Madrid seemingly has it all… World-class museums, a rich history, sumptuous architecture, lively nightlife, excellent food and friendly locals. If the Spanish capital isn’t already on your travel bucket list, why not?

In the past, tourists and locals alike stayed clear of Madrid in the hot summer months, but the times have very much changed, and nowadays you’ll find that ‘La Ciudad de las Tascas’ (the city of tapas bars) remains vibrant and happening all year round.

And what makes Madrid particularly attractive to visit at the moment is that Spanish flag carrier Iberia has recently relaunched its ‘Hola Madrid’ stopover promotion which allows you to visit Madrid for up to six days while en route to another destination.

How does it work? It’s pretty simple, really. When you book a flight with Iberia that requires a transfer at its Madrid Barajas hub, you can request a stopover of between one to six days.

Instead of sitting in transit hell for hours and hours or paying a premium to fly direct, you can break up your journey as well as experience a new city at no extra cost.

Unfortunately, Iberia paused its Hola Madrid promotion during the pandemic, but it’s recently been relaunched for Summer 2023. To make the most of your stopover, keep in mind these top tips…

• To get a Hola Madrid stopover, you have to book a flight which would ordinarily require you to transfer planes in Madrid (for example, Los Angeles to Rome would require a transit because Iberia doesn’t fly direct to Rome from the United States).
• The long-haul segment of the journey has to be operated by either Iberia or American Airlines, but the short-haul segment can be operated by Iberia or any of its partners.
• Hola Madrid doesn’t, unfortunately, apply if you are transiting through Madrid to get to another Spanish destination (for example, if you wanted to fly from Los Angeles to Barcelona with a transfer in Madrid).
• You can’t use Hola Madrid on both the outbound and return journey, but it’s your choice whether you use it on the way to your final destination or on the way home.
• Checks out all the additional FAQs here.

Unlike similar city stopover programs, Hola Madrid doesn’t offer free or discounted hotel rooms, but you can earn Avios through booking.com, and you’ll also get a free public transit card which offers unlimited use within Madrid for up to two days.

Iberia has also negotiated a host of discounts and special offers, and we’d expect these to be expanded as Hola Madrid continues.

Here are some of the top sights I recommend visiting in Madrid:

Retiro Park

Retiro Park is a beautiful 118-hectare park located in the heart of Madrid. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, and it’s also home to a number of attractions, such as the Crystal Palace, the Buen Retiro Museum, and the boating lake.

The Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. It’s a magnificent Baroque palace that’s also open to the public for tours.

Gran Vía

Gran Vía is probably the most famous avenue in Madrid, lined with shops, restaurants, and theaters. It’s a great place to people-watch and soak up the atmosphere.

The Prado Museum

The Prado Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in Spain. It houses a vast collection of Spanish and European art, including works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and Bosch. The museum is located in the heart of Madrid, and it’s a must-visit for any art lover.

Mercado de San Miguel

Madrid is home to a number of indoor food markets, where you can find fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods from all over the world. Some of the most popular markets include Mercado de San Miguel, Mercado de Antón Martín, and Mercado de San Fernando.

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