The Community of Madrid is a city-region: about 7 million people, most of them in Madrid and its suburbs. It has the country’s main airport, its densest job market, the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen museums and a nightlife that starts late and ends later.
Outside the city, the region reaches north into the Sierra de Guadarrama for hiking and skiing, and has historic towns like Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez and El Escorial.
Climate
Continental: hot, dry summers (often 35 °C or more in July and August) and cold, sunny winters with frosty nights. Snow is common in the nearby mountains.
Best time: April to June and mid-September to November. August is hot and many locals leave.
Food and drink
Cocido madrileño, bocadillo de calamares, callos, churros with chocolate, and the full range of Spanish regional cooking because people come here from everywhere.
What it’s like
Madrid is open and easy to settle into: most people in the city were born somewhere else. It is greener than people expect, with Retiro and Casa de Campo parks, and the metro is excellent. The trade-off is no sea and a hot summer.
Living here
Most international jobs in Spain are here, along with the widest choice of international schools. Rents have risen sharply in central neighbourhoods; many families live in northern suburbs like Las Rozas, Pozuelo, Alcobendas or Tres Cantos. The regional income tax rate is the lowest in Spain.
Getting around
Madrid is the hub of the AVE network: Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, Málaga and Alicante are each roughly 1.5 to 3 hours away by high-speed train. Toledo and Segovia are about 30 minutes.
Towns and cities in Community of Madrid
Community of Madrid
Madrid
Spain’s capital: the Prado, huge parks, late nights, the country’s biggest job market and a city that welcomes newcomers quickly.
€€€€ 3 to 4 days
Fiestas in Community of Madrid
Frequently asked questions
Is Madrid cheaper than Barcelona?
They are close. Rents are high in both. Madrid usually has more jobs and a lower regional tax rate; Barcelona has the sea.
What is the best time to visit Community of Madrid?
April to June and mid-September to November. August is hot and many locals leave.
What is the weather like in Community of Madrid?
Continental: hot, dry summers (often 35 °C or more in July and August) and cold, sunny winters with frosty nights. Snow is common in the nearby mountains.
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