Welcome to the MADRIDE Travel Blog
We’re happy to inaugurate our Madride Travel Blog with this article!
A different kind of travel guide. We’re sure you’ll find it useful, especially because while there are plenty of blogs about what to do or see in Madrid, there are very few that tell you what not to do. And even fewer that reflect the local perspective.
Why listen to locals?
These are things that a true madrileño would never recommend—either because they’re unsafe, not part of our culture, or just in bad taste.
If you’re planning to visit Madrid, you’re in the right place. And if you’re from Madrid, we’d love to hear your opinion, did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!
1. Don’t leave your belongings unattended
Madrid is considered a very safe city, especially in the city center. You can walk around at almost any hour without feeling in danger. Violent crimes are extremely rare. However… it’s not perfect!
Like many big European cities, pickpocketing is a real issue, especially in crowded places: bars, terraces, clubs, and tourist hotspots. Thieves can take advantage of a distracted moment and it happens faster than you think.
Our tip: Keep an eye on your bags, phones, and wallets ALWAYS. Don’t hang your bag on the back of a chair or leave your phone on the table when you’re not paying attention.
2. Don’t expect good food at every cheap place
Yes, Madrid is full of amazing food and no, not every place is worth it.
Some super touristy spots (you’ll recognize them by the hanging ham legs in the windows and the “cheap” menus) offer low-quality food, terrible service, and even worse vibes. In our experience, if you look like a tourist. Especially with a big camera or speaking another language you might get served a smaller, sadder version of a tapa.
Our tip: Look for places where locals actually go. And remember: if the menu is in 10 different languages and someone is calling you in from the street, it’s probably not a great place.
3. Don’t compare Madrid to other cities or cultures
Imagine someone walks into your home and says, “My house is cleaner than yours,” or “My food is much better than yours.” Kind of annoying, right?
Madrid, like any other place, has things you might like more or less. But locals really appreciate respect, especially when it comes to their culture, food, traditions, and city life. So even if you don’t love everything, try to avoid negative comparisons.
Our tip: Be curious, be respectful, and enjoy discovering what makes Madrid unique.
4. Don’t go to the Prado Museum without a clue
The Prado Museum is one of the most important art museums in the world and totally worth your time. But going in without knowing what to look for might leave you overwhelmed and unimpressed.
Our tip: Before you go, read a little about the museum or take a guided tour. Learn about masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, and more. You’ll enjoy it so much more if you understand what you’re seeing!
5. Don’t start partying too early
Madrid is famous for its epic nightlife, but be careful, the rhythm is very different from other cities.
Tourists often make the mistake of having dinner at 6:00 PM and starting to drink right after… by 1:00 AM they’re exhausted. And that’s exactly when the party in Madrid is just starting!
Our tip: Dinner around 9:30 PM, then drinks, then clubs. Most clubs don’t get busy until 2:00 AM, and many stay open until 6:00 AM or later. Pace yourself and you’ll thank us later.
6. Don’t scream in the streets (especially late at night)
We get it, maybe you’ve had a few drinks and you’re having the best night ever. You want to shout about it from the rooftops! But…
Please don’t. Not at 5 AM on a Tuesday in a quiet residential street.
Madrid is a city of fun and energy, but it’s also a place where people live and work. A little consideration for the locals goes a long way.
Our tip: Have fun, enjoy the nightlife, but be respectful of the neighborhood. Keep the volume down once you’re outside the bars and clubs.
7. Don’t act like “just a tourist”
Blend in with the locals
You’re in Madrid now, feel like a local! Walk around like one more madrileño, take care of the places you visit, and enjoy the city with love and respect. You’ll have a much more authentic experience that way.
Yes, even locals do “touristy” things
Being a tourist doesn’t mean you have to be disconnected. In fact, locals in Madrid love their city and it’s common to see them visiting museums, joining walking tours, or exploring historical areas. So don’t be afraid to do “tourist” things, just balance them with more local experiences.
Mix touristy plans with local experiences
Take a guided tour, but also visit a neighborhood bar. See the Prado, but also spend time in Lavapiés or Malasaña. Try the most famous tapas, but don’t miss out on the daily menu (menú del día) in a small family-run spot.
That’s how you’ll discover the Madrid we all love and the one you’ll fall in love with too.
We hope these little tips (gathered from real madrileños) help you enjoy your time in Madrid even more.
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And stay tuned, this is just the beginning of our Madride Travel Blog. We’ll be posting more articles about travel culture in Madrid, Seville, and all around the world.
very useful advice, especially for prado, a blog is super
I really like the blog and the advices, next time when i visit the city, i will remember for them and use them because they are simply cool! ;]
I think it’s cool, I don’t see the negative stuff, just advices, by the way they said is their first post, give them a chance 😉
Very very good, love it. True, original and welcoming. I don’t know what Indignante’s problem is, he talks about negative and he’s all negativity himself haha! Good luck and keep up the originality 🙂
Very good points! I’m Danish but i feel like a local in Madrid and I love the city.
Nice article! and all of it true! Being a “madrileña” I’d also say not to expect everyone to speak english… and always expect someone to speak English… which seems contradictory, I know. Bear with me for a minute.
I’ve encountered a ton of English speaking people who assume everyone will speak English here. It is more so each and every day, but not everyone does.
Also, I’ve overheard several conversations that were not meant to be understood (I hope), but there will be always someone who is understanding perfectly what you’re criticizing about that nice woman sitting in front of you… 😉
Thanks all you guys for your comments and advices!
I’m glad “almost” everybody liked the post, I know is not perfect, actually is very far way from being perfect, at the end of the day all depends of the point of view of every person, that’s why it’s nice to hear other ideas from locals, I’m sure the people are reading this also appreciate your comments!
We’ll keep posting new posts abut Madrid, Spain and the travel culture around the world! We hope you follow us! Cheers!!