In an emergency
112 is the emergency number for police, ambulance and fire. Genuine police officers carry official ID and will ask to see your ID, never your wallet.
Fair prices
What locals pay. If you are asked for much more, you are probably being overcharged.
| Cocido madrileño at a neighbourhood bar (Casa Álvarez)Same dish at the grand Lhardy is about EUR 65; a mid-range option with a view (Descaro, Plaza de España) about EUR 25. | 15 EUR |
|---|---|
| Airport Express bus, Barajas to centreRuns 24h and takes cards; far cheaper than a taxi for one or two people. | 5 EUR |
| Prado Museum entryFree in the last two hours before closing; reduced EUR 7.50. | 15 EUR |
| Thyssen-Bornemisza entryFree Monday 12:00-16:00 (permanent collection). | 14 EUR |
| Reina Sofía entryFree Mon and Wed-Sat 19:00-21:00, Sun 12:30-14:30. | 12 EUR |
| Faro de Moncloa viewpointThe cheapest high view in Madrid; reduced EUR 2. | 4 EUR |
| Temple of DebodFree; book the slot at madrid.es/debodreservas. Nobody should charge you to enter. | 0 EUR |
| Goya's chapel (San Antonio de la Florida)Free, including a 20-minute guided visit booked in advance. | 0 EUR |
| Tapa with a drink in a traditional barA small free tapa (olives, crisps, bread with cold cuts) often comes with each drink; larger portions are raciones or media raciones. | 0 EUR |
Tickets
Official prices and the only places to buy. Anyone else selling on the street is a reseller.
- Prado Museum
EUR 15 general, EUR 7.50 reduced; free last two hours before closing
Buy at: https://www.museodelprado.es
Skip-the-line resellers charge well above EUR 15; the official timed ticket already skips the ticket queue.
- Reina Sofía Museum
EUR 12; free Mon and Wed-Sat 19:00-21:00, Sun 12:30-14:30
Buy at: https://www.museoreinasofia.es
Free-hour tickets are free on the official site; do not pay a third party for them.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
EUR 14 general, EUR 10 reduced; under-18s free; free Mon 12-16
Buy at: https://www.museothyssen.org
Buy only on the museum site or at the desk.
- Royal Palace of Madrid
Not verified 2026
Buy at: https://tickets.patrimonionacional.es
Only Patrimonio Nacional's own platform is official; street sellers and lookalike sites add markups.
- Monastery of the Descalzas Reales
Not verified 2026
Buy at: https://tickets.patrimonionacional.es
Guided visits are sold only by Patrimonio Nacional.
- Temple of Debod
Free
Buy at: https://www.madrid.es/debodreservas
Any paid 'ticket' is a scam.
- San Antonio de la Florida Chapel (Goya's frescoes)
Free
Buy at: On site only
Free entry; free guided visits are booked with the chapel ([email protected]).
- Faro de Moncloa
EUR 4 general, EUR 2 reduced, EUR 1 under-6s
Buy at: Online (official city ticketing) or on site
None known; price is low, buy direct.
- Crystal Palace (Retiro)
Free
Buy at: On site
Free venues of the Reina Sofía.
Traps
- Watch outPickpocket teams and distraction theft
Thieves in Madrid work in teams and use distraction (a spilled drink, a map, a question) in crowds, on the Metro and at airport baggage and car-hire areas. Keep phone and wallet in front pockets and don't keep all cards together.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outFake police asking for your wallet
Men posing as plain-clothes police ask to check your wallet or cash for 'counterfeit notes'. Real Spanish police carry official ID and ask for identification, never your wallet.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outPlaza Mayor terrace prices
The restaurants on Plaza Mayor itself are classic tourist traps. Walk one minute to Calle Botoneras or Calle de Postas for a bocadillo de calamares at bar prices.
Source: devourtours.com - Watch outPaying for free sights
The Temple of Debod and Goya's chapel at San Antonio de la Florida are free, and so are the Reina Sofía's Retiro palaces. Anyone selling tickets for them is scamming you; book Debod only on madrid.es.
Source: esmadrid.com, esmadrid.com, museoreinasofia.es - Watch outReselling of free museum hours
Free-hour tickets for the Reina Sofía are issued free on the museum's own site. Resellers and 'skip-the-line' packages add fees for something that costs nothing or only EUR 12-15.
Source: museoreinasofia.es, museodelprado.es - Watch outRoyal Palace lookalike ticket sites
Palace tickets are sold officially only on Patrimonio Nacional's platform (tickets.patrimonionacional.es). Search ads for 'Royal Palace tickets' often lead to resellers with markups.
Source: tickets.patrimonionacional.es - Watch outDrink spiking in nightlife areas
Buy your own drinks and keep them in sight; UK travel advice warns of spiking with drugs such as GHB in Spain.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outFake 'damaged car' flag-downs
If you drive or rent a car, fraudsters may flag you down claiming damage to your car. Stop only in lit public places such as service stations.
