Madrid gets roughly 300 days of sunshine each year, but in our humble opinion, doesn’t get the limelight it deserves. 

The capital city is a launch point for those who flock to Galicia for the seafood or the Balearics for tanning. Thankfully, you’re a savvy traveler and know that where there’s a capital city, there’s an abundance of culture, cuisine, and character to discover. That’s what we’ve got you covered with what to see and do in Madrid.

Dreading an awkward silence over your tapas date? We’re sprinkling some fun facts about Madrid throughout this article so you can keep the conversation flowing as smooth as Tinto de Verano. 

🇪🇸 Tapas Trivia 🇪🇸 Madrid’s Royal Palace is the largest in Europe—but the king doesn’t even live there! He lives down the road a ways at the Palace of Zarzuela. Perhaps rent’s cheaper?

Image Credit: Getty Images, Jorg Greuel. Image Location: Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Top 5 things to do in Madrid, Spain

Because you can’t just spend your entire vacation at tapas restaurants and Flamenco bars…(that’s a lie; you totally can and totally should). 

  1. Take a hot air balloon ride over the city. Unless you’re acrophobic, then checkout views from the indoor and much less frightening Faro de Moncloa observation deck.
  2. Milk the Paseo del Arte Pass for all it’s worth. This single ticket grants you admission to Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
  3. Have a blast at Parque de Atracciones: A Walking Dead live show and land dedicated to Nickelodeon? This is one amusement park the kids will love (especially if you’ve been dragging them through museums all week).
  4. Check out the Chamberí Ghost Station. Once an abandoned metro station, the Chamberí Ghost Station is now a full-on museum you can explore.
  5. Go to the Atocha Railway Station. Speaking of stations, this train station has a serene botanical garden in its atrium that makes waiting for your ride all the more enjoyable.

Image Credit: Getty Images, fotovoyager. Image Location: Atocha Station, Madrid, Spain

Need to know: Spain, in plain English

What country is Madrid in?

Madrid is located in Spain. More precisely, Madrid is the capital of Spain and its most populous city (the Madrid population in 2023 stands at 3.4m in the city alone). And thanks to its overflow of amazing tapas bars, Madrid will likely be the place you wished you packed your stretchy pants.

And what country is Spain in?

Spain is the country, though there’s no shame in asking the question if you’re unsure. Europe can be a bit confusing at times, especially when travelers have only heard of place names without context like Ibiza, which is both the name of the island and capital of the island. 

🇪🇸 Tapas Trivia 🇪🇸 There’s a legit Egyptian temple in Madrid. The Temple of Debod was moved from Aswan, Egypt, to Madrid’s Mirador de la Montaña de Príncipe Pío.

Image Credit: Getty Images, laagudo. Image Location: Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain

Where is the USA embassy in Madrid?

The US Embassy is located at C. de Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid, Spain. Two points of interest nearby are the Sorolla Museum and Museo Lázaro Galdiano. The Gregorio Marañón, Rubén Darío, and Núñez de Balboa subway stations are all a short walk from the embassy. Drop a pin on this address, you know, just in case your passport takes a swim in sangría. 

When’s the best time to go to Madrid?

Depends on your preference: If you’re on a long layover before hitting a city in the South of Spain, summertime in Madrid means outdoor sangría is all the more refreshing. Anytime August to May for a Real Madrid football match won’t disappoint, especially with cooler weather on the forecast. If you ignore the rain, winter’s cheaper hotels, fewer crowds, and dazzling Christmas market are well-worth the visit. 

Can you get from Madrid to Barcelona by train?

Yes, getting from Madrid to Barcelona is super easy. 2 hours and 30 minutes is all that stands between you and the stunning La Sagrada Familia. Hop a cab from the Madrid airport to Atocha Railway Station then jump on a high-speed train that features a buffet car, mobile bar service, free Wifi, and more en route to Barcelona.

🇪🇸 Tapas Trivia 🇪🇸 The Guinness Book of World Records cites Casa Botín as the oldest operating restaurant in the world, opening its doors in 1725 and not closing them since.

Download the Trainline app. Seriously, it’ll save you loads of time and translation when trying to get around Spain by train from Madrid.

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, ventdusud. Image Location: Gran Vía, Madrid, Spain

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