How to Be a Good Tourist: Practicing Responsible Travel in Madrid

In the rush of preparing for an upcoming trip, we often overlook a small step that can significantly enhance our travel experience.

That step? Embracing responsible travel.

Engaging in responsible travel in Madrid—and any city that you visit—involves making choices that have a positive impact on the local community and contribute to preserving the city’s vibrant atmosphere and functionality.

Once you’ve packed your bag, get ready and check out our simple tips for responsible travel in Madrid. Buen viaje!

people walking in Plaza Mayor in Madrid
Madrid receives over 10 million international tourists a year. Photo credit: Kristijan Arsov

When to visit Madrid responsibly

Choosing when to travel can have a huge impact on your experience. Think of the difference between enjoying your chocolate con churros as soon as you get the craving versus drooling over the delicious smell as you stand in a never-ending line. Traveling in low season will not only allow you to beat the crowds, but also give you the opportunity to mingle more with the locals you encounter. They will be the ones to introduce you to Madrid’s real culture and hidden gems. You will also find better deals as far as flight and accommodation are concerned and, at the same time, you’ll be helping the city even out its tourism flow throughout the year. Makes sense, right?

Our pick: To beat the crowds, travel November to February!

The entrance to the Chueca metro station in Madrid with apartment blocks visible in the background.
Chueca is one of Madrid’s most welcoming neighborhoods. Photo credit: Fred Romero

Where to stay in Madrid responsibly

Though Airbnb can seem like the right choice every time, there is an ethical debate behind it which any responsible tourist should be aware of. While the traveler may be enjoying a more local stay in a neighborhood, more and more neighbors are being forced out of their homes due to rising rent prices. The solution? Stay in a locally-owned bed and breakfast or pensión, a Madrid-owned boutique hotel, or, for an even more authentic feel, head out to one of Madrid’s peripheral neighborhoods which are all very well connected with the city center.

Our picks for where to stay:

  • Central Palace for centrally located with views of the palace
  • Dear Hotel for a luxurious boutique hotel with a terrace offering some of the best cocktails and views of the city
people walking near red building
Madrid has so many amazing neighborhoods. Photo credit: Erika Hara

Where to eat in Madrid responsibly

One of the best ways to experience a new culture is through its food and Madrid is no exception! With a seemingly infinite number of bars and restaurants, how do you make the right choice as a responsible traveler?

First off, forget the chains! Although tempting in their familiarity, chains are often foreign-owned and have little to offer in terms of a local experience. Instead, keep your eyes peeled for independent, local restaurants where you will find seasonal food items on the menu. Also, keep on the lookout for the centennial plaques proudly displayed by Madrid’s older taverns. These are restaurants that have been open for over 100 years and that are often family owned and run, offering an array of local traditional delicacies.

people dining on a terrace in Madrid
Outdoor dining is the best. Photo credit: Mari Vlassi

Our picks:

  • Seasonal and local: La Berenjena for its local vibe and seasonal dishes
  • Centennial and traditional: Casa Labra for their salted cod croquetas

Taking a sustainable food tour in Madrid

At Devour Tours, we advocate and endorse sustainable and responsible approaches to traveling. We achieve this by supporting locally operated and family-run businesses, ensuring your spending benefits the community. We invite you to come on board one of our food tours in Madrid and experience firsthand our commitment to sustainable travel practices.

mercado market with fruit
Engaging with the local market vendors adds to the enjoyment of your visit.

Responsible travel in Madrid itinerary

Depending on your interests and length of stay, there are so many different activities you can enjoy in Madrid. Do make room for cultural activities such as museum visits or a stroll over to the cathedral and Royal Palace. Also, check-out some of the lesser-known attractions such as the Barefoot Nuns Monastery or the Sorolla Museum.

That said, you will find that even the best planners tend to be led off the path by the Madrid way of life! And that is perfectly okay—as a responsible tourist you do want to let yourself be guided by your instincts! Leave TripAdvisor and Google Maps at home and wander the little backstreets of Hapsburg Madrid. Before you know it, you’ll find a quaint little jewelry shop, an authentic tapas stop or even a local food market.

 
View through an open doorway with a large domed cathedral in the distance across an open plaza.
The Almudena Cathedral as seen from the Royal Palace. Photo credit: Erica Zhao

Our favorite small shops and artisans

Everyone loves to return home with a little memento for themselves or their loved ones after a wonderful trip. But before you add more stuff to your already about-to-burst hand luggage, ask yourself where it came from. Is it a cheap import or a genuine local product? Try to avoid the shops that are flooded with the same type of ubiquitous souvenirs you can find anywhere in the world. Purchasing local souvenirs instead is a great way to support local craftspeople when you buy in the right places. Suss out the specialty shops selling olive oil and wine, pottery or leather goods.

Our picks:

Close up of a person holding a small black tray with 4 different cheeses
Four different, yet equally delicious, Spanish cheeses from Casa González.

Key points for responsible travel in Madrid

Do:

  • Plan ahead
  • Learn a few words in Spanish
  • Read up on our history and culture
  • Make room for cultural attractions
  • Lose yourself in the backstreets
  • Mingle with the locals
  • Eat locally-sourced and seasonal products
  • Buy local souvenirs
  • Travel by foot or public transport
  • Stay in locally-owned accommodation

Don’t:

  • Eat at chain restaurants
  • Rely solely on TripAdvisor recommendations
  • Leave your trash behind
  • Disturb residents on your way back from a wild night on the town
  • Overuse A/C or water
  • Overlook lesser-known attractions
  • Act any differently than you would at home!
Statue of a bear eating from a strawberry tree in the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid.
Traveling responsibly doesn’t mean avoiding the main sights altogether—it’s more about doing so in a way that respects locals and their communities. Photo credit: Alejandro Cartagena
 

Follow these tips and you can leave Madrid knowing you’ve been a great tourist. Don’t stop there—take a look at the rest of our responsible tourism guides:

BARCELONA | SEVILLE | SAN SEBASTIAN | LISBON | ROME | PARIS

0 Comment

  1. Scott says
    June 18, 2019 at 8:26 pm

    What is the best dress code? I was told not to wear shorts and tennis shoes, but photos show a lot of both.
    Thank you

    1. Devour Tours says
      June 25, 2019 at 10:19 am

      Wear whatever you’re comfortable in! It gets really hot here during the summer and locals and tourists alike can be spotted in shorts and tennis shoes 🙂 Here are our packing tips for Madrid: https://madridfoodtour.com/what-to-pack-for-madrid/

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