Local Insight: Madrid’s Royal Palace, the largest in Western Europe by floor area, has over 3,400 rooms. Yet, the Spanish Royal Family doesn’t actually live there—it’s used for state ceremonies while they reside in the more modest Zarzuela Palace on the outskirts.

Madrid’s tapas culture is a social institution. The tradition supposedly began when King Alfonso X recovered from an illness by drinking wine with small bites between meals. He later decreed taverns must serve food with wine, birthing the *tapa* (meaning “lid” or “cover”).

For the most authentic flamenco, skip the big dinner shows. Seek out *tablaos* in the Lavapiés or La Latina neighborhoods for late-night performances where the raw emotion and skill of the artists, often in intimate, tucked-away venues, will give you goosebumps.

With a smart city card or pass, you’re not just saving money—you’re gaining time and peace of mind. Skip the ticket lines at the Prado, hop on a bus without fumbling for change, and secure your spot on popular tours that often sell out days in advance. It’s your key to a seamless Madrid adventure.