Source: gov.uk - TipSan Miguel market is for looking
The Mercado de San Miguel is beautiful but priced for tourists. For the same food at neighbourhood prices, go to Antón Martín, San Fernando or La Paz markets.
Source: wanderlog.com
Money
- TipFree tapa with your drink
In traditional bars a small tapa (olives, crisps, bread with cold cuts) often comes free with a drink. El Tigre in Chueca is famous for huge free plates with each drink.
Source: esmadrid.com, wanderlog.com - TipRación vs media ración
Plates are sold as raciones (full sharing portions) or media raciones (half). Ordering halves lets two people try twice as many dishes.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipMuseum free hours save EUR 40+
Prado last two hours before closing, Reina Sofía Mon and Wed-Sat 19-21 and Sun 12:30-14:30, Thyssen Monday 12-16: three top museums for free.
Source: museodelprado.es, museoreinasofia.es, museothyssen.org - TipCocido: EUR 15 or EUR 65
The same Madrid stew costs about EUR 15 at Casa Álvarez near the Rastro and about EUR 65 at historic Lhardy. Decide whether you're paying for the dish or the room.
Source: latroupe.com - RuleLa Venencia: no tips, tab in chalk
At the sherry bar La Venencia you don't tip and you don't take photos; staff keep your tab at the bar and you settle when leaving.
Source: spanishsabores.com, esmadrid.com - TipPay-first counters
Some old bars such as Casa Labra have a separate counter where you pay for tapas first and hand over the ticket; watch what locals do.
Source: esmadrid.com
Transport
- TipAirport Express bus for EUR 5
The Airport Express bus runs 24h between Barajas and the centre in about 40 minutes for EUR 5 and accepts card payment.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipWalk the centre
Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the Letras and the Prado are all within about 20 minutes' walk of each other; the Metro is for longer hops.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org - TipTourist travel pass
The Abono Transporte Turístico gives unlimited travel on all public transport for its validity; worth it only if you ride several times a day (price not verified 2026).
Source: esmadrid.com - TipCercanías for day trips
Suburban Cercanías trains reach El Escorial and Aranjuez; they also link Atocha and Sol in one stop.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipBiciMAD along Madrid Río
The public e-bike system has docks along the river park, ideal for the flat ride from Príncipe Pío to Matadero.
Source: esmadrid.com, esmadrid.com - TipMetro to Usera for Chinatown
Madrid's Chinatown is around Metro Usera (L6) and Almendrales (L3), 15-25 minutes from Sol.
Source: esmadrid.com
Etiquette
- TipCocido is for lunch
Cocido madrileño is a midday meal: Casa Carola serves it daily at lunch and turns the leftovers into croquettes in the evening. Go at lunchtime and go hungry.
Source: devourtours.com - RuleNo photos at La Venencia
The sherry bar has a strict no-photos rule dating back decades. Respect it or you'll be asked to stop.
Source: spanishsabores.com - RuleDrinking in the street can be fined
Drinking alcohol in the street is illegal in parts of Spain and can bring an on-the-spot fine; keep botellón for the bar terrace.
Source: gov.uk - TipStand at the bar
In old tabernas you order and eat standing at the counter: it's cheaper and faster, and it's what locals do.
Source: devourtours.com, esmadrid.com - FunChurros after the night out
San Ginés has served churros and chocolate since 1894 and keeps very long hours, which makes it the classic last stop of a Madrid night out.
Source: wanderlog.com, spanishsabores.com - RuleSwimwear stays at the pool
In some parts of Spain it's illegal to walk in the street in only swimwear; in Madrid put a shirt on when leaving the pool.
Source: gov.uk
Food
- TipOrder a caña, a chato or a vermú
A caña is a small draught beer (about 20 cl), a chato a small glass of wine, and vermú is Spanish vermouth, traditionally poured from the tap.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipBocadillo de calamares
Madrid's signature sandwich of fried squid in a crusty roll; best at La Campana, Bar Postas or El Brillante.
Source: devourtours.com - TipCocido in courses
Cocido madrileño is served in vuelcos: first the broth with noodles, then the chickpeas, vegetables and meats. La Bola still cooks each pot over charcoal.
Source: latroupe.com, devourtours.com - TipTortilla pilgrimages
Casa Dani (Mercado de la Paz), Bodega de la Ardosa and Juana La Loca are the tortillas locals cross town for.
Source: spanishsabores.com, theinfatuation.com - TipGo to Usera for Chinese food
The city's tourism board promotes Usera's Chinese restaurants: Cantonese dim sum, Sichuan, Wenzhou seafood and noodle houses around Metro Usera.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipMenú del día at lunch
Neighbourhood casas de comidas like La Sanabresa serve a cheap set lunch; it's the best-value meal of the day.
Source: spanishsabores.com, wanderlog.com
Safety
- Rule112 for everything
112 is the single emergency number for police, ambulance and fire.
Source: gov.uk - TipKeep valuables split
Don't carry all cards and cash together; keep a copy of your passport separate from the original.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outDrugs: severe penalties
Possession of any quantity of drugs can bring heavy fines or jail in Spain.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outWatch your drink
Buy your own drinks and keep them in sight in bars and clubs.
