The local’s Madrid Travel Guide:

Big attractions, hidden secrets, Madrid neighborhoods, and getting around

Originally published June 15, 2020. Updated November 15th 2024.

All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team, unless otherwise stated.

Streets of Madrid Spain

Madrid is Spain’s vibrant, friendly, authentic capital city, and the largest city in Spain.

It’s also one of the largest in Europe!

There is so much to see and do in Madrid, Spain, making it one of the highlights of Spain. This Madrid travel guide can help get you started with planning your time in Madrid, but since Madrid has so much to offer, it only scratches the surface.

Madrid has something for everyone!

And since the authors of this Madrid travel guide live in Madrid, we have information that other travel guides leave out! This is insider Madrid information from locals!

Unbelievably, travelers to Spain simply pass over Madrid or use it as a transit point - that is a common Spain travel mistake.

Madrid is truly a world-class city with a deep-rooted Spanish soul.

Be sure to schedule ample time into your Spain itinerary to truly experience Madrid and its surroundings.

And of course, we would love to help plan your dream trip to Spain!

There is not really a “bad time” to visit Madrid (but be warned that summers can get very hot!).

Many travelers like to plan their visit to coincide with one of Madrid’s festivals.

Iconic Madrid Travel Guide

Here are some picks of our favorite of Madrid’s bigger attractions. These are just a few places that the local authors Madrid travel guide recommend.

The Prado

Madrid’s most famous site is the Prado Museum. It is a must-see, but art lovers will want to devote a good chunk of time to the Prado because it is huge.

Highlighting the history of Spanish art, the Prado is home to several paintings by Goya and Velázquez (including Las Meninas) , arguably two of Spain’s most famous painters.

Not limited to Spanish painters, the Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights is also on display at the Prado.

Every Madrid travel guide has Prado strategies. But if you have time to wander we recommend grabbing a map when you enter and exploring. You can get an idea of where things are beforehand on the Prado’s website.

Like many of Madrid’s museums, the Prado has free hours the last two hours of every day and on Sunday afternoons. Buy tickets in advance to avoid the lines during other times.

Reina Sofía

Across the street from Atocha Station, Madrid’s main train depot, Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Madrid’s best collection of more contemporary Spanish artwork.

The most famous piece is Picasso’s Guernica, depicting the bombing of the Basque City of Guernica that Franco ordered on 26 April 1937. Picasso was not in Guernica himself, but this huge painting gives such a chilling visual, it would appear that he witnessed it first hard.

Centro de Arte Reina Sofía also has a nice collection of other cubist painters as well as several Mirós and Dalís. The artwork here is grouped by theme rather than by artist.

Similarly to the Prado, the museum has free hours at the end of every day as well as Sunday afternoons. Tickets can be bought online in advance.

Royal Palace

Madrid’s Royal Palace

While the Royal Palace of Madrid does not house contemporary Spanish royalty (only occasionally do they host private events there, and then it is closed to the public), it is nonetheless a palace built for a grandiose king.

Built for King Felipe V on the site of where Madrid’s moorish Alcazar used to be (no remnants of that any more), the Royal Palace is beyond extravagant.

The palace’s gardens can be visited for free, while it is best to secure tickets to the interior in advance.

Many Madrid travel guides list the Royal Palace as one of the city’s main attractions.

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor, Madrid Spain

Just about every Spanish city has a plaza mayor - a public gathering place in the middle of the historic center of every city,

Madrid’s Plaza Mayor is just that, but on a grand Madrid-sized scale. Opened in 1619, Madrid’s Plaza Mayor has been the home to bullfights, royal weddings, civil uprisings, and public hangings.

Today, thankfully, you will not see a public execution.

Instead, go to Plaza Mayor to see the beautiful Madrid-style architecture and to feel the history. But don’t be fooled into the tourist trap of a “relaxing cup café con leche in Plaza Mayor” at one of the overpriced cafés that line the plaza.

On some Sundays, Plaza Mayor hosts a stamp market. And the plaza is the site of Madrid’s most popular Christmas market.

Mercado San Miguel

Right next to Plaza Mayor you will find Mercado San Miguel. This is where Madrileños used to shop for their groceries. Not any more (see markets below).

The market has been converted into a food hall where you can easily sample some of Spain’s traditional food (and drinks), with some stalls specializing in international cuisine as well.

Visitors love Mercado San Miguel, but locals do not tend to hang out there.

Insider tip: don’t spend too much time or money at Mercado San Miguel. Mercado San Fernando (see below in the Madrid travel guide) is a great alternative and with many more locals.

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is the the official central point of Spain. Not only is the station a huge transit hub, with several metro lines and commuter trains, but the area is Kilometer 0 for the Spanish road network. There is a small plaque that you can step on to say you stood at KM0.

