Madrid Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Madrid, Spain's capital, offers a vibrant mix of historical and modern attractions. Explore the Royal Palace, visit the Prado Museum, and enjoy tapas in Plaza Mayor. The city's lively nightlife and cultural events make it a must-visit destination.
With 326+ hand-picked places to explore, Madrid rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Madrid
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Palacio de Cristal — located on Paseo de Cuba, this 19th-century glass palace hosts contemporary art exhibitions in a picturesque park setting. Just as worthwhile is Santiago Bernabéu Stadium: located on Av. de Concha Espina, this stadium immerses visitors in Real Madrid's rich football history. Monument to Alfonso XII completes the picture: ideal for families and couples seeking a scenic spot in Madrid's Retiro Park.
Palacio de Cristal
Madrid • Famous Landmarks
Located on Paseo de Cuba, this 19th-century glass palace hosts contemporary art exhibitions in a picturesque park setting.
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Madrid • Famous Landmarks
Located on Av. de Concha Espina, this stadium immerses visitors in Real Madrid's rich football history.
Monument to Alfonso XII
Madrid • Monuments & Statues
Ideal for families and couples seeking a scenic spot in Madrid's Retiro Park.
Plaza de la Villa
Madrid • Historic Squares & Plazas
Ideal for history enthusiasts and families seeking a glimpse into Madrid's medieval past.
Museums & Culture in Madrid
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Royal Palace of Madrid: europe's largest royal palace features extensive art collections and grand architecture as the official residence of Spain's royal family. Locals will also point you to Teatro Real — located at Plaza de Isabel II, this historic opera house showcases Madrid's cultural legacy and architectural elegance. And for something different, there's Galería Juana de Aizpuru: one of Spain's pioneering contemporary art galleries, notable for its international influence and avant-garde exhibitions.
Royal Palace of Madrid
Madrid • Historical Sites
Europe's largest royal palace features extensive art collections and grand architecture as the official residence of Spain's royal family.
Teatro Real
Madrid • Theaters
Located at Plaza de Isabel II, this historic opera house showcases Madrid's cultural legacy and architectural elegance.
Galería Juana de Aizpuru
Madrid • Art Galleries
One of Spain's pioneering contemporary art galleries, notable for its international influence and avant-garde exhibitions.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Madrid • Museums
Ideal for art enthusiasts and cultural explorers, the museum showcases significant 20th-century Spanish works.
Best Things to Do in Madrid
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Club de Campo Villa de Madrid — located along Carretera de Castilla, this sports club offers a luxurious environment for various athletic activities. Exit Madrid earns its reputation too — a perfect activity for an afternoon, combining teamwork and problem-solving in an engaging environment. Round out the shortlist with Ikono Madrid — an immersive art space where technology and creativity intersect in Madrid.
Club de Campo Villa de Madrid
Madrid • Sports
Located along Carretera de Castilla, this sports club offers a luxurious environment for various athletic activities.
Exit Madrid
Madrid • Indoor
A perfect activity for an afternoon, combining teamwork and problem-solving in an engaging environment.
Ikono Madrid
Madrid • Indoor
An immersive art space where technology and creativity intersect in Madrid.
The Madrid Segway Tours
Madrid • Outdoor
Experience Madrid's historic sites and lively streets via guided Segway tours, a unique outdoor activity.
Where to Eat in Madrid
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with DSTAgE — an immersive dining experience in Madrid, ideal for those seeking creativity and sustainability in their meals. Just as worthwhile is Paco Roncero Restaurante: avant-garde culinary techniques define this fine dining experience in historic Madrid. StreetXO completes the picture: a creative fusion of Asian street food and high-end gastronomy defines this Madrid restaurant.
DSTAgE
Madrid • Fine Dining
An immersive dining experience in Madrid, ideal for those seeking creativity and sustainability in their meals.
Paco Roncero Restaurante
Madrid • Fine Dining
Avant-garde culinary techniques define this fine dining experience in historic Madrid.
StreetXO
Madrid • Asian Cuisine
A creative fusion of Asian street food and high-end gastronomy defines this Madrid restaurant.