Source: gov.uk - Watch outCrowds at Sol and the Rastro
The busiest spots (Puerta del Sol, the Sunday Rastro, packed Metro cars) are where distraction thieves work; wear bags in front.
Source: gov.uk
Free
- TipThree great museums for free
Prado last two hours, Reina Sofía evenings and Sunday midday, Thyssen Monday 12-16.
Source: museodelprado.es, museoreinasofia.es, museothyssen.org - TipGoya's frescoes, free
San Antonio de la Florida's dome is painted entirely by Goya, who is buried there; entry is free.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipAn Egyptian temple, free
The Temple of Debod is free with a booked slot; the park is the city's sunset spot.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipFree city museums
Museum of the History of Madrid, Museo de San Isidro and the Geominero Museum are all free.
Source: wanderlog.com - TipRetiro palaces
The Crystal Palace and Palacio de Velázquez in the Retiro host free Reina Sofía exhibitions.
Source: museoreinasofia.es - TipFree concerts at Juan March
The Fundación Juan March runs free exhibitions and concerts.
Source: wanderlog.com - TipEUR 4 for the best view
The Faro de Moncloa's 92 m deck costs EUR 4.
Source: esmadrid.com
Fun
- FunKilometre Zero
All of Spain's radial roads are measured from a plaque on the pavement at Puerta del Sol, set in 1857.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunThe clock that changed time zones
In 2018-19, the Sol clock whose chimes mark the New Year's twelve grapes delayed itself one hour for Canary Islands time, a first in its history.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunWorld's oldest restaurant
Sobrino de Botín (1725) is listed by Guinness as the oldest restaurant in the world.
Source: esmadrid.com - FunA political party born in a cod bar
The Spanish Socialist Party was founded at Casa Labra, which still serves battered salt cod.
Source: spanishsabores.com, esmadrid.com - FunTapas by royal decree
Madrid's tourism board traces tapas to King Alfonso X, who required taverns to serve food with alcohol in the 13th century.
Source: esmadrid.com - FunGoya's grave under his own frescoes
Goya has been buried in San Antonio de la Florida since 1919; a replica chapel was built next door in 1928 so the original could become a museum.
Source: esmadrid.com - FunAn Egyptian thank-you gift
Egypt gave the 2nd-century BC Temple of Debod to Spain in 1968 for helping save Nubian monuments from the Aswan dam.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunSpain's first iron bridge in a secret garden
El Capricho park has an 1830 iron footbridge said to be Spain's first, plus a Civil War bunker.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunA Stradivarius quintet
The Royal Palace owns the world's only complete Stradivarius string quintet.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunA royal wedding cathedral that took 110 years
The Almudena was begun in 1883 and consecrated in 1993; Felipe VI married Letizia there in 2004.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - Fun237 balconies
Plaza Mayor has 237 balconies; the square burned three times, and its current look dates from Juan de Villanueva's rebuild after 1790.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunMadrid's oldest bakery uses Ibérico lard
Antigua Pastelería del Pozo (1830) still makes pastries with Ibérico pork lard.
Source: esmadrid.com - FunThyssen by night, free
On Saturday nights 21:00-23:00 the Thyssen's temporary exhibitions are free.
Source: museothyssen.org
When to go
- TipSummer hours
From mid-June to mid-September some city sites shorten hours (Debod to 19:00; Goya's chapel closes 14-15). The Thyssen stays open to 21:00 Tue-Fri in July-August.
Source: esmadrid.com, esmadrid.com, museothyssen.org - TipCocido season
Cocido and fabada are cold-weather dishes; some places serve cocido only on set days, e.g. Los Arcos de Ponzano on Wednesdays for most of the year.
Source: devourtours.com, spanishsabores.com - TipChristmas sweets
Historic confectioners (Casa Mira, El Riojano, La Mallorquina) sell turrón and marzipan at Christmas and roscón de Reyes for 6 January.
Source: esmadrid.com - RuleMadrid holidays close museums
The Reina Sofía closes on 1 and 6 Jan, 1 May, 15 May (San Isidro) and 9 Nov (La Almudena), and 24, 25 and 31 Dec; check before planning a museum day.
Source: museoreinasofia.es - TipFree museum days
The Reina Sofía is free all day on 18 April, 18 May, 12 October and 6 December.
Source: museoreinasofia.es - FunNew Year's Eve at Sol
Crowds gather under the Sol clock to eat twelve grapes on the chimes, broadcast since 1962.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Words
- TipUna caña, por favor
A small draught beer, please.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipUn chato
A small glass of wine.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipUn vermú (de grifo)
A vermouth (on tap), the classic weekend aperitivo.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipUna ración / media ración
A full / half sharing portion.
Source: esmadrid.com - TipBocadillo de calamares
Fried squid sandwich, Madrid's street-food icon.
Source: devourtours.com - TipCocido madrileño
Madrid's chickpea and meat stew, served in courses (vuelcos).
Source: latroupe.com
Checked September 2026. Every item links to where it came from.