Things to Do in Madrid: Our 22 Best Highlights

How Much Time Do You Need in Madrid?

If you’re short on time, make sure our top 5 picks above are on your must-see list for Madrid.

That said, more time is always better. We recommend spending about 2–3 days in Madrid. Three days is enough to work through all 22 of our Madrid highlights.

Our Hotel Tips for Madrid

Madrid has a huge range of hotels to choose from. Your best bet is to stay as central as possible — that way you’re never far from the city’s top attractions. We’ve pulled together six great options in the city center, with something for every budget.

Looking for something truly special? Check out our full roundup of boutique hotels in Madrid.

Buy Tickets for Madrid Attractions Online in Advance

After London and Berlin, Madrid is Europe’s third-largest capital — and a seriously popular city-trip destination in Europe. Lines at Madrid’s museums and attractions can get long fast. Buying tickets online in advance is the smartest move — you’ll skip the queue and save yourself a lot of frustration.

In the table below, we’ve pulled together all your ticket options in one place with direct links.

Madrid Attractions on a Map

To give you a quick overview of where everything is located across the city, we’ve marked all the highlights on a map.

The Most Famous Landmarks in Madrid

Palacio Real

The Royal Palace is the top attraction in Madrid — and honestly, it fully deserves that title.

While it was originally built as the royal family’s residence, today it’s only used for state visits and official events.

The building covers nearly 135,000 square meters and has more than 2,000 rooms in total — making it one of the largest palaces in the world.

You can visit close to 50 rooms and admire the fine furniture, paintings, tapestries, armor, rifles, and everything else you’d expect from a royal palace.

Our tip: As Madrid’s landmark, the Palacio Real is always popular. If you want to skip the line, make sure to book your ticket online in advance.

Skip-the-line guided tour of the Palacio Real

Skip-the-line ticket for the Royal Palace

Almudena Cathedral

Stand with your back to the Palacio Real and the Almudena Cathedral is right in front of you, at the far end of the Armería Plaza.

It’s equally impressive and beautifully designed — and compared to most of Madrid’s landmarks, it’s relatively recent. The cathedral wasn’t completed until 1993.

From the cathedral’s forecourt, you also get a great view over Madrid’s historic center.

Las Ventas Bullring

Bullfighting is a pretty controversial topic, and honestly, we’re not fans of the sport at all.

That said, the Las Ventas arena is the largest bullring in all of Spain, and as one of Madrid’s most visited attractions, it belongs on this list. Plus, you can absolutely visit the building without watching a bullfight.

The arena seats a full 23,798 spectators and has a total diameter of 60 meters. The walls are decorated with hand-painted tiles, and the coats of arms of all Spanish provinces hang on the brick facade.

Inside, there’s also a museum where you can learn all about the history of bullfighting.

Ticket for the Las Ventas Bullring

Bernabéu Stadium – Real Madrid

For soccer fans, the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is an absolute must. With more than 81,000 seats, it’s one of the largest stadiums in Europe and the home of one of the most famous clubs in the world: Real Madrid.

You can only visit on non-match days.

During your visit, you can climb one of the four towers surrounding the stands and take in a spectacular view of the entire stadium. Then you step out onto the pitch — and honestly, the goosebumps are real.

You can also check out the VIP boxes, the player tunnel, and Real Madrid’s trophy collection.

Guided tour of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Madrid's Most Beautiful Streets and Squares

Gran Vía

The Gran Vía is a 1.5 km-long boulevard that cuts straight through Madrid’s historic center. Built in the 1920s in the style of Paris, it was the city’s bold attempt to reinvent itself as a modern and glamorous metropolis.

When you stroll down the Gran Vía, it’s pretty clear that the urban planners of that era pulled it off.

You get the full big-city vibe here: loud, colorful, and buzzing with energy. The street is lined with shops, theaters, movie theaters, and restaurants, with grand facades stretching the entire length.

Most visitors end up on the Gran Vía early on — partly because many hotels are located here. Which means it’s pretty much always packed.

Our tip: Every now and then, duck into one of the small side streets. You’ll find just as many shopping options there, but with a fraction of the crowds.

Plaza Mayor

Anyone visiting Madrid will sooner or later find themselves at the Plaza Mayor. Madrid’s main square sits right in the heart of the old quarter, completely framed by beautiful historic buildings.

Café after café lines the square, while street performers play, paint, and dance all around.

Prices for a beer or coffee are pretty steep. Still, it’s worth sitting here for a while and soaking up the atmosphere of the square.

We especially recommend coming at sunset or in the evening — that’s when it really comes alive and feels unmistakably Spanish.

Puerta del Sol

The Puerta del Sol is another well-known square with plenty of cafés and boutiques.

It’s not really a place where you’d spend a relaxed afternoon — it’s more the kind of spot where you meet someone and then move on together.