Madrid’s beloved El Oso y el Madroño (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue) also lives in Puerta del Sol. Bears are one of Madrid’s city symbols, and you will see emblems of the statue all over town, everywhere from on city buildings to manhole coverings.

In the center, is a much larger equestrian statue courtesy of King Carlos III.

Palacio de Cibeles

Beautiful Cibeles with flowers in Madrid Spain

One of Madrid’s most beautiful buildings, and home to Madrid’s city government, at least take some time to admire Palacio de Cibeles from the outside.

It is situated in an equally beautiful plaza/roundabout, with a fountain paying tribute to the goddess Cybele in the center of the plaza. Across the street is the Banco de España.

But the real treat is inside of Palacio de Cibeles. There are often varying exhibitions, and there are plenty of quiet places to read or just chill.

Make sure to go to the top floor for the mirador. It’s a great view of Madrid down Gran Vía!

Retiro Park

One of Europe’s most expansive and beautiful urban parks, Retiro has it all. Grand monuments, statues, fountains, a lake, grassy lawns, manicured gardens and even some small art galleries including a Crystal Palace.

Madrileños go to Retiro for their strolls, to meet up with friends, and just to enjoy a break from city life. While usually serene, the park comes to life on weekends, and is a big gathering spot on Sundays.

Every June, the park hosts a book fair, one of Spain’s largest.

One of the most popular activities in the park is to rent a boat in the small lake.

Templo de Debod

Templo de Debod

There really is an authentic Egyptian temple in central Madrid!

Sent in pieces by the Egyptian government to thank Spain for sending archaeologists as part of a UNESCO team to Egypt for restoration work, the temple was put back together is and now displayed in Parque de Oeste.

It is free to enter, but hours tend to vary and only a very limited number of people are allowed in at a time. Not to worry if you can’t go in! The exterior is worth visiting, and since it is in the park it is free, accessible, and viewable to public at all times.

In the evening the area around the temple is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Comunidad of Madrid. On a beautiful evening, the reflecting pond (full disclosure: it is not always filled) mirrors the colors and shapes of Madrid’s world-famous sunsets.

Madrid travel guide to Madrid less traveled

Here are a few recommendations from the locals who are behind this Madrid travel guide. Other guides leave these lesser known places out.

Madrid Rio and Matadero

Madrid Río

While it ain’t Paris’ Seine, Rome’s Tiber, Budapest’s Danube, or London’s Thames, Madrid has a small river, the Manzanares. It does not flow through the center of the city, but rather the outskirts.

The area around the river is a nice park perfect for cyclists and runners. For some nice views, you can cross the river using the Puente de Toledo footbridge.

Just south of the park is the Matadero, Madrid’s old slaughterhouse, incorporating Neo-Mudéjar style architecture.

No longer a slaughterhouse, the space has been incorporated into an arts center, hosting special exhibits and events.

Sorolla Museum

Unfortunately this museum is temporarily closed for renovation. It is expected to reopen in early 2026. But if you are planning a trip a few years from now or are just dreaming, this is one to keep on your radar.

Valencian-born artist Joaquín Sorolla moved to Madrid where he bought a beautiful home and studio. After his death, his widow offered some of his works as well as his home to the Spanish public. This lead to his house being converted in to a museum to display his works as well as some works of his family members too.

Influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, Sorolla was one of the more prominent contemporary Spanish artists. The museum has a great collection of his works in a home-like setting. The house even features an Andaluz style patio.

It is a great alternative to the more known museums such as the Prado and Reina Sofía.

Local Markets

Mercado San Miguel (see above) is mainly for tourists. But many Madrileños still do the majority of their food shopping in traditional markets.

For a true taste of local life, check out Mercado de Chamberí, Mercado, Mercado de Maravillas, which made our list of the top 10 markets in Spain, or Mercado de la Cebada. There are many more, since just about each barrio has a local market. These markets have the freshest produce, meats and cheeses from all over Spain, seafood, and other specialty food items that Spaniards use in every day cooking.

If you are looking for the food hall atmosphere that Mercado San Miguel has, but with more locals than tourists, Mercado de San Fernando is a good bet.

There you can sample a variety of the best food from all over Spain, but at lower prices.

Plaza de Olavide

Plaza de Olavide

One of Madrid’s most beautiful plazas, and a true neighborhood gathering spot, Plaza de Olavide was designed in a unique octagonal shape.

Lined with grand buildings housing traditional cafes and bars, this plaza the real deal to sit with a café con leche or a drink and enjoy the terrace lifestyle.

In the center of the Plaza de Olavide is a large fountain. But that was not always there. The plaza used to house a rather ugly market. This was destroyed in effort to beautify the plaza in 1974. And it worked. The plaza is one of Madrid’s most best kept secrets. To see a photographic history of Olavide, stop by Bar Méntrida, right on the plaza.

