Madrid: What to Know Before You Go

The first thing to adjust is your clock. Madrid runs about two hours later than most of Europe: lunch starts after two, dinner rarely before nine, and a bar that is empty at eight will be packed at eleven. Fight it and you'll eat alone in half-empty dining rooms. Go with it, with a late breakfast and a siesta if you need one, and the city makes much more sense.

How the centre is laid out

Puerta del Sol is the hub, with a plaque on the pavement marking kilometre zero of Spain's road network. West of it lies the old Madrid of the Habsburgs: the Plaza Mayor, narrow streets down to La Latina and the Royal Palace on its ridge. East of Sol, the Barrio de las Letras slopes down to the Paseo del Prado, where the Prado, the Thyssen and the Reina Sofía face each other along a leafy boulevard, with Retiro Park behind. The Gran Vía cuts across the north. Nearly all of it is walkable, and our 3-day itinerary takes it one side at a time.

Entry

Spain is part of the Schengen area. Since the EU's Entry/Exit System became fully operational in April 2026, non-EU visitors have their fingerprints and a photo taken at the first border they cross, so allow extra time at passport control. The separate ETIAS travel authorisation has been announced but doesn't have a confirmed start date yet. Check the official EU site before you travel.

Getting around

The Metro is clean, fast and covers the whole city. Since June 2026 you can tap a contactless bank card or phone at the turnstiles instead of buying a ticket. For several days of heavy use, the tourist travel pass or a ten-journey ticket loaded on a transport card can work out cheaper. Airport stations charge a supplement.

Money, tipping and safety

Cards are accepted almost everywhere, though a few old bars still prefer cash for small amounts. Service isn't added to the bill, and tipping is modest: round up in a bar, leave a little more after a good dinner. Madrid is a safe city, but pickpockets work the Metro, Sol, the Gran Vía and the Sunday Rastro market. Keep your phone off café tables on busy terraces.

Booking ahead

Buy timed tickets online for the Royal Palace and the Prado, especially at weekends. Our museums guide explains the free entry slots and the combined art pass. Plugs are the European two-pin type, 230V, and tap water is safe to drink.