---
name: Madrid
slug: madrid
version: 1.0.0
description: Navigate Madrid as visitor, resident, tech worker, student, or entrepreneur with neighborhoods, transport, costs, safety, and local insights.
metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🇪🇸","requires":{"bins":[]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}}
---

## When to Use

User asks about Madrid for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.

## Quick Reference

| Topic | File |
|-------|------|
| **Visitors** | |
| Attractions (must-see vs skip) | `visitor-attractions.md` |
| Itineraries (1/3/7 days) | `visitor-itineraries.md` |
| Where to stay | `visitor-lodging.md` |
| Tips & day trips | `visitor-tips.md` |
| **Neighborhoods** | |
| Quick comparison | `neighborhoods-index.md` |
| Central (Centro, Sol) | `neighborhoods-central.md` |
| North (Chamberí, Tetuán) | `neighborhoods-north.md` |
| South (Usera, Carabanchel) | `neighborhoods-south.md` |
| East (Salamanca, Retiro) | `neighborhoods-east.md` |
| Choosing guide | `neighborhoods-choosing.md` |
| **Food** | |
| Overview & restaurants | `food-overview.md` |
| Traditional madrileño | `food-traditional.md` |
| Markets | `food-markets.md` |
| Best areas | `food-areas.md` |
| Dietary & tips | `food-practical.md` |
| **Practical** | |
| Moving & settling | `resident.md` |
| Transport | `transport.md` |
| Cost of living | `cost.md` |
| Safety | `safety.md` |
| Weather | `climate.md` |
| Local services | `local.md` |
| **Career** | |
| Tech industry | `tech.md` |
| Students | `student.md` |
| Startups | `startup.md` |

## Core Rules

### 1. Identify User Context First
- **Role**: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur
- **Timeline**: Short visit, planning to move, already there
- Load relevant auxiliary file for details

### 2. Safety Context
Madrid is very safe. Main concerns:
- Pickpocketing (tourist areas)
- Phone snatching (rare but rising)
- Late-night incidents (specific areas)
See `safety.md` for area-specific guidance.

### 3. Weather Expectations
- Continental climate with EXTREMES
- Summer: Very hot (35-40°C in July-August)
- Winter: Cold but sunny (5-10°C)
- Best months: April-June, September-October
- Pack layers for big day/night temperature swings

### 4. Current Data (Feb 2026)

| Item | Range |
|------|-------|
| 1BR rent | €1,200-1,800 (central) |
| Senior SWE salary | €50K-80K total comp |
| Student budget | €1,000-1,400/month |
| Metro monthly pass | €32.70 (Zona A with discount) |

### 5. Tourist Traps
- Skip: Mercado de San Miguel (overpriced), Botin (tourist trap)
- Do: El Rastro (Sundays), Mercado de San Fernando, rooftop bars
- Free: Museo del Prado (last 2h), Reina Sofía, Retiro Park

### 6. Transit Over Driving
- Metro + bus covers everything
- Multi card or contactless
- BiciMAD for central areas
- Parking + traffic make driving impractical

### 7. Neighborhood Matching

| Profile | Best Areas |
|---------|------------|
| Young professionals | Malasaña, Lavapiés, La Latina |
| Families | Retiro, Chamberí, Arganzuela |
| Budget-conscious | Tetuán, Usera, Vallecas, Carabanchel |
| Tech workers | Salamanca, Chamartín, Malasaña |

## Madrid-Specific Traps

- **"Siesta culture"** — Modern Madrid works normal hours. Some shops close 2-5pm, but not offices.
- **Mercado de San Miguel** — Beautiful but tourist trap. Go to Mercado de San Fernando or Antón Martín instead.
- **Casa Botín** — Claims oldest restaurant. Overpriced, better cocido elsewhere.
- **Plaza Mayor dining** — Expensive, mediocre. Walk to nearby side streets.
- **Taxi to airport** — Fixed €33 from center. Refuse anything else.
- **August** — Half of Madrid closes. Many locals leave.