How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Madrid

There's far more to Madrid than bullfighting, flamenco, and tapas, though you'll certainly find all three in the Spanish capital. Named one of the best cities to visit in Europe by Travel + Leisure readers and one of the best places to travel by T+L editors in 2023, there's a little something for everyone in this incredible city.

Art lovers can spend the day strolling around Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art, where three of the world's biggest museums meet. History buffs will love the city's gorgeous architecture and historic landmarks, including the oldest restaurant in the world and an Egyptian temple. (Yes, it's actually Egyptian.) And you can't go wrong with the booming food scene here — it's made Madrid one of Europe's best food cities.

Madrid offers so much to do that you may want to embrace the tradition of a midday siesta. The city's bars and clubs tend to hit their stride after midnight, so an afternoon nap in one of Madrid's top hotels may be just the fuel you need to transition from a day of sightseeing to a night of music and dance.

Best Hotels

Rosewood Villa Magna

T+L readers voted the 154-room Rosewood Villa Magna the best hotel in Madrid in recent years, highlighting its central downtown location, modern elegance, and incredible wellness offerings. Each spa offering is individualized and combines ancient Iberian practices with newer innovation. For example, guests can sign up for the "El Retiro" Sense Journey, which starts with a guided power walk in the park and ends with a leg and foot massage.

Four Seasons Hotel Madrid

The Four Seasons Madrid, voted one of the best hotels in Madrid in 2023 by T+L readers, combines seven historic buildings to create a luxury enclave in the heart of the city. The hotel is the Four Seasons brand's first in Spain and sits just steps away from luxury shopping along the famous Gran Via. Plus, there's a rooftop terrace, a pool, and a four-level spa.

The Principal Madrid Hotel

This intimate boutique hotel boasts just 76 rooms, but its rooftop terrace offers some of the best views in the city. The property is located along the Gran Via, and its restaurant, Ático, is helmed by chef Ramón Freixa of the Michelin two-starred Ramón Freixa Madrid. "Guests can relax together in the cozy bar area or indulge in the spa when they need to unwind," T+L contributor Stacey Leasca previously reported.

Sleep'n Atocha

The centrally located Sleep'n Atocha isn't just good for your wallet, it's good for the environment. The hotel has been a carbon-neutral facility since 2019 and has committed to environmentally friendly practices like recycling, purchasing products with a low environmental impact, and using toxic-free cleaning products. Its whimsical design and excellent location make this affordable gem a must-stay in the capital city.

Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid

Located in a 19th-century palace, Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid combines modern design with classic Spanish-style architecture in a 45-room hotel. Guests can dine at the Younique Arts Club, where food and art intersect — both national and international artists host exhibitions in the space.

Things to Do

Puerta del Sol

Located in the heart of Madrid, Puerta del Sol is one of the city's best-known and busiest public squares. It's home to the famous clock whose bells mark the beginning of the Spanish New Year. "Look for the marker in the middle of the plaza that marks Spain's Kilometer 0," Jamie Ditaranto, T+L contributor, recommended. "This is the starting point for all the major roads that leave Madrid and head toward all corners of the country."

Museo Nacional del Prado

The Museo Nacional de Prado is Spain's main national art museum. It "houses some of the most emblematic artworks of Spain, including Francisco de Goya’s 'Black Paintings' and Valásquez’s 'Las Meninas,'" Jamie Ditaranto previously reported. Along with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Museo Reina Sofía, the Prado forms Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art. The museum was founded as a museum of paintings and sculptures in 1819 and includes works of art from Spain and beyond.

Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is among the largest and most opulent palaces in Europe, boasting more than 1.45 million square feet of space spread over 3,418 rooms. Guests can spot paintings by famous artists like Francisco Goya and Diego Velazquez in the opulent rooms. Stop in to see the world's only complete Stradivarius string quintet and, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, catch the changing of the Royal Guard.

Plaza de Cibeles

Plaza de Cibeles is the public square home to the iconic Cibeles Fountain, which was built in 1782. This spot is surrounded by four pieces of legendary Spanish architecture, including the former post office that now serves as Madrid City Hall.

Temple of Debod

An Egyptian temple may be the last thing you would expect to find in Madrid, but that's exactly what the Temple of Debod is. This Egyptian temple traces its history to the 2nd century B.C. It was given to Spain by the Egyptians and moved to Madrid, where it was rebuilt stone by stone and opened as a tourist site in 1972. If you're looking to soak in a gorgeous Madrid sunset, this is one of the best places to do it.

Read More: 30 Best Things to Do in Madrid, From Palace Tours to Flamenco Shows

Best Shopping

Gran Via

Gran Via is a nearly mile-long retail paradise where shoppers can expect to find a mix of luxury boutiques and mainstream brands nestled among some of the city's architectural gems. Retailers along the Gran Via include H&M, the Real Madrid Official Store, the Atletico Madrid Official Store, and the largest Huawei store in Europe.

 El Rastro

Operational since 1740, El Rastro is an open-air market that sells everything and anything — from knick-knacks and antiques to clothing and furniture. It's open every Sunday and on public holidays and is located on Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores. "The market can get very crowded," Stacey Leasca previously noted, "but if you're feeling overwhelmed, you can step off to one of the shops lining the street behind the stalls to find a little space."

