{"id":4601,"date":"2021-06-11T04:26:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-11T02:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madridfoodtour.com\/?p=4601"},"modified":"2021-06-11T04:26:00","modified_gmt":"2021-06-11T02:26:00","slug":"top-10-travel-tips-madrid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/top-10-travel-tips-madrid\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Top 14 Travel Tips for Madrid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Like all great cities, Madrid has its secrets. But with a little help, you\u2019ll be able to unlock the mysteries of this vibrant metropolis!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From unraveling the intricacies of the siesta to finding the best tapas in town, these travel tips for Madrid will help you experience the Spanish capital in all its glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Madrid is known for its world-class museums<\/a>, impressive architecture and vibrant dining scene. However, like any big city, it can seem daunting to newcomers at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a few insider tips, you’ll be ready to jump right in! Here are our top travel tips for Madrid to help you make the absolute most of your trip to the Spanish capital!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Travel Tips for Getting Around Madrid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Know How to Get to the City from the Airport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nothing says “stressful” like trying to get your bearings in a new city while fighting off jet lag. Our top travel tip for Madrid: Make sure you know how to get to where you’re going as soon as you land. Luckily, there are a few options for doing so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can catch the bright yellow Airport Express bus for \u20ac5 outside all four of the main terminals. Additionally, you can take line 8 of the metro or the Cercan\u00edas commuter train into the city. The stations for both are clearly marked inside the airport (note that the Cercan\u00edas train only departs from Terminal T4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re feeling especially beat after a long flight, you can also grab a taxi outside of any airport terminal and pay a flat rate of \u20ac30 to go anywhere in central Madrid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Once you get off your flight and pick up your bags, follow the signs to the exit, where you’ll be able to make your way towards any of the various public transportation options. Photo credit: Rob Wilson<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Walk Around the City<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You’ve made it to your hotel and maybe even taken a quick siesta to sleep off the jet lag. Now it’s time to put on your walking shoes and hit the streets! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the historic sights in Madrid are easy to explore on foot and are close enough together that you can easily follow your own self-guided route<\/a>. Explore the Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Plaza del Oriente, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de la Villa, and Mercado San Miguel, then wander through the historic La Latina neighborhood<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great option is to visit the Prado Museum<\/a>, walk along the Paseo del Prado, stroll through Retiro Park and check out the Puerta de Alcal\u00e1 before heading up to Gran V\u00eda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A walk around Madrid is the best way to get your bearings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Take Public Transportation when Needed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While walking around the city is easily the best way to explore, sometimes you’re coming from further out or just need off your feet for a bit. When that happens, Madrid’s excellent public transportation<\/a> system is there for you. One of our top travel tips for Madrid is to take full advantage of it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many cities lack great public transport, but Madrid is not one of them. The metro is a great public service with clean, modern trains and great connections. Trains come frequently and are a great option for moving around the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get your bearings, the metro website has a great route planner<\/a> that can show you how to get wherever you need to go. Once at the station, double check the large panels on each platform to make sure your stop is on the list of stops for the train’s route. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local tip:<\/strong> Keep an eye on your purse or wallet as there can be the odd case of petty crime on the metro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Madrid’s metro is fast, inexpensive and easy to use. Photo credit: Sharon Hahn Darlin<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Travel Tips for Eating in Madrid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

