When is the best time to visit Madrid?

Spring is the best time to visit Madrid for a balance of sunny weather, quieter crowds and bursts of pink almond blossoms across the city – though there’s so much going on in Madrid throughout the year there’s never a ‘bad’ time to visit, from Pride celebrations in June to Christmas markets in December.

What is the weather like in Madrid?

Madrid has very hot summers (sometimes reaching 40°C/104°F) and cooler winters where daytime highs reach 12°C/55°F. Autumn brings cooler temperatures and some rain, while spring is the most balanced of the seasons around 21ºC/70ºF and bright, sunny days.

What currency is used in Madrid?

Madrid uses the same currency as the rest of Spain, the official currency of Europe, the Euro (€).

What adaptor do I need for Madrid?

Madrid has 2 associated plug types: type C (two round parallel pins) and type F (two round parallel pins and one hole above them) at 230V.

Do you tip in Madrid?

Tipping in Madrid is not mandatory, but if you experience good service a tip of around 10% is customary when dining out at restaurants. On Madrid tours with Trafalgar, tips and gratuities are included as part of your tour price and taken care of by your Travel Director for anything included as part of your tour experience.

How many days in Madrid is enough?

We generally make time for two to three days for our trips to Madrid, which is enough time to soak up its culture, sample some incredible food and see the iconic sites.

Are guided tours in Madrid worth it?

Absolutely! When you travel to Madrid with Trafalgar, you’ll see the city through the eyes of Local Specialists and discover restaurants only known about by locals, with a dedicated Travel Director taking care of you every step of the way.

What are some free things to do in Madrid?

There are plenty of free things to do in Madrid, from a stroll through Retiro Park, seeing key sights like Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, and exploring neighborhoods such as Malasaña and La Latina. Many museums offer free admission during specific hours or on certain days.

Do I need travel insurance for Madrid?

We highly recommend guests purchase travel insurance prior to your trip. Please ensure you add the details of your insurance to the MyTrafalgar portal. Your insurance should cover trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, and evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events. Book your travel insurance with Trafalgar's Travel Protection Plan, which includes the Cancel For Any Reason Credit Certificate Feature and the Travel Insurance Benefits that may help to protect your holiday payment against the unexpected.

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Madrid tours & excursions

Name: Spanish Wonder
Brand: Trafalgar
Price: 3167 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5

Travel guide

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Spain’s capital is a buzzing, vibrant city, and you’ll certainly get a feel for its fiery personality with our Madrid tours. From royal palaces to cosy taperias, when you take a trip to Madrid with us you’ll have the knowledge of Local Specialists at your fingertips, allowing you to unlock the authentic side of Madrid.

Ready to learn more about this elegant, cosmopolitan city? Discover what you’ll see, taste and learn on a Madrid tour with Trafalgar.

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Country Collection

4.5

Spanish Wonder

Days

Stops

Madrid → Barcelona, via Toledo, Córdoba, Seville, Granada and 3 more stops

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$3,167

Standard Price

$3,725 pp

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Region Collection

4.5

Best of Spain

Days

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Madrid → Madrid, via Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Pamplona and 10 more stops

From

$5,576

Standard Price

$6,195 pp

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Highlights of Spain, Morocco and Portugal

Days

Stops

Madrid → Lisbon, via Toledo, Granada, Costa del Sol, Fes and 5 more stops

From

$3,893

Standard Price

$4,325 pp

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Spanish Heritage

Days

Stops

Barcelona → Madrid, via Valencia, Lorca, Purullena, Granada and 11 more stops

From

$9,135

Standard Price

$10,150 pp

View Trip

Tours

Country Collection

4.5

Spanish Wonder

Days

Stops

Madrid → Barcelona, via Toledo, Córdoba, Seville, Granada and 3 more stops

From

$3,167

Standard Price

$3,725 pp

View Trip

Tours

Region Collection

4.5

Best of Spain

Days

Stops

Madrid → Madrid, via Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Pamplona and 10 more stops

From

$5,576

Standard Price

$6,195 pp

View Trip

Highlights of Spain, Morocco and Portugal

Days

Stops

Madrid → Lisbon, via Toledo, Granada, Costa del Sol, Fes and 5 more stops

From

$3,893

Standard Price

$4,325 pp

View Trip

Spanish Heritage

Days

Stops

Barcelona → Madrid, via Valencia, Lorca, Purullena, Granada and 11 more stops

From

$9,135

Standard Price

$10,150 pp

View Trip

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Unedited Madrid tour reviews

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"Absolutely unforgettable!"

“Our recent tour of Spain was nothing short of spectacular, and it was made truly exceptional by our incredible guide and our driver. From the moment we met, we knew we were in good hands”

- Jennifer S., Spanish Wonder

"Made many new friends"

"Had the most amazing experiences The tour director and bus driver were fantastic. Tour group also amazing and everyone connected and got on well. Made many new friends. Itinerary was well thought out and included all the major sites and attractions."

- Trusted Customer, Best of Spain

"Excellent"

“I enjoyed this tour - the travel director, driver, and local specialists were excellent."

- Lori P., Great Iberian Cities

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Madrid experiences with Trafalgar

With Trafalgar, you’ll journey into the heart of each destination. Be My Guest invites you to connect with locals, while MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences let you positively impact communities. Plus, on many tours, you’ll overnight at Stays with Stories accommodations with tales as rich as the places you explore. Here are just a few of these unforgettable experiences on a Trafalgar Madrid tour.

