View over the rooftops and monuments of Madrid

🇪🇸 Spain · Madrid

Madrid: what to see, where to stay, 2026 tips

Spain's capital of 3.3 million people, Madrid brings together the golden triangle of art (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen), the Retiro gardens, monumental squares and a nightlife that lasts until dawn. Here's how to enjoy it in 3 days or more.

📍 See 📅 When to go 🗺️ Itinerary

Madrid at a glance

Population

3.3 M

Airport

MAD (Barajas)

Ideal stay

3 to 4 days

Budget / day

€60-200

Flight Paris

~2h direct

Time diff

None

Current climate

Best season

Photo : Pietra Cruz / Unsplash

In brief

Madrid in brief

1

The capital of museums and nightlife

Count minimum 3 days for the golden triangle of art, the Retiro and the old town without rushing.
2

The centre is fully walkable

From the Royal Palace to Atocha, the heart of Madrid is covered on foot. The metro fills in for longer distances.
3

Dinner is late, very late

Madrileños sit down to dinner around 9 or 10pm. Tapas bars come alive from 8pm onwards.
4

The climate sets the season

Spring and autumn are perfect. Summer pushes towards 40 degrees, winter is cold and dry.
5

An obvious sister city: Barcelona

Just 2h30 by high-speed train separates the two capitals. Many travellers combine the two.

Must-see

What to see in Madrid?

★ #1 📍

Prado Museum

One of the world's greatest museums: Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Bosch.

⏱ 2-3 h 💰 €15 Must-see

★ #2 📍

Retiro Park & Crystal Palace

Madrid's green lung: rowing-boat lake, rose garden and the glasshouse Palacio de Cristal.

⏱ 2 h 💰 Free Must-see

★ #3 📍

Royal Palace

3,400 rooms, the largest royal residence in Western Europe.

⏱ 1-2 h 💰 €14 Photo spot

★ #4 📍

Plaza Mayor & Puerta del Sol

The grand 17th-century arcaded square and Spain's kilometre zero, just steps away.

⏱ 1 h 💰 Free City centre

★ #5 📍

Reina Sofía Museum

Modern and contemporary art. Home to Picasso's Guernica.

⏱ 2 h 💰 €12 Must-see

★ #6 📍

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

The third peak of the art triangle: seven centuries of European painting.

⏱ 1-2 h 💰 €13 Art

★ #7 📍

Gran Vía

The avenue of theatres, cinemas and shopping. Madrid's Broadway.

⏱ 1 h 💰 Free Shopping

★ #8 📍

San Miguel Market

Wrought-iron gourmet hall near Plaza Mayor: tapas, ham, vermouth.

⏱ 1 h 💰 €10-20 Food

★ #9 📍

Templo de Debod

Genuine Egyptian temple gifted to Spain. The best sunset in Madrid.

⏱ 1 h 💰 Free At sunset

★ #10 📍

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Home of Real Madrid. Museum and pitch tour on non-match days.

⏱ 1-2 h 💰 €30 Football

Choose your district

Where to stay in Madrid?

Centro / Sol

The tourist heart, all walkable: Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía. From €70/night.

★ Recommended

La Latina

The tapas district and Sunday Rastro flea market. Castizo atmosphere, lively lanes. From €80/night.

Tapas

Malasaña

The bohemian, trendy district: bars, vintage shops, terraces. Ideal for night owls. From €75/night.

Trendy

Chueca

Madrid's festive, LGBTQ+ neighbourhood. Restaurants, designer boutiques. From €80/night.

Festive

Salamanca

The chic, residential district: luxury brands, upscale hotels, quiet. From €130/night.

Luxury

Getting around

Getting around Madrid

🚇

Metro

One of the densest networks in Europe. Fast, clean, air-conditioned. The easiest option for longer distances.

🚆

Cercanías (commuter rail)

Links the airport and surrounding towns (Toledo, Escorial). Line C-1 from Barajas T4.

🚶

On foot

The old town is entirely walkable. Most sights are about 20 min apart.

🚖

Taxi & ride-hailing (Cabify, Uber)

Reasonable fares and an official meter. Fixed flat fare from the airport to the centre.

Climate & crowds

When to visit Madrid?

Ideal Fair Avoid

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Spring

Apr to June · 18-28°C, sunny · Ideal: terraces, mild temperatures

Summer

July to Aug · 32-40°C, dry · Avoid: intense heat, emptier city

Autumn / Winter

Sep to Mar · 5-25°C, dry · Fair: gorgeous autumn, cold but bright winter

How much

Madrid budget (per day)

Backpacker

€60

per day

🏨 Hostel: €25
🍽️ Menu del día: €15
🚇 Metro: €5
🎫 1 museum

Recommended

Comfort

€130

per day

🏨 3-4★ hotel: €80
🍽️ Tapas + resto: €30
🚖 Ride-hail + metro: €10
🎫 Museums & tours

Premium

€300

per day

🏨 5★ Salamanca: €220
🍽️ Fine dining: €60
🚖 Private driver
🎫 Private guided tours

Our tested itinerary

Madrid in 3 days

Day-by-day program.

Day 1: Old town

9am Puerta del Sol & Plaza Mayor
11am Royal Palace & cathedral
1pm Tapas at San Miguel Market
4pm Templo de Debod
8pm Dinner and tapas in La Latina

Day 2: Golden triangle of art

9:30am Prado Museum
1pm Lunch near Atocha
3pm Reina Sofía (Guernica)
5:30pm Stroll through the Retiro
9pm Night out in Malasaña or Chueca

Day 3: Day trip or Bernabéu

9am Train to Toledo (33 min)
1pm Lunch in the old town
4pm Back to Madrid
6pm Gran Vía & shopping
9pm Last Madrid dinner

Detailed itinerary →

Around

Day trips from Madrid

📍

Toledo

33 min away · City of three cultures, UNESCO

📍

Segovia

30 min away · Roman aqueduct & alcázar

📍

Escorial

1h away · Royal monastery, UNESCO

📍

Barcelona

2h30 by high-speed train · The Mediterranean sister city

FAQ

Madrid FAQ

How many days to visit Madrid? +

Minimum 3 days for the golden triangle of art (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen), the old town and the Retiro. Ideally 4 days to add a day trip to Toledo or Segovia and wander the neighbourhoods.

What's the best neighbourhood to stay in Madrid? +

Centro / Sol to do everything on foot. La Latina or Malasaña for atmosphere and nightlife. Salamanca for quiet and upscale stays.

Is Madrid expensive? +

Madrid stays affordable for a European capital. The lunchtime menu del día runs around €12-15, a beer between €2 and €3. Museums offer free entry slots in the late afternoon.

How to reach the centre from Barajas airport? +

The metro (line 8) links the airport to Nuevos Ministerios in 25 min for about €5. The Cercanías C-1 train departs from terminal 4. A taxi charges a fixed flat fare of about €30 to the centre.

Do you need a visa for Madrid? +

No for French and EU nationals. Spain is in the Schengen area. See our Spain visa practical guide.