(For more about Plaza de Olavide and other lesser known small streets and local plazas in Madrid, tune into the When in Spain podcast episode where we talk about 12 of our favorite streets in Madrid.)

Casa de Campo

The largest green space in Madrid, Casa de Campo used to be the royal hunting grounds.

Today, with much open space, this is the closest place in Madrid to really get away from it all and find some nature.

There are walking and cycling paths, making it a true escape.

The park also houses a theme park, Madrid’s zoo, and a large lake. Like Retiro, renting a boat is a popular activity here.

Cerro del Tío Pío

Sunset from Cerro del Tío Pío

A bit far out from the city center but accessible by metro, Cerro del Tío Pío is one of Madrid’s favorite local gems.

The park, nicknamed siete tetas (you can translate that!), obviously has seven small hills. Each hill gives a beautiful view of Madrid from afar, from the top.

Look closely and you can get a bird’s eye view of the AVE (high-speed train) departing and arriving at Atocha station.

This is the spot to see the best Madrid sunsets, from the top of any of the hills. You will soon see for yourself why Madrid’s sunsets are famous around the world!

Tabacalera

Madrid also has a wonderful urban art scene. It’s one of the best cities for street art in Spain. And the Tabacalera is one of the best places to see some of the street artists’ creations.

A former tobacco factory from the XIX century, it has now been repurposed into a self-sustained cultural venue. In addition, relax at the the quirky urban garden in the center, called Esta es una Plaza. 

The space regularly hosts workshops. And the facade of the building is covered in some of Madrid’s best urban art.

(Important note: as of 2024, the Tabacalera still remains closed. Hopefully this special space will reopen, but if it is on your Madrid Spain travel itinerary, check before you plan to go)

Where to stay in Madrid?

Madrid is a city of diverse neighborhoods. Away from Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol is where you will find some of Madrid’s real local life.

While this is by no means an extensive list of neighborhoods in Madrid, here are some of the Madrid travel guide’s recommendations.

Malasaña

Malasaña, Madrid Spain

Hip, cool, with charming old architecture and street art, once one of the rougher parts of town, Malasaña has a bohemian and rebellious past.

In the Plaza 2 de Mayo, of the most famous revolts was carried out against the French in the war of independence. A statue in the plaza commemorates that.

The neighborhood itself is named in honor of a woman Manuela Malasaña, a heroine on that infamous day. A young seamstress she lived in the area (called Maravillas at the time). Legend has that she was arrested when she defended herself with a pair of scissors after a few French soldiers tried to sexually assault her. 

Regardless of the truth to the whole story, the neighborhood is now referred to by her name.

Malasaña retained its revolutionary spirit after the death of Franco, It was here that the La Movida movement was born. This counterculture movement nourished creatives such as Pedro Almodóvar who were able to enjoy artistic freedom after the harsh dictatorship. 

Some of Malasaña’s bars that are still there today were La Movida hotspots. The area also has a number of good shops and restaurants.

Chueca

Metro Station in Chueca

In 2005, Spain became the third country to fully legalize same-sex marriage. Not surprisingly, Madrid is one of the most gay-friendly cities on this planet.  It even hosted World Pride in 2017.  The heart of Madrid’s LGBTQ community is centered around a neighborhood named after Spanish composer and author Federico Chueca. 

The center of the neighborhood is beautiful Plaza de Chueca.  You will know when you arrived as soon as the train pulls into the station, decorated with rainbows.  Lined with terrace cafés, the central plaza is a great place to sit with a drink and people watch.

Although not as charming as Plaza de Chueca, Plaza de Pedro Zerolo is an important stop on a stroll through Chueca.  Venezuelan born Pedro Zerolo was the first openly gay member of Madrid’s city council.  He was a key player in legalizing gay marriage in Spain as well as helping to pass many gay-friendly initiatives in Madrid.  In 2015 the Madrid City Council decided to name the plaza after him.

Not surprising Chueca comes alive at night too, with many gay bars and nightspots.

Lavapiés

Lavapiés

Lavapiés is one of Madrid’s most diverse neighborhoods. This area is filled with people from all over the world. In the recent past, Lavapiés has become one of Madrid’s trendier areas, but it still holds on to its immigrant and colorful past.

Plaza de Lavapiés is the heart of the neighborhood. There you will get a feel for Lavapiés’ global community.  Small alimentaciones (convenience stores) sell products from all over Asia, Africa, and Latin America.  Here, you are just as likely to hear Arabic or Hindi spoken, as you are to hear Spanish. 

Street art is everywhere, and often with political messages. If you really want to feel the spirit of the revolution (Lavapiés style), head to Nelson Mandela Plaza.  The entire plaza is tagged with political messages and progressive urban art. 

