The 16 best things to do in Madrid
If Barcelona is your friend’s cool older brother in a band, then Madrid is that same friend’s mother – all understated sophistication, confidence, stories to tell if she wanted. With only around a fifth more people than its coastal sibling yet six times the space, the capital feels rather roomy, with wide, tree-lined boulevards flanked by imposing, period apartment buildings. Madrid’s best restaurants have long been hailed as some of the world’s best – Diverxo came in fourth place in this year’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while the city played host to the 2024 World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony and had a winning entry at number 23 with Salmon Guru, the neon cocktail spot near Plaza de Santa Ana.
Here we share the best things to do in Madrid to experience all this grown-up Spanish metropolis has to offer. Tip: if you have any extra time left, book a day trip to the ancient and architecturally stunning hilltop city of Toledo, reachable in as little as 30 minutes on a high-speed train (the journey is unforgettable in itself).
Looking to plan your trip to Madrid? Check out more of our guides to the Spanish capital:
Getty ImagesLearn the history of the city
You could spend hours strolling through the pretty streets of Madrid, and chances are you’ll stumble on some epic locations steeped in history. Puerta del Sol, for example, as well as being one of the city’s busiest squares, also has an interesting story behind it. Dating back to the 15th century, it was typically used as a meeting point for those looking to hear news from the city’s “mentideros de la Corte” – literally translating as the “liars of the Court”, a term used to describe the city’s local story-tellers and gossip-spreaders (sounds like a pretty fun job, if you ask me). A 15-minute stroll east takes you to Fuente de Cibeles, an iconic tourist hotspot where the Real Madrid football club gather to celebrate their wins. Each time they earn a trophy, the team meets at Cibeles to wrap a scarf or flag around the neck of the goddess statue – a tradition established in the Eighties and now an important ritual for the team.
Getty ImagesVisit the Museo Nacional del Prado
Prado Museum, the city’s most renowned art gallery, wows with its collection of masterpieces from top-trump painters, including Velázquez, Goya and El Greco and Rubens, but. Plan to arrive early to avoid the queues, or get there at 5pm, when the museum allows in visitors for free during the last two hours of the day – just remember you won’t be the only one with this bright idea. Pick up the free map which pinpoints the location of the most celebrated works of art, so you can make your journey more streamlined if you wish.
Address: El Prado, Paseo del Prado, s/n, 28014 Madrid
Website: mudeodelprado.com
Getty ImagesJoin the throng at Buen Retiro Park
When a Madrid local tells you the greatest thing to do in the city is to go to the park, you might feel slightly underwhelmed – initially. But that’s before you experience Madrid’s particular park culture first-hand. While the city’s main high streets may be busy, they’re nothing compared to its green spaces on one of its plentiful sunny days. One of the largest of these, with its 15,000 trees and, since 2021, UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Buen Retiro Park (‘the park of pleasant retreat’, roughly), is the most popular. The pebbled pathways draw joggers, romantics and business types on lunch. Keep walking past the historic fountains and gardens until you reach the lake and the paddle-boaters doing their best to dodge the swans, and be sure to make time to duck inside its stunning Glass Palace (Palacio de Cristal). Here light beams bounce beautifully from every angle and engaging art shows can be found: on our last visit, crowds swarmed over unusually positioned mirrors to capture selfies while a light layer of smoke wafted up to the sky-high ceilings – the exhibit’s mane? Smoke and Mirrors.
Address: Parque del Buen Retiro, Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid
Website: esmadrid.comHave a sherry in one of Ernest Hemingway’s favourite bars
La Venencia and Salmon Guru are said to be Madrid’s two greatest bars, and they couldn’t be more different. The former is a traditional Spanish drinkery specialising in Sherry that has been open since 1922, barely updated (we think it’s been dusted) and allegedly formerly one of Ernest Hemingway’s preferred haunts. The latter, meanwhile, is a shadowy, hip cocktail bar that opened in 2016 and had quite the queue around the barrio when we last checked it out, one spring Saturday night. The pair share the same neighbourhood, however, just 10 minutes’ walk on from Lavapies and then 30 seconds’ from each other.
