Spain

Madrid

Great museums, grand plazas and late nights.

Why Madrid

Spain's capital, with world-class museums and a famously late social life.

Madrid is a city of grand boulevards, leafy parks and neighbourhood bars. Three of Europe's major art museums sit within a short walk of each other, and the evenings start late and run long.

The art walk: The Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Retiro Park: Gardens, a boating lake and the Crystal Palace.
Plazas: Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol in the historic centre.
Tapas: Bar-hopping in La Latina and around the markets.

What travellers often plan

Getting to Madrid, staying and getting around.

Ask about one of these or all of them together in a single request.

Planning your trip

The practical bits.

Best time to visit: April to June and September to October; summer is hot.
Getting around: A large, efficient metro and a walkable centre.
Suggested length: Three to four days.

A modern city hotel room with a padded headboard, bedside lamps and a window onto high-rise buildings.

Where to stay

Choosing an area in Madrid.

Sol and Centro: The historic heart, close to everything.
Barrio de las Letras: Between Sol and the Prado, with bars and restaurants.
Salamanca: Elegant streets, shopping and quieter evenings.
Malasaña and Chueca: Lively, independent and good for nightlife.

A general overview of areas, not a list of available hotels.

Request Hotel Options

The equestrian statue and red arcaded buildings of the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

Getting around

Arriving in Madrid.

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) is north-east of the city. Metro Line 8 runs into the centre, and suburban trains serve Terminal 4. Taxis and pre-arranged cars are straightforward from every terminal.

A large, efficient metro and a walkable centre.

Request an Airport Transfer Flights to Madrid

When planning matters

Worth sorting out before you go.

A traveller standing at a doorway with two hard-shell suitcases, ready to leave.

Check entry requirements early: Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change over time. Please confirm with the official guidance for your route.
Travel dates make a difference: School holidays, festivals and peak seasons affect what's available. If your dates are flexible, tell us — it gives us more to work with.
Plan the arrival, not just the flight: Late-night and early-morning arrivals are much easier with a transfer arranged in advance.
Match the stay to the plan: Choose the area around what you'll actually do each day, not only the hotel itself.