Lavapiés has some legitimately amazing Indian, Moroccan and Senegalese restaurants for a change of pace from Spanish food.

La Latina

La Latina is one of Madrid’s oldest neighborhoods. Parts of it feel like being in a small Spanish village, with narrow streets that go in a maze.

This neighborhood today where Madrid's old wall was, to protect the city during the Middle Ages. To this day a few ruins of the old city wall can still be seen.

Just downhill from Plaza Mayor, La Latina is known for having Madrid’s most famous tapas bars. On any weekend night, Cava Baja is full of people hopping from one tapas bar to another.

Every Sunday, the neighborhood holds one of Europe’s largest open-air flea markets, el Rastro. There are stalls all the way down Calle de Embajadores, with many spilling out to the side streets.

Huertas/Las Letras

Barrio de las Letras/Huertas, Madrid Spain

Close to Madrid’s most famous museums, Retiro Park, and Atocha Station (where the AVE, high-speed train, arrives), Barrio de las Letras/Huertas, with its literacy tradition, is one of Madrid’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

The name Barrio de las Letras literally means “neighborhood of the letters,” as this part of Madrid was once home to some of Spain’s most famous writers.  

Calle de las Huertas, the neighborhood’s major shopping street has famous Spanish literary quotes inlayed right the street.

Both Cervantes and Lope de Vega lived in this district just to name a few big names. There is a small Lope de La Vega museum.

Today, this part of Madrid remains a paradise for writers and literary lovers, as well as a lively night time spot. There are good dining and shopping options too.

A charming neighborhood with some nice architecture, the beautiful Plaza de la Santa Ana has a statue of famous Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.

Barrio de las Letras is the neighborhood that the authors of the Madrid travel guide recommend staying in, due to its beauty, charm, and proximity to everything. It is center without being right in the middle of the crowds.

Barrio Salamanca

Puerta de Alcalá

Pijo (posh) Salamanca is beautiful and stately. You can practically smell the money here,

Tree lined streets, grand architecture with beautiful balconies, and decor, Barrio Salamanca is where wealthy Madrileños like to see and be seen.

Not surprisingly, all of the luxury brands such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton have their shops in Barrio Salamanca, mostly centered around Calle de Serrano. As grand as the neighborhood, neo-classical Puerta de Alcalá, sits at the roundabout in Plaza de la Independencia, lined with expensive cafes and restaurants.

With high real estate values, it’s no wonder that Barrio Salamanca borders Retiro park.

Chamberí

Local life in Chamberí

This large neighborhood north of the city center is really well connected.

The eastern side is more elegant full of beautiful architecture, plazas (including Plaza de Olavide), and wide boulevards. There are plenty of dining and shopping options. The Sorolla museum is also located here.

The western side is home to many students, due to its proximity to many universities. Therefore many places in this part of Chamberí cater to students (and their budget). Parque de Oeste is also not far.

Chamberí is a great alternative for those who want a more local Madrid experience, but also want to be well connected to the rest of the city.

Getting around Madrid

Metro

Entrance to Madrid Metro

Madrid has a comprehensive metro system with 12 main lines and one connector line. There are 302 stations that cover the city.

The metro is easy to use, well sign-posted, and color coordinated. You can pick up a free map at many of the stations or download a Madrid metro map to your phone.

You will need to buy a card through the machine at any station. 10 ride cards are offered, and these rides can be used on the bus within the city too.

Additionally, there is a commuter train, the Cercanías, that goes to some points of interest outside of the city.

Bus

Madrid also has a very wide-reaching bus system, with blue buses that cover the city and green buses that cover the province.

Prices vary, and at time of writing many of the buses were starting to accept credit cards.

You can also use the 10 ride metro card for blue buses within the city.

Walking

Madrid is very pedestrian friendly. The city center is fairly compact, often making walking faster and more convenient than public transportation.

The center’s maze of streets is best explored on foot.

Cycling

Riding a bike in Madrid Spain

Madrid has a vast network of bike lanes and bike-friendly city streets. The city itself is mostly flat, making cycling fast and easy.

There are outfitters that rent bikes around the city. Furthermore, Madrid has a cycle-share program. You can receive a card to use the bikes through BiciMad.

Taxi

Taxis in Madrid are inexpensive and plentiful. They can be hailed on the street, at taxi stands or through taxi apps such as FreeNow.

Additionally it is a 30€ flat rate to and from the airport, anywhere within central Madrid.

Get out of Madrid (for a day or two!)

Being centrally located, Madrid makes a wonderful base for day trips and brief excursions.

Here are some of our top recommended best day trips from Madrid! Even more reasons to make sure Madrid is a big part of your Spain travel itinerary.

You also might want to check out our other in depth guides by region.

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