Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do on your Madrid vacation. I’ve been to Madrid many times and always enjoy returning to Spain’s capital city. While many travel blogs will tell you all the fun things to do in Madrid, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do when you plan a Madrid vacation.
Don’t Expect a Lot of English
Even though Madrid is a very popular tourist destination, not everyone here speaks English. Even in tourism. Of course, you can hire English-speaking guides, but it’s very helpful to learn a little bit of Spanish before you go. Even if you just learn hello, please, and thank you, it will go a long way with the locals.
Ten Shocks to Expect When Visiting Spain
Don’t Expect an Ancient City
In European terms, Madrid is a relatively new city. Compared to the US, the buildings are historic and seem pretty old, but Madrid was developed to get the government away from the Catholic Church. At the time, Madrid was kind of a backwater town, and it was then built up so it definitely feels more modern than other parts of Spain.
Don’t Miss the Top 10 Sites in Madrid
Of course, there are more than ten fun things to do in Madrid, but sometimes you have to narrow it down. After many, many trips to Madrid, these are my favorite things to do in Madrid.
- Museo del Prado (Prado Museum) is one of my favorite museums in the world, and probably one of the top 3 art museums in the world.
- Plaza Mayor is one of the best and busiest public squares in Madrid.
- Puerta del Sol is another fun square in Madrid to visit and it’s within walking distance to Plaza Mayor so you can visit both in the same trip. Don’t miss the famous statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree.
- The Palacio Real has guided tours of the palace, and the surrounding outdoors is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Madrid
- Parque del Buen Retiro is the “good, relaxing” park. It’s behind the Prado Museum and it’s full of fun activities like paddle boats, bike rentals, buskers, food vendors, and music.
- Reina Sofia Museum contains an art collection from more recent artists like Picasso and Dali.
- Madrid’s nightlife is world-famous. They don’t even eat dinner in Madrid until 10 pm, so the partying doesn’t get started until after midnight! Don’t feel bad if you can’t keep up with the locals!
- Madrid is also well known for its tapas bars. If you can’t stay out late enough for the nightlife, then head to a tapas bar and you’ll have drinks and tapas and conversation.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum is the result of a huge private collection that the city of Madrid agreed to house. The other two Madrid art museums are either modern or classic, while this one has a little bit of everything.
- Explore the different Madrid neighborhoods. Get out of the city center and explore some of the other parks and plazas. You’ll see many different types of architecture.
Don’t Miss out on Spanish Food in Madrid
Of course, you might just be visiting Madrid for the Spanish food, and we wouldn’t blame you! Like any major city, you’ll get the most authentic food if you leave the main squares and go off the beaten path a little bit. You don’t have to go far, but there are a few rules to follow when eating in Madrid.
- Don’t order paella from tourist restaurants; it won’t be fresh. If a restaurant serves several different types of paella, it’s most likely being reheated. (this applies to Flan, too!)
- Arroz Caldoso is a rice dish with meat and a safer bet than paella if you are eating in the tourist area.
- Sangria is probably going to be watered down in the touristy restaurants too. I recommend trying the Tinta Verano instead as it’s easier to make so it will be fresh and fruity no matter which Madrid restaurant you’re visiting.
- Don’t be stingy with your tapas! It’s meant to be shared, so everyone orders different things and you get little samples of everything.
- Don’t plan on an early dinner! Everything in Spain is a bit later than the rest of the world. So, lunch is usually around 1:00 or later, and dinner often doesn’t start until 9:00. It’s not uncommon to see families with children dining out past 10 pm!
- Don’t confuse raciones with tapas.
- Tapas are small plates of food served with beer or wine; it’s meant to be a light snack to enjoy while you are drinking. Sometimes, they are complimentary, sometimes, they cost a few Euros.
- Raciones are larger portions that are comparable to an entree on the menu. If you don’t specify tapas, you might end up with raciones, and you’ll definitely pay more for them.
- Don’t miss the “menu of the day” if you see it. Many restaurants will have a daily special that is a 3-course meal for a very affordable price. This is a great way to have a filling meal mid-day and you’ll save money at the same time!
Lastly, it’s OK to drink tap water in Madrid, so you don’t have to buy bottled water. You can get tap water for free when dining, and bring a refillable water bottle to use when you are walking around Madrid. You’ll save money and help reduce plastic waste!
Don’t Miss These Day Trips from Madrid
While there are so many cool things to see in Madrid, there are just as many amazing day trips! So be sure to set aside time in your Spain itinerary for some day trips from Madrid.
- Segovia is about 90 minutes by bus or 30 minutes by high-speed train from Madrid. The ancient Roman aqueduct in Segovia has more than 160 arches. The Alcázar de Segovia and Segovia Cathedral are other Segovia attractions. (If the Alcazar looks familiar, it’s because it was the inspiration for one of Walt Disney’s castles.)
- Toledo was the capital of Spain for a long time and is the seat of the Catholic Church in Spain, so there’s a lot of history there. Of course, the cathedral in Toledo is fantastic. Toledo also has an Alcazar, which contains an Army museum. This is a great city for just walking around, and it’s only about an hour from Madrid.
- El Escorial is a royal retreat located in the mountains about an hour from Madrid. From the outside, it doesn’t look super amazing, but once you go inside, it’s actually super cool. You’ll see the royal palaces and apartments, and you’ll really see the importance of this site in the history of Spain.
- Avila is a city with huge walls surrounding it, and you can walk up on the walls around town. It’s a beautiful site and just under two hours from Madrid.
Remember, there are two main train stations in Madrid. Madrid Atocha is in the south part of the city, and Madrid Chamartín is in the north.
Don’t Be Afraid of Public Transport
The public transport system in Madrid is pretty good, so I highly recommend using it to get around. It goes to most major locations you’ll be visiting, and it’s very affordable. You can get a week-long ticket for around 30 Euros. Do keep in mind, though, that the trains are pretty small, so if you have a lot of luggage you’re toting around, consider taking a taxi to the airport rather than the train.
Don’t Forget to Pack for the Weather
Spain is known for beautiful beaches and tropical islands, but Madrid actually has seasons. It gets cold in the winter and super hot in the summer. It can even snow in Madrid sometimes! In August, the city empties out as everyone goes to the coast or the mountains because it’s way too hot in Madrid. Make sure you do your research and come prepared for Madrid weather.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you need directions or help to get where you are going, don’t worry! The police and the locals are very friendly. But pay attention to their hands when they are giving you directions; there will be a lot of non-verbal cues as to how far you need to go! (While the police are friendly, don’t take their photo)
Don’t Let Your Guard Down
We’re not saying Madrid is dangerous, but many tourists have been pickpocketed here. Use the same travel smarts you would in any city, and keep a hand on your wallet or purse at all times. It’s not quite as notorious as Barcelona is for theft, but you still should take precautions because it’s a hassle to lose your wallet or your phone.
If you do get pickpocketed, don’t freak out! First, retrace your steps to where you have been. Many times, the thief is just looking for cash. Often, they will pull the cash out and toss the wallet on the ground, so there is a chance of finding your wallet and credit cards.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
I’ve visited Madrid so many times and I just keep coming back. The culture of Madrid is so enticing and entertaining, you can’t help but want to see more. Between the food, the people, and the nightlife, a Madrid vacation is so much FUN! Need more travel tips for visiting Spain? Check out these blog posts!