In this article, we will provide you with information about Madrid, along with some essential tips and recommendations for you to consider when making your trip.
Whether you are preparing your trip to spend a fabulous vacation or take spanish lessons madrid, here you will find all the valuable and necessary information to make a spectacular trip to the capital of Spain.
Here we go! We will give you all the necessary tips based on excursions, viewpoints, transportation, where to eat, sleep, etc. It is a series of tips and recommendations that will be very helpful if it is your first trip to Madrid.
Accommodation
We recommend finding accommodation in the city center so that you can visit most of the tourist places without depending on transport. Of course, this is often very difficult or even very expensive for our budget.
If you cannot afford a hotel in the center, you can opt for one that is relatively close, or as we said before, that is close to a metro stop. And, if you can’t afford a hotel, we recommend renting an apartment through Airbnb.
It is ideal to look for accommodation near some subway stations or areas where public transport abounds. Depending on where you stay, you can use the public transport system or not, and based on that, save a lot of money.
If you are traveling to learn spanish in madrid, and you will be attending some Spanish school, you must find an accommodation close enough to the institute. That should be your priority.
How to get around Madrid
Learning to move around Madrid is simple, its transport system is very complete and connects the entire city. There are countless ways to get around Madrid: metro, bus, train, bike, even cable car.
The most common and easiest way is usually the subway. In any corner of the center of Madrid there is a metro stop, which allows you to move around without complications and in a simple way. The metro is fast, not expensive, and its frequency is excellent. In addition, the Madrid metro is one of the best rated in Europe.
Getting around Madrid by bus is another good option, but it can be a bit more complicated at times, due to the number of different lines. But it is not super complex since you can distinguish them by color and find out their route. Everything is indicated at the stops.
Getting around by taxi is relaxed, but it is much more expensive than any other means of transport. It is not worth it unless you are in an emergency or with a lot of luggage.
If you decide to drive in your car, you must arm yourself with patience for traffic and traffic lights. The biggest problem is finding a parking space, which is practically impossible, so it is not recommended to travel by car.
The bike is a great way to get around if you have to cover short distances. You can find bikes available to rent as an occasional user, at two euros per hour.
There are many applications to check all the means of transport in Madrid and their rates, routes, connections, and timetables. And if not, you can always count on google maps.
What to eat in Madrid
This city undoubtedly stands out for its gastronomy. There are many places in the capital where you can eat well, tasty and cheap! Let yourself be surprised by the most traditional dishes, such as the famous and acclaimed Madrid stew or the famous squid sandwiches from “La Campana” next to the Plaza Mayor.
There are countless typical Madrid bars to go for “tapas” and beers such as “Torre del Oro”, “Los Timbales” or “La Latina”. Also, you can’t stop eating a squid sandwich in the Plaza Mayor, or go to “Embajadores” to try the “gallinejas” and “entresijos” … In Madrid the food is incredible, so do your research!
You can also find any fast-food chain in any corner of the center, and a wide variety of international food, in “Lavapiés” you can order food from any corner of the world (Indian, African, etc.)
Free activities
Believe it or not, there are many activities you can do for free.
You can tour Madrid Río and enjoy the cultural activities of the Matadero. Also, in the center, you can discover the Temple of Debod, an Egyptian temple 10 minutes from Gran Vía.
There is much to do and see: squares, green parks, viewpoints. You can enjoy the wonderful views of Madrid, such as in the Parque del Cerro del Tío Pío. You can stroll through the Opera, rest in the Retiro Park and admire the imposing Crystal Palace, listen to an open-air recital, or enjoy a wide variety of street art.
There are even museums such as the Prado, the Thyssen, and the Reina Sofía that have schedules in which admission is free some days of the week.
Discover the viewpoints of Madrid
Some viewpoints in Madrid allow you to observe the city in its entirety. One of the most famous is the Cerro del Tío Pío (also known as The Seven Tits) entering Vallecas. There, you will observe the most beautiful sunsets setting over the city.
A viewpoint located in a more central point is the Almudena Cathedral, where you can enjoy the sunset. From the top, you can see the south of the fascinating city of Madrid expanding towards the horizon.
The museums you cannot miss in Madrid
There are many museums to visit in Madrid, but we will mention three that you cannot miss during your stay: The Reina Sofía Museum, the Prado Museum and the Thyssen Museum.
As we mentioned earlier, these museums allow free entry at certain times on certain days:
Admission to the Prado Museum is free from Monday to Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Admission to the Reina Sofía Museum is free on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The entrance to the Thyssen Museum is only free to observe the permanent collections on Mondays from 12:00 to 14:00.