Mercado San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel opened as a wholesale food market more than 100 years ago. Today, it's the place to sample everything from Iberian ham to fresh fish and tapas from more than 20 stands serving up delicious Spanish food.

Best Restaurants

Chocolateria San Gines

Chocolateria San Gines is a short walk from Puerta del Sol and is one of the most popular places in town to grab churros. The intimate cafe traces its history back to 1864 when it began developing its reputation as an after-theater dessert spot. It's tucked behind one of Madrid's oldest churches and serves up its signature dark hot chocolate and churros around the clock.

DiverXo

If you're looking for a memorable dinner, you'll want to reserve at DiverXo. The recipient of three Michelin stars, the restaurant is helmed by chef Dabix Muñoz. "The collision of ingredients sounded more like a word-association game than a recipe," Matt Goulding, a food journalist living in Spain,described in the July 2023 issue of T+L. "But [my] first bite left no room for doubt." A dinner ticket here starts at $380 per person. The restaurant is usually booked solid, but their website opens new reservation slots every day at midnight for the date 90 days in the future.

Casa Botin

Casa Botin was founded in 1725 and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating restaurant on Earth. Its signature dishes include suckling pig and roasted lamb, but its menu is full of chicken, veal, and seafood platters, too. Stop in for dinner, or take a tour of Casa Botin's dining rooms, cellar, and underground tunnels. The tour is about $87 and includes a set lunch or dinner menu.

Corral de la Morería

Corral de la Moreria is the place to experience flamenco in Madrid. This venue has been hosting live flamenco shows since 1956 and has performances every night of the week. And if it's dinner and a show you're after, there may be no better place. Coral de la Moreria has a Michelin-starred restaurant on-site. Guests over the years have included Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Che Guevara, and Demi Moore.

Tripea

Madrid's food scene isn't a Spanish-only affair. Peruvian chef Roberto Martínez Foronda combines Peruvian and Southeast Asian ingredients and flavors at his restaurant, Tripea, which opened in 2017. “The fusion boom in Madrid created so much bad food,” Foronda told T+L in the July 2023 issue. “But we’ve cut through the fat, and what’s left is mostly excellent.” For a little more than $53, guests can try Foronda's eight-course tasting menu.

Read More: How Madrid Became One of Europe's Best Food Cities

Best Time to Go

Madrid is a city that sizzles during the summer, with temperatures that can soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Brave the heat for Madrid's take on Pride, which starts each year in late June and runs through early July. What used to be a small celebration in the late 1970s has since grown into one of the largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ pride in Europe.

For better weather, fewer crowds, and more affordable prices, try visiting during the fall or spring (we have some recommendations for what to pack). The days are sunny, and you'll be able to celebrate events like the San Isidro Festival, held each year in May, and the Autumn Festival (or Feria del Otoño), held in October or November. "[The Autumn Festival draws] acts from all over the world, from opera and ballet to theater and indie music," Stacey Leasca, a T+L contributing editor, previously reported.

Read More: The Best Time to Visit Spain for Great Weather and Famous Festivals

How to Get There

Madrid-Barajas Airport is in northeast Madrid and services most major airlines. Passengers can fly directly to and from many major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

There are direct routes from Madrid Atocha Railway Station to Barcelona on both the Alta Velocidad Española and Ouigo train lines.

Neighborhoods to Know

Las Austrias: Known as the heart of old Madrid, Las Austrias is home to palaces, churches, and monasteries built as early as the 16th century. It's where you'll find Plaza Mayor, as well as the Royal Palace and Corral de la Morería.

Las Letras: This lively neighborhood known as the Literary Quarter is a book lover's paradise. This is where you'll find the former homes of icons of the Spanish Golden Age, including Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. The streets here are narrow and car traffic is limited.

Chueca: This is the heart of Madrid's LGBTQ+ community. It's a lively area filled with bars, cafes, and shops — and at the center of Madrid's iconic Pride celebration each year

Malasana: One of the city's hippest neighborhoods, Malasana is known for vintage shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. This historic area is also where you'll find live music and clubs.

How to Get Around

Trains: Madrid's metro system runs from the Madrid-Barajas Airport through downtown and to the suburbs. Fares are based on a zone system with prices determined by the distance traveled, and passengers will need a Public Transport Card to travel. Transportation cards can hold 10 single tickets and two 10-journey tickets at a time. Download the Metro de Madrid app to see train maps, waiting times, and information on fares, passes, and more. The underground is currently working to improve accessibility at stations throughout the city and is working to make 84 percent of its stations accessible by 2028.

Buses: For anywhere Madrid's dozen or so metro and light rail lines can't take you, the city operates a fleet of more than 2,000 buses. Those buses run over 200 routes and serve more than 10,000 stops from 6 a.m to 11:30 p,m. (Note that some buses run on different schedules. Check run times before you leave your hotel.)

Taxis: Taxis are typically white with a diagonal red band on their front doors. They can be found at taxi stands throughout Madrid, hailed by raising an arm, or called through several ride-share apps.

Ride service: Uber is available in Madrid, as well as Cabify and Bolt.