Plug – Type F

Credit Cards – Widely Accepted

LGBTQ Friendly – Yes

Metro Line 8 runs from stations at Auropuerto T1-T2-T3 and Auropuerto T4 to Nuevos Ministerios station in the city centre, with connections to other metro lines.

The ticket system is a little complicated. At the ticket machine first purchase a Transport Card. This is a contactless card and tickets get loaded onto this.

Then add an Airport Supplement to your card. This is required for all journeys beginning or ending the the airport.

Then purchase your ticket, or 10-trip ticket before using the Transport Card to get through the turnstile.

Official white Madrid taxis operate from ranks outside each terminal. There is a flat fee of EUR30 (checked 1st September 2025) to all destinations within Madrid’s Central Ring (inside Calle 30).

Destinations outside Calle 30 will be charges as per the meter.

Madrid is a vibrant city filled with grand boulevards, lively squares, world-class art museums, and a renowned food culture. It combines historic charm with a modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere and is known for its energy, both day and night. For many visitors, Madrid is as much about soaking up its street life and cafés as it is about visiting its famous landmarks.

Madrid’s historic heart is the Puerta del Sol, a bustling square that serves as a meeting point for locals and visitors alike. From there, the elegant Plaza Mayor, once the site of markets and festivals, is surrounded by arcades, cafés, and restaurants. Not far away is the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Spanish monarchy, and the Almudena Cathedral, which faces the palace across a grand esplanade. Another highlight is the Gran Vía, the city’s most famous avenue, lined with theatres, shops, and striking early twentieth-century architecture.

Art lovers will find Madrid one of the richest cities in the world. The Prado Museum houses masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, while the Reina Sofía is home to modern works including Picasso’s Guernica. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum completes the “Golden Triangle of Art” with its collection spanning centuries of European painting. In addition to these, smaller galleries and exhibition spaces can be found throughout the city.

Parks and open spaces are another of Madrid’s treasures. Retiro Park, once a royal garden, is the city’s green heart, perfect for strolling, boating on the lake, or visiting its glass palace. Casa de Campo, a vast natural space on the city’s edge, is popular for cycling and walking, while the Sabatini Gardens and Campo del Moro provide more formal historic settings near the Royal Palace.

Food is central to the Madrid experience. Tapas bars spill out onto pavements, serving small plates of jamón ibérico, croquettes, and tortilla española. Traditional dishes such as cocido madrileño, a rich chickpea-based stew, are still popular, and visitors should not miss churros with hot chocolate, especially at the historic Chocolatería San Ginés. The city is also famous for its lively food markets, such as Mercado de San Miguel, which blend historic architecture with modern gourmet stalls.

Madrid is equally known for its nightlife. The city rarely sleeps, with bars, clubs, and live music venues staying open into the early hours. Flamenco shows are a cultural highlight, offering visitors a chance to experience Spain’s most famous performance art.

Shopping ranges from high-street brands along Gran Vía and Calle Preciados to designer boutiques in the Salamanca district. The El Rastro flea market, held on Sundays, is one of the oldest and largest in Europe, offering antiques, clothing, and curiosities.

Day trips from Madrid are plentiful. High-speed trains make it easy to reach historic cities such as Toledo, with its mix of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish heritage; Segovia, with its Roman aqueduct and fairy-tale castle; and Ávila, surrounded by medieval walls. The excellent rail system also connects Madrid quickly with Seville, Valencia, and Barcelona, making it an ideal base for exploring Spain.

EU regulation EU261 gives compensation to passengers when their flight from or within the European Union is either cancelled or delayed and arrives at its destination more than 3 hours behind schedule and the airline is at fault. You will not be entitled to compensation if the delay is due to “extraordinary circumstances” such as weather, strikes or security issues.