Insider’s Guide: Madrid 2

Madrid sits in the center of Spain and the crossroads of a national identity. Here, the country’s culture converges—in the soul of flamenco at local tablaos, in the flavors of the nation’s most signature and crave-worthy dishes and in the roar of the cheering crowds at Santiago Bernabéu Soccer Stadium.

Embrace the Madrileño zest for life by immersing yourself in local customs: Sip on drinks at a sunny outdoor terraza, partake in Sunday afternoon tapas hopping or stay up late at an open-till-dawn discoteca. Whether exploring some of Europe’s finest art galleries or taking a gentle stroll in Retiro Park, once you truly experience Madrid, you’ll want to keep coming back for more.

In this guide, we’ll show you the best of Spain’s capital so you can travel like an insider in Madrid!

Meet the Insiders

Originally from northern Spain, Sila loves travelling to Madrid and immersing herself in the historical

and contemporary mix the city offers.

A freelance writer and California native, Erin has lived in Madrid for the last seven years and traveled

to all 17 of Spain’s autonomous regions.

¡Hola, Madrid!

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Madrid is a wonderland of museums, two of which lay claim to the capital’s most famous galleries and form part of the city’s so-called Golden Triangle. First, there’s the Prado, considered one of the foremost galleries in Europe and noted for works by Spanish greats including Goya and Velázquez.

Meanwhile, the yin to the Prado’s yang is the Reina Sofia, home to 20th-century art including the iconic “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso and surrealist works by Salvador Dalí. The best way to see them both without the crowds is on a skip-the-line tour that whisks you past the (often very long) queues.

Best Way to Avoid the Crowds: Skip-the-Line Access

See

“What a great experience! It was well worth the price to skip the line—which was substantial.”

“

-Jerry E.

Insider’s Guide: Madrid 4

While a doggy bag won’t withstand the journey home, a Madrid cooking class is one way to bring some of that Spanish-cuisine magic back to your dining room table. While learning to whip up popular dishes, you’ll get acquainted with local ingredients at the market, learn about Spanish culinary history and traditions and, of course, indulge in the fruits of your labor. Satisfy your hunger and take the culinary know-how to go; it’s a souvenir that won’t take up space in your suitcase and can be used for years to come.

Learn to make flagship dishes like paella, gazpacho and a tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette), all served with delicious Spanish wines.

Best Keepsake: Cooking Classes

Learn

Insider’s TipMany paella aficionados consider the most delicious part of the rice-based dish to be the socarrat, the almost-burnt crust that forms on the bottom of the pan.

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Situated just a short drive south of Madrid, Toledo is the former capital of Spain. The hilltop town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site historically known as “the city of three cultures” in reference to the Muslims, Jews and Christians who once peacefully coexisted within its borders.

Discover this complex history by exploring Toledo’s tangle of cobblestone streets, where you can pay a visit to its grand cathedral, check out Santa María la Blanca—one of few pre-Inquisition synagogues still standing in Spain—and pause at points across town and beyond (such as the Mirador del Valle) to appreciate the remarkable views.

Book a day trip to Toledo from Madrid or see all day trips from Madrid.

Best Day Trip: Toledo

Insider’s TipMadrid is well connected by highway and rail to other parts of the country; from Segovia to Aranjuez, there are dozens of easy day trips from Madrid.

Detour

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Best Culinary Experience: Eat Like a LocalFrom tapas to multi-course meals, Madrid is a city to be tasted. Feed your hunger like the locals by joining the beloved pastime of tapas hopping, going from one tapas bar to the next—either in a neighborhood such as La Latina or at Madrid’s markets—and having a drink and a small plate at each.

Hungry for a proper meal? On weekdays, join Madrileños in a wallet-friendly menú del día (menu of the day, available at most restaurants), which consists of a three-course lunch and wine.

Book a food and wine tour to sample some of the best cuisine Madrid has to offer.

Insider’s TipIf you want to score a free tapa, order your drink but hold off asking for food. Oftentimes, the bartender will offer a tiny, free snack, such as olives, nuts or potato chips, to accompany your beverage.

Indulge

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Best Way to Unwind: Soak in a HammamAfter trekking all over Madrid, from the Royal Palace to the Puerta de Alcalá, you’ll probably be eager to take a load off. Get some rest while experiencing more of Madrid; take an afternoon stroll or siesta in the city’s favorite park, El Retiro, or immerse yourself—literally—in the country’s history by going for a dip in the ethereal Arabian baths of the Hammam Al Ándalus, where you can also indulge in your pick of various ultra-soothing massages.

Relax

“What a great way to relax at the end of a wonderful vacation! Saunas, three different temperature baths, a wonderful massage after soaking...I highly recommend it!

“

-Traci

Insider’s Guide: Madrid 8

Best Way to See Madrid From Above: A Rooftop TourThere’s just something about seeing Madrid from a rooftop: maybe it’s the jagged blanket of terracotta-colored tiled roofs; or perhaps it’s the opportunity to spy the city’s sights both near and far, from Cibeles Palace to Plaza de España; oftentimes it’s simply those terrazas, or terraces, where you can snack and sip while enjoying the view. Whatever the draw, seeing the Spanish capital from above is undoubtedly one of the most memorable ways to take in Madrid.

