraction
Royal Palace of Madrid
One of the largest royal palaces in Europe, with state rooms and an armoury. Closed during official events.
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Reina Sofía MuseumAttraction
Reina Sofía Museum
Modern Spanish art, including Picasso’s Guernica. Closed on Tuesdays.
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Thyssen-Bornemisza MuseumAttraction
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Seven centuries of European painting in one collection, from the old masters to pop art.
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Retiro ParkAttraction
Retiro Park
The city’s central park, with a boating lake and the glass Crystal Palace.
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Plaza Mayor and Puerta del SolAttraction
Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol
The arcaded main square and the busy crossroads at the heart of old Madrid.
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Photo: Prado Museum — Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada (CC BY-SA 2.0); Royal Palace of Madrid — kallerna (CC BY-SA 4.0); Reina Sofía Museum — Luis García (Zaqarbal) (CC BY-SA 3.0 es); Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum — Luis García (Zaqarbal) (CC BY-SA 3.0); Retiro Park — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0); Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol — Alvesgaspar (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Madrid-Barajas (MAD)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are metro line 8, the local train from Terminal 4 or the airport express bus.
Trains from MadridHigh-speed trains reach Toledo and Segovia in about half an hour, and Barcelona and Seville in about two and a half hours.
Car rentalNot needed in the city. Useful for the villages and mountains of central Spain.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Sol and Gran Vía
The very centre, close to everything on foot. Busy and lively at all hours.
2
Barrio de las Letras
The literary quarter of small streets and tapas bars, beside the art museums.
3
Malasaña
A young district of cafés, vintage shops and nightlife, north of Gran Vía.
4
Salamanca
An elegant district of wide streets and shopping. Quieter at night.
Hotels in Madrid with live prices
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Madrid day by day
- Day 1: Old Madrid and the Royal PalacePuerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the San Miguel market, then the Royal Palace and sunset at the Temple of Debod.
- Day 2: The art museums and RetiroThe Prado in the morning, a walk in Retiro Park, then the Reina Sofía for Guernica in the late afternoon.
- Day 3: Gran Vía and the neighbourhoodsThe Thyssen-Bornemisza in the morning, Gran Vía and Malasaña in the afternoon, then tapas in La Latina.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Toledo or Segovia.
Local tips
- Meals run late. Many restaurant kitchens open for lunch at about half past one and for dinner at about half past eight.
- The big museums offer free entry at set hours, with long queues. Check the times before you go.
- Summer afternoons are very hot. See the outdoor sights in the morning and keep museums for later.
- Watch for pickpockets around Puerta del Sol and in the metro. Keep bags closed and in front of you.
- El Rastro, the big open-air flea market, fills the streets of La Latina on Sunday mornings.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Madrid
Ten services for the trip, all in one place.
Travel guide
Madrid is best from March to June and September to November, and three days covers the main museums and neighbourhoods. Use Metro line 8 or the airport express bus from Barajas, and book the Royal Palace and the big museums.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
Spring and autumn are mild and sunny. July and August are very hot, and some small shops and restaurants close in August.
How many days do I need in Madrid?
Two to three full days cover the main sights. Add a day for Toledo or Segovia.
Should I book the Prado and the Royal Palace ahead?
It is worth it. Online tickets let you skip the ticket-office queues, which are long in spring and on holidays.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From Barajas, metro line 8 runs to the city, the local train leaves from Terminal 4, and the airport express bus runs day and night. Taxis and pre-booked transfers are also available. Choose by luggage, arrival time and budget.
Is Madrid a good base for day trips?
Yes. Toledo and Segovia are about half an hour away by high-speed train, and El Escorial and Ávila are also close.