4. Order a Men\u00fa del D\u00eda for Lunch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Madrid is a relatively inexpensive city compared to many other European capitals, and it’s possible to eat well without spending tons of money. Case in point: the men\u00fa del d\u00eda<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Served at most restaurants throughout the city, a men\u00fa del d\u00eda<\/em> is a set lunch menu with drinks and dessert included. You’ll choose from several first course options\u2014usually soup, vegetable or rice dishes. Then select your second course which is typically meat or fish accompanied by salad and or potatoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A typical men\u00fa<\/em> will also come with dessert or coffee, plus a drink and bread, included in the price. This is a great way to try several typical Spanish dishes. As lunch is the most important meal of the day in Spain, portions are typically large and filling!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rice dishes are a common first course on many men\u00fas<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Get Used to Spanish Mealtimes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of lunch, another essential Madrid travel tip involves the unwritten rules regarding Spanish mealtimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Spain, lunch typically starts around 2 p.m. and dinner is served at 9 p.m. at the earliest. Madrid restaurants usually open for lunch around 1:30 p.m. and close around 4. Later, dinner service starts at about 8 p.m. and kitchens close at about 11:30. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, Spain’s unconventional eating schedule also incorporates a few more meals into the day. Most locals will often eat two light breakfasts\u2014one first thing in the morning, and another around 10 or 11 a.m.\u2014to hold them over until the late lunch. And if your stomach is growling between lunch and dinner, merienda<\/a><\/em>\u2014the traditional Spanish afternoon snack served between 5 and 7 p.m.\u2014has your back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insider’s tip<\/strong>: If you need to eat outside of Spain’s typical mealtimes, look for a place that has an all-day kitchen (cocina abierta todo el d\u00eda<\/em>). These are usually safe bets for eating early<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Many Spaniards will eat something sweet for merienda, like churros!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. Don’t Order Paella for Dinner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While Valencia is the birthplace of paella<\/a>, we also have some fantastic places<\/a> for this iconic rice dish here in Madrid. But one crucial travel tip for Madrid-bound foodies is that paella is always served for lunch\u2014never dinner! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reasoning goes back, once again, to Spain’s curious mealtimes. Because dinner is served so late here, heavy dishes like paella aren’t ideal evening meals. Instead, most Spaniards will enjoy rice dishes for lunch, allowing plenty of time to digest it over the rest of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many Madrid restaurants will offer paella for lunch once or twice a week. Look for signs reading hay arroz<\/em> or hay paella<\/em> to spot a place that’s serving up rice as the daily lunch special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Seafood paella: Spain’s most iconic rice dish. Photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7. Go Out for Raciones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When dinnertime rolls around in Madrid, it’s prime time for ordering a round of raciones. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seen on menus throughout the city, raciones<\/em> are the way we do tapas in Madrid. They are shared plates of everything from Spanish cured ham to fried calamari. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raciones<\/em> are typically one type of food, expertly prepared and served with a bit of bread for making sure no drop of sauce is wasted. Do as the madrile\u00f1os<\/em> do and order a selection of dishes to make a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that raciones<\/em> usually provide enough food for three or four people. For smaller portions, you can usually order a media<\/em> raci\u00f3n<\/em> (half portion) which is a good size for two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A raci\u00f3n<\/em> of delicious ham croquettes.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Don’t Eat in Plaza Mayor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Madrid’s Plaza Mayor is a spectacular 17th-century public square with grandiose arcaded architecture, a great atmosphere, and plenty of historic charm. The square is also lined with outdoor restaurants and caf\u00e9s. That said, despite the picturesque surroundings, many of these eateries are overpriced tourist traps\u2014not exactly ideal for sampling the best Madrid has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are, however, some great bars and restaurants near Plaza Mayor<\/a>. While not located right on the square itself, you can find some true foodie gems within easy walking distance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you’re looking to enjoy a meal al fresco with more of a neighborhood vibe, great options can be found in nearby Plaza Santa Ana. This square is a favorite among madrile\u00f1os<\/em>, lined with bars and eateries featuring traditional Spanish favorites and modern takes on classic dishes. In winter, there are even large heaters to make outdoor dining a year-round option!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As beautiful as Plaza Mayor is, don’t waste a valuable meal at one of the restaurants on the square itself!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Order Drinks the Spanish Way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to beer, you won’t find any steins as big as your head here in Spain. Instead, our draft beer of choice tends to be quite a bit smaller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Spaniards will order beer by the ca\u00f1a<\/em>, a comparatively tiny draft beer (about 20 cl, or just under 7 ounces) with just a bit of head on top. There’s a method to the madness here: The ca\u00f1a<\/em>‘s small size allows it to perfectly chilled while you eat a single tapa. You can order one by asking for “una ca\u00f1a, por favor<\/em>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re more of a wine person, vino tinto<\/em> will get you a red wine and vino blanco<\/em> gets you white (usually just the house stuff in both cases). If you want to get more specific, keep in mind that in Spain we order most wines by the region\u2014not the grape! Brush up on a few common Spanish wine varieties<\/a> so you can get the perfect glass or bottle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bold Spanish reds are always a winner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

10. Enjoy Your Free Tapa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Madrid, when you order a drink, you\u2019ll usually get a little bite to eat along with it. Typically this can be a small dish of olives, potato chips, nuts, or even a piece or cheese or a slice of cured meat. The best news: it’s free!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This small snack is what locals consider a tapa, and it’s one of the best Madrid traditions if you ask us! If you want to eat something more substantial, you try some raciones as described above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A free tapa of incredible Spanish olives.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Travel Tips for Sightseeing in Madrid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

11. Check Out Museums During Free Hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of our top budget travel tips for Madrid: Take advantage of the free visiting times at some of the city’s best museums! Many Madrid museums open their doors free of charge during certain time periods throughout the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n