Madrid is located in the center of Spain, and is connected to other major cities by air and trains. The city is known for its many dining options and its vast culture.

Explore the museums during the afternoons.

Madrid can be explored on a budget. The city has many museums, and in many of these museums you do not have to pay a fee in the afternoons. The city’s three main art museums are the Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen Bornemisza. These three museums form the Golden Triangle of Museums, located near the central train station of Atocha. North of the city center visitors will find the Colón area, a district filled with restaurants and boutique shops where there are two main museums, the National Archaeological Museum and the Wax Museums. Discounts are available at the museums.

Visit the markets.

The city is known for its many dining options. There are many traditional markets selling fresh local products for those on a budget, tapas bars for those who want a taste of the city’s nightlife and many restaurants, including several Michelin restaurants. The city’s three main markets are the Antón Martín market, the San Antón market and the San Miguel market. Visitors will be able to stock up on fresh, local products and then enjoy a picnic in one of the city’s parks. The Antón Martín market is located close to the Atocha train station, and is a traditional market where visitors will find homemade jams, a selection of sandwiches and many stalls with fresh fish and meat. The San Antón market is located in the city center, steps away from the Puerta de Sol square, the city’s geographical center. The San Miguel market, located in the party district of Chueca, is known for its many tapas bars and stalls selling rustic breads and seafood cocktails. The market’s terrace has views towards the city center.

Head out for some tapas.

Madrid is a city known for its many tapas bars, traditional bars where with each drink ordered the guests get a complimentary tapa. Tapas are local low cost appetizers. Many locals head out for some tapeo, tapa tasting, before spending the rest of the night in a club partying until dawn. There are many tapas bars in the Malasaña district, located steps away from the Gran Vía main street, a street filled with restaurants and shops. Another area for tapas is La Latina, where many of the city’s party hostels and boutique hotels are located. In this area visitors will be able to try a large selection of tapas, from fresh olives and a selection of hams to patatas bravas potatoes served with spicy sauce and the traditional tortilla española, a potato omelet. After dining on tapas and raciones, larger versions of tapas, visitors will be able to party in one of the nearby clubs, where a drink can vary between 4€ and 10€, and there are many clubs, discos and lounges.

Walk around the city center.

Madrid is a city that can be explored on foot. There are buses, a subway system and a train system. The city’s public transport system costs around 2€ per trip, and a one way trip to the airport costs around 7€. There are inner city buses and buses that will take visitors to the nearby historical towns of El Escorial, Segovia and Toledo for less than 10€ roundtrip. Many hostels offer guided walking trips around the historical city center for the price of a tip. During these tours visitors will be able to see the Royal Palace, the nearby Almudena Cathedral, the fountains decorating the Plaza de España square and the Ancient Egyptian Debod Temple. After exploring the city’s main sights visitors can enjoy a stroll in the centric Retiro park, a park with a pond where boats can be rented.

This post was graciously contributed by Publiblog Destinia.