You’ve booked your trip to Madrid and now you’re looking for all the best things to do while you’re there! Lucky for you whether it’s your first trip to the Spanish capital or your tenth I’ve got you covered with 20 of the best things to do. This travel guide is not only filled with all of the top sights in Madrid like Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace of Madrid, but also a few hidden gems.
Madrid is the capital of Spain. It’s a major cultural center in Europe (it’s even the second largest city in the European Union). It’s a city filled with elegant streets, manicured parks and impressive architecture. And it’s known for it’s vibrant culture, rich history and world-class art museums.
Thanks to Madrid’s location in the center of the Iberian Peninsula it is also a great place to start or end a longer Spanish holiday. The other parts of the country are easy to access from it via car, train or plane. I’ve paired Madrid with other popular Spanish cities like Seville, Barcelona and Valencia. I’ve also easily travelled to Mallorca from Madrid.
Madrid is one of my favorite cities in Europe. So, hopefully this guide will give you all the information you need to create the perfect itinerary for your trip.
Best Things to do in Madrid
Visit Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is the major public square in the center of Madrid. It’s absolutely worth visiting on your trip to Madrid, especially if it’s your first time in the capital of Spain. Plaza Mayor is located in Hapsburg Madrid. It is the oldest part of the city and dates back to the 15th century. Also, it used to be the main market of the town. Since it’s been the site of 3 fires, many executions, bullfights, games and much more!
There is a bronze statue of King Phillip III, who commissioned the remodel of the area, in the center of the square. The plaza is surrounded by historical buildings, cafes and bars including the famous Chocolateria San Gines (more on that farther down on this list), so it’s a excellent place to start exploring Madrid.
Explore the “Golden Triangle of Art” – the Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum & Reina Sofía Museum
Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art” is an informal name for the area where three of the city’s most important and iconic museums are located along Paseo del Prado. If you’re an art enthusiast or even just appreciate history and culture, then these museums on worth seeing on your next trip to Madrid.
Prado Museum
The Prado Museum officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado is the main Spanish national art museum. It’s located in the center of Madrid right next to El Retiro Park and Real Jardin Botanico. These are also included on this best things to do in Madrid list and could easier be combined to do on the same day. The Museo del Prado houses collections of classic European art dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century and has one of the greatest collections of masterpieces from Spanish painters like El Greco, Goya and Valezquez. Getting tickets in advance is recommended. However, the Prado Museum offers free entry during the last two hours of its daily opening. It’s from from 6-8pm Monday-Saturday & 5-7pm Sundays & holidays.
Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is an art museum in Madrid and was once the second largest private collection in the world. With nearly 1000 works on display it’s home to recognizable pieces of art from Salvador Dalí, El Greco, Pablo Picasso and more. Works dating back to the Medieval period all the way up to the 20th century. Tickets in advance are recommended and on Monday afternoons admission is free.
Reina Sofia Museum
The Reina Sofia is renowned is for its collection of Spanish 20th and 21st century art. It houses a vast collection of Spanish avant-garde and contemporary art. These are different than what you’ll find in the other two museums. The most famous piece at the Reina Sofia is Picasso’s “Guernica.” It’ an anti-war painting depicting the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.
Walk around El Retiro Park
El Retiro Park is one of the largest city parks in Madrid, Spain. The park belonged to the Spanish monarchy until 1868 and since has become a public park.
El Retiro is over 125 hectares large and has more than 15,000 trees along with gardens, monuments, galleries, an artificial lake where you can rent a row boat and even event-hosting venues. It’s most famous attraction is its Crystal Palace, a glass pavilion and conservatory containing an art gallery. Palacio de Cristal was originally planned as a giant greenhouse, but it’s currently one of the locations of the Reina Sofia Museum.
In 2021, El Retiro Park became part of a combined UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes Paseo del Prado, one of the main boulevards in Madrid.
Guided Tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Western Europe. It is one of the largest in the world. It’s the official residence of the Spanish royal family (though they don’t actually live there). Also, it’s one of the few official seat of a Head of State that is open to the public.
