Madrid Vacation Guide & Travel Information

About Madrid

Madrid has stood in the center of the Iberian Peninsula as the capital of Spain since 1562. Its southern and elevated location allows for warm, dry summers and cool winters, making for excellent traveling weather all year round. The historic quarters of Madrid teem with interesting sights and structures. Columns, arches, churches, fountains, even an Egyptian Temple await the traveler.

The Madrid Card is a wise purchase, as it combines a transportation pass with free entry to various museums and attractions, among other discounts. The shopping area of Serrano, just east of Paseo de la Castellana, is full of boutiques, home-decorating stores and stylish shops, including Chanel and Armani.

Madrid has hills and mountains in abundance for the climber and hiker. There are twenty local golf courses, some of which welcome nonmembers. Parque de Nieve is the amateur athlete's dream. This is an indoor, artificial slope that can be configured with different terrains. There are separate areas for skiing, snowboarding and tubing, as well as an ice wall for climbers. Bicycling is also a popular sport, and bike trails are available. Spain's national sport is futbol (soccer).

We constantly update Madrid vacation deals and flights + hotel packages for Europe. There are great last minute Madrid vacations or if you just need a hotel, check out our discount hotels in Madrid. You can also book popular sightseeing tours in Madrid and save your vacation time.

Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) serves Spain's capital city with both international and domestic flights. Madrid, Spain is a very accessible city via air, road and Spain's excellent railway network.


Metro : The metro system covers more than 220km (143 miles) and is good value, clean and efficient, although crowded during rush hour. Trains run every three to five minutes, daily 0600-0130. Each of the 11 metro lines is distinguished by a colour and number (at stations and on maps). Madrid Metro

Trains : Atocha, in the south of Madrid, is the city's larger train station, Chamartín in the north is the other. The majority of trains to the rest of Spain depart from Atocha; Chamartín has international services. There are a range of train services, domestic and international, and fares to match, although these are often no cheaper than flying. The Spanish rail company, RENFE, has a complicated listing of its three color-coded varieties of train services. On top of that, there are a growing number of private super high-speed lines. Spain accepts both InterRail and Eurail passes.

Buses : Buses are reliable and comfortable; often they are the only way to reach small villages. Prices are steady at 1000 ptas per 100k (60 mi.). Night buses are available. Bus service is drastically cut on Sundays and holidays. Madrid Bus Service

Taxis : Taxis are faster and safer, as well as surprisingly cheap. Major roads are good and traffic is calm (except for cities) overall. Speed limits are 60k/h (36mph) in built-up areas, 90-100 (54-60 mph) on other roads, and 120k/h (72mph) on highways.

Madrid is full of attractions for all ages. Below is a list of some suggested things to do in Madrid. You can also book some of these attractions online and save your vacation time.

The Madrid Card offers free admission to 40 of the main museums, as many journeys as you wish on the hop on / hop off Touristic Bus Madrid Vision Bus, a guided tour "Walk through Old Madrid" on Saturdays, discounts in shops, restaurants, shows and leisure centers for adults and children.

Museo del Prado
The Prado Museum is considered internationally to be one of the world's most significant art institutions. Housed here is the majority of the work by both Goya and Velasquez, also many and notable works by El Greco, Murillo and Zurbaran. The galleries are similarly home to a substantial collection of Flemish paintings including work by, Rubens, Van Dyck and Rembrandt.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
This world famous gallery houses what could be described as the vanguard of the early twentieth century art. Work of Spanish artists such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, Salvador Dalí is on display. The collection also shows artistic trends from the 1940's to the early 80's with works by artists such as Eduardo Chillida and Antonio Saura.

Palacio Real
With 3000 rooms the Royal Palace contains a larger amount of rooms than any other palace in Europe. Until 1931, the royal family inhabited the building; now, the royal family come here only for state occasions. The huge palace is decorated with frescoes by Tiepolo and Giaquinto, paintings by Goya, Rubens, Valezquez, and El Greco, dozens of Flemish and Spanish tapestries, and endless dazzling rococo decorations.

Plaza Mayor
The extremely grand 17th-century arcaded square is in the heart of Madrid. Once the sight of bullfights, great festivals, and ceremonies, plays, public burnings of heretics, and the crowning of kings, Plaza Mayor has played a vital role in Spanish history. Now the beautiful square is decorated with eye-catching, kaleidoscopic-coloured murals and is surrounded by baroque architecture. One can visit the many plaza shops and cafes of the square and enjoy the calm mornings, the busy afternoons, or perhaps dinner at some of the liveliest tapas bars in the city.

Parque del Retiro
Madrid's best-known park the Retiro consists of 120 hectares in the very center of the city. It began life as private garden of the Palace of the Buen Retiro and was opened to the public by decree of the First Spanish Republic in 1868. Attractions include the 'rosaleda' (a rose garden) and a boating lake, and here you'll find a large variety of shows and street theatre during the weekends.

Teatro Real
Teatro Real is a wonderful concert venue both acoustically and visually and is home of Spanish Opera. As Madrid's most prestigious theatre, the Teatro Real is immensely successful and fashionable. The theatre has recently been renovated.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
The bravery and skill of the matador enraptures the crowd as the battle between man and bull takes place. A performance of primal intensity, the bullfight is part of Spanish culture.

Casino Gran Madrid
The casino contains games rooms, a nightclub, three restaurants, and four bars. Men are required to wear jackets and ties.

Puerta del Sol
Marking the heart of the country in the centre of Madrid, this is the starting point for any tour and the most popular meeting place in Madrid. To mark the centre of the nation, there is a stone slab that states 'kilometro zero'.

La Casa de Campo
This large terrain with thickly wooded areas, a large lake with boats, a swimming pool and tennis courts is also home to the Zoo of Madrid and the Parque de Atracciones. Once the hunting grounds for Felipe II and a royal park, Casa de Campo is now an area for public entertainment.

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