Explore Madrid
Plan Your Madrid Holiday: Best of Madrid
Find flight deals to Madrid
Essential Madrid
Best tapas in Madrid
- La Venencia310No photos, no bookings, and wait service as creaky as the century-old floorboards, the charms of La Venencia are inarguable. It's one of Madrid's best sherry and tapas bars for evoking the vibe of a traditional tabanco (tavern). Sometimes, it's jam-packed; on other occasions, a spindly wooden table, a plate of manchego and chorizo, and a carafe of wine are easy to come by.
- Bar La Paloma103I never let the brightly lit utilitarian space dissuade me from entering Bar La Paloma. If anything, these signs point to La Paloma's singular focus—fresh, affordable shellfish and cheap draft beer. When I wander the La Latina neighbourhood, I'll pop in for shrimp on the grill (gambas plancha), a plate of clams (almejas), and a glass of white vermouth. I do as the Spanish do and eat standing at the bar.
- Mercado de San Antón2,495I love markets, especially in Madrid, where I can tapas crawl between stalls while sipping a glass of Rioja. This upmarket food hall in the festive Chueca neighbourhood has a traditional market on the ground floor and vendors on the second floor offering a range of snackable classics from salty-sweet jamón, crunchy croquetas, and Spanish cheeses. There's abundant seating for those with families or diners who want to rest their feet.
- Mercado de San Miguel34,419First opened in 1916 and then renovated in 2009, this market attracts hordes of tourists, which raises the prices. Yet, the festive ambiance, twenty food stalls, and plentiful seating make up for it. My New York flights often land earlier than hotel check-in, so I'll pass the morning at San Miguel—-when it's least crowded—with a glass of Cava, jamón bocadillo (sandwich), and a fried seafood cone.
- Bodega de la Ardosa1,376I don't go here for friendly service, though a little Spanish goes a long way with the brusque, busy staff. Instead, I make a beeline for Madrid's best Tortilla Española, a fluffy succulent sensation of eggs and potatoes served in a pie wedge. When in season, I also order the artichokes. Steeped in olive oil until soft, then crisped on a hot plancha, they changed my mind about this thorny vegetable. The place gets busy, so always check the back room for tables.
- La Perejila495Everyone should wander down Cava Baja on an empty stomach at least once. This is the street for tapas, and La Perejila stands out from the crowd. I know I've arrived when I spy the forest green doors trimmed in holiday red. The whimsical ambiance continues inside with twinkling chandeliers and a mural of flamenco dancers. If I'm on a tapas crawl, I'll order lighter dishes like juicy gazpacho and octopus dusted in sweet paprika with a carafe of sangria.
- Vi Cool1,040Madrid is chock-full of old-school tapas bars. While fun, sometimes I crave a contemporary twist in a seated restaurant. For that, I head to Vi Cool. The menu changes regularly and weaves international flavours into Spanish dishes like fried prawns with curry and mint or kimchi chicken wings. While the wine list is short, Vi Cool offers an excellent range from Albariño to Tempranillo for an incredible 5-6 dollars a glass.
Explore Madrid by interest
Feel the rhythm
Worth the splurge
Madrid after dark
Big pours and small plates
Do it in a day
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Madrid
In the words of those who've been there before ...
What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
International flights land at Madrid Barajas Airport (Adolfo Suarez), from where you can hop on the metro or take a shuttle or taxi into the city.
Train:
Madrid has two main railway stations—Chamartin and Atocha. AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) runs high-speed trains to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and many other cities around Spain.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Madrid from overseas, use Schengen Visa info to see if you need a visa.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer temperatures can reach more than 86°F (30°C) in the city and many locals head out to the provinces in July and August. Many local bars, restaurants, and shops close down during this period. Spring and fall offer more pleasant weather for sightseeing, as well as festivals such as the San Isidro festival (May), Flamenco Madrid festival (June), and the European White Nights Festival (Sept.).
Bicycle
Bicimad is a bikeshare system with over 100 bicycle stations located across Madrid.
Visitors can purchase hourly, daily, or multi-day subscriptions either at the docking stations or online.
Train
Madrid’s metro is the fastest way to get around, with 13 lines linking all corners of the city. Trains run daily from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
For more information about the network and fares, see here.
Bus
EMT operates Madrid’s local bus system daily from 6 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. (10 a.m. till 11 p.m. on weekends).
For more information about the network and fares, see here.
Taxis
Madrid taxis are white with a red band on the front door. Although it’s possible to hail one on the street in Madrid, it’s generally easier to go to an official taxi stand, located by all the main streets and plazas.
You can also book a taxi online or on your smartphone by downloading the Madrid TXMAD or Free Now apps.
Ridesharing
Uber is available in Madrid, but most locals use Cabify.