That said, there are plenty of street performers here, and something is always going on around the clock. That’s partly down to its central location and the subway station sitting right beneath the square.

Our tip: Don’t miss the historic Café Mallorquina right on the square — a traditional pastry shop that’s been serving coffee and incredibly delicious pastries since 1894.

Plaza de Oriente

The Plaza de Oriente is another grand and very elegant square in Madrid, sitting right next door to the Palacio Real.

A total of 20 statues of Spanish kings line the square, and there are two beautifully maintained public gardens: the Cabo Noval Gardens and the Lepanto Gardens.

Both are lovely and perfect for a breather between sightseeing. The Plaza de Oriente is also home to several historic cafés and restaurants, including the literary Café de Oriente.

Prices here are higher than elsewhere in the city, but the setting more than justifies them.

Puerta de Alcalá

The Puerta de Alcalá is a monument on the Plaza de la Independencia — a large stone gate with five openings and a width of roughly 45 meters.

This used to mark the city limits of Madrid, and the road to Alcalá de Henares began here — hence the name.

It makes for a great photo, especially at sunset. The one downside: traffic circles around the square, which makes getting a clean shot a little tricky.

It’s well worth the stop if you’re heading to Retiro Park anyway — the Plaza de Cibeles is just 200 meters away (more on that below).

Plaza de Cibeles

Yet another gorgeous, monumental square — unfortunately also cut through by heavy traffic.

The Plaza de Cibeles is where the twelve-lane Calle de Alcalá, the twelve-lane Paseo de Recoletos, and the Paseo del Prado all converge. It’s correspondingly loud!

Still absolutely worth a visit — especially for photography lovers, thanks to the monumental Fuente de la Cibeles fountain and the magnificent Palacio de Comunicaciones. With a bit of skill, you can even get the Puerta de Alcalá in the frame.

Fun fact for soccer fans: the Plaza de Cibeles is the go-to gathering spot when Real Madrid celebrates its victories.

The Most Important Art Museums in Madrid

Museo del Prado

Madrid’s three top museums are collectively known as the Triángulo del Arte. Let’s start with a heavyweight: the Museo del Prado is one of the most important and largest art museums in the world.

It houses around 8,000 works of art — sculptures, paintings, prints, and coins. Barely a third are on display at any given time, but you’ll still need a serious chunk of time to take it all in.

Our tip: The Museo del Prado is extremely popular, and lines can stretch to several hours if you show up without a ticket. We strongly recommend booking online in advance.

Skip-the-line ticket for the Museo del Prado

Museo Reina Sofía

The Reina Sofía is all about modern art: it spans works from the second half of the 19th century all the way through to sculptures and multimedia projects from the 21st century.

Here you’ll find paintings by icons like Dalí, Miró, and Picasso — including what may be his most famous work, Guernica. Honestly, the visit is worth it for that one enormous painting alone.

Note: Guernica is the only work that may not be photographed. The museum staff keeps a very close eye on that!

Ticket for the Museo Reina Sofía

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

Many people consider the Thyssen-Bornemisza the most beautiful of the three museums. It’s a kind of best-of-both-worlds combination, with around 1,000 works of art spanning the 13th to 20th centuries.

Among them are 800 paintings from the private Thyssen collection — which is also where the museum gets its name.

You essentially take a chronological walk through art history: it starts on the second floor with late Italian and Dutch medieval paintings and ends on the ground floor with Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop Art.

Set aside plenty of time for this one too. If you want to see everything without rushing, you’ll need at least half a day.

Ticket for the Museo Thyssen Bornemisza

The Most Beautiful Parks and Gardens in Madrid

El Retiro Park

Retiro Park is probably Madrid’s most famous city park — and it’s right in the center of the city.

It covers 125 hectares and has over 15,000 trees, including Madrid’s oldest: a 400-year-old cypress.

There’s a large lake with boat rentals, various statues and fountains, and both the Velázquez Palace and the Crystal Palace to explore.

Retiro Park sits right next to the museum triangle. So after spending hours in the Prado, this is the perfect place to recharge.

Guided tour of Retiro Park

Botanical Garden

Right next to the Prado Museum is Madrid’s Botanical Garden — around since the late 18th century and genuinely worth a visit.

Not only can you relax beautifully here, but you can also admire plants of all kinds.

On a guided tour, you’ll learn everything about the history, uses, and care of various plant species — or you can simply stroll through the grounds on your own.

Our tip: In summer the garden isn’t as impressive — many flowers have already wilted and everything tends to look more yellow than green. Spring is by far the best time to visit!

Atocha Train Station

A train station among the best things to do in Madrid — and listed under parks on top of that? Sounds crazy, but yes!