Cibeles Square with iconic statue, Madrid, Spain

Iconic Experience

Madrid city tour

See the highlights of the city with all the insights of your Local Specialist as you visit the Old Town, travelling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana and past the Cibeles fountain and Royal Palace.

Experience on Spain, Morocco & Portugal Whirl.

Outside the iconic Prado Musem in Madrid

Dive into Culture

Extraordinary European art at the Prado Museum

Visit the Prado Museum in Madrid, where you'll have time to admire its extraordinary collection of European art by renowned artists from the 12th to early 20th centuries.

Experience on Best of Spain.

Dusk gently lights Plaza Mayor, with lots of chairs set out for diners

Optional Experience

Dinner and discovery in downtown Madrid

Explore a lesser-known side of Madrid's as you dine on authentic regional cuisine and enjoy live performances, ending the night with a drive past the city’s iconic squares and historic fountains.

Experience on Spanish Wonder.

Soft hues of sunlight upon the Royal Palace and Cathedral in Madrid

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Our top 5 things to do in Madrid

Discover Madrid with Trafalgar and get to know the intricacies of its heritage through music, dance, religion and architecture. Our trips are filled with both iconic and unexpected experiences, and will cement your love for this city.

Discover the Old and New Madrid

Get lost among the wooden shops and old tavernas in the narrow streets and charming alleyways running off Plaza Mayor. Explore the collision of old and new, with contemporary architecture and experimental restaurants next door to family-run shops handed down through generations.

Visit the Royal Palace

Home to many Spanish kings and the official residence of the current Royal Family, the Royal Palace is a suitably grand affair – watch the Changing of the Guard, see the Royal Collections Gallery and peek inside the Royal Kitchen.

Get a taste of San Miguel food market

Mercado de San Miguel opened its doors over 100 years ago, and is a must-visit for foodies. With over 20 stands, delicious aromas and tastes are around every corner from Iberian ham, fresh shellfish, rice dishes and local Spanish cheeses.

Relax in Retiro Park

Trips to Madrid can be a whirlwind. Take a break from city life with a stroll through Retiro Park, a lush oasis covering over 125 hectares filled with gardens, monuments, fountains and a glass house. You can even rent a rowboat to take for a spin across its famous lake.

Go Shopping on Gran Vía

Like a grand open-air shopping mall surrounded by magnificent architecture, Gran Vía is Madrid’s busiest street. It’s over 100 years old and lined with some of the most sought-after shops in the city.

Best museums in Madrid

Madrid’s world-class art museums have put it on the map, surmised by the city’s ‘Golden Triangle of Art’ formed by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – although there are plenty more to explore.

Museo del Prado

Uncover Spain’s rich history of art in one of the greatest museums in the world: Museo del Prado. Lay eyes on masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and Rubens, with the standout and highly symbolic Las Meninas by Velázquez.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Another prized Madrid museum, the Reina Sofia is one of the world’s largest museums dedicated to modern art, showcasing contemporary Spanish artists. Located at one end of Paseo del Arte (Art Walk) is home to works by Dalí, Miró and Juan Gris, as well as Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica.

National Archaeological Museum

Delve deep into Spain’s history through an impressive collection of decorative art and archaeological pieces from the Royal Family, from ancient Greek and Roman mosaics and prehistoric cave painting replicas. A six-year renovation makes the space a delight to walk through.

Best food in Madrid

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bad meal in Madrid, which was crowned the best city for food in Europe in 2025 by TimeOut, and is home to 291 Michelin-starred eateries. Excellent street food and experimental restaurants showcase the best of Spanish cuisine.

Churros

Madrid is home to the city's oldest churrería, Chocolatería San Ginés, which opened in 1894. Churros is found across Spain, but Madrid's churros is particularly delicious because of the luxuriously rich hot chocolate sauce that comes with it.

Bocodillo de Calamares

A Spanish treat that’s particularly popular in Madrid, the simple but effective squid sandwich is made up of deep-fried calamari in a crusty white bread roll – some fancier versions add a spicy tomato sauce. Pop into a food market and try one when you travel to Madrid.

Tapas

Tapas is synonymous with Spain – Madrid tapas classics include patatas bravas (deep-fried potato in a spicy tomato sauce), Spanish omelette, croquettes, aged cheese and Ibérico sausage. You’ll have plenty of chances to enjoy them on our Madrid trips.

What to pack for a tour in Madrid

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.

A man standing and packing suitcase next to a woman sitting on a bed

Spanish phrasebook

Speak like the locals and try a few Spanish phrases. It’s polite, and maybe you’ll make a few friends along the way – though on our Madrid tours your fluent Travel Director can help you out.

Seasonal clothing

Madrid has very distinct seasons: scorching hot summers, rainy fall and cold winters. Make sure you pack accordingly, whether it’s sun hats or thick sweaters!

Espadrilles

If you’re visiting in spring or summer, leave your flip-flops at home; Spaniards only ever wear them at the pool or beach. Grab a pair of stylish, Spanish espadrilles instead.

A scarf or pashmina

A must for air-conditioned transport, cooler evenings and covering up when visiting religious sites and cathedrals – or adding a pop of colour to any outfit year-round.

Evening attire

Many Trafalgar tours include a special evening meal or entertainment, such as a Ceilidh or traditional haggis dinner. Pack one smarter outfit so you’re prepared.

Pack for sustainable travel

Edinburgh is a forward-thinking city when it comes to sustainability. Bring a reusable water bottle, shopping tote, and refillable toiletries to reduce plastic use during your trip.