1. Get the Metro or Airport Bus from the airport to the centre of town. It’s far cheaper than a taxi.
2. In order to get around the city buy a 10-ticket metro/bus pass. This entitles you to use both the bus and metro – also don’t forget to ask for a metro map at any station.
3. Free admission to the Prado Museum on Sundays and for over 65’s and under 18’s with identification at all times.
4. Buy a reduced price ticket(7.66 Euros) for the Golden Triangle of Museums, which allows you to get in to the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen Musuem.
5. Keep an eye out for the Menú del Día (plate of the day) signs. It consists of a 3-course meal and has to be offered by all eating establishments. It is usually accompanied with bread and wine and usually offers great value from around 9/10 Euros.
6. Buy the Guía del Ocio guide or the Metropoli arts/culture magazine from the newspaper El Mundo on Fridays.
7. Change your eating/going out times. The Spanish eat lunch around 2-3 pm; dinner between 8-10 pm and won’t go out on the town till around 10.30pm
8. Don’t worry about the drinking water, it is exceptionally good and comes from the Madrid mountains.
9. Don’t buy/sell currency from the small exhange booths (usually located around Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía). For a much better exchange rate go direct to the big banks but don’t forget they close at around 2pm.
10. Remember that most palaces, museums and other places of interest are closed on Mondays.