A short history of Madrid
In the pavement at Puerta del Sol there's a small stone plaque reading Kilómetro Cero. Distances on Spain's main roads are measured from here, and people queue to stand on it for a photo. Madrid being the middle of everything was, in fact, a decision.
The city began in the 9th century as Mayrit, a fortress built by the emirate of Córdoba. You can still see a piece of that wall below the Almudena Cathedral, on the Cuesta de la Vega. Until Philip II moved the royal court here in 1561, Madrid was a middling town.
Today's Royal Palace was built on the site of the old fortress after it burned in 1734. The Prado opened in 1819. During the Civil War of 1936-1939 the city lived through a long siege. Picasso's Guernica, his painting of a wartime bombing, now hangs in the Reina Sofía.
Madrid neighbourhoods
Chueca is known as Madrid's LGBTQ+ district. During Orgullo, in late June and early July, the streets are full day and night, and for the rest of the year snacking on the floors of the Mercado de San Antón and sitting on its terrace is plenty.
Chamberí is where Madrileños live and tourists rarely wander. Around Plaza de Olavide, children play football in the late afternoon and the bars fill with neighbours. The old Chamberí metro station, closed in 1966, became a small museum called Andén 0, with its old tiled adverts still on the walls.
Conde Duque is a quieter corner west of Malasaña. Its former barracks now serve as a cultural centre. To the south, the banks of the Manzanares were turned into the Madrid Río park, and the Matadero, in the old slaughterhouse, joins that green strip with exhibitions and events.
Where to stay
- Sol / Centro: You're right in the middle, able to walk or take the metro anywhere.
- Barrio de las Letras: Literary quarter near the Prado, packed with tapas bars.
- La Latina: Ideal for tapas crawls and the Sunday El Rastro market.
- Malasaña: Young area with alternative bars and vintage shops.
- Salamanca: Elegant, quiet and safe, with the luxury shopping streets on hand.
- Lavapiés / Atocha: Multicultural and affordable, and close to Atocha station.
When to visit Madrid
Come in mid-May and you'll catch San Isidro. Madrileños dress up as chulapos in checked caps and polka-dot dresses and picnic in the Pradera de San Isidro. The best spells for exploring on foot are April to early June and late September to October, with days around 18-27 °C.
July and August are harsh. Temperatures climb to 33-36 °C and the streets empty in the afternoon. In August many locals go on holiday and some family restaurants close. On the other hand, mid-month brings the neighbourhood fiestas of San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and La Paloma to La Latina and Lavapiés.
Winter is dry and sunny but cold. Days reach 9-13 °C and nights drop close to freezing. Street lights go up in December, and on the evening of 5 January the Three Kings parade passes through the centre.
Food culture in Madrid
In Madrid the clock shifts. Lunch is eaten 14:00-16:00, dinner rarely starts before 21:00, and a vermouth with a few tapas at a bar fills the gap. Some bars bring a small plate with your drink. Loose change is enough for a tip.
The city's food is built for winter. Cocido madrileño is a long lunch of chickpeas, meat and vegetables served in separate courses, with the broth first. Callos a la madrileña is a spiced tripe stew. Around Plaza Mayor they sell fried squid in a roll, the bocadillo de calamares, and huevos rotos, eggs broken over fries, are everywhere.
On Sunday, vermouth in La Latina after El Rastro is a tradition. You can close the night, or open the morning, with churros and thick hot chocolate.
Madrid trip budget
Compared with Paris or London, Madrid is a relief. Food and drink are reasonable, and the big museums have free hours. The hotel sets the total: in 2026 a day of hostels and tapas bars runs 60-90 €, a mid-range hotel with a sit-down set lunch 140-220 €, and a smart hotel with good restaurants 350 € and up.
On weekday lunchtimes the three-course menú del día costs about 14-18 €, drink included. On the metro a single costs 1.50-2 €, and if you're staying a few days the 10-trip ticket works out cheaper. The Prado costs 15 €, the Royal Palace about 14 €.
The Prado is free for the last two hours before closing, and the Reina Sofía has free hours too, with queues at the door. The Retiro, sunset at the Templo de Debod and El Rastro on a Sunday morning cost nothing.
Prices are approximate as of October 2026.
Build your route on the Madrid map
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