What it actually costs
When to go
40°C+ heat. The city empties — Madrileños leave for the coast. Many small restaurants close for August.
Prado Museum: free entry 6-8pm Mon-Sat. Queue is short and you get 2 hours — enough for highlights.
What locals know
Dinner before 9:30pm marks you as a tourist. Locals eat at 10pm, go out at midnight, clubs at 2am.
Mercado de San Miguel is touristy but the pintxos are genuinely good. Go at noon, not evening.
Retiro Park on Sunday morning — locals row boats, drum circles form, puppet shows for kids. The Crystal Palace inside is free art.
La Latina neighbourhood on Sunday for El Rastro flea market (9am-3pm) → tapas crawl on Cava Baja.
Honest warnings
Pickpockets in Sol, Gran Via, and metro. Phone-snatching is common.
August: half the city shuts. Check if your restaurant pick is even open before going.
Tipping: round up or leave €1-2. 10% is generous. Service charge is never included unless stated.
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