City
Madrid
Madrid is Spain's capital: the Prado, Reina Sofía and Royal Palace, late-night tapas squares and fast trains to Toledo and Segovia.
The art triangle and the old centre
Madrid sits on a high plateau in the middle of Spain, and it is a city built for walking, eating late and spending hours in museums. The Prado, the Reina Sofía (home of Picasso's Guernica) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza stand a short walk from one another along the Paseo del Prado, often called the Golden Triangle of Art. The Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor anchor the Habsburg centre, while Retiro Park, with its glass Crystal Palace and rowing lake, is where Madrileños spend Sunday.
Neighbourhoods and the table
La Latina is for tapas crawls along Cava Baja and for the El Rastro flea market on Sunday mornings; Malasaña and Chueca are the younger, more independent districts; Salamanca is the polished shopping quarter. Order a bocadillo de calamares, the fried-squid roll, near the Plaza Mayor; cocido madrileño, a chickpea stew served in stages, in winter; and churros with thick chocolate at San Ginés. Madrid eats late: lunch around two, dinner rarely before nine.
Seasons, day trips and arrival
Summers are hot and dry and the city empties in August; winters are cold but sunny. Spring and autumn are the easy seasons. High-speed AVE and regional trains from Atocha and Chamartín make day trips simple to Toledo, Segovia and Alcalá de Henares, and Madrid is also a handy hub for Andalusia. Barajas airport connects to the centre by metro line 8, the Cercanías train and an all-day airport bus. Connections from Tirana depend on the season; when you write to us we check what is flying on your dates. The common mistake is staying far from a metro stop to save on the room: the city is big, and a central base saves hours. Tell us how you like to travel and we will suggest the area.
In pictures
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need for the museums in Madrid?
The Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen each deserve a full visit. With limited time, choose two and keep the rest for another trip.
What time do people eat in Madrid?
Lunch is usually around two in the afternoon and dinner rarely before nine. Many kitchens close in between, so tapas in the early afternoon work well.
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
Spring and autumn. Summer is very hot and many local places close in August, while winter is cold but sunny.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
Barajas airport connects to the centre by metro line 8, the Cercanías train and the airport bus. A taxi is the most direct option with a lot of luggage.
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