Address: La Venencia, Calle de Echegaray, 7, 28014 Madrid; Salmon Guru, Calle de Echegaray, 21, 28014 Madrid
Website: lavenencia.com; salmonguru.es/en
Getty ImagesGasp at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
This impressive gathering of modern art and sculpture will generate plenty of conversation as you meander between galleries. The 84,000-square-foot museum is home to Pablo Picasso’s famous Guernica and many of Salvador Dalí’s most eye-catching works.
Address: Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid
Website: museoreinasofia.com
Getty ImagesFind something totally unique at El Rastro flea market
If you’re in the Spanish capital on a Sunday, head to what is said to be the largest open-air market in Europe to snatch up everything from antiques to clothes. Located in the Embajadores area, another hip neighbourhood not far from Lavapies, even if bargaining is not your thing, the people-watching is mesmerising. It’s easy to get lost in this maze of stalls, but that’s part of the magic. Some of the best deals can be found from the eager sellers on the periphery.
Address: El Rastro, Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores, 28005 Madrid
Website: mercadodesanfernando-es
Getty ImagesIndulge in chocolate con churros from the ultimate spot
There's a reason Chocolatería San Ginés is so popular. Yes, the service is average at best. Yes, the hot chocolate is so thick that even the best churros cannot thoroughly soak up all of the lashings of cocoa. But it all tastes unbelievably, almost indecently, good.
Address: Chocolatería San Ginés, Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5, 28013 Madrid
Website: chocolateriasangines.com
Getty ImagesExperience Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Completing the trifecta of Madrileño art galleries, this one has a well-rounded offering: traditional, contemporary and everything in between. It is one of the largest private collections in Europe, set within an aristocratic mansion. In addition to well-known Spanish artists, you’ll also find key paintings by Monet, Chagall and Rembrandt, alongside some mediaeval masterpieces and a few 19th-century American works.
Address: Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Paseo del Prado, 8, 28014 Madrid
Website: museothyssen.org
Getty ImagesTour the largest working palace in Europe
Right in the heart of the city and within walking distance of the key public squares of Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor and busy central street Gran Vía is Palacio Real Madrid, the royal palace. At 135,000 square metres, it is considered the largest working palace in Europe – although the ruling family live in another mansion on the edge of town these days. Walk through as many of the 3,000 rooms as you can manage, looking out for highlights such as the royal armoury, pharmacy and chapel. Changing the Guard is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, weather permitting. La Almudena Cathedral, adjacent to this imposing structure, is also worth a peek. Finally, be sure to seek out the new and free Mirador de la Cornisa observation deck, set just between the cathedral and palace, to take in dreamy views of the nearby parks and gardens.
Address: Palacio Real Madrid, Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid
Website: patrimonionacional.es
Getty ImagesFeast at the buzzing Mercado San Miguel
In a city known for its colourful, sometimes eccentric markets, San Miguel never disappoints. It’s conveniently close to Plaza Mayor, ensuring a non-stop flow of out-of-towners and locals jostling for a table as they tuck into dishes from all corners of Spain. Work your way through briny pintxos from the Basque Country, traditional Asturian cider, perfectly sliced jamón, and heaps of olives and pickled vegetables. Start at one end and continue right across the sprawling food hall.
Address: Mercado San Miguel, Plaza de San Miguel, 5, 28005 Madrid
Website: mercadodesanmiguel.es
Getty ImagesTake in the views from a second-century BC temple
What’s an ancient Egyptian temple doing in a downtown Madrid park? The Spanish government helped Egypt when it needed support to save the Abu Simbel temples from flooding during the construction of the Aswan Dam. As a sign of diplomatic gratitude, Egypt dismantled second-century BC temple Templo de Debod, Argüelles and shipped it over to the Spanish capital. It’s an impressive architectural backstory – plus there are great views of the valley from its hillside setting. Be there for sunset, though expect it to be busy.
