The Gran Via in Madrid at dusk

Madrid

World-class galleries, late nights and the best day-trip network in Spain.

Photo: Zarateman (CC0)

Currency
EUR
Emergency number
112
Police, Ambulance, Fire
Advisory level
High degree of caution
Global Affairs Canada
Language
Spanish
Local transport
Metro
12 lines, contactless
Yellow High-temperature Warning issued for Spain - Prelitoral sur de Tarragona

Moderate high-temperature warning · Area: Prelitoral sur de Tarragona · From 2026-08-12T11:00:00+00:00 · until 2026-08-12T18:59:59+00:00

Yellow High-temperature Warning issued for Spain - Prepirineo de Barcelona

Moderate high-temperature warning · Area: Prepirineo de Barcelona · From 2026-08-12T11:00:00+00:00 · until 2026-08-12T18:59:59+00:00

Yellow High-temperature Warning issued for Spain - Albarracín y Jiloca

Moderate high-temperature warning · Area: Albarracín y Jiloca · From 2026-08-12T11:00:00+00:00 · until 2026-08-12T18:59:59+00:00

Good to know

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Spain, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period…

Spain follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it might have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago,…

The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area…

There are strict rules about what goods can be taken into and out of Spain (PDF). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty…

Exercise a high degree of caution. Latest change: Entry and exit requirements section – updated information on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

Spanien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise

Metro line 8 links Barajas airport to Nuevos Ministerios in 15 minutes, with a supplement on top of the normal fare.

The Prado is free for the last two hours of the day, and the Reina Sofia for the last two hours except Tuesday.

Toledo and Segovia are both around 30 minutes away by high-speed train, easy as a half-day trip.

La Latina on a Sunday after El Rastro market is the classic vermouth and tapas crawl.

Local knowledge

Contributed by guides, operators and creators on the ground. Community advice, kept separate from official sources.

Free hours at the big three

Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen all have free evening slots. Arrive 30 minutes before and do one wing properly rather than all of it badly.

datakyte contributor
Vermouth hour in La Latina

Sunday from noon on Cava Baja. Start at the top of the street, one drink per bar, and you will have eaten dinner by accident.

Local guide

Book an experience

Verified operators in Madrid, booked direct through KLNK.

Frequently asked questions

You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Spain, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for British citizen passport holders)

Spain follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for British citizen passport holders)

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Spain guide. (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for British citizen passport holders)

There are strict rules about what goods can be taken into and out of Spain (PDF). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for British citizen passport holders)

Global Affairs Canada currently states: “Spain: Exercise a high degree of caution” (advisory level 2 of 4). Always check the original advisory before travelling.

Currency: EUR. Languages: Spanish. Capital: Madrid.

Sources and freshness

Travel information last reviewed 12 August 2026. Compiled from European Commission Newsroom, IATA Timatic, Open-Meteo and datakyte Travel Intelligence. Always confirm entry rules and safety guidance with official government sources before you travel.

Advisories, entry rules and alerts apply to Spain as a whole.

Aggregated from official sources. Content is never rewritten — always display the publisher, publication time and original source link.

Photography: Zarateman (CC0); Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada (CC BY-SA 2.0); Max Alexander / PromoMadrid (CC BY-SA 2.0).