Explore Madrid
Madrid Tourism: Best of Madrid
Essential Madrid
Traveler Guides
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Madrid Is Great For
Foot-stomping flamenco
Dazzling food markets
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Madrid





In the words of those who've been there before ...




What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
International flights land at Madrid Barajas Airport (Adolfo Suarez), from where you can hop on the metro or take a shuttle or taxi into the city.
Train:
Madrid has two main railway stations—Chamartin and Atocha. AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) runs high-speed trains to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and many other cities around Spain.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Madrid from overseas, use Schengen Visa info to see if you need a visa.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer temperatures can reach more than 86°F (30°C) in the city and many locals head out to the provinces in July and August. Many local bars, restaurants, and shops close down during this period. Spring and fall offer more pleasant weather for sightseeing, as well as festivals such as the San Isidro festival (May), Flamenco Madrid festival (June), and the European White Nights Festival (Sept.).
Bicycle
Bicimad is a bikeshare system with over 100 bicycle stations located across Madrid.
Visitors can purchase hourly, daily, or multi-day subscriptions either at the docking stations or online.
Train
Madrid’s metro is the fastest way to get around, with 13 lines linking all corners of the city. Trains run daily from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
For more information about the network and fares, see here.
Bus
EMT operates Madrid’s local bus system daily from 6 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. (10 a.m. till 11 p.m. on weekends).
For more information about the network and fares, see here.
Taxis
Madrid taxis are white with a red band on the front door. Although it’s possible to hail one on the street in Madrid, it’s generally easier to go to an official taxi stand, located by all the main streets and plazas.
You can also book a taxi online or on your smartphone by downloading the Madrid TXMAD or Free Now apps.
Ridesharing
Uber is available in Madrid, but most locals use Cabify.
Are there local customs I should know?
- We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Madrid, which include:
- Some of the most popular restaurants in Madrid include:
- Madrid is known for some of its popular attractions, which include:
- We recommend checking out these popular tours when looking for something to do in Madrid:
- If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Madrid between December and February, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between September and November.