Madrid Travel Guide

When to visit Madrid: June to August is hot and dry; mornings and evenings are best for walking, with siesta hours for shade

When is the best time to visit Madrid?

Avg Temp

24–35°C

Rainfall

Very low, ~10mm/month

Best Time

June to August is hot and dry; mornings and evenings are best for walking, with siesta hours for shade

Packing Tips (3)

Show in

Local currency: EUR

Botín
Castilian · $$$
Recognized by Guinness as the world's oldest restaurant, operating since 1725, famous for wood-fired roast suckling pig.
Mercado de San Miguel
Market food/Tapas · $$
An early-20th-century iron-and-glass market hall near Plaza Mayor packed with tapas stalls and vermouth counters.
Casa Lucio
Castilian · $$$
A traditional tavern in La Latina famous for huevos rotos (broken eggs with potatoes) and a long list of celebrity diners.
DiverXO
Avant-garde · $$$$
Chef Dabiz Muñoz's three-Michelin-star restaurant known for a wildly creative, Asian-influenced tasting menu.
Casa Revuelta
Tapas · $
A no-frills bar near Plaza Mayor beloved for its bacalao (salt cod) tapas, a Madrid institution since the 1950s.
La Barraca
Spanish/Rice dishes · $$$
A century-old restaurant specializing in Valencian paella and rice dishes just off Gran Vía.
Taberna La Bola
Castilian · $$
A family-run tavern near the Royal Palace serving cocido madrileño, the city's classic chickpea and meat stew.
Chueca nightlife district
Nightlife district
Madrid's LGBTQ+ nightlife hub packed with bars and clubs like Truco and Fulanita de Tal around Plaza de Chueca.
Teatro Kapital
Nightclub
A seven-floor mega-club near Atocha with different music genres on each level, a Madrid clubbing landmark.
Cardamomo
Flamenco venue
A long-running flamenco tablao near Puerta del Sol offering nightly live performances in an intimate setting.

Museo del Prado
Art
One of the world's greatest art museums, home to Velázquez's Las Meninas and Goya's Black Paintings.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Modern Art
Spain's modern art museum, most famous for housing Picasso's Guernica in a dedicated gallery.
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Art
A private collection turned museum spanning Old Masters to 20th-century art, on the Paseo del Prado 'art walk'.
Palacio Real de Madrid
Royal history
Europe's largest royal palace by floor area, with opulent state rooms and the adjoining Royal Armoury.
Cine Doré (Filmoteca Española)
A beautifully restored Art Nouveau cinema in Lavapiés run by Spain's national film archive, screening classic and world cinema.
San Isidro Festival
May
Madrid's patron saint festival with traditional dress, chotis dancing, and free concerts across the city.
Veranos de la Villa
July–August
A summer-long program of concerts, theatre and dance performances staged at venues across Madrid.

Sierra de Guadarrama
50 km from city center
A granite mountain range north of Madrid offering hiking trails and cooler air, an easy day trip from the city.

Metropolitan Gimnasio Retiro
Full gym with pool
A large fitness club near Retiro Park with pool, spa and extensive group class schedule.
Piscina Casa de Campo
Outdoor municipal pool · 5 km from city center
A large outdoor municipal pool complex in Madrid's biggest park, popular for escaping summer heat.
Parque Warner Madrid
Theme park
A Warner Bros-themed park south of the city with roller coasters and film-set areas.
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
Amusement park
A classic amusement park in Casa de Campo with rides, a haunted house and city views.