Madrid
The beautiful capital of Spain is located in the heart of the country and is a must-see during your stay. Within its boundaries, you'll find a range of cultural and historical treasures along with numerous museums and art galleries. There is an endless amount of things to do in Madrid, but its close proximity also makes it the perfect destination for a weekend trip. Here you have all the info to make the most of it!
How to get to Madrid
The easiest, faster and cheapest way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is by train, there are different companies which offer train rides (Renfe - AVE, Iryo or OUIGO). The train takes around 2 hours.
You can check the individual train websites, but we recommend you check Trainline's website, which compares all the companies' timetables & prices and shows you the different options so you can choose the most convenient one for you: more info here and here.
A few recommendations when traveling to Madrid by train:
Book your tickets in advance. You will find the best schedules and prices by purchasing them a few weeks before the trip, so make sure you plan out and buy your train ride with enough time to they are not sold out.
Most train companies use numbered seats. Make sure you sit in your designated spot (like an airplane) so you are not confused when the person allotted to that specific seat claims it.
Keep in mind that the train's cafeteria sells snacks for a considerably more expensive price than the average supermarket, so make sure you bring a sandwich, snack, and/or water for the journey.
Where to stay in madrid
Madrid accommodation ranges from really affordable hostels to very expensive and high class hotels. We're going to recommend a few options for all budgets and where to find the options better suited to you.
If you want to travel on a budget, we recommend you stay in a hostel or B&B (bed and breakfast). Sometimes you can find great hotel deals as well. A few websites that compare prices and allow you to see the results from lowest to highest price are Kayak, Booking.com, and Expedia.
If you don't know where to start looking and you don't know much about Madrid's different areas, we recommend you read this article from Time Out on the "Best Cheap Hotels in Madrid" or this other one from Culture Trip on the "Best Budget-Friendly Hotels to Book in Madrid".
If you prefer staying in an apartment, we recommend you check Airbnb's website. They have a great selection of apartments and you can choose if you want to book the whole place for yourself or just a private room.
hip neighborhoods in the city center
Traditionally called Huertas, The Literary Quarter, or Barrio de las Letras, it was home to great 17th-century writers like Lope de Vega.
Today’s cultural scene covers classic plays at Teatro Español and live flamenco at tablao dinner theaters. Cafes and beer halls open up onto lively terraces in the Plaza de Santa Ana, and chic bistros and boutiques line cobbled lanes.
Malasaña is a happening, student-friendly area, with streets filled with coffee shops, bakeries and vintage clothing stores.
The Plaza del 2 de Mayo, a historic square lined with lively bars and market stalls on the weekends, is a popular meeting spot. At night, edgy dance and rock clubs host live bands and DJs, and the Conde Duque cultural center shows art and open-air movies in its 18th-century halls and courtyards.
Lavapies is a vibrant, multi-cultural neighborhood that is spread out over steep medieval streets filled with lively Indian restaurants and old Spanish taverns.
Edgy art shows and events take place at the Tabacalera and La Casa Encendida cultural centers. Vendors at the busy San Fernando Market sell cheese, books and craft beer.
On the site of a medieval Islamic fort, the lively barrio of La Latina is a maze of narrow lanes filled with tapas bars and cantinas. Their tapas routes are popular among young people during the weekends, especially on Sundays.
On Sundays, crowds fill El Rastro flea market to seek lunch at the area's cafes and street-food stalls.
chueca
As part of central Madrid, Chueca is a lively, LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood jam-packed with sidewalk cafes, tapas bars, restaurants, as well as vibrant nightlife, charming boutiques, and popular markets like San Antón and Plaza del Dos de Mayo.
It’s home to the Museum of Romanticism, the Museum of the History of Madrid, and several performing arts theaters.
muSt - seeS
Two challenges for you at this square:
1. Try to find el Oso y el Madroño statue (the bear and the arbutus berry tree), the symbol of Madrid.
2. Find Kilometro 0 - the point at which all the roads in Spain start. There is a plaque on the floor in front of the clock tower.
The most beautiful and famous plaza in Madrid is full of traditional restaurants and bars. You must have heard about the typical calamari sandwich. Don't forget to ask for spicy sauce (salsa picante) if you don't want a dry sandwich as it typically only contains fried calamari rings on bread.
An unexpectedly massive central park in the middle of bustling Madrid. You-ll find wooded walking paths, a rose garden, peacocks, fountains, and even a lake that you can rent boats on. The perfect spot for a picnic!
You should check out the Lake and the Palacio de Cristal.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Europe - it contains 3,418 rooms!
Next to it, you will find the Almudena Cathedral, where royal weddings are celebrated.
Full of stores and life, this beautiful street goes from the Plaza de Cibeles (where the Real Madrid football club celebrates its victories) to the Plaza de España, a famous square surrounded by massive buildings and its famous statue of Cervantes on horseback.
An Egyptian temple in a beautiful green park with one of the most beautiful views of the city.
museums
An art museum with paintings from Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, and more in a vast 12th to 19th century collection.
Free entrance every day after 6pm and Sundays after 5 pm.
A sprawling museum for Spanish 20th-century artworks by Gris, Dali, Picasso, Miro, and more.
Free entrance every day after 7pm and Sundays after 1:30pm.
Collection. Must see The Guernica!
¿Qué TE APETECE comer? - FOOD
Near the Plaza Mayor you will find this beautiful market full of food stands. Keep in mind it's a little pricy.
A fun market with 2 floors of food stands - you'll find any kind of food that you can imagine!
The best churros con chocolate in the most traditional chocolatería in Madrid.
Free tapas
It is not uncommon to get a salty snack for free with your drink. Some popular places are: El Tigre Sidrería, La Pesquitería, La Petisqueira, La Petisqueira II, and El Respiro.
Vegan or Vegetarian restaurants
Madrid is full of options! Some of our favorites are: Vega, La Encomienda, Acuna Matata, Pixi Dixi, Yerva Buena, and Artemisa.
Museo del jamón
Despite the name, this is not a museum but a fun bar/restaurant chain with affordable food and drinks in a very meaty atmosphere.
Best pizza in town!
For pizza lovers: Pizzart Luchana, Pizzart Villa Canalejas, Pizzart Villa Fuencarral, La Pizzateca, Brew Wild Pizza Bar, and Pizzaiolo.
A fancy rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant with one of the best views of the city (4 euros to take the lift up to the terrace).