Zalacaín
Madrid • Fine Dining
Ideal for couples and fine dining enthusiasts seeking a blend of tradition and modernity.
Madrid After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Café Berlín: ideal for night owls seeking live music in a historic venue with a modern twist. Locals will also point you to Del Diego Cocktail Bar — a classic cocktail bar in Madrid known for its legacy of expert mixology and elegant ambiance. And for something different, there's Museo Chicote: perfect for cocktail lovers and those wanting to experience Madrid's nightlife in a historic setting.
Café Berlín
Madrid • Nightclubs & Discos
Ideal for night owls seeking live music in a historic venue with a modern twist.
Del Diego Cocktail Bar
Madrid • Cocktail Bars
A classic cocktail bar in Madrid known for its legacy of expert mixology and elegant ambiance.
Museo Chicote
Madrid • Cocktail Bars
Perfect for cocktail lovers and those wanting to experience Madrid's nightlife in a historic setting.
The Passenger
Madrid • Cocktail Bars
A train-themed cocktail bar in the Malasaña district, offering a unique nightlife experience in Madrid.
Where to Stay in Madrid
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hotel Único Madrid — this luxury hotel is ideal for couples or those seeking an upscale experience in Madrid. URSO Hotel & Spa earns its reputation too — ideal for couples and those seeking a relaxing city retreat in Madrid. Round out the shortlist with Hotel Liabeny — ideal for couples and families seeking comfort in a central Madrid location.
Hotel Único Madrid
Madrid • Luxury Hotels
This luxury hotel is ideal for couples or those seeking an upscale experience in Madrid.
URSO Hotel & Spa
Madrid • Spa Hotels
Ideal for couples and those seeking a relaxing city retreat in Madrid.
Hotel Liabeny
Madrid • Mid-Range Hotels
Ideal for couples and families seeking comfort in a central Madrid location.
Hotel Palacio del Retiro, Autograph Collection
Madrid • Spa Hotels
Located on Calle de Alfonso XII, this hotel offers access to Madrid's Retiro Park and a tranquil atmosphere.
Shopping in Madrid
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Alphaville Vintage — ideal for vintage clothing fans and those seeking unique fashion finds in Madrid. Just as worthwhile is Mercado de San Fernando: calle de Embajadores offers an engaging market experience, merging traditional flavors with contemporary culinary trends. Curiosite completes the picture: ideal for families and gift shoppers, this quirky shop offers a unique collection of fun souvenirs.
Alphaville Vintage
Madrid • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Ideal for vintage clothing fans and those seeking unique fashion finds in Madrid.
Mercado de San Fernando
Madrid • Markets
Calle de Embajadores offers an engaging market experience, merging traditional flavors with contemporary culinary trends.
Curiosite
Madrid • Souvenir Shops
Ideal for families and gift shoppers, this quirky shop offers a unique collection of fun souvenirs.
Las Rozas Village
Madrid • Luxury Shopping
Perfect for luxury shoppers seeking designer brands at outlet prices near Madrid.
Parks & Green Spaces in Madrid
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is La Pedriza: explore a stunning natural park with unique granite formations and diverse hiking trails just outside Madrid. Locals will also point you to Bosque del Recuerdo — ideal for those seeking a tranquil spot for reflection in nature's embrace. And for something different, there's Hayedo de Montejo: a protected beech forest with serene hiking trails and rich biodiversity near Madrid.
La Pedriza
Madrid • Hiking Trails
Explore a stunning natural park with unique granite formations and diverse hiking trails just outside Madrid.
Bosque del Recuerdo
Madrid • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Ideal for those seeking a tranquil spot for reflection in nature's embrace.
Hayedo de Montejo
Madrid • Hiking Trails
A protected beech forest with serene hiking trails and rich biodiversity near Madrid.
Monte de El Pardo
Madrid • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Ideal for nature enthusiasts and families seeking an escape from Madrid's urban landscape.
83 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Madrid that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Madrid list:
- DiverXO· Fine Dining
- Museo del Prado· Museums
- Hotel Ritz, Madrid· Luxury Hotels
- Sala de Despiece· Secret Foodie Spots
- La Venencia· Secret Foodie Spots
Planning where to stay in Madrid?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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