Strange as it may seem, the capital of Spain, Madrid, is not considered a major tourist destination. Not because it is not beautiful, not because it is not touristy, but because it is far from many “sea and entertainment” areas that have now made Spain famous throughout the world. The capital, on the other hand, located inland… with a continental and heavy climate in both summer and winter… initially discourages. But if instead you decide to a stay in Madrid, and explore it with curious eyes, you will discover a wealth of wonderful tourist itineraries that do not even exclude the beauty of the surrounding nature. Madrid is a very old-fashioned jewel that is worth discovering and admiring as it deserves also in modern days.
When to go to Madrid
Precisely due to the difficult climate of Madrid, very cold in winter and too hot in summer, the best time to visit this city is between April and May and between September and October. It is these transitional months that offer a pleasant climate to those who intend to travel around the Spanish capital calmly, on foot, as it should be. These are also the months when museums are less crowded and museums are certainly the most visited places in Madrid.
Travel documents
Madrid belongs to Spain which is part of the Schengen Agreement nations. Most tourists need to show their passport and/or their ID paper, but if they also come from a nation of the Schengen area, they will only need to have an ID paper to enter.
What to pack for your trip to Madrid
When you pack your luggage for a trip to Madrid, consider taking first of all light clothes. You will walk a lot, in Madrid, and you better face the tours with sporty and light shirts/trousers or skirts. Do not forget to take some sweaters, jackets and anyway long-sleeved clothes because the nights of the Spanish capital can be cold even in May!
Of course you can – and must – put in the bags elegant dresses. Entertainment in Madrid isn’t just going to the movida’s restaurants: it also means visit museums, royal palaces, theatres. Make sure you have all you need to take great photos. And don’t forget cash money. This is very important for anyone wanting to visit easily this capital city.
How to get to Madrid
Being a capital, Madrid is excellently connected with the entire national territory and with the whole of Europe. Its International Airport (MAD) also serves flights from other continents, with a particular predilection for the Americas. The city can also be easily reached by train, thanks to the many stations of which the most important are Chamartìn and Atocha. By car you can reach Madrid via several motorways: the A1, the A2, the A3, the A4, the A5 and the A6.
How to move through Madrid
Madrid boasts myriad options for transfers and moves, from private car services to trains to public means. Public transportation in Madrid can count on local buses, taxis, trains and the metro. Of course you can also rent a vehicle if you feel like driving in a large foreign city. Car rentals are everywhere in Madrid.
Private services, such as Transfeero, help you getting to your destination from every station and airport. The convenience of a private car service (shuttles or chauffeurs) extends beyond just an initial welcome. It envelops the entirety of your transit experience in the comforting assurance that every detail has been taken care of. Consider, for instance, the affordable private transfer options available. Whether you’re traveling alone, with family, or in a large group, book your private trip in advance.
What to see
Madrid is a very elegant and interesting city. A royal capital that hosts many cultures and many symbols of those cultures, also expressing the culture and the art of Spain itself.
Del Prado Museum is one of the most interesting tourist places: you can admire many art collections and world masterpieces there, among so many we remind works by Goya, Rubens, Beato Angelico. The National Archaeological Museum is another important museum tourists do love. Plaza Mayor is the most beautiful place and the heart of the capital. You will certainly visit also Retiro Park, Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, Almudena Cathedral, the Royal Palace, Las Ventas Arena.
Other places to visit are: Alcala de Henares, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Toledo, Acebeda, Getafe.
What to do and NOT to do in Madrid
What you do when you go to Madrid is: walking. You have to walk, a lot, both through the streets of the city and in its beautiful museums. Visiting museums, churches, galleries, theaters and monuments is the main activity for tourists when they go to Madrid. You also walk in the evening, so to have fun among the nightlife venues, such as in the Chueca district, or along Gran Via or in Malasaña. Tasting the goodness of Spanish cuisine is another of the activities you must do in Madrid!
What about things you should NEVER DO in Madrid?
Don’t walk alone around the city centre, especially nightlife venues, late at night because safety after a certain time is not always guaranteed. Avoid taking urban taxis in the historic center because they could cost you almost as much as your holiday! Don’t be in a hurry because life in Madrid is slow and delays are also a norm: even in restaurants it is possible that service starts late and in that case… protesting is prohibited! And speaking of restaurants, don’t eat in the Plaza Mayor because it is excessively expensive. And (strange to say) don’t eat paella… because in Madrid they tend to make it in innovative ways and not at all respectful of tradition.