MadridCapital
Spain · Country profile
Madrid is Spain’s capital at heart, a plateau-city of grand plazas, world-famous art museums and a nightlife culture that starts late and ends later. The Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen together form one of Europe’s great art collections, while the royal palace, the Plaza Mayor and the busy tapas streets of La Latina and Malasaña give the city its pulse. Madrid is landlocked but lively, with beautiful parks like El Retiro, and a food scene famed for churros, tortilla and Sunday seafood. As Spain’s transport hub, it’s also the effortless gateway to the rest of the country.
About Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain. The city's documented population is around 3,527,924 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Spanish is spoken; the dialling code is +34. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport.
Grand Art, Late Dinners and a City That Comes Alive After Nine
Madrid is Spain’s capital, set on a high plateau inland, a city of grand plazas, extraordinary art collections and a famously late life. The Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen form one of Europe’s finest museum clusters, while the royal palace, the Plaza Mayor and the tapas district of La Latina give the city its pulse. It is a walkable grid of elegant boulevards and shaded parks, built on a sunny, dry plateau. Unlike coastal Spain, Madrid has no sea — its draw is culture, food, and a nightlife that starts long after dark elsewhere.
Museum Timed Entries, the August Exodus and Mealtimes at Two
Book the Prado and Reina Sofía in advance in season — the queues are real and the collections reward timed entry. The museum cluster is the best reason to plan ahead; the rest of the city rewards spontaneity. Mealtimes run very late: lunch from 2pm and dinner often from 9pm, with many places closing for a long afternoon break in between. Summer is hot and dry and the city empties in August as locals head to the coast; spring and autumn are the sweet spot. The airport connects to the centre by metro and rail.
The Metro, El Retiro and Sunday at the Rastro
The metro is superb, cheap and covers the whole city, so staying slightly outside the tourist core is easy and cheaper — just check the line connections. El Retiro park is the green heart and perfect for a slow afternoon. The royal palace and the plazas cluster in the centre, while the livelier barrio streets hold the tapas culture — order a drink and a tapa and move on. Sunday brings the famous Rastro flea market. Many museums close on Mondays. The city is safe and walkable, and it is the ideal springboard for high-speed trains to Toledo, Segovia and beyond.
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- Country
- Spain
- Population
- 3,527,924
- Coordinates
- 40.4839, -3.5685
- Capital
- Madrid
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +34
- Country code
- ES
Entry requirements for Spain
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Spain for tourism.
Getting to Madrid
Airports we list for Madrid:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Spain
Other cities we cover in Spain:
Frequently asked questions
Is Madrid the capital of Spain?
Yes — Madrid is the capital of Spain.
What currency do I need in Madrid?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Spain include Spanish.
What is the dialling code for Spain?
The international dialling code for Spain is +34.
Which airport should I fly into for Madrid?
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) is the airport we list for Madrid.
How far is Madrid from the nearest airport?
Madrid is about 285 km from Valencia Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Spain?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Spain visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Madrid? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.