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Madrid, Spain

Madrid Travel Guide

The Prado, the Royal Palace and tapas — a 3-day route through the capital's art, its grand squares and its late-night tapas culture.

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Currency

EUR €

Visa

A Schengen visa is required for many non-EU nationalities (ETIAS planned). Check your passport's specific requirements.

Best Season

April–June and September–October

Airport

MAD

Frames from the City

01Sample Itinerary

How to spend 3 days in Madrid

Day 1

The art triangle & the centre

🎨
Prado Museum
museum
Velázquez (Las Meninas), Goya, Bosch; buy online — the last two hours are free but crowded.
🌳
Retiro Park
park
Next to the Prado; the Crystal Palace, the boating lake and a peaceful stroll.
⛲
Puerta del Sol & Plaza Mayor
square
The city's kilometre zero and a grand Baroque square, ringed with tapas bars.
🍝
Mercado de San Miguel
food
A historic iron-and-glass market; tapas and vermouth, lively in the evening.

Day 2

Royal Madrid

🏛️
Royal Palace
history
One of Europe's largest palaces; buy online, with the changing of the guard on set days.
⛪
Almudena Cathedral
church
Facing the palace; a modern interior and rooftop views.
🏘️
Gran Vía
neighbourhood
Madrid's Broadway — shops, cinemas and rooftop bars.
🎨
Reina Sofía Museum
museum
Home to Picasso's Guernica; modern Spanish art.

Day 3

Neighbourhoods & views

🌅
Templo de Debod
view
An ancient Egyptian temple gifted to Madrid; the best spot for sunset.
🌅
Plaza de Cibeles
view
A grand fountain and the Cibeles Palace; city views from its rooftop café.
🏘️
Malasaña & Chueca
neighbourhood
Alternative, vintage, independent cafés — young Madrid.
🍝
La Latina (Cava Baja)
food
Madrid's busiest tapas street; go from bar to bar (tapeo).

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02Budget

How much does a trip to Madrid cost per person?

Economy01

€40–65/day (hostel/pensión, menú del día, a tapas tour)

Mid-range02

Do you need a visa?

Spain: A Schengen visa is required for many non-EU nationalities (ETIAS planned). Check your passport's specific requirements..

Visa and transit rules can change; confirm the official consulate information before you travel.

Season

When to go?

April–June and September–October (mild weather, fewer crowds).

Tapas culture is central — dinner rarely starts before 9pm. Regional icons: paella (Valencia), jamón ibérico (Andalusia/Salamanca), pintxos (the Basque Country), gazpacho/salmorejo (Andalusia), tortilla española (everywhere), churros con chocolate (breakfast or a late-night snack). Because of the siesta, some local restaurants close between 2 and 5pm, though tourist spots stay open.

Turkish passport

Spain with a Turkish passport: visa & transit status

Visa status

A Schengen visa is required for many non-EU nationalities (ETIAS planned). Check your passport's specific requirements.. Official source for the current visa regime applied to Turkish citizens: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Transit / connection

An airport transit visa (ATV) may be needed via Schengen.

Some Schengen countries (Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain…) require Turkish citizens to hold an airport transit visa (type A / ATV) when connecting to a destination OUTSIDE Schengen.

Exemption: A valid Schengen visa (in some countries a valid US/Canada visa or residence permit) exempts you from the ATV. If your destination is itself in Schengen you will already hold a Schengen visa, so this connection is not a problem.

Official source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

Last updated: September 2026. Visa and transit rules can change — before you apply or buy a ticket, confirm on mfa.gov.tr and with the relevant consulate.

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03Getting There

Airport

MAD

How to get to Madrid

International flights typically connect via IST.

The AVE high-speed rail network (Renfe) is extensive — Madrid–Barcelona 2.5h, Madrid–Seville 2.5h, Madrid–Málaga 2.5h. Within cities, there is a metro in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Valencia. ALSA buses cover the smaller towns. On the islands, rent a car or take a ferry (Baleária, Trasmediterránea).

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04Practical Tips

01
Book Alhambra and Sagrada Família tickets 1–2 months ahead — last-minute is nearly impossible.
02
Siesta: shops and small restaurants may close between 2 and 5pm; supermarkets stay open.
03
Most shops are closed on Sundays, and museums may be free or discounted.
04
The tapas tradition varies by region — free tapas with a drink in Granada, paid but generous in Seville.
05
Cover your shoulders in churches and take photos without flash.
06
Dinner is typically 9–11pm, and breakfast starts after 10am.

Other cities in Spain

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