- Visit Madrid during spring or autumn, summers are way too hot. We visited during February and could enjoy temperatures of around 18°C.
- If you go local, don’t expect people to talk fluent English; not even the younger people. Some gestures, a friendly smile and a dictionary do the trick!
- Buy a pass for the Metro as soon as you arrive. Madrid is just too big for doing everything by foot. There’s many different plans and tariffs, so make sure you know what kind of ticket best suits your needs. Don’t forget to download the official metro app which also includes a useful touristic map.
- Make sure to pack your best walking shoes. Madrid’s historic center is relatively small and can be conquered on flipflops. However, as soon as you are about to explore the city’s other main sites and attractions you’ll have to do quite a bit of walking. Metro’s take you from one place to another; but to experience Madrid’s neighborhoods, museums and parks you need those comfortable shoes.
- Madrid is a city of culture, it houses important museums such as Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza. You need at least a day per museum if you want to visit them properly, but if you are not too much into art but don’t want to miss out anyways, 2 hours per museum should suffice. Each museum also offers free entrance during the late hours; make sure to check the websites.
- Madrid isn’t Paris or London. There are no world-famous landmarks like the Eifel tower or Big Ben, and therefore isn’t on many people’s bucket list. Madrid however does have the grandeur of a big historical city with large lanes, lovely parks and beautiful architecture. Combined with the lively night live and fantastic cuisine; Madrid stands well together with her more famous European sisters.
- Don’t you dare to book accommodation including breakfast or dinner. Madrid is a food Walhalla. At every corner of the street you’ll find great and affordable food. Even the tiniest of cafe’s potentially serves magnificent tapa’s. Also other cuisines are well represented in Madrid.
- Get into the Spanish mood and rhythm. You must have heard about the siesta? Yes, people do take a nap after lunch and many shops close between 14 and 17. Good thing is, shops only close again late at night. Madrilenians are late evening diners (starting at 22 the earliest). So be prepared to see local restaurants opening later than you expect.
- Do some shopping, Madrid’s is packed with tons of little shops. If you are a food lover you should visit one of the many food markets which are spread out over the city. If you are visiting Madrid on a Sunday, visit the antique & flee-market of El Rastro.
- Go out at night or simply drink a glass of wine in the La Latina & Lavapies neighborhood to experience the real buzzling night life in the heart of the city.
- Take a moment to relax in the El Retiro park. I bet you haven’t seen many inner-city parks like this before. With more than 1,4 square kilometers El Retiro truly is a place where the city people can relax and get away from the hot city.
- Madrid exists out of multiple neighborhoods which all have their own identity: Sol, Huertas, Chueca, Lavapies and many more. Make sure to plan your days as such so you’ll be able to walk through each neighborhood at least once.
- If you have the time, visit the nearby city of Toledo, the inner city is fully UNESCO World Heritage protected and well worth visiting for a day. You reach Toledo within the hour from Madrid (by train or tourist bus).
Tags City Trip Madrid Spain
LiquidLama Travel, Food, Wine & Drinks
