I can understand that if you are possibly more familiar with the likes of Barcelona and Seville. You might be asking “Is Madrid worth visiting?” Well as Spain’s biggest city, Madrid has something for all.
Foodies will love the cuisine. Museum fans have lots to explore. Nature nuts can hike trails. Architecture buffs will adore the buildings.
Madrid’s lively centre has it all in walking distance. From food to museums to nature, Madrid caters to every traveller.
When Should You Visit Madrid?
You can expect sun year-round in Madrid! As one of Europe’s hottest cities, Madrid boasts high temps and clear blue skies.
Is Madrid worth visiting in summer? Yes if you love heat. Madrid in summer is warm and sunny and temperatures get up to 30°C – perfect for tanning! It has reached a scorching 40°C before too, so wear strong sunscreen with that intense UV.
If you prefer cooler weather, go in the fall or early spring. It’s still nice out, with warm temps and clear bright skies. Whether you like it hot or warm, Madrid dazzles all year with sunshine. The blue skies shine over 300 days a year!
5 Reasons We Think Madrid Is Worth Visiting
1. Madrid’s Tapas Street
Does Madrid’s Famous Tapas Street Live Up to the Hype?
Calle Cava Baja in lively La Latina is called Madrid’s best area for incredible tapas. Over 50 bars packed into one narrow, vibrant 300-meter street serve what’s said to be the city’s top tapas. Crazy, right?
And the tapas themselves are stars. Dive into famed Cava Baja spots like Casa Lucas and El Tempranillo for some of Madrid’s best tapas and tostas (little toasts). This area is the real deal for tapas. So many top-notch tapas joints in such a tiny space! As you can guess, the smells are heavenly!
If you’re interested in exploring more of Spain’s culinary delights, check out the best of Southern Spain or the charming coastal town of Nerja.
With so many awesome options, it can be a bit overwhelming.
So here’s our handy tapas food guide:
Like lots of Spanish cuisine, tapas are more about the social experience than the food itself. Tapas let you share tastes together. Simply put, tapas are small shareable plates with drinks, kind of like Spanish appetizers.
Going on a tapas crawl and mixing with locals and foodies from across the world is an experience not to miss in Spain!
Calle Cava Baja lives up to its legendary status and isn’t only worth a visit its a must visit.
The Best Tapas to Try in Madrid:
Jamón Ibérico – Silky smooth ham that melts from acorn-fed pigs. A much loved delight in Spain.
Spicy Patatas Bravas – White potato cubes coated in yummy hot tomato sauce. A popular pick.
Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo) – Plump, coastal shrimp sizzling in a cast iron pan. A real spanish tasty treat!
With cubed potatoes drowned in spice. Buttery shrimp is also served hot from the pan with velvety ham from acorn-fed pigs. Madrid tapas knocks it out of the park on flavour. Then all that’s left to do is simply grab a drink and share these incredible small plates with friends!
Madrid City Tours
2. Tablao Flamenco 1911 Flamenco Show
Tablao 1911 keeps Madrid’s soulful flamenco spirit alive! This famed club presents shows to electrify both first-timers and long-time fans. So for a spirited taste of authentic culture, come revel in the sounds of Spain at Tablao 1911! Lose yourself in the legendary dance right in the heart of Madrid.
Madrid City Tours
Tasty tapas and fiery flamenco rock, however there is much more on offer!
But Is Madrid Worth Visiting for Art and Adventure?
3. Madrid Hot Air Balloon Rides
Fly high over Segovia’s dazzling landscape. Enjoy a fun balloon ride from your Madrid hotel with no worries – you’ll be picked up and dropped off. When you get to Segovia, your pilot will be ready for take-off into the sky.
Have your camera ready to capture awesome bird’s-eye views. Then snap pictures of the ancient Alcázar fortress on a rocky cliff built in the 1100s.
Also, see Segovia’s old city and the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct. Listen as your pilot describes the sights that made Segovia a World Heritage City. After a smooth landing, stop for a tasty Spanish breakfast.
See also: Places to visit in Tenerife
Madrid City Tours
4. Madrid’s “Golden Triangle” of Art
Top Tip: If you are a culture lover, save yourself some money and get a Paseo del Arte Pass which grants discount access to the amazing “Golden Triangle”
Madrid has over 70 awesome museums that art fans love. A few top ones are Caixa Forum, Museo del Traje, and Lazaro Galdiano Museum. For art lovers looking to venture beyond Madrid, consider visiting the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao or exploring cool things to do in Barcelona.
