24 Best Things to Do in Madrid

The other day, my recently retired dad booked a European trip to Madrid, Porto and Lisbon with my mum and now he wants to know what they can do in each place.

Whilst reeling off a wide selection of things to do in Lisbon and Porto, with a little help from this blog to push my memory along; it dawned on me that I haven’t written very much about Madrid. I’ve confessed my LOVE for the city, but I’ve not offered a lot in the way of practical information.

So with this in mind, here are my top things to do in Madrid (I’m sure a few of these will interest you too dad – especially the Flamenco class!).

1. Buen Retiro Park

Things to do in Madrid - boat tide in Retiro Park
Every good city has a park worth talking about and this park is worth shouting about. Whether you hire a boat, grab a picnic or stroll among the avenue of trees, relaxing here for a few hours is always a good idea. The topiary alone is a reason to visit. It’s a work of art, there’s no other way to describe it.

Things to do in Madrid - Buen Retiro Park

Tip: London has the Marble Arch, Paris has Arc de Triomphe, and Madrid has Puerta de Alcalá located by an exit close to Retiro Park. Make sure you look out for it.

2. Museo Nacional Del Prado

Things to do in Madrid - Museo Nacional Del Prado

There isn’t another place on earth that can rival the collection of Spanish paintings you’ll find here by Velazquez, El Greco and Goya. It doesn’t begin and end with Spanish paintings either, the collection of Italian and Flemish art is equally inspiring. A magical moment for me was seeing The Garden of Heavenly Delights by Bosch, in person and up close. It’s like looking into a dream.

3. Real Jardin Botanico (Botanical Gardens)

Things to do in Madrid - Botanical Gardens

Situated next to the Prado, escape the crowds in Madrid’s botanical gardens. It’s a gardener’s garden, focussing on plant research and providing a home to rare species, as well as exotic plants that you’ll find inside the greenhouses. It doesn’t have the wow-factor of Retiro Park but it’s wilder and quieter.

4. San Miguel Food Market

Things to do in Madrid - San Miguel Food Market

Anyone wishing to soak up the vigour of local life and taste local food should make a beeline for San Miguel. Though there are larger markets in Madrid, this one is the last surviving example in the capital constructed from iron, and it has to be said the colourful food stalls look very chic against the black ironwork.

Things to do in Madrid - Eat at San Miguel Food Market

Even before you see the food, you’ll smell it drifting through the open aisles. At one stage I was walking around with churros in one hand and a plate of calamares fritos in the other, so there was no way of talking photos when a good shot passed in front of me. Food wins every time, eh?!

5. Royal Palace of Madrid & Sabatini Gardens

Royal Palace of Madrid and Sabatini Gardens - best things to do in Madrid

Whether you’re a royal fanatic or republican, this palace is worth seeing if only for the architecture and stunning grounds. For its grandest angle, head to the north façade of the palace which includes the exquisite view of the Sabatini Gardens.

6. Temple of Debod

Things to do in Madrid - Temple of Debod

My friend Rob brought me here because he thought I’d like to see one of Madrid’s most exotic landmarks, and he wasn’t wrong, this 2nd century Egyptian temple is an unexpected sight in continental Europe and a capital city at that! It was given to Spain in 1968 by the Egyptian government as a sign of gratitude to the Spanish engineers involved in rescuing ancient monuments from the flood-waters of the Aswan Dam on the River Nile.

Tip: Located inside Parque del Oeste, or Western Park in English, it’s close by the Royal Palace so its time-efficient idea to visit these sites one after the other.

7. Plaza Major

Things to do in Madrid - Plaza Mayor

This large courtyard is a tourist hub so you won’t want to spend too much time here if it’s really busy, otherwise grab a coffee and something light to eat from the bakery. The focal point of the Plaza is a statue of King Felipe III Statue riding a horse, it was a gift from the Duke of Florence at that time.

8. Rooftop Bars and Tabernas

For drinks, there’s something for everyone in Madrid. If you want to sip fancy cocktails overlooking the city head to The Roof or make your way to El Viajero for its signature mojito and laid-back vibe.

For a more typically Spanish affair, why not head to a local taberna for traditional wines and food? A taberna translates to tavern which gives you a better idea of what to expect: cosy and stripped of any pretence. Think low-slung ceilings, a carved wooden bar, stacks of dusty bottles and family photographs dotted on the walls. Best of all, you’ll be able to ask for regional food and wine.