Address: Templo de Debod, Calle de Ferraz, 1, 28008 Madrid
Website: madrid.es
AlamyCheck out the Chueca quarter
One of Madrid’s most famous neighbourhoods – named for its main square, Plaza de Chueca, which honours the Spanish author and composer – borders Gran Vía and is within walking distance of many bustling shopping areas. This is the city’s gaybourhood – if you can be here for the summer LGBTI Pride Festivals and the races in heels along the cobbles, all the better – and it has an indie spirit that’s rather refreshing after the expensive storefronts of Salamanca. Finish off an afternoon of wandering and mooching around the local museums of Romanticism and History with a stop at Mercado de San Antón for tapas and wine, or at gorgeous authentic Spanish restaurant La Colmada.
Address: Mercado de San Antón, C. de Augusto Figueroa, 24, 28004 Madrid; La Colmada, C. del Espíritu Santo, 19, 28004 Madrid
Website: mercadosananton.com; lacolmada.com
AlamyNose around the House Museums
Get some serious interiors inspiration inside some of Madrid’s former mansions: check out the house and studio of Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla, ‘golden age’ writer Lope de Vega or the 17th Marquis of Cerralbo, plus the official residence of the House of Alba, aka Liria Palace, only accessible since autumn 2019. With the biggest collection of art of any aristocratic family in Europe including more works by Goya, Velázquez, Rubens and Titian, the library within the 18th-century now-museum boasts the largest collection of handwritten manuscripts by Christopher Columbus.
Address: Sorolla Museum, Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 37 28010 Madrid; Lope de Vega's House-Museum, Calle de Cervantes, 11, 28014 Madrid; Cerralbo Museum, Calle de Ventura Rodríguez, 17 28008 Madrid; Liria Palace, Calle de la Princesa, 20 28008 Madrid
Website: culturaydeporte.gob.es; casamuseolopedevega.org; culturaydeporte.gob.es; palaciodeliria.com
AlamyHang out in the city’s coolest neighbourhood
Located 10 minutes’ walk south from the city’s main tourist drag, the barrio (neighbourhood) of Lavapiés thrums with creative energy. A warren of mediaeval roads emblazoned with street art and filled with multi-coloured bars and tapas joints that sprawl out onto the cobbles, simply mooching through them all with no particular place to go is part of the area’s joy. ‘Nomadic brewers’ and restaurant La Canibal (don a bib here and neck the Catalan-style calçots – tender, long grilled onions – if they’re in season) and the Galician-style Bar Melo’s, however, are worthy destinations, as is Mercado de San Fernando, a popular local market that’s been running since the Forties, housed in a vast, church-like building.
Address: Calle de Embajadores, 41 28012 Madrid
Website: mercadodesanfernando.es
AlamyWaltz along one of Europe’s greenest avenues
Paseo del Prado was the first ever tree-lined promenade in Europe. Conceived in the 16th-century by King Philip II, it was created to be an urban green space that residents of all classes could enjoy, and has led to Madrid also being labelled Europe’s first sustainable city. In 2021, the centrally located boulevard gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status along with El Retiro Park, combining to create the very ethereal-sounding Landscape of Light. Go wander down it, taking in the stunning hundred-year-old trees, CaixaForum Madrid cultural centre, plus the Museo Nacional del Prado and Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, mentioned below.
Address: Paseo del Prado, 28014
Website: esmadrid.comHave brunch in La Latina
If you want to make sure you experience Madrid’s true pulsating heart during your stay, be sure to plan a weekend, ideally Sunday, brunch in La Latina barrio. A neighbourhood crammed with age-old basilicas, it’s the terraces packed with diners lazily enjoying brunch, tapas, mojitos and Vermouth in the sunshine that makes it so memorable. There are plenty of restaurants, pubs and bars to choose from, but traditional tavern-style Casa Lucio on Cava Baja serves the city’s most renowned eggs (served fried and finely chopped, with ham and chips), or check out any of the other places on this lively street or Cava Alta right next to it – just book ahead on a Sunday if you can as it gets jumping.Address: Casa Lucio, Calle de la Cava Baja, 35 28005 Madrid
Website: casalucio.es/en