Amsterdam and Barcelona Were the Classics—But Weeds in Madrid Cannabis Club is the New Pot Spot
When you think about weed travel, the first places that come to mind are Amsterdam and Barcelona. At least, that’s what an unsophisticated California stoner (me) assumed. Amsterdam was the OG, the place every pothead dreamed of—coffeeshops, space cakes, and that whole European weed fantasy. Then Barcelona came up with its private cannabis clubs, and for a while, it was paradise. The finding weeds near me in Madrid became so confusin, until it was not.
I love Barcelona, but I need balance. So, when I made the big move from California to Europe, in order to find weeds near me in Madrid, their cannabis club scene gave me exactly that. I could always hop over to Barcelona or Amsterdam for fun, but for everyday smoking? Madrid just hits different. And here’s the thing—Barcelona is not as tourist-friendly anymore.
Over the last few years, Barcelona has cracked down hard on cannabis clubs. Even Cookies Barcelona—one of the biggest names in the game—had to shut down for a while. Things are coming back, but now you have locals out there spraying tourists with water because they’re fed up with the crowds. You see stickers that state, “Tourist go home.” Fun fact, tourism drive the Spanish economy. No wonder many foreign companies have made the move to Madrid.
So, if you’re looking for the best weed scene in Spain, let me put you on to Madrid. It is still very underground, but very present indeed with about 100 cannabis clubs with most of them being illegally run.
Why I Started Madrid420.com
When I first got to Madrid, I thought finding weed would be easy—Google a spot, pull up, light up, right? Wrong. I quickly realized how spoiled I was by Weedmaps in Los Angeles. Dead end after dead end. Weedmaps was useless, Telegram was sketchy, and the last thing I was gonna do was buy some overpriced mids in Lavapiés.
Then I met Tim, this British dude who’d been living in Madrid for years. He got me into my first cannabis club, and I was blown away. The weed was fire, the people were chill, and the vibe was nothing like those overcrowded Amsterdam coffeeshops.
That’s why I started Madrid420.com—so other cannabis lovers wouldn’t have to deal with the same BS. We don’t sell weed. We’re not some fake-ass club directory. We just help people get the right invitations to the best spots in Madrid. Run by stoners, for stoners. Then we expanded to Spain420.es, and now we’re the weed place near me that you actually want.
Madrid vs. Amsterdam vs. Barcelona: The Ultimate Weed Club Showdown
1. Public vs. Private Consumption
- Amsterdam: Coffeeshops operate under a “tolerance policy”—basically, they’re illegal but allowed. You can buy and smoke inside, but technically, the government isn’t cool with it. I know confusing af.
- Barcelona: Cannabis clubs exist in a gray area. Technically private, but with increasing restrictions. Tourists are starting to feel less welcome.
- Madrid: Cannabis clubs work under Spain’s private consumption laws. You can’t just walk in—you need a membership—but once you’re in, it’s 100% legal to smoke.
2. Can Tourists Get In?
- Amsterdam: Walk in, grab a menu, light up—no membership needed.
- Barcelona: Used to be easy, but now clubs are stricter about letting in tourists. No invite? Good luck.
- Madrid: You need an invitation from a member or a legit platform like Spain420.es. But once you’re in, you’re golden.
3. Quality of the Weed
- Amsterdam: Lots of imported strains from the U.S. and Canada, but they’re heavily regulated, so potency isn’t always great.
- Barcelona: Used to be top-tier, but now with legal uncertainty, some clubs are cutting corners. Good clubs still exist, but you gotta know where to go. Dont worry we are working it.
- Madrid: Most clubs have locally grown, top-shelf flower. If you know where to go, you’ll find better hash and concentrates than in Amsterdam. We like to work with the farm to cannabis club establishements.
4. The Vibe
- Amsterdam: Coffeeshops are packed with tourists, and let’s be real—they’re mostly there for the novelty.
- Barcelona: Feels more underground, but the crackdown is making things awkward.
- Madrid: Cannabis clubs are for real smokers. No rushed sales, no gimmicks, just good bud and good people.
5. Pricing: Who’s Got the Better Deal?
- Amsterdam: Expect to pay €10-€20 per gram, especially in tourist-heavy areas.
- Barcelona: Similar pricing, but membership fees can add up.
- Madrid: Memberships range from €5-€30, and you can get solid strains for €6-€12 per gram.
6. Legal Risks
- Amsterdam: THC limits are strict, and some Dutch cities have banned tourists from buying weed altogether.
- Barcelona: The city keeps changing the rules, and some clubs are forced to shut down out of nowhere.
- Madrid: Clubs are private, so as long as you keep your stash inside, you’re good. Just don’t walk around flashing your weed like a rookie.
Watch Out for Fake Club Scams
A warning: there are a ton of shady sites pretending to help tourists get into clubs, but they’re really just middlemen charging extra for nothing. You end up at a club paying way more than locals, getting mid-tier weed, or worse, walking into a total tourist trap.
I covered this in detail in this post: Weed Place Near Gran Vía Madrid: Avoiding Scams & Finding the Best Clubs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a tourist-friendly, walk-in weed experience, Amsterdam is still the move. But if you want better weed, better vibes, and a real cannabis community, Madrid is where it’s at. We have tried other cities and their are awesome cannabis clubs in all these cities. We will be expanding to more cities soon for the best recos.
🔥 Want the best cannabis club experience in Madrid? Visit Spain420.es and get your invitation today!