9. Reina Sofia National Art Museum

While the Prado pays homage to masterpieces of the 11th – 18th Century, Reina Sofia is all about contemporary art. You could easily spend a full afternoon going from Dali to Miro to Picasso – ensure you don’t miss the Guernica, the Civil War protest painting.

10. Do a Flamenco Class!

Things to do in Madrid - Flamenco Classes

Get ready for a lot of laugher, tremendous amounts of sweating, and a few out-of-sync arm throws and hip thrusts when you do a Flamenco class. It’s a super fun activity for a couple if hours if there’s a few of you doing it, my friends and I couldn’t stop laughing at how bad some of us were at trying to get the moves – myself included!

11. Caixa Forum

Things to do in Madrid - see the wall garden at Caixa Forum

Who doesn’t want to see a wall garden when it looks this good, I ask? And anyone with an interest in design will also enjoy the interior of this exhibition centre. If you don’t wish to see any exhibitions, still take a walk inside to check out the bookshop and the very appealing stairs that take you there…

Things to do in Madrid - head inside Caixa Madrid

12. Museum of Romanticism

A small yet perfectly formed museum devoted to the Romantic period of the 19th century. It houses a treasure trove of mostly paintings, furniture, porcelain, books and photos from a bygone age. If you’ve visited the Wallace Collection in London, it makes a good comparison with what to expect on a smaller scale.

13. Visit the Old Central Post Office

Things to do in Madrid - sightseeing bus tour

Known as Palacio de Cibele, this colossal building and one of the city’s landmarks was designed and built by Antonio Palacios and Joaquín Otamendi as the headquarters of the Spanish Post Office – who would have guessed?

It was inaugurated in 1909 and since 2007 it has housed the offices of the Madrid City Council. It’s possible to pay a €2 admission for access to the top floor and panoramic views of the city.

14. Join a Food Tour

When we decided on a Flamenco class it was a toss up with a food tour. Eventually we concluded that we’d still be able to enjoy the culinary offerings of Madrid without assistance. Whilst this was true, I’d still be keen to sign up to a food tour on my next visit. I’ve read some excellent reviews of Devour Madrid, and I follow their Facebook page which is constantly being updated with mouth-watering photos. If you’re a foodie lover, this is probably the kind of tour for you!

15. El Rastro Flea Market

On a weekend the neighbourhood of La Latina turns into a huge flea market. You’re sure to find something that will appeal to your quirky nature or other wise discerning eye. Unlike some of the expensive shops you’ll find in Spain, you don’t have to worry about hurting your bank balance, trawling through the offerings of El Rastro is a fun way to spend a few euros.

16. Look up at the Façades

Building facades in Madrid

One of my favourite things to do in Madrid, or any new city for that matter, is simply to look up at the façades. There are so many beautiful and intricate buildings to appreciate yet they often go unnoticed. It’s easy for Madrid to get overlooked by Barcelona in terms of architecture, and whilst Gaudi certainly did something very special with the city, Madrid’s eclectic mix of styles has been described as ‘the city of a thousand faces’.

Things to do in Madrid - look up at the facades

17. Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida

Talking about this place makes my heart sink because I didn’t find out about this place until I left Madrid, I literally think it was the night I arrived home I read about it! But maybe it’s not so surprising how I didn’t know about this since it’s often described as one of Madrid’s best kept secrets. Synonymous with one word only: Goya.

The chapel is best known for its ceiling and dome frescoes by Goya. It is also his burial place. If you don’t have the budget or time to see Goya’s work in the Prado, then come here, there’s no admission free and I doubt there will be any crowds.

18. Eat Paella!

Things to do in Madrid - eat paella!

It would be a cardinal sin to visit the country’s capital without eating the country’s national dish! Though I’ve been told, it’s viewed more as Valencia’s national dish, the city of its birth place. Still, when you’re in Spain, paella is always a good idea and is an excellent dish to accommodate pescatarians and veggies too. Seafood paella is my favourite, I can’t get enough of it! The sad thing is though, when I try to replicate this dish at home it always turns out like risotto: close but not close enough.

19. Tour the Real Madrid Football Stadium

Watch a Real Madrid match or enjoy a stadium tour - top things to do in Madrid

I don’t follow football, and I can’t claim to enjoy it so I’m including this one for all the football fans out there – I know there’s a lot of you!

Here’s a thought… if there are any girls out there wanting a fun city-break in Madrid with their boyfriend, I think you’ll be able to twist his arm if you whip out the promise of a guided tour, or better still, tickets for a live game, from outta your sleeve! Now how’s that for a compromise?!