Atocha Station isn’t just a train station — it actually has two parts: a modern section where trains depart, and an old section in pure Art Nouveau style that’s far more beautiful and grand.

This old section houses a tropical garden with over 7,000 plants of various species growing inside. You genuinely feel like you’re in a jungle beneath a glass roof. There’s also a pond with turtles and fish.

The Most Beautiful Neighborhoods in Madrid

Barrio de las Letras

This is where Madrid’s literary elite once gathered — hence the name “Barrio de las Letras” (Letters Quarter). It’s a colorful maze of alleyways with quotes from various poets embedded in the pavement, centered around the Plaza de Santa Ana.

It’s one of Madrid’s most popular nightlife neighborhoods, packed with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. The party goes on until 6 or 7 in the morning.

Malasaña

Madrid has plenty of nightlife neighborhoods, but Malasaña is probably the most popular. It’s full of bars, cafés, and restaurants, and it’s worth visiting both during the day and after dark.

The area has a very alternative, bohemian feel, with lots of street art, small boutiques, and artists’ studios. Perfect for shopping, eating, going out — and of course for taking photos!

Our tip: In the mood for something a little different? Join the Street Art Tour through Madrid. You’ll discover the coolest works by local artists while getting to know the city from its more authentic side.

Street Art Tour through Madrid

Salesas and Chueca

If you want to go fashion shopping in Madrid, these two barrios are exactly where you need to be.

Salesas and Chueca sit right next to each other along Calle Barquillo and are packed with a wide range of shops from avant-garde fashion designers and boutiques carrying international labels.

Prices are of course higher than at Zara and the like — but in return you’ll also find sustainable products and fashion made from recycled materials. We’re on board with that!

Our tip: Several times a year, the Salesas Village takes place at the Plaza de las Salesas — a fashion market for independent labels. Check online for the next date before you go!

The Coolest Markets in Madrid

Mercado San Antón

Located very close to the Plaza de Cibeles, this market is a modern three-story building.

On the ground floor you can shop for groceries: fruits, vegetables, cold cuts, and the full range of Spanish specialties. The first floor is where things get really interesting: tapas bars, wine bars, show cooking, candy shops — a true foodie paradise!

On the rooftop there’s the restaurant La Cocina de San Antón, where you can have the ingredients you bought downstairs cooked for you for a fee of 4 euros.

There’s also a full à la carte menu featuring typical Spanish food — and a lovely view over the Chueca neighborhood to boot.

Mercado San Miguel

The Mercado San Miguel is housed in a landmark-protected market hall. Here, everything revolves around Spanish food.

There are 33 stalls in total, offering fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and cheese from every corner of the country — plus several standing bars and cafés where you can eat and drink well into the evening.

The Mercado San Miguel stays open until midnight, and alongside oysters or tapas you can also grab cocktails or paella to go.

It’s right next to the Plaza Mayor, so it’s always busy, a bit touristy, and not exactly cheap. But if you want to eat something really fresh, it’s absolutely worth it!

El Rastro Flea Market

Madrid’s most famous flea market takes place every Sunday at the Plaza de Cascorro. It’s not really a classic flea market, though — you’ll find a little of everything: new, old, modern, trendy.

Prices are good, but quality isn’t always top-notch. Still, it’s well worth a detour — there’s genuinely a lot to see!

Our tip: Try to arrive around 10 AM. By then all the stalls are set up, but it’s not too crowded yet. Everything is packed up again by 3 PM.

Extra Tip: Day Trips from Madrid

Still not done exploring? We love the enthusiasm — and we’ve got more in store. Madrid is also a fantastic base for day trips into the surrounding area.

Here are two excursion destinations from Madrid that are no more than 45 minutes away by car.

#1 El Escorial

50 kilometers from Madrid, a massive white building rises out of nowhere: the El Escorial monastery, which on its own is almost as large as the entire town of Escorial.

Built in the 16th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it sits on the slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama and offers a fantastic panorama of the valley below.
Day trip to El Escorial Monastery

#2 Toledo and Segovia

Two of the best day-trip destinations near Madrid are Toledo and Segovia.

Toledo is a picturesque town perched on a hill and framed by the Tagus River. In the old town, you’ll find the heritage of three religions — Christians, Jews, and Muslims — all layered together. And the views are simply spectacular.

Segovia, meanwhile, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s home to one of Spain’s most famous castles: the Alcázar de Segovia.

Day trip to Toledo and Segovia

The Best Guided Tours in Madrid

You can absolutely explore Madrid on foot — but we’ve personally had great experiences with guided tours. With a knowledgeable guide, you simply learn more about the city and discover spots that aren’t in every travel guide. Here are our top picks for guided tours in Madrid.

3-hour bike tour through Madrid
Walking tour of Madrid with a private guide
Combo: City tour and wine tasting in Madrid’s old town