But the “Big Three” famous museums are the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Indeed they sit in Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art” area.
Visitors head to this hot spot to take in the Prado’s dazzling European art, Reina Sofia’s cool modern works, and Thyssen’s outstanding collection ranging from medieval to modern masterpieces.
i. The Prado Museum
The Prado amazes as one of Earth’s best museums. Spain’s artwork tells the story of each age with heart. The Prado’s awesome collection started under Habsburg royalty. Indeed it features the country’s creative geniuses – Velazquez and de Goya.
Lastly, these two trailblazing artists rank among history’s greatest for their spirited works. Velazquez painted lifelike scenes with colourful flair. de Goya made striking paintings that boldly spoke out about war and injustice.
Visitors flock to The Prado to stand face-to-face with these artists’ soulful masterpieces that so movingly catch Spain’s fiery spirit.
ii. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
The dazzling Museo Reina Sofia displays modern art wonders. Topping its mighty collection is Picasso’s famous anti-war mural Guernica, housed in its own room. Finally works by Miro, Salvador Dali, and Juan Gris also awe visitors.
These Spanish creative geniuses made moving, eye-opening art. Also more cool works fill this magnificent museum like Brassai’s 1950s Spanish photos for Harper’s Bazaar.
Touring Reina Sofia’s halls, visitors stand amazed before stunning paintings and photos bursting with emotion and insight into Spain’s modern soul.
iii. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
The awesome Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza fills Madrid’s historical Villahermosa Palace. This 17th-century gem houses Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza’s private 1,600-piece collection. Thyssen amazes visitors by filling gaps left by other museums.
Meanwhile see beloved works by famous European masters like Titian, Goya, Caravaggio, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cezanne. Thyssen also features top Spanish artists.
As you walk its halls, prepare to be dazzled by medieval to modern paintings spanning centuries. Thyssen lets you traverse the winding path of art history in one unforgettable building.
Madrid City Tours
5. Parque de Atracciones
Brace yourself – terror awaits at The Walking Dead Experience! Also brave the most blood-chilling horror passage at Parque de Atracciones… if you dare.
Then get trapped in your worst nightmares from the show. Visit chilling haunts like the Governor’s creepy house, Terminus Station, the prison, the hospital where the freak zombie outbreak started. Watch decaying walkers lumber your way!
This freaky, famous attraction even won a world-class LIMA award for best live show. So don’t say you weren’t warned. Come face-to-face with your deepest fears and the walking dead – but are you gutsy enough to survive?
See also: San Sebastian itinerary
Madrid City Tours
So Is Madrid Worth Visiting?
Yes If You’ve Never Seen The Chamberí Ghost Station
Hop aboard a fun history tour on Madrid’s Metro! Travel back in time to Andén 0’s restored 1919 station.
However, marvel at original details as you explore – decorative tiles, vintage ads, and even old-time benches and booths.
It’s like walking into Madrid’s past! Audio shows and displays explain the subway’s first days.
See where tickets were sold, stroll the platform, and envision riding the Cuatro Caminos-Sol line at the start. The station’s sleek, no-frills look was aimed for function back then.
So take a ride through Metro’s early history! Finally descend into Andén 0’s tunnel to glimpse Madrid life from a century ago. It’s a cool way to experience the sights, sounds, and stories of the subway’s opening era.
Featured Posts for Spain
Travel Planning Guide for Madrid
Travel Insurance for Your Trip to Madrid
Buying insurance is always valuable when travelling abroad. Therefore, enjoy Spain stress-free with one of my favourite providers, Visitors Coverage Insurance.
Renting a Car in Spain
Indeed, renting a car in Spain is easy and is a great way to discover “is Madrid Worth Visiting?”. Consequently, I recommend booking yours with Rentalcars.com – they offer a variety of operators for all budgets.
Finding the Perfect Accommodation
The best way to book your accommodation in Madrid is with Booking.com. In fact, it’s my go to site to compare and reserve places to stay each night, from affordable guesthouses to luxury hotels.
Booking Flights to Spain
Lastly, for air travel, I recommend booking your flight with Omio. Moreover, it has been my favourite platform for years, as it allows me to book the cheapest flights to visit Madrid.