20. Eat at Sobrino de Botin – The world’s oldest restaurant

Recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest restaurant still in operation, Sobrino de Botin was first opened back in 1725, and equally extraordinary, is that the artist Francisco de Goya worked in Cafe Botin as a waiter while waiting to get accepted into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts!

21. Soak up Culture at Matadero Madrid

Built in the early 20th century in the Neo-Mudejar style, an old abattoir was brought back to life in 2007 as an innovative space devoted to culture and entertainment. Feed your inner culture vulture at one or more of its venues dedicated to theatre, cinema, literature and concerts all year round. Matadero Madrid all benefits from a scenic location at the bank of the Manzanares river.

22. Parish Church of Santa Monica

The main reason I’m including this church is for architect lovers, but if you want a place to worship during your trip to Madrid, then look no further than this contemporary beauty designed by Vicens & Ramos. For more photos and details of its design, check out dezeen.com.

23. Torre Blancas

Torres Blancas aka White Towers in Madrid - an architectural icon of the Spanish Organicism movement

The Torre Blancas is an architectural icon of the Spanish Organicism movement. Designed by Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza and completed in 1969, this exposed concrete tower rises 71 meters above the Madrid skyline.

24. Go Beyond Madrid

Day trip to Segovia from Madrid

If you have time to spare, why not hire a car for a day or two to see what lies a few hours from the city? If you don’t fancy hiring a car, you could get the train to Segovia, an old town with a stunning Gothic cathedral complete with intricate pinnacles and dome-shaped roofs.

Nearby you can also visit another royal palace, La Granja. It was commissioned by Felipe V who fell in love with the area and ordered the palace to be built as his retirement home. It’s easy to see why he felt this way, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Guadarrama mountains. The palace was started in 1720 and finished in 1723. French architects who worked on the palace and gardens of Versailles were used – only the best workers for the king!

Can you add to this list of things to do in Madrid?

Looking for somewhere to stay in Madrid? I went with a group of girlfriends so we decided to splurge by staying at Melia Madrid Princesa. It’s a gorgeous hotel with amazing service and I recommend it if you’re looking for a touch of luxury as the hotel has some interesting design features. However, I would usually prefer to stay somewhere smaller, so it’s a good idea to read around and see what you think suits your personality best.

24 best thing to do in Madrid

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Hi, I'm Shing

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12 Responses

  1. I went in 2002 and loved the Bernabeu, Retiro Park and Plaza Mayor. I’m going again in July so thanks for the tips – I fancy going on the teleferico cable-car too.

    1. Hey Richard, I’ve not heard of the teleferico cable-car so thanks for passing on that information! Have a fabulous time seeing more of Madrid in July, please eat have some churros dipped in hot chocolate in my honour!

  2. Hi, such a great read…I’m going to Spain next month, Madrid is one of the cities I’ll be stopping off at…without a doubt I will be working my way through this list. Just a quick question…I’m a vegetarian, the San Miguel food market looks delectable, when you were there did you notice if there were any meat-free options to make the mouth water?

    Thanks!

    1. Hi Florence, you will be able to find vegetarian options but I’m not sure how diverse or substantial it will be – though if you like olives, tomatoes and cheese you’ll be onto a winner! You should be able to find fried padron peppers which are extremely moreish, the best thing to do is get a little collection of tapas to satisfy your cravings.

      I’ve just found this article which you will hopefully find useful about vegetarian options in Madrid: https://madridfoodtour.com/complete-vegan-and-vegetarian-guide-to-madrid/

      I hope you have a wonderful time, I’m sure you will!

  3. This article has definitely made me want to visit Madrid, with so many things to see and do. The Roof or the El Viajero for its signature mojito and laid-back vibe seem a definite must. Madrid is also so easy to get from place to another, well connected and very clean.

  4. Absolutely love Madrid. Definitely one of my favourite cities.
    I would recommended Chocolateria San Gines for 24hr churros! Pretty little cafe and lovely atmosphere even at 3am.

  5. Hi there!

    I would add the Atocha central railway station, which is spectacular on the inside. Also, a day trip to Toledo is a great idea, the train to and from is FAST, so you can go in the morning, tour the town -which is also great, by the way- and return in the evening, to enjoy a glass of sangria (or more).

    Great blog!

  6. Your post reminded me of my trip to Madrit! Hard to believe it’s been four years already. Now I wish it was summer already. Temple of Debod looks interesting, I haven’t seen it then. I have to agree with you about Buen Retiro Park though, it’s one of my favourtes too. Right after Łazienki Park in Warsaw 🙂

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