Madrid is the capital of Spanish football, a city where the two biggest clubs in Spain — Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid — live side by side. A 4.5-hour flight from Ben Gurion, a fantastic city for tourism, and stadiums that are among the most beautiful in the world — Madrid is a must-visit destination for every football fan.
Madrid's two stadiums
Santiago Bernabéu — Real Madrid (81,044 seats)
The Bernabéu after the renovation (2023) is one of the most spectacular stadiums in the world. A retractable roof, a giant LED screen, 81,044 seats, and a feeling that you're inside a spaceship. It's located in the Chamartín neighborhood in north Madrid, right next to the Santiago Bernabéu metro station (line 10). Real Madrid tickets »
Stadium tour: The Real Madrid Museum and Stadium Tour runs almost every day (26 euros for adults). The tour includes the VIP stairs, the dressing room, and the entrance tunnel. On matchday — no tours.
Metropolitano — Atlético Madrid (70,460 seats)
The Wanda Metropolitano (Estadio Metropolitano) opened in 2017 and can hold 70,460 people. It's located in northeast Madrid, in the San Blas neighborhood, and is accessible via metro line 7 (Estadio Metropolitano station). The stadium is one of the most beautiful in the world — a specialized roof, amazing acoustics, and a colchonero atmosphere. Atlético Madrid tickets »
Distance between the stadiums: About 11 kilometers apart (about 25 minutes by metro). Seeing them in one weekend? Absolutely possible — if the fixtures line up.
Tickets and atmosphere
The Bernabéu is one of the hardest stadiums in the world to get tickets for — Real Madrid sell mostly to members and season-ticket holders. TikTik offers guaranteed tickets to both the Bernabéu and the Metropolitano.
Flights from Israel to Madrid
The flight time from Ben Gurion to Madrid (MAD) is about 4.5 hours. Airlines operating the TLV-MAD route:
- El Al: Direct flights several times a week
- Iberia: A Spanish airline, mostly direct
- Vueling: Direct flights, competitive pricing
- Ryanair: Sometimes via Getafe (LEMD) — Madrid's secondary airport
The airport: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) is the main airport. Central Madrid is accessible via Cercanías (suburban train) in about 25 minutes, or via metro line 8 in about 30 minutes (4 euros).
Recommended neighborhoods to stay in
- Sol / Gran Via: The historic center, everything accessible on foot. Hotel price: 80-150 euros a night.
- Malasana / Chueca: Trendy neighborhoods, lots of bars and restaurants, mid-range prices.
- Salamanca: An upscale neighborhood, close to the Bernabéu (20-minute walk).
- Chamartín: Right next to the Bernabéu — convenient for Real matches, less touristy-central.
Public transport: El Metro de Madrid
Madrid's metro is one of the most efficient in Europe — 13 lines, clean, fast, and cheap. A single ticket costs 1.50-2 euros. Day ticket: 8.40 euros for Zone A.
- To the Bernabéu: Line 10 (dark blue), Santiago Bernabéu station
- To the Metropolitano: Line 7 (orange), Estadio Metropolitano station
Before the match: Arrive 90 minutes early. The plaza in front of the Bernabéu fills up with fans in white. On matchday there are signs from the station to the stadium.
Kosher food in Madrid
Madrid isn't a city with a large kosher concentration like London, but there are options:
- Comunidad Israelita de Madrid: On Calle Balmes — a community restaurant (recommended to arrange in advance).
- BarKosher: On Calle del Príncipe — one of the few kosher restaurants in central Madrid.
- Ready-made food: It's recommended to buy packaged kosher food from Israel for meals in your hotel room.
Practical tip: Madrid is rich in seafood and vegetables — even without formal kashrut, it's easier to eat seafood and fish here. Always check badeatz.com before visiting any restaurant.
Weather in Madrid
- Summer (June-September): Intense heat, sometimes 40+ degrees in July-August. Not recommended.
- Winter (December-February): Surprisingly cold, 0-8 degrees at night. Snow is rare but happens.
- Spring/Autumn (March-May, September-November): The ideal time — 15-22 degrees, sunny, pleasant.
El Derbi Madrileño: the great derby
Real Madrid against Atlético Madrid is one of the hottest derbies in the world. In a regular league season they meet twice — home and away. These matches sell out within seconds. TikTik tracks the fixture lists and offers derby tickets when they're available.
Frequently asked questions — Madrid football guide
- What's the distance between the Bernabéu and the Metropolitano?
- About 11 kilometers apart, about 25 minutes by metro (with a line change at Nuevos Ministerios). The trip is easy and uncomplicated.
- Can I see both clubs on one trip?
- Yes, provided the fixtures line up. La Liga sometimes schedules both Madrid clubs' matches on the same weekend. Check the schedule 6-8 weeks ahead on LaLiga.com.
- What's the best area to stay in?
- Sol / Gran Vía offers the best access to transport and attractions. If you're mainly going to the Bernabéu — Salamanca or Chamartín. For both together — Sol is the perfect compromise.
- How do I get a tour of the Real Madrid stadium?
- Book in advance on realmadrid.com. The tour costs 26 euros for adults and lasts about an hour. Metro station Santiago Bernabéu (line 10). Tours run almost every day unless there's a match.
- What tapas should I try near the Bernabéu?
- On Calle Padre Damián and in the Chamartín neighborhood there are dozens of tapas bars. Recommended dishes: patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, tortilla española, and croquetas. Average price per plate: 3-6 euros.
See also: Sports news | Real Madrid tickets | Atlético Madrid tickets
Written by Yehuda Mizrahi·Last updated: September 2026
