Madrid is a beautiful city that is a great place to visit on your first trip to Spain. I’ve lived in Madrid for two years, and in that time I fell in love with all the neighborhoods and culture of the city.
Guide to Traveling to Madrid
The best time of year to visit is during the spring and autumn months. Peak summer of July and August can be unbearably hot. Madrid is a safe city – you can walk around at night and explore most areas without any problems. Be wary of crowded areas and metro stations – this is where you’re most likely to be pickpocketed. Don’t speak loudly in English and always be aware of your surroundings.
Madrid Budget-Friendly Accommodation Options
The top neighborhoods I’d recommend for visitors to stay in Madrid are Malasaña, Chueca, La Latina or Opera. You’ll be right in the middle of all the action, giving you the freedom to walk or take the metro.
Hostal Abadia Madrid
My friend Laura and I stayed at this hostal for the two nights we ended up staying in Madrid on a separate trip, and it is a really nice hostel for location as Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor are only a short walk away but be warned, it is a bit of a hike (uphill) from the train station. This hostel is very accommodating and has a nice staff with clean rooms and bedrooms, it’s a great place to check out if you’re under 26!
Aloft Madrid Gran Via
This hotel right in the city center has an awesome rooftop pool and bar, comfortable, spacious rooms, and is super centrally located. Right off Callao Plaza, you’ll be in the heart of everything within a few minutes walk at Aloft Gran Vía. The staff is also super nice and helpful.
Room Mate Mario Opera
Another fantastically located hotel, this one is great to put you in the center while also being on a quiet street. I love the Opera area; you’re close to the palace, Sol, and a very useful metro stop, but yet on a street tucked away from the crazy crowds. I had a really nice stay here, it’s a simple hotel but it was quiet and comfortable.
The Top Things to Do in Madrid
Reina Sofia Museum
Modern art is definitely not my favorite thing in the world, in fact, I think it is quite strange and difficult to appreciate, but the Reina Sofia is a fun place to spend a few hours. It’s free for college students, so be sure to bring your ID. Not having to pay admission gets rid of the guilt of leaving after not seeing all the eclectic exhibits, as this is definitely not the museum for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. There are many famous modern artworks here, in particular, the famous Picasso piece “Guernica,” a large mural depicting Picasso’s interpretation of the Spanish Civil war. Interesting sculptures and rooms playing various artsy videos and sometimes documentaries, as well as a variety of photography and paintings.
Museo del Prado
The Prado is an internationally renowned art museum, and a must-see if you are staying in Madrid. It hosts one of the most impressive art collections in all of Europe and is definitely a place to spend several hours or even a whole day exploring the various exhibits. There is a strong influence of works by Spanish artists but works from all over Europe debut in this impressive museum.
Palacio Cibeles
A major Madrid landmark and a great place to get a view of the entire city is the Palacio Cibeles. It is in the city center, and for a small fee of about 2 euros, one can go to the very top observation deck for 30 minutes to take pictures and see the sights from above. Palacio Cibeles is a must-see as it provides a great panoramic of the city and is an inexpensive activity. I’d recommend going at sunset for beautiful views bathed in the orange, dusky glow.
Retiro Park and Botanical Gardens
If you go to Spain in the spring or summer months, Retiro Park and the Botanical gardens are a must see. An absolutely beautiful spread of intricate landscaping and beautiful sculptures, in particular, the monument to Alfonso XII which sits at the head of the lake in the middle of the park, on which you can rent paddle boats to enjoy a sunny afternoon.
Parque del Oeste & Templo de Debod
A unique spot to visit when in Madrid, the Temple of Debod is an Egyptian temple and monument that was gifted to Spain from Egypt in the 1970’s as a thank you for Spain’s help in saving monuments in Nubia, that had to be relocated with the construction of the Aswan Dam.
Puerta del Sol
Located in the heart of Madrid, Puerta del Sol is a great place to explore during the day or night, to check out the restaurants and shopping in the area and take pictures of the various monuments and buildings surrounding it. It’s always a bustling part of the city, be aware of pickpockets in this area. As long as you stay alert and keep your belongings close, no need to worry. It’s a highlight of Madrid and is within a close walking distance of many other attractions of the city.
Plaza Mayor
Being the central Plaza of the city of Madrid, Plaza Mayor serves not only as a space for municipal and other government affairs but also hosts a variety of tourist shops and restaurants. A large statue of King Philip III stands in the middle, and various street performers mill the streets looking to make a quick buck in this area. Definitely a central highlight worthy of walking around, and a great location to get tacky souvenirs for friends and family back home.
Palacio Real – The Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid, no longer in use for “royalty” except for state ceremonies, is the 2nd largest palace in Europe, and definitely one worth checking out while in Madrid. I would recommend getting the headset, as it is very informative and there’s a lot to learn about Spanish history within the palace walls.
Mercado San Miguel
Located in Plaza de San Miguel, Mercado de San Miguel is a popular tourist destination to check out the local food fare and walk through the wide variety of vendors. It is in close proximity to Plaza mayor and a nice place to walk through and purchase fresh produce if you so desire. Definitely try some tapas and a sangria or cerveza while touring around Mercado San Miguel.
Visit the Madrid Zoo
I wouldn’t say this is a “must do” in Madrid, but if you have time to kill and want to see some animals, you can check out the zoo.
The Madrid Zoo & Aquarium is located in Casa de Campo, a giant nature reserve on the west side of the city. The area surrounding the zoo is absolutely beautiful; a much-needed break from the sprawling concrete jungle of the city. The entrance to the zoo is about a 10-15 minute walk from the Casa de Campo metro stop.
The admission price for adults to the Madrid Zoo varies daily, and of course we selected the most expensive day to visit, Saturday. The ticket was 22,95 euro for an adult, and they do not offer a student discount.
The zoo was easy to navigate, with different spots to buy food all throughout. We didn’t attend any of the shows, per my personal feelings toward them, but they do offer dolphin and exotic bird shows as well as other exhibitions.
Free Things to do in Madrid
Parque Europa
This is also not a must-see in Madrid, but if you have plenty of time and want to explore beyond the city, it’s an entertaining way to spend a day.
Located in Torrejón de Ardoz, it takes about an hour to get to using the Cercanias train and a bus. Take the C7 from Principe Pío and Atocha, and the stop for the park is Alcalá de Henares. From there, a quick walk to the plaza to take Bus A just by the entrance to the park. The park is completely free to enter, but we each paid a few euros to rent a quadricycle bike to get around.
I would highly recommend bringing some snacks and drinks to the park if you plan on walking around all day. There are kiosks, but their products are overpriced and the selection is limited to things like chips and ice cream bars.
Hope you enjoyed this post and found some useful information for a future trip you may be planning to visit Madrid!
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