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Best time to fly to Madrid, Spain

If you ask us, there’s really no bad time to visit. With fantastic food, lively nightlife, and cultural sights in abundance - it’s always a good time to travel to Madrid.

Due to the summer heat, some believe that the best time to visit Madrid is in the cooler seasons of March-May and September-November.

The weather also tends to be clear most of the year, meaning that a winter visit to Madrid can also be an excellent choice.

Icelandair offers flights to Madrid from our Keflavík hub from April to October. Use the search bar at the top of the page to check upcoming flights to Madrid.

Getting around Madrid

Madrid is home to a convenient and easy-to-use public transport system, with metro, train, and bus routes to choose from.

The metro runs every day from 6AM – 1:30AM, and metro station entrances are marked clearly with a red diamond sign with "Metro" in blue.

Buses are also a good option for getting around on a budget.

There are a number of taxi and private hire services operating in Madrid too, including Uber, so travelers have plenty of options to choose from.

Food and drink in Madrid

If there’s one thing Madrid is renowned for, it’s the delicious Spanish food on offer. Ready to delight your taste buds? Take a tour around the buzzing tapas bars of La Latina neighborhood.

Head to the street called Calle de la Cava Baja for a bumper bar selection that swings from traditional to modern. Other great neighborhoods for mealtime exploration are Malasaña, Chueca, and Salamanca.

Look for the city's signature dish of cocido madrileño, a chickpea-based stew loaded with meat and vegetables - best enjoyed in cooler weather.

Markets and food halls offer even more belly-filling finds, such as the ageless beauty of Mercado de San Miguel.

Things to do in Madrid

Get plenty of sleep before you touch down in Madrid - evening cultural options are plentiful in this vibrant city, with options including flamenco shows, bullfights, or a relaxed dinner with the locals.

Discover the treasure-filled royal palace of Palacio Real, and be dazzled by the impressive art collections in the Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofia, or Thyssen Bornemisza Museum. Expect to see works by Spanish artistic giants like Picasso, Goya, Dalí, and Velázquez.

Enjoy a break from the sights by sipping sangria in one of the many picturesque plazas in the heart of the city. Prime options include Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Cibeles, and Puerta del Sol.

If football's your thing, make a beeline for Real Madrid's ground, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Grab a ticket to a game to cheer alongside 80,000 fans, or simply tour the grounds during downtime.

After all that exploring, a little afternoon siesta can't hurt. El Retiro Park is a glorious place for a pit stop if you want to relax in beautiful surroundings with your friends and family.