Major city · Spain
Alcobendas
Skip Alcobendas as a destination: it's a Madrid commuter suburb with one free science museum. Use it only if you need a budget bed near the airport or have a specific interest in MUNCYT.
Alcobendas is a northern suburb of Madrid that grew from an industrial town into a commercial and transport hub. It has no historic centre or tourist draw beyond the National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT, free entry). Most travellers should stay in Madrid and visit Alcobendas only as a half-day side trip for the museum.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot)
- Airport
- MAD
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Alcobendas091 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Alcobendas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetySafe suburb; standard precautions for pickpocketing on public transport and at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers091 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAD Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (About 15 km (9.3 mi); taxi 20–30 min, or Metro line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios then line 10 to Alcobendas (about 50 min)).MAD Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (About 9.3 mi (15 km); taxi 20–30 min, or Metro line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios then line 10 to Alcobendas (about 50 min)).
- Getting aroundMetro line 10 (zone B1) and Cercanías C-4a cover the town.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAD Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (About 15 km (9.3 mi); taxi 20–30 min, or Metro line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios then line 10 to Alcobendas (about 50 min))MAD Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (About 9.3 mi (15 km); taxi 20–30 min, or Metro line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios then line 10 to Alcobendas (about 50 min))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Apr (7 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alcobendas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Metro line 10 (zone B1) and Cercanías C-4a cover the town. A single MetroNorte ticket or a zone T tourist pass works. Buses connect the residential areas.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–40 min
Metro line 10 to Tres Olivos then change to line 10 towards the centre, or Cercanías C-4a to Chamartín (about 25 min)
Alcobendas is a Madrid suburb; the city centre is the main draw.
Door to door: 1.5 h
Cercanías C-4a to Chamartín, then C-3 to El Escorial (about 1 h 15 min)
A full day: monastery and mountain setting.
Door to door: 1–1.25 h
Cercanías C-4a to Chamartín, then C-2 or C-7 to Alcalá (about 1 h)
Cervantes' birthplace, a UNESCO site.
Door to door: 1.5 h
Cercanías C-4a to Sol, then C-3 to Aranjuez (about 1 h 15 min)
Royal palace and gardens; half-day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near Alcobendas-San Sebastián de los Reyes station
Closest to Cercanías and Metro; Ibis and other budget chains.
La Moraleja
Upscale residential area with some hotels; quieter, further from the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €40–60 (≈ US$50–70) excl. bed
- Mid
- €60–100 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- High
- €100 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- MUNCYT is outside the standard metrobus zone: you need a MetroNorte add-on or a Combinado ticket.
- Last Metro and Cercanías trains run around 01:30; taxis are available but scarce late at night.Last Metro and Cercanías trains run around 1:30 AM; taxis are available but scarce late at night.
- No historic centre or pedestrian old town: the town is modern and spread out.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 091
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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AlcobendasAlcobendas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police091
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
Most embassies are in Madrid; the US Embassy is at Calle de Serrano 75, Madrid.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metro single (zone B1): about €2.60 (≈ US$4) (check)
- Cercanías single to Madrid Chamartín: about €2.60 (≈ US$4) (check)
- Taxi from MAD airport to Alcobendas: €25–35 (≈ US$30–45) (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-thee-ahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much? (kwahn-toh kweh-stah)
- ¿Dónde está el museo? — Where is the museum? (don-deh es-tah el moo-seh-oh)
- Un billete a Madrid, por favor — A ticket to Madrid, please (oon bee-yeh-teh ah mah-dreed, por fah-vor)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alcobendas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Alcobendas
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