If you only had one day in Madrid I would suggest doing a guided tour at Palacio Real de Madrid. It’s truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in Europe. I actually didn’t tour it the first time I visited Madrid. I only saw it from the outside and now after visiting it I can’t imagine not going on every trip!
The Royal Palace of Madrid is known for it’s Baroque architecture, opulent interiors, vast collection of art, chandeliers, frescos on the ceilings, truly every part of the palace is amazing. The Throne Room and the Gala Dining Room were my two favorites.
Walk Through the Real Jardin Botanico de Madrid
While Madrid has many beautiful parks and gardens, the Royal Botanical Garden is home to over 6000 diverse plant species and covers about 20 acres. You don’t need to get tickets in advance and admission is only 4 euros.
It’s located right next to the Prado Museum so it’s perfect place to visit after exploring the museum.
Enjoy Tapas at Mercado de San Miguel
San Miguel Market is the most popular market in Madrid among tourists since it’s located in the city center. Mercado de San Miguel is a gourmet tapas market with over 30 vendors offering a wide variety of freshly prepared Spanish foods. Tapas, hams, olives, cheese, baked goods, beer, wine and more are available to purchase and eat.
Eat the Best Tortilla at Casa Dani in Mercado de la Paz
If you eat one thing on your trip to Madrid have it be the tortilla Española from Casa Dani. A Spanish tortilla is an omelet made of egg, potato and onion cooked in olive oil and the tortilla from the legendary Casa Dani is the best of the best and only a few euros.
Mercado de la Paz is in the Salamanca neighborhood and more of a local market than Mercado de San Miguel.
Enjoy Cocktails at Dani Brasserie on the Four Seasons Madrid Rooftop
If you’re looking for a truly special “treat yourself” experience then I suggest booking a table at Dani Brasserie, the beautiful restaurant, bar and terrace that occupies the rooftop of the Four Seasons Hotel in the heart of Madrid. It’s without a doubt one of the most beautiful rooftops in the city and a great place to get a drink or snack with the most incredible panoramic views of the city.
The decor of the restaurant, bar and indoor lounge is also to die for and mixed with the lush outdoor terrace and views it is truly a must visit for me and recommendation you’re not going to find on many other best things to do in Madrid lists.
Relax with Drinks on the Terrace of Tarde.O at the Rosewood Villa Magna
The super chic outdoor terrace of Tarde.O at the Rosewood Villa Magna is the perfect place to meet for cocktails and gourmet bites either before or after dinner. What I love most about the Rosewood Villa Magna is that not only is it frequented by visitors (both staying at the hotel and not), but it’s also a favorite for locals. The entire atmosphere is very vibey and cool, plus the drinks are amazing.
Shop in the Salamanca District
Salamanca is located in the northeast of the historical center of Madrid and home to glamourous 19th century boulevards. It’s one of the wealthiest areas in Madrid and some of it’s streets are some of the most expensive in all of Spain. Salamanca is filled with designer boutiques and fine dining restaurants that stylish locals frequent. Calle Ortega y Gasset is known as Madrid’s Golden Mile of fashion and the main shopping attraction in the district.
While you’re exploring the area I suggest you walk by Palacio de Cibeles (one of my favorite buildings in the city), Puerta de Alcalá & Biblioteca Nacional de Espana.
Indulge in Chocolate with Churros at Chocolateria San Gines
You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten traditional hot chocolate with churros from the famous Chocolateria San Gines in Madrid. It was founded in 1894 and has been serving churros in the San Gines Passage near Puerta del Sol since. I would say it’s easily one of the most visited places in all of Madrid and is absolutely worth the hype.
They don’t take reservations, but it’s a large space and turnover is fast, plus they’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Stroll along Gran Via
Gran Vía is one of the busiest streets in Madrid and is often referred to as the “Spanish Broadway” thanks to the shopping, entertainment and hotels located on it. While it’s probably Madrid’s most touristy area it’s a must visit and honestly even if it’s not on your list of things to see in Madrid you’re most than likely going to find yourself walking along it at some point during your trip.
