The best season to visit Madrid is in the fall, between September and November, or in spring, between March and May. During these seasons, balmy temperatures are common throughout the city, which brings it back to life.

If you want to avoid crowds, and don’t mind a rather listless Madrid, visits in the winter are ideal. 

If you plan to visit Madrid in the summer, plan your sightseeing earlier in the day, until about 12 or 1 PM. You can then take a break from 3 PM to 7 PM and continue exploring the city post that.

Avoid visiting the most popular sights of the city between 10 AM and noon, since this is when they are most crowded. Plan your visits to indoor sights between 2 PM and 5 PM, when most tourists are taking a nap.

• Metro: The fastest way to travel around Madrid is by using the metro. The metro system is clean, extensive, and easy to use, with routes throughout the central city, southern suburbs, and the airport. The metro line is open from 6 AM to 1:30 AM.
• Bus: There are over 200 bus lines through Madrid and they operate from 6 AM to 11:30 PM on weekdays, and from 7 AM to 11 PM on weekends.
• Taxi: Although taxis are one of the easiest ways to travel around Madrid, they can be quite expensive, as well as time-consuming, since traffic is almost always bad.

• Plaza Mayor is a must-experience attraction in the heart of Madrid, featuring street performers, cafes, bars, and souvenir shops.
• Relish some traditional tapas in Madrid and enjoy one of the world's best-known appetizers.
• El Rastro Flea Market is the perfect stop for shoppers who love a bargain.
• For nature lovers, Retiro Park is an ideal location to spend a few hours and go paddling. 
• For chocolate lovers, there is no better location in Spain than Chocolateria San Gines, famous since the 19th century for their hot chocolate and churros.
• Catch a spectacular flamenco show over a candlelit dinner with sangria, and relish delicacies such as Jamon, Migas, Iberico, and even some roast suckling pig. 
• Attend a football match at the Santiago Bernabeu and watch one of the world’s most renowned football clubs, Real Madrid, in action!

• Tipping is not common in Spain. Giving a 5% tip is considered generous. Just leaving loose change is sufficient. 
• Wear comfortable shoes, since you will be doing a fair bit of walking as you explore the city.
• There are numerous attractions around Madrid that are free to enter and explore, such as the Plaza Mayor and Buen Retiro.
• Take the metro to travel around the city. With a 10-ride pass coming in under 15 Euros, it is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to travel around the city. 
• Learn some basic Spanish, since it will allow you to navigate through the city, and communicate with waiters and receptionists much more easily. 
• Museums offer free admission on certain days and hours. Be sure to check their schedule and save a bit of money!
• Dinners in Spain tend to be late at night. If you show up at a restaurant at around 7 or 8 PM, you can eat your fill without any crowds!