Why Madrid
Spain's capital, with world-class museums and a famously late social life.
Madrid is a city of grand boulevards, leafy parks and neighbourhood bars. Three of Europe's major art museums sit within a short walk of each other, and the evenings start late and run long.
- The art walk
- The Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza.
- Retiro Park
- Gardens, a boating lake and the Crystal Palace.
- Plazas
- Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol in the historic centre.
- Tapas
- Bar-hopping in La Latina and around the markets.
What travellers often plan
Getting to Madrid, staying and getting around.
Ask about one of these or all of them together in a single request.
- FlightsRoutes into Madrid, with dates, cabin and airline preferences.Flight assistance
- HotelsA stay in the part of Madrid that suits your plans.Hotel assistance
- Airport transfersA pickup planned around your arrival time and luggage.Transfer assistance
- Local transportationRides between your hotel, venues and day trips around Madrid.Cab assistance
Planning your trip
The practical bits.
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October; summer is hot.
- Getting around
- A large, efficient metro and a walkable centre.
- Suggested length
- Three to four days.
Where to stay
Choosing an area in Madrid.
- Sol and Centro
- The historic heart, close to everything.
- Barrio de las Letras
- Between Sol and the Prado, with bars and restaurants.
- Salamanca
- Elegant streets, shopping and quieter evenings.
- Malasaña and Chueca
- Lively, independent and good for nightlife.
A general overview of areas, not a list of available hotels.
Request Hotel Options
Getting around
Arriving in Madrid.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) is north-east of the city. Metro Line 8 runs into the centre, and suburban trains serve Terminal 4. Taxis and pre-arranged cars are straightforward from every terminal.
A large, efficient metro and a walkable centre.
When planning matters
Worth sorting out before you go.
- Check entry requirements early
- Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change over time. Please confirm with the official guidance for your route.
- Travel dates make a difference
- School holidays, festivals and peak seasons affect what's available. If your dates are flexible, tell us — it gives us more to work with.
- Plan the arrival, not just the flight
- Late-night and early-morning arrivals are much easier with a transfer arranged in advance.
- Match the stay to the plan
- Choose the area around what you'll actually do each day, not only the hotel itself.
Keep exploring
Other places worth planning for.
Start your Madrid trip.
Tell us your dates and what you need. A specialist will come back to you with options.
Enquiry
Have a question? Ask us.
Leave your details and a Nexora travel specialist will get back to you about flights, stays, cabs or a whole trip.