Madrid

Tapas bars, sunny plazas & late-night marcha

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Madrid is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Museo del Prado, Reina Sofia and Royal Palace of Madrid. Food lovers should not miss Sidreria El Tigre and Casa Lucio. Below you will find 44 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Madrid at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Museo del Prado and Reina Sofia
Where to stay: Centro and Lavapies
Local picks: 44 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Madrid

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tips7 Best Streets in Madrid for Strolling and ShoppingSeven of Madrids best streets for walking, shopping and people-watching, from Gran Via to the Sunday market at El Rastro.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Madrid: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Madrid? A local guide to the best neighbourhoods, from central Sol and tapas-filled La Latina to…

Local tips3 Days in Madrid: The Perfect ItineraryA local's perfect 3-day Madrid itinerary: the Habsburg centre and Royal Palace, the Prado and Reina Sofia, tapas in La…

Local tipsBest Things to Do in Madrid: A Local’s GuideThe best things to do in Madrid, chosen by locals: top sights, where to eat, where to stay and the…

Where to stay in Madrid

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Centro

7 Islas Hotel

A warm, design-led boutique on the edge of Malasana, themed around the Canary Islands, with a good restaurant and a relaxed, local feel just off the Gran Via. A characterful mid-range base.

★ 4.5

La Latina

Almendro 13

A rustic, always-heaving La Latina taberna doing simple Andalusian plates – huevos rotos, roscas stuffed with cured meats, fino sherry from the barrel. No reservations, so put your name down and wait with a drink.

★ 4.4

Chamartin

Bernabeu Stadium Tour

Tour the spectacular renovated Santiago Bernabeu – the trophy room glittering with Champions League cups, the pitch, dugouts and dressing rooms. A pilgrimage for Real Madrid fans.

★ 4.6

Malasana

Bodega de la Ardosa

A gorgeous 1892 bodega in Malasana, tiled and barrel-lined, pouring vermouth on tap alongside famous croquetas, salmorejo and tortilla. The quintessential Madrid vermut-and-tapas stop.

★ 4.5

Malasana

Cafe Comercial

Madrid’s oldest cafe, opened in 1887 and beautifully revived – marble tables, tall windows and a literary-tertulia past. Come for breakfast churros, a vermouth or a leisurely coffee in a proper grande-cafe setting.

★ 4.3

La Latina

Casa Lucio

A Madrid institution on Cava Baja, famous above all for its huevos rotos – fried eggs broken over crisp potatoes and jamon – served to royalty, celebrities and locals alike. Simple, perfect, and you’ll need to book.

★ 4.5

Centro

Casa Revuelta

A tiny, old-school taberna near Plaza Mayor with one legendary dish: tajadas de bacalao – boneless fried salt cod in a feather-light batter. Order it with a cana, standing at the marble bar. Cash, and go at lunch.

★ 4.6

Centro

Dear Hotel Madrid

A smart modern hotel right on the Gran Via, best known for its rooftop pool and terrace bar with cracking views over the boulevard and the Royal Palace. Central and great value for the location.

★ 4.5

La Latina

El Rastro

Madrid’s sprawling Sunday-morning flea market, tumbling down the streets of La Latina – antiques, vintage, junk and treasure. Haggle a little, then dissolve into the neighbourhood’s tapas bars for the classic Sunday vermouth.

★ 4.3

Centro

Flamenco Show Madrid

An intimate tablao performance of raw, foot-stamping flamenco – guitar, song and dance up close – often paired with tapas or dinner. A stirring night out in the art form’s spiritual second home.

★ 4.5

Centro

Generator Madrid

A design hostel near Gran Via with dorms, private rooms and a sociable bar, the easy and affordable base for younger travellers who want to be central and meet people.

★ 4.2

Centro

Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques

A refined five-star in a restored 19th-century palace near the Royal Palace and Opera, with a Velazquez-inspired look, a lovely garden and a rooftop pool. Elegant, calm and central.

★ 4.7

$$$

Centro

Gran Via

Madrid’s show-stopping early-20th-century boulevard, lined with ornate belle-epoque buildings, theatres and the famous Metropolis dome. Walk it at dusk when the lights come on – Madrid’s own Broadway.

★ 4.5

La Latina

Juana La Loca

A buzzy La Latina pintxos bar where locals come for what many call Madrid’s best tortilla – gooey, with sweet caramelised onion – alongside creative, beautifully-topped bites. Elbow in at the bar.

★ 4.5

Centro

La Casa del Abuelo

A century-old taberna dedicated to the prawn – gambas al ajillo sizzling in garlic oil and gambas a la plancha – washed down with their own sweet red wine. Tiny, always packed and gloriously unchanged.

★ 4.4

Salamanca

Las Ventas

Spain’s most famous bullring, a grand Neo-Mudejar arena of horseshoe arches and tilework. Whatever your view on bullfighting, the audio-guided tour of the ring and its museum is a striking bit of architecture and history.

★ 4.5

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Madrid travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Madrid?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Madrid at a relaxed pace. See our Madrid itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Madrid?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Madrid guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Madrid?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay. Or read our best things to do in Madrid guide.

What is the best time to visit Madrid?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Madrid is worth visiting year-round.