A three-hour small-group tour of Madrid’s rooftops allows you to see the city from different angles while learning all about its history and sights.

Explore

Insider’s TipSee views of the city at night by grabbing drinks at rooftop terraces such as The Roof at the ME Hotel, or Azotea at Círculo de Bellas Artes. Or, go for dinner: Munch on fancy tapas at El Corte Inglés’s Gourmet Experience on Calle Serrano, or savor a Michelin-star-rated multi-course meal at the Casino de Madrid.

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Best Nightlife Experience: See a Flamenco ShowMadrid may not be the birthplace of flamenco (that title belongs to Andalucía), but as Spain’s capital it attracts the best talent and, therefore, the most impressive shows. For that reason, there’s no better way to get closer to the sights, sounds and soul of Spanish culture than to spend an evening checking out a proper flamenco tablao.

During one of these shows, you can watch the captivating dancing, clapping, singing and stomping that define the art form, all while you sip on sangria and satiate your hunger with a traditional Spanish meal.

Book a Madrid flamenco show with dinner.

After Hours

“Not only will I highly recommend this show, I will say a visit to Madrid is not complete without seeing it.

“

-Cora B.

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Best Unique Transport: Scooter ToursMadrid’s sights span all corners of the large city, from Plaza Mayor to Retiro Park and Santiago Bernabéu Soccer Stadium. You can get to each of them by foot, or in more unique ways: Zing past the Las Ventas Bullring on a scooter tour, drive down Gran Vía in your own GoCar or Segway up to the Egyptian Templo de Debod. During these excursions you can not only cover more ground, but also learn as you go; tours are led by a knowledgeable guide or narrated by GPS.

Check out all the options to see Madrid by moped, scooter or Vespa.

Play

Insider’s TipIf you’d like to tackle the city sans guide, plan to ride your independent scooter rental to the west-facing Templo de Debod during sunset, when you can see Madrid skies at their most colorful.

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Pssst!

Madrid’s Other Art Museums Are Worth a LookThough art lovers may know Madrid for its world-famous Prado and Reina Sofia museums, these are hardly the extent of galleries on offer. Though smaller, many of the city’s lesser-known museums manage to pack in more charm and personality, making them just as enjoyable, if not more so, than the big names.

With that in mind, museum fanatics should head to spots such as CaixaForum to see a range of rotating exhibits, or simply to marvel at its exterior architecture and massive wall garden. Step back in time with a stop at the Museo del Romanticismo, noted for its 19th-century art and furnishings, and also for a quaint courtyard where you can sip on coffee or tea. Other specialty museums abound, too, from the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, with its vast painting collection, to Museo Sorolla, which features works by its namesake artist all displayed in his former palatial home. And finally, while it’s hardly unknown, the often-overlooked Thyssen-Bornemisza is as unmissable as its more famous counterparts. In fact, it forms the third corner of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art, and houses a range of works from the 13th to 20th centuries.

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Best Active Sightseeing: Bike ToursBurn off that last round of tapas and cover more Madrid ground during a bike tour that covers attractions both on and off the beaten path on a leisurely three-hour ride. Or really get your heart racing as you hit the pavement on a running tour that covers the city highlights or explores one of Madrid’s tranquil parks.

Best Way to See it All: Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus TourHit all of the city’s best destinations effortlessly by hitching a ride on the open-topped, double-decker hop-on, hop-off bus, whose two lines make stops at all of Madrid’s major sights, and provide narrated insight along the way.

Best Money Saver: Sightseeing PassesFrom museums to Madrid’s biggest sights and simply getting around town, you can save on seeing more of Madrid with a sightseeing pass. The Madrid Card includes entry to more than 50 museums for 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours, and the Madrid Tourist Travel Pass covers transportation within the city for one to seven days.

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Plaza MayorDuring winter, holiday lights blanket the sky above a busy Christmas market, and come summer, outdoor terraces crop up under the blazing Spanish sun. No matter the time of year, balcony-lined Plaza Mayor—a 17th-century square that’s seen everything from bullfights to soccer matches and is now a popular public square—is the perfect place to savor your visit to Madrid and soak up the most quintessential of local culture.

Royal PalaceThough this flashy royal residence isn’t actually home to any monarchs (they live just outside the city), it hardly feels any less glamorous. From crystal chandeliers to gilt and red velvet thrones, the Palacio Real is fit for a Spanish king whether he lives there or not. Guided tours lead guests through some of the building’s 50 themed rooms (of more than 2,800 rooms in the palace), including the throne room and the royal pharmacy.

El EscorialThe village of San Lorenzo de El Escorial sprawls at the foot of a mountainside just northwest of Madrid. Charming in its own right, the town is known for its commanding monastery, which houses a basilica, museum, school, and also the Royal Pantheon, where many of Spain’s former kings have been laid to rest. The village is an easy day trip from Madrid, often combined with Toledo or the Valley of the Fallen.

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