Madrid Travel Guide: Prado, Royal Palace, Tapas & Rail Tours

Madrid sits almost exactly at the geographic heart of Spain, high on the Meseta Central plateau at roughly 650 metres above sea level – the highest capital city in the European Union. King Philip II moved the royal court here in 1561, and the once-modest town on the banks of the Manzanares river grew into the capital of an empire. That royal past is still written across the city: grand boulevards, the vast Royal Palace, Habsburg-era squares and three of the world’s great art museums within a short walk of one another.

Today Madrid is Spain’s rail and air hub, and the natural starting point for exploring the country. High-speed AVE trains link it with Seville, Málaga and Córdoba in the south and Barcelona in the northeast in only a few hours, while Toledo (about 70 km south) and Segovia (about 90 km northwest) make easy day trips. Palace Tours builds Madrid into its Routes of Spain city-and-rail itineraries and its southern Spain programmes, so you can pair the capital’s museums and tapas bars with Andalusia’s Moorish palaces in a single journey.

What to see in Madrid

• Museo del Prado – One of the finest art collections on earth, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian and Bosch. Allow at least half a day and do not miss Las Meninas.
• Royal Palace (Palacio Real) – The official residence of the Spanish royal family, with more than 3,000 rooms. The state apartments, Royal Armoury and the view over the Campo del Moro gardens are highlights.
• Plaza Mayor – A grand 17th-century arcaded square that has hosted markets, bullfights and royal ceremonies. It is ringed by cafés and old shops and is the perfect place to begin a walk through Habsburg Madrid.
• Puerta del Sol – The lively heart of the city and the symbolic centre of Spain’s road network, marked by Kilómetro Cero and the much-photographed Bear and Strawberry Tree statue.
• Retiro Park – Madrid’s beloved green lung, a UNESCO-listed landscape with a boating lake, rose garden and the elegant glass Palacio de Cristal.
• Museo Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza – Completing the “Golden Triangle of Art”, the Reina Sofía houses Picasso’s Guernica, while the Thyssen spans seven centuries of European painting.
• Plaza de Cibeles and Gran Vía – The ornate Cybele fountain and Cibeles Palace mark the start of the Gran Vía, a grand early 20th-century avenue of theatres, shops and rooftop terraces.
• Templo de Debod – An authentic 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain and rebuilt on a hill near the Royal Palace – one of the best sunset viewpoints in the city.

What to eat in Madrid

Madrid’s signature dish is cocido madrileño, a hearty chickpea stew with meats and vegetables served in stages – first the broth with noodles, then the chickpeas and meats. For a quick bite, try a bocadillo de calamares (crisp fried squid in a crusty roll) around Plaza Mayor, or huevos rotos, fried eggs broken over potatoes and jamón. Patatas bravas and callos a la madrileña (a rich tripe stew) are tapas-bar classics.

For something sweet, churros con chocolate are a Madrid institution, especially late at night. Look out for violet-flavoured violetas sweets and the aniseed rosquillas made for the San Isidro festivities. Locals love a pre-lunch vermut on tap, and Mercado de San Miguel is a convenient place to graze on jamón ibérico, cheeses and Spanish wines under one roof.

Shopping & crafts

On Sunday mornings the El Rastro flea market fills the streets of La Latina with antiques, leather goods and curios. Traditional purchases include hand-painted fans, espadrilles, Spanish ceramics, capes from long-established tailors and quality olive oil and saffron. The Salamanca district is Madrid’s smartest shopping quarter, while Malasaña and Chueca are home to independent boutiques.

Best time to visit

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are ideal, with warm, sunny days that are perfect for walking. Summer can be very hot in July and August, when many locals leave the city, while winter is crisp and bright with fewer visitors – a fine time for museum-going.

Good to know

• Madrid eats late: lunch is usually around 2–4 pm and dinner rarely starts before 9 pm.
• Many major museums offer free entry in the last hours of the day – expect queues, or pre-book timed tickets.
• The Metro is clean, efficient and the easiest way to cross the city; the historic centre is very walkable.
• Madrid-Barajas airport is well connected to the centre by Metro, train and express bus.
• At altitude the sun is strong year-round – bring sunscreen and water, especially in summer.

Ready to discover Madrid? Explore the Palace Tours itineraries below, or call US/CA 1-800-724-5120, WhatsApp +1-786-408-0610 or International +1-609-580-1372.