That said, there are plenty of bargains to be had in Madrid, and the best thing is that they revolve around Spain's famed food and culture. You just have to do it the way the Spaniards do. That means eating later than usual, going just a few steps off the beaten tourist path for tapas, and timing visits to key points of interest.
Food bargains
You can generally eat out cheaper in Spain, if you go local and have lunch about 2 p.m., or take advantage of the freebie appetizers over drinks offered in many bars.
Restaurants across Madrid and throughout Spain have placards outside their doors offering the menu del dia, or meal of the day, which applies only to lunch. It includes two main courses, dessert and a drink - usually wine, beer or water, or the summer favorite tinto de verano, red wine with slightly sweetened seltzer water.
The total price is usually between 10 and 15 euros ($14-$21), but many restaurants don't start serving meals until 2 p.m. or so. Forget about getting the meal of the day at noon.
Besides price, the advantage is that the meals offer a great way to sample a wide variety of traditional Spanish food.
Spain's bars galore are famed for their tapas, but many also offer free mini-tapas with a drink in a combination called aperitivos (appetizers). The standing rule is that if you order a glass of wine, beer or soda, the bartender gives you a little snack to accompany the drink. You just don't get to pick.
The more drinks you order, the more you get, and bartenders will usually vary the aperitivo to give you a variety. Best to hit the bars where the crowd looks mostly if not all Spanish. The bonus this year is that Spain's bars and restaurants have gone smoke-free, except for outside terraces.
Bars don't say whether they give them or not, but the best way to find out is just to say, "Hay aperitivos con tapa?" ("Do you serve appetizers with tapa?"). If they say no, you're relegated to ordering tapas.
But if they do - and you're not too hungry - you might be able to fill up just on the cost of the drinks.
For breakfast, ask for the desayuno (breakfast), and you'll get fresh orange juice, strong coffee and toast with butter and jam - usually for about 3 euros ($4.25).
The best way to get around Madrid is on the city's extensive public transit system. A tourist travel pass allowing unlimited bus and subway rides costs 5.20 euros ($7.30) a day or 23.60 euros ($33.25) a week.