Dine at the Oldest Restaurant in the World
Did you know you can dine at the oldest restaurant in the world? It’s the Restaurante Botin right in Madrid. The restaurant holds the Guinness World Record for longest continuous operation. It was founded in 1725 and is still owned and operated by the same family.
Ernest Hemmingway wrote about Botin’s famous suckling pig and Rioja in his novel “The Sun Also Rises.” Also, it’s still on the menu and made in the same traditional Castilian wood-burning oven today.
Sip on a Glass of Champagne at the Champagne Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz
In Madrid to celebrate? The Champagne Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz is THE place to raise a celebratory glass of something sparkling. They also have a small menu of delicacies like caviar, oysters, white truffle and Iberian Ham to accompany the best champagnes in the world.
If the Champagne Bar is a little too “rich” for your taste, but still want to visit the Mandarin Oriental Ritz? Make a reservation at the Palm Court. It is in the same space as the Champagne Bar, or have cocktails in the Pictura bar, one of Madrid’s most popular nightspots.
Indulge in Iberian Ham
Iberian ham, or Jamon Iberico, is the most delicious type of cured ham produced from Black Iberian pigs, a breed unique to the Iberian Peninsula where Spain and Portugal are located. It’s a delicacy with a melt in your mouth texture and intense flavor. Iberian ham is the most prized type of Spanish ham and since it’s extremely hard to get outside of Portugal and Spain so make sure to indulge in it on your next visit. You’ll see it on the menu in almost most restaurants and tapas bars.
Dinner at Bodega de los Secretos
One of the coolest restaurants I’ve ever been to is Bodega de los Secretos in Madrid. It’s a modern Mediterranean restaurant located in a 1600s wine cellar with brick-lined dining alcoves. As it suggests in the name this space’s history has plenty of secrets.
It was once the oldest winery in Madrid, the alcoves used to age the wine. Then Monks extended the winery and created galleries in cloisters layout filled with caves, arches and more and it allowed for the ideal temperature conditions to age the wine. Many clandestine passageways were found and were used to introduce goods into the town to avoid paying the tax to sell products in the city. It’s also suggested the passageways were used to escape the troops in war times and as a “bomb shelter” during the Spanish Civil War.
And not only is it one of the most unique restaurants and dining experiences I’ve ever had, the food and wine is also delicious.
Catch a Real Madrid Game
Real Madrid Club de Futbol is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid. Real Madrid plays at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium a retractable roof football stadium with over 80,000 seats. It is the second largest seating capacity of a football stadium in Spain.
If you can’t go to a game then you can explore this historic stadium on your own. Tour Bernabeu allows you to access the sports venue and learn about its history. The tour includes interactive screens to look back at the club’s most iconic moment. Also, an access to a panoramic view of the stadium and the Real Madrid CF Museum.
Wine and Tapas Walking Tour
Going on a food tour is one of the top things on my list when I’m visiting a new city. And in a city like Madrid known for it’s food and wine it’s a must. This wine and tapas tour visits some of Madrid’s oldest bars. Also, here you learn about Spanish culture and history along the way. Another great option is this fun tapas crawl with 10 tapas and 4 drinks.
Toledo Guided Day Trip & Winery Visit
If you were to take a day trip from Madrid I think one of the best places to visit is Toledo. Toledo is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 8 hour day tour includes transportation by air conditioned bus to and from Madrid. Also, a walking tour in the Imperial city, winery tour, wine tasting and light bites.
If you’re looking for a Toledo trip without the winery visit this and this are great options!
Visit Temple of Debod
One of the most interesting things you can see in Spain’s capital has to be Templo de Debod. It is an ancient Egyptian temple that was originally erected in the early 2nd century in Egypt. It’s now calls Madrid home. The Egyptian government gifted it to Spain as a thank you for their donation to Egypt to help them save the temple from being damaged by floods in the 1960s. Its walls are covered in hieroglyphics and sculptures and for centuries it was an important center of worship in Egypt. It’s free to visit. Also, just a short walk from Plaza de Espana so if you’re in the area it’s worth seeing!
Looking for ideas on where you should travel to next? Check out my guides for Mallorca, Taormina & Cefula.
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