Spain really doesn’t have any shortage of fantastic travel destinations, and in our opinion, Madrid is one of its undeniable highlights. It might be best known for its beautiful architecture and summer music festivals, but there’s much more to this Spanish metropolis than one might expect.
From its galleries and museums to its incredible Spanish cuisine, bustling nightlife, shopping opportunities, and soulful flamenco shows, Spain’s capital truly is a city like no other. In fact, Madrid also offers the perfect blend of urban living and natural bliss thanks to its picturesque parks and rivers. Ink lovers will be happy to hear that it’s home to some of the best tattoo studios in Europe.
With so many incredible options to choose from, deciding which place to visit can be tricky. For those who are yearning to get some fresh ink on your next getaway, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best tattoo shops in Madrid to help you make the right decision. Let’s begin.
Mao and Cathy
Kicking off our list is Mao and Cathy, located in the trendy and historic district of Fuencarral. This tattoo shop is widely considered to be the oldest in Madrid, and one of the top tattoo parlors in Europe.
Over the last 20 years, the studio has hosted a slew of world-class artists, including the infamous Robert Hernandez, with all of their reputations resting on skill, experience, and precision. As you step into the shop, the first thing you’ll notice is the warm and welcoming atmosphere accompanied by eager crowds waiting to get inked.
The shop was started by the artist couple it’s named after, namely Mao and Cathy, who still keep the business in order today. With multiple resident artists, there’s a wide variety of tattoo styles on offer, as well as expert cover-ups, and they’re certain to satisfy even the most discerning tastes.
Bookings can be made via their contact number or email address, and since they’re one of the most popular parlors in Spain, we strongly recommend calling ahead in to avoid missing out.
Rating: 4.7/5
Price range: $$$
Address: 3C. de la Luna, 7, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Contact: P. +34 911 37 43 22, maoandcathy.com
True Love Tattoo
As a highly respected tattoo parlor in Madrid, True Love Tattoo has gained a well-deserved reputation for being one of the most versatile tattoo shops in Spain. In addition to offering custom tattoos based on your personal preferences, the artists here are specialists in unique ’50s-inspired, punk, and Japanese designs.
Situated in the charming, shopping haven of Calle de Velarde, the shop is run by Argentinian artist El Bara who’s been working in the field for over 20 years. His work is known for fusing the Malasana style with Nautical Star tattoos, and it’s received international acclaim, so you can rest assured that you’re in very capable hands.
It’s important to note, their services are in high demand so it’s a good idea to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Especially if you want to get a tattoo from El Bara himself.
Rating: 4.7/5
Price range: $$
Address: C. de Velarde, 22, 28004 Madrid, Spain,
Contact: P. +34 915 91 93 10, truelovetatuajesmadrid.com
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 12:30 pm to – 9 pm, Saturday, 5 pm – 9 pm
Tattoo Magic Madrid
Another revered tattoo shop nestled in the center of the trendy Fuencarral district in Madrid is Tattoo Magic which has a history dating back to 1996. This tattoo shop is well regarded for its traditional designs and dot work, so if it’s a striking, timeless piece you’re after, this could be just the shop for you. Plus, they offer body piercing services.
Its staff is often praised for knowing how to make customers feel at ease, and many of the artists have decades of experience, with extensive knowledge of a variety of styles. One only needs to look at the slew of awards hanging on their walls to know that quality is a certainty. As a bonus, Tattoo Magic offers reasonable pricing without the high premiums of other Madrid tattoo shops.
Rating: 4.7/5
Price range: $
Address: C. de las Infantas, 8, 28004 Madrid, Spain, tattoomagicmadrid.com
Contact: P. +34 695 51 69 70
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm
Acme Tattoo
Acme is a tattoo shop that’s famous for its versatility and attention to detail, with its artists offering everything from body piercings to photo-realism and Polynesian designs. They’re also recognized as one of Spain’s top nipple piercing specialists in addition to selling piercing jewelry.
At Acme, all of the staff have years of experience in their respective fields and provide a warm, personal and professional service. Resident artist, Sonia, is a fixture at most of the tattoo conventions in the city. What’s more, they offer custom work, along with expert advice to perfect your design, and their touch-ups are held in high regard.
Of course, with quality comes popularity, so be sure to arrange your session in advance through their contact number or email address. You won’t be sorry.
