In Madrid, there are several key places and resources where tourists, like our Spanish Students - whether short term or long term can go for information: for general travel tips, sightseeing, or specific events happening around the city. Here are some of the best options.
Tourist Information Centers
You can start by approaching the Staff at the Tourist Information Offices (Oficinas de Turismo, in Spanish). These are the main places to get brochures, maps, and advice on things to do in Madrid:
- Madrid Tourist Board (Madrid Destino). The official tourism organization for the city, which provides helpful guides, maps, and information. They have various offices across Madrid.
- Puerta del Sol Tourist Information Center. Located in the heart of Madrid, this is one of the most popular places for tourists to stop by. It's close to major attractions, and staff can offer multilingual assistance. Only meters away, you find one of the busiest metro stations (Sol).
- Atocha Tourist Information Center. Located in the Atocha train station, great if you’re arriving by train or need information in a central location.
If you are more digital. Official Madrid Website (website: https://www.esmadrid.com/en). It offers comprehensive information about the city, including must-see attractions, events, tours, and local tips. The site is available in multiple languages and is regularly updated. We use it a lot at the school, to know the latest news and to create our Cultural activities weekly calendar.
Useful mobile applications to find information in Madrid
- Madrid City Guide. An app that provides tourist information, including top attractions, restaurants, and events.
- Google Maps. You must already know this one, useful for real-time information on how to navigate the city, find tourist spots, and check opening hours. It’s good if you want an app in your mother tongue, to understand every direction (we let you take a break from Intensive Spanish classes, we don’t want anyone to get lost!).
Finally, for foodies, take a look at TheFork (“ElTenedor“): the favorite app for making restaurant reservations and exploring dining options around the city.
For travel purporses and moving around the city: ublic Transport Information is a must to move around in a confident manner, like a pro!
Madrid’s metro and bus systems have information desks at major stations like Gran Vía and Sol. They offer free maps and can help with travel routes. The EMT (Empresa Municipal de Transportes) website also provides info on buses, tickets, and schedules.
Look around your accommodation: many hotels and hostels provide free tourist maps, local event flyers, and personalized recommendations. Some may even offer guided tours or provide tickets for popular attractions.
In the buildings of Madrid's Museums & Cultural Centers you can find tourist information and educational programs. They also often have detailed guides to help visitors understand the artwork. We love the big desk at CentroCentro, a cultural center that often hosts exhibitions and has an info desk for tourists.
If you prefer a guided overview of the city, the Madrid City Tour offers hop-on, hop-off buses. The buses have multilingual audio guides, and they cover the city’s main attractions. You can ask the staff for additional information about the stops and activities. We recommend this alternative for people who can’t walk long distances, or elderly people, since you can see everything from the bus and decide where you want to stop and visit, avoiding walking extra kilometres.
Casa de Campo, a really large park in Madrid, offers tourist information and often has recreational or educational activities. Places like La Casa Encendida or Matadero Madrid (Cultural Centers) often host exhibitions, performances, and events that might interest tourists. Quite a lot of them are free!
If you feel more comfortable being guided, many private and group tour companies operate in Madrid, offering walking tours, bike tours, or themed tours (like food tours or historical tours). Some popular options are Madrid Walking Tours and Free Tour Madrid.
In many tourist-friendly neighborhoods like Malasaña, La Latina, or Chueca, local shops and cafés often have flyers or information on local events, markets, or hidden gems. If you’re unsure about anything, it’s always a good idea to ask the locals — Madrid’s residents are often friendly and willing to help tourists.
With all these useful tips, you won’t have any excuses to go around sightseeing and practicing your oral Spanish with locals!
