Best things to do in Madrid
Find out more about those top places in Madrid
Madrid Travel Guide: Tapas, Palaces, and a Whole Lot of Pride
Welcome to Madrid, the heart and soul of Spain—literally. Smack dab in the center of the country, this buzzing capital is often dubbed “the nation’s pride,” and after about five minutes here, you’ll see why. With jaw-dropping architecture, grand boulevards, lush parks, and a nightlife that refuses to quit, Madrid is one of Europe’s best cities for culture, cuisine, and non-stop sightseeing.
With a population of over 4 million people, Madrid ranks as the third-largest city in the European Union, just behind Berlin and London. But let’s be honest—Madrid wins in the siesta and sangria department.
Top Attractions in Madrid: Where to Begin?
Any solid Madrid travel guide starts at the Royal Palace, an opulent behemoth of a building that makes Buckingham Palace look like a weekend cottage. It’s the largest royal residence in Western Europe—and no, the king doesn’t actually live there, but it’s still fit for one.
Right next door is Almudena Cathedral, where you can climb to the dome for panoramic views over the city and possibly re-evaluate your fear of heights.
From there, head over to Plaza Mayor, a grand 17th-century square where you can sip overpriced coffee, snap postcard-perfect photos, and try your luck at spotting pickpockets in action (just don’t become one of their targets).
Things to Do in Madrid: A Little Bit of Everything
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Explore Retiro Park: Once the playground of royalty, this sprawling green oasis is perfect for boating, picnicking, or just lying under a tree wondering why you didn’t come here sooner.
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Get artsy at the Golden Triangle of Art: Madrid is home to not one, not two, but three of the world’s most important art museums—Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Whether you're into Velázquez, Picasso, or modern masterpieces, your inner art nerd will be very pleased.
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Stroll down Gran Vía: This is Madrid’s answer to Broadway, Oxford Street, and Times Square all rolled into one. Perfect for shopping, people-watching, or catching a Spanish-language musical you’ll pretend to understand.
Culinary Sightseeing (Yes, That’s a Thing)
Madrid is also one of the world’s tastiest cities, hands down. Tapas bars line nearly every street, and whether you're grabbing a plate of patatas bravas or nibbling on jamón ibérico, you're in for a culinary joyride. Don’t leave without trying churros con chocolate—it’s basically a warm hug in snack form.
If you're into market vibes, Mercado de San Miguel is a must. It’s a bustling gourmet market where you can sample everything from oysters to olives and maybe accidentally spend €50 on cheese. No regrets.
Nightlife & Neighborhood Vibes
Madrid truly comes alive after dark—nightlife is basically a national sport here. Start with a relaxed drink in Malasaña, hop over to the trendy bars in Chueca, and by the time you reach the underground clubs of Lavapiés, it’ll be 4am and you’ll still feel like the night is young.
Final Word: Madrid is More Than a Stopover
Many travelers treat Madrid as a jumping-off point to other Spanish destinations like Barcelona or Seville—but that’s like skipping dessert after the appetizer. This city is a destination in its own right, bursting with top attractions, unique places to visit, and enough things to do to fill a dozen travel guides.
Whether you're into royal palaces, world-class art, leafy parks, or late-night tapas crawls, Madrid will have you hooked—and probably plotting your return before you’ve even left.
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The Prado Museum
Located at the center of Madrid is the Museo Del Prado (The Prado Museum), Spain’s main art museum. Established in 1819 the museum features work from famous artists across Spain and Europe and it is also one of the most visited museums in Europe. The building where it is situated was designed by Juan de Villanueva and was initially the residence of Ferdinand VII before becoming Royal museum of Paintings and Sculptures. The museum has thousands of art works in its collection including the famous Van Der Weyden’s masterpiece “the virgin and Child” and Goya’s “Countess of Chichon”.
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Royal Palace of Madrid
With a Baroque architectural Style, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest functioning Royal palace in Europe. It is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family and it consists of over 3,418 rooms. Designed by several Spanish artists it is surrounded by beautiful gardens, fountains and sculptures. Although the official residence of the Royal Family, they are rarely present deciding to stay in the much smaller Palace of Zarzuela on the city outskirts.
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Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Home to Real Madrid, Spain’s most successful football club, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is a must visit. The stadium completed in 1947, has a capacity of 81,044 it is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. A Typical visit will include a tour of the team’s dressing rooms, press room, presidential box, dugout and the gallery that displays the trophies won by the team. If you are visiting on a match day, you get to see the football stars play in an erupting atmosphere.
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Flamenco Tablaos
The Spanish are well-known for their dancing, many of which originated from Spain itself. One of those dance styles is the Flamenco, usually performed in a tablao (a platform floor). The Flamenco Tablaos were so famous in the 1960s that they gradually replaced most of the restaurants around. To get immersed in the culture of Madrid, visit one of its numerous Tablaos in the city and watch the Flamenco.
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National Library
Situated on the Paseo de Recoletos, the National Library of Spain is a place worth visiting. The Library was established in 1712 by King Philip V, features over 26,000,000 items including books, manuscripts, newspapers and serials. The library is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of Spain’s heritage through documentation.
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El Rastro
El Rastro is a flea market located along the Plaza de Cascorro, it is one of Madrid busiest markets. The market is held on every Sunday and on public holidays and has over 3500 stores with vendors from different parts of the country. For tourists looking to buy antiques or souvenirs this is the best place.
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Reina Sofía Museum
See Picasso's famous painting, "Guernica" and other masterpieces of 20th-century art on a guided tour of Madrid's Reina Sofia Museum. Marvel at works by Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró, and get explanations from an English and Spanish-speaking guide.