Rating: 4.7/5
Price range: $$$
Address: C. del Canal del Bósforo, 6, 28022 Madrid, Spain,
Contact: P. +34 917 42 99 35, acmetattoo.biz
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 4 pm – 9 pm, Saturday, 11 am – 2 pm
JuanPe Tattoo
At 500m², JuanPe Tattoo is one of the biggest tattoo studios in Spain. JuanPe is situated in the charming, multicultural district of Usera where you’ll find the city’s main municipal arts center, along with a host of local restaurants. They specialize in realism and black & grey tattoos.
Naturally, their artists work in any style the client requests, whether it’s Chicano scripture, neo-traditional illustrations, biomechanics, or Maori lettering. In addition, they offer custom designs, touch-ups, tattoo maintenance, and microblading services.
At JuanPe They use high-end traditional tattoo machines, disposable needles, and imported color ink while offering custom work upon request. They also follow the strictest hygiene and sterilization regulations and offer consultations prior to putting you in the chair.
Owner and namesake, Juanpe, has over 20 years of experience in the industry and has worked with several world-class tattoo artists at international conventions. We can confidently say that you’ll be getting high-quality work from the shop, be it from him or one of the many other talented artists here.
Bookings can be made via their contact number, website, or email address, and we encourage you to do so in advance.
Rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $$
Address: C. Jayena, 7, 28041 Madrid, Spain,
Contact: P. +34 913 41 52 24, juanpetattoo.es
Opening hours: Monday, 5 pm to 8:30 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, 11 pm to 12:30 pm, and 5 pm to 8:30 pm
La Mano Zurda
La Mano Zurda is a brilliant tattoo studio located in the vibrant and hip neighborhood of Malsana, where you’ll find a slew of murals, galleries, eateries, and nightlife hotspots. It’s one of Madrid’s most eclectic tattoo shops and it’s open from 11 am to 8 pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Besides offering pristine tattoos in a variety of styles, La Mano Zurda boasts an abstract art gallery and an art academy that offers vocational drawing and tattooing classes. Of course, the artists are also known to be welcoming and respectful, while the decor of the shop offers a lovely mix of Zen and punk, just as eclectic as their work.
Bookings can be made through the website, email address, or contact number, and seeing as it’s quite a popular shop, we strongly suggest you follow this route. La Mano still accepts walk-ins but you should expect unpredictable waiting times and limited availability.
Rating: 4.6/5
Price range: $$
Address: Calle de Apodaca, 1, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Contact: P. +34 915 22 87 33, lamanozurda.es
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 1 am to 8 pm
Face 2 Face Tattoo
Face 2 Face Tattoo is a warm and welcoming tattoo studio situated in the heritage-rich district of Prosperidad, specializing in realistic and neotraditional work. They offer a variety of other styles too, and their artists are known to be meticulous and passionate about producing exceptional pieces.
Resident artist, Alvaro Garcia, is frequently praised for his line and color work, while other resident tattooist, Paul Andras, is highly respected for his realistic back and gray tattoos. Although, they often also have world-class guest artists booking up studio space. Their pricing might be somewhat higher than other shops on this list, but we think most will agree that the undeniable quality of their work more than justifies the cost.
They’re open most days of the week, barring Sunday and Monday, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, and again from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Lunchtime closures are the norm for Spanish businesses as most of the country opts for a siesta or early afternoon break from work. Bookings can be arranged through Whatsapp or via email.
Rating: 4.9/5
Price range: $$$
Address: C. de Vinaroz, 5, 28002 Madrid, Spain, face2facetattoo.com
Contact: P. +34 910 22 42 61
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Are tattoos popular in Spain?
Tattoos are very popular in Spain, like most of Europe, and have been for a few decades. It’s much the norm to see people walking around with tattoos and piercings in Spain and more and more influential people getting ink has helped pushed the tattoo craze. Football is a second religion to Spaniards and so tattooed players like David Beckham and Spanish-born, Sergio Ramos, are big inspirations for some.
What age can I get a tattoo in Madrid?
Spain isn’t governed by one authority. Instead, there are 17 autonomous regions in the country and the age restrictions around tattoos can differ. The legal age for a tattoo in Spain varies between 14 and 18. In Madrid, the age you can get tattooed is at the discretion of your artist. You’ll need parental consent if you’re under 18, but you could get tattooed from as young as 16 years old in Madrid. Still, many well-respecting artists won’t tattoo a minor, regardless of a parent’s signature.
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
Summer in Madrid is hot and busy. Tourist facilities are in full swing but crowds can be hard to navigate and prices soar. For these reasons, the best time to visit Madrid is fall or spring, when balmy temperatures keep the city alive but hotels reduce their rates and most of the crowds dissipate. In October, you can expect average highs of 75 degrees Fahrenheit and few showers. April has similar temperatures but it is the wettest month, while things really start heating up at the end of May.
