Flights to Madrid

In the 21st century, Madrid has grown to rival Barcelona as Spain's premier city break destination. Book  flights to Madrid from the UK with Airinme.com. 

Spain's capital city, Madrid boasts one of the world's best collections of art galleries and museums. Visit the Museum Triangle to see works by Spanish greats like Picasso and Goya, before heading to the Royal Palace to visit the King of Spain's official residence. For a truly authentic taste of Madrid after dark, spend your nights eating tapas and sipping Spanish wine before heading to a flamenco bar until well after midnight. Start your unforgettable adventure in the Spanish capital – book flights to Madrid with Airinme.com today. 

Things to do in Madrid 

1.    Begin your break in Madrid by getting to know this fantastic capital city on foot. Take a walk around Plaza Mayor, Spain's most famous square, and the busy hub of Puerta del Sol. And don't miss a wander down Gran Via, Madrid's famous boulevard and the centre of its nightlife.

2.    The huge Royal Palace (Palacio Real) is one of the biggest in Europe and is still the official residence for the Spanish royal family, though they do not live here. Learn more about its architecture and art collection on a guided or self-guided tour.

3.    Madrid is an art lover's paradise, with some of the world's best museums and galleries. Museo Nacional del Prado boasts works by Goya, Valazquez, Titian and Caravaggio, while Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza has paintings by Picasso, Degas and Van Gogh. There are several more first-rate museums to explore, so allocate a few days for this in your itinerary.

4.    Want to see a spot of Ancient Egypt in Madrid? Head to the west of the city to see the Debod Temple, a gift given to Spain by Egypt in the 1960s after the country helped save important temples from flooding.

5.    Flamenco might seem like a Spanish stereotype but real flamenco performances offer passionate insight into Spain's cultural heritage. Head to a tablao like Casa Patas to experience the bewitching toque (guitar), baile (dance) and cante (song) of flamenco.

6.    Turn another cliché on its head and head to Las Ventas Bullring, the home of Spanish bullfighting. The bullfighting season runs from March to October.

7.    Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city in El Retiro, Madrid's main park, and the mesmerising Botanic Gardens.

8.    On a family holiday? Give children a break from sightseeing at the Zoo Aquarium Madrid, home to a great variety of mammals, reptiles, birdlife and marine animals.

9.    The city's two football teams dominate its sporting calendar. If you can't get a ticket for a match, take a Real Madrid stadium tour to see where the action happens.

10.  Take a day trip to El Escorial, the historic palace complex in San Lorenzo de El Escorial. The historic residence of the King of Spain, this palace welcomes over half a million visitors every year.

Shopping in Madrid

Whether you're looking for great Spanish brands like Mango and Zara or local souvenirs, shopping in Madrid is an experience that you'll always remember.

Gran Via and Salamanca

Walk along Gran Via and take in its majestic architecture as you go from shop to shop. For upmarket brands, head to the Salamanca district or trawl the shoe shops of Augusto Figueroa to buy famous Madrid footwear. 

El Rastro

El Rastro is Madrid's bustling flea market, which pops up every Sunday near Ribera de Curtidores. Take a walk through the market to see a kaleidoscope of colourful wares, but watch out for pickpockets as you do so. 

Eating in Madrid

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Spain's capital city has its most eclectic dining scene, with a range of traditional Spanish restaurants and tapas bars mingling alongside international eateries. 

What to eat in Madrid

Although tapas and paella abound, don't miss local Madrid dishes like cocido madrileño, a stew made with pork and chickpeas. Roast suckling pig and calamari sandwiches are also specialities of the city. 

Restaurants in Madrid

Head to Sobrino de Botin – recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest restaurant – for a taste of Madrid's traditional cuisine. Visit La Tasquita de Enfrente to see how modern chefs are updating the classics or take a Madrid tapas tour to sample food in many different tapas bars.

Insider's Tips 

Call the European Emergency Number, 112, if you need the ambulance, police or fire service in Madrid. 

The weather in Madrid is warmest between June and September, but rainfall can be high in Spring and towards the end of the year. 

After London, the Madrid metro system is the largest in Europe. Buy a tourist transport season ticket for  instructions in English, a metro map and details of where to alight for major attractions. 

Travelling on a budget? Museo Nacional del Prado is free to all visitors between 6pm and 8pm from Monday to Saturday, and between 5pm and 7pm on Sundays. The museum is always free for under 18s and students aged 18-25. 

Getting from Madrid Airport 

By metro

Metro Line 8 connects Madrid airport (Terminal 2 and Terminal 4) with Nuevos Ministerios station in the city centre. The journey time is around 15 minutes. A suburban train line also connects Terminal 4 with the city centre. 

By bus

Take the Linea Express bus to Madrid city centre from the airport. There are stops outside the arrivals hall at Terminals 1, 2 and 4 and the journey takes approximately 40 minutes. You can also take the Route 200 bus to Avenida de América metro station. 

By taxi and airport transfer

Taxi ranks are available outside all four terminal buildings. Look for official taxis, which are white with a red stripe and carry the Madrid City Council emblem on their doors.

You can also pre-book Madrid airport transfers with companies like AeroCity.