Visiting Madrid - The Shadrian Chronicles

From tapas to architecture, Madrid is full of history and culture. Check out our guide below to help plan your visit to Madrid.

When should you visit?

Spain has a warmer climate compared to most of Europe. So even in winter, it doesn’t get nearly as cold as the rest of Europe. The best times to visit, however, are late Spring and Fall. Tourists are highest in the summer months when families take vacations. Summer temperatures can also get pretty hot. Mixing with the dry arid climate of Madrid, you are going to sweat a lot. Winter is a decent time to visit, temperatures are not too cold, but Christmas to New Years is a busy time period and late winter does get a lot of rain.

Late spring and fall are ideal times to visit due to the lower number of tourists and the cooler more ideal weather. March and most of April are part of the rainy season in Madrid, but May is less wet and still a comfortable daily temperature. Fall is ideal due to comfortable temperatures and low numbers of tourists.

How to get to and around Madrid

Madrid has one major airport, which is also connected by public transportation, making Madrid a very easy city to explore. All major airlines fly into Madrid. Customs is very quick and easy, so don’t worry about delays or long lines.

Europe is also connected by a series of trains, some high speed and some regular. Madrid can be reached by train from any other city in Europe.

Once in Madrid, the rail system is the best method of travel. As a tourist, we recommend purchasing the Tourist Ticket (also known as the Tourist Pass). The ticket offers unlimited rides within the metro area (Zone A) and includes the airport train, which charges a surcharge on top of the regular fee. The tourist ticket may be a little more expensive than if you were to pay for each ticket individually, but it saves you the hassle of reloading your ticket every ride. Be aware, a day counts as the actual day, so if you buy a ticket at 5 pm, your first day only goes until midnight.

Trains run similar to most other metropolitan cities. The direction the train runs is based on the final stop of that train. If you find the trains confusing, there are usually people at the entrances to help.

Where should you stay?

There are a number of hotels or Airbnbs in Madrid, so the biggest question is do you want to stay in a hotel or Airbnb? Most Airbnbs are relatively cheap and affordable especially if you are spending more than a few days in the city. All major hotel chains exist in Madrid, so you can probably find your favorite chain.

We recommended choosing a hotel or Airbnb in the Gran Via area of Madrid. The Gran Via area is a major shopping area and has a number of attractions within walking distance. Our favorite hotel in Madrid is the Hotel Indigo Gran Via. The hotel has some cozy rooms and stunning views from the rooftop balcony and pool.

For LGBT tourists, check out the Chueca area of Madrid. The Chueca area offers a number of restaurants, bars, and even some good shopping. Chueca is within walking distance of Gran Via.

Things to do in Madrid

Madrid is a city full of historical buildings, churches, and museums. Check out the list below for details on each item.

Royal Palace of Madrid – The palace allows visitors to explore portions of the buildings and the courtyards. Arrive early as the lines do get long to get in.
Catedral de la Almundena – Across the courtyard from the entrance to the Royal Palace is the cathedral. The cathedral offers some amazing architecture and does allow for visitors.
El Retiro Park – One of the largest parks in Madrid, the park was originally only for the royal family, but today is open to everyone. The park is a great place for families.
Palacio de Cristal – Located within El Retiro Park, the conservatory holds a handful of statues and art. The structure itself is beautiful and worth checking out if you are in the park.
Museo Nacional del Prado – The Prado is the main art museum of Madrid. It is part of the Golden Triangle of Arts, which includes the Reina Sofia Museum and Thyssen-Bornemisza. All three museums are located near each other.
Real Madrid FC – For sports fans, especially soccer fans, getting to experience a game is a must on your visit to Madrid. Games are held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Plaza de Cibeles, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor – Each location includes historical buildings, statues, fountains, and cafes. It is worth visiting each area if nothing more than passing through.

Day Trips from Madrid

There are a number of cities and sites worth visiting if you have the time. Below are some suggestions to check out.

Cuenca – Known for the hanging houses or “casas colgadas.” The city is roughly three hours away by train. Be aware the train does stop outside of the city so you need to taxi to the sights.
Toledo – One of the most popular day trips from Madrid, Toledo is a little over an hour away via a high speed train. There are free walking tours and guided walking tours available to explore Toledo. The train stops right at the base of the walled portion of the city.
Segovia – Home to Roman ruins, a castle, and one of our favorite cathedrals in the area, Segovia is a great day trip. The city is only a 30 minute high speed train ride away.
Alcala de Henares – The town is home to the University of Alcalá and known for being the home of the author of Don Quixote. The town is about 45 minutes away from Madrid via train.
Avila – The city is known for its medieval walls, towers, and gates. The city is roughly two hours away from Madrid.

How much did it all cost?

The question everyone worries about and wants to know. How much does it cost to visit Madrid? I listed out what we spent below to help plan your own trip…

Flight to Madrid – $1,000 for Delta Comfort/Air France Premium Comfort (Though economy flights can be found for much cheaper using Scott’s Cheap Flights)
Hotel in Madrid – $200 per night (We use our IHG card to earn 10x per dollar on this stay)
Tourist Train Pass – 18 Euros for three days (Varies from 8 Euros for 1 day to 35 Euros for 7 days and includes the airport surcharge)
Train Trip to Toledo – $25 per person (Round Trip)
Train Trip to Cuenca – $60 per person (Round Trip)
Breakfast – From $6 Euros at a cafe to $17 USD at the hotel for buffet
Lunch and Dinner – From 14 Euros for a cafe/deli to 32 Euros for a nicer sit down option.