Dinner at a mid-range restaurant can cost between €20–€40 ($22–$44) per person, while fine dining can exceed €100 ($110). Of course, tapas culture is a staple of Madrid's food scene, and you could potentially fill up with a meal's worth of delicious small plates along with a few drinks for €12–€20.
Budget-conscious travelers often report spending around €70-€80 per day in Madrid, including hostel accommodation and meals at local markets. Many find that using public transportation and taking advantage of free museum hours helps stretch their budget.
The short answer is that Madrid is moderately priced compared to other European capitals, offering good value with average daily costs of €70-150 per person depending on your travel style. While not as budget-friendly as Eastern European destinations, Madrid is notably more affordable than Paris, London, or Amsterdam.
Yes, Madrid seems pretty expensive. If you want to eat out, breakfast easily costs €15 to €20, and Lunch/Dinner easily costs €20 to €30 in many restaurants in Central Madrid.
In Spain, a cup of coffee can cost as little as €0.60, or as much as €2.50 if we're talking about speciality coffee. The average cost of a cup of coffee in Spain is around €1.50 in 2023.
Budget: Expect €20–€25 cover at clubs, drinks from €10. Budgeting is an important aspect of any vacation, and nightlife can become quite expensive very quickly. With a €20 to €25 club entry fee, a €15 to €30 taxi ride back home, and a few drinks, your tab might end up higher than expected.
Spain's currency is the euro, and is shared by 18 other European Union's Member States. In Spain, students are encouraged to use cash in smaller cities as they many not accept credit cards. Many of the business in Madrid accept credit cards. Using a credit card ensures the best exchange rate.
The cheapest time to visit Spain is usually from December to March, though you can also enjoy affordable flights and hotels in early spring and late autumn. The winter months see many vibrant markets and activities dedicated to annual celebrations such as Christmas, Carnival, and New Year's Eve.
Breakfast is usually eaten early in the morning, often outside of the home. At around noon people often have something light, which may be either sweet or savoury. Later on, between 2pm and 4pm, is the heartiest meal of the day. This is followed by an early evening snack and by dinner at night, at around 9pm.
€100 a day after initial flights/trains is plenty depending on what you want to do. You will feel stretched a little if you want to be doing paid activities every day and eating out. If you don't mind a shared bathroom, that's probably ~300 for 6 nights. ~400 if you do want your own everything.
Madrid remains one of Europe's safest capitals, especially in neighborhoods like Chamberí, Salamanca, and Retiro. Your plan to return sounds fantastic—pairing Madrid with Barcelona is a classic, and both cities are still welcoming.
The best time to visit Madrid is May and September when you can visit its boulevards, expansive parks, open squares and outdoor cafes with fewer tourists but still enjoy pleasant weather. Springtime (April to May) is the best time for outdoor activities and walking around the city.
Dinner at a mid-range restaurant can cost between €20–€40 ($22–$44) per person, while fine dining can exceed €100 ($110). Of course, tapas culture is a staple of Madrid's food scene, and you could potentially fill up with a meal's worth of delicious small plates along with a few drinks for €12–€20.
While most places accept contactless payments with a debit or credit card, it's always useful to have cash for tips, small purchases and at markets. If you're planning to go off the beaten track, say hiking in Andalucia or Tenerife, cafes and shops may not accept card payments so it's better to take some cash.
Madrid is overall a cheaper city to live in than Barcelona. You can buy a coffee for just €2 and eat out at a regular restaurant for €12 a head, according to Numbeo. You can use public transport for as little as €1.50 and your average monthly rent could be as little as €800 for one person or from €1,240 for a family.
July and August are Madrid's hottest months. Daytime temperatures will stay at 31°C (88°F) or above, but there are many unbearably hot days at 35°C to 40°C. This can be unpleasant, so if you dislike hot weather, you are advised not to visit Madrid in mid-summer.
In Madrid, tipping is entirely optional. Some restaurants may add a 2- or 3-euro charge onto the bill for bread or a small tapa, a service which they are obliged to warn you about and which you are entitled to turn down.
A lot of people worry if they haven't exchanged their currency into Euros before their trip to Spain, but fear not! Waiting until you arrive in Spain for your trip and exchanging your money can provide you with a better exchange rate, than doing the same action in your home country.
You can use your debit card to spend or withdraw cash worldwide. Just use it in the same way you do at home, wherever you see the Visa symbol. We convert card transactions into pounds using the Visa exchange rate. When using your card abroad, you should select to pay in the local currency in order to get this rate.
YES! Three days give you enough time to see all of the major points of interest, as well as extra time to go deeper on your own personal areas of interest.
The capital of Spain, Madrid, according to most experts, is the richest city in the country. This is due to the high level of the city's economy, the diversity of industries and services, and the developed financial sector. What factors determine the wealth of a city in Spain?
