Spain’s capital showcases the country’s delicious cuisine, renowned shopping districts and rich history framed by stunning architecture.
Visit Madrid to be captivated by all the great Spanish experiences, from flamenco to fashion, fine art and food. Whether you want to explore the museums of the Golden Triangle of Art, shop and dine your way along vibrant Gran Vía or keep the kids entertained in the massive Casa de Campo Park, it’s easy to create a travel itinerary for a memorable time in Madrid.
Time your trip with exciting festivals across the year. Madrid Carnival enlivens streets with colourful parades in February while summer is the season of music concerts. Indulge in Spanish cuisine at the annual Madrid Gastrofestival. Every season delivers exciting adventures for a Madrid holiday.
Things to do in Madrid
Start in the heart of the city at Palacio Real Madrid. The royal palace features thousands of rooms to explore, such as the royal armoury and chapel. Watch the Changing of the Guard at scheduled times each year and stroll around the ornamental Sabatini Gardens. Keep admiring nature at nearby Campo del Moro Park, where you’ll find brilliant views of the palace for photos.
Walk to Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s magnificent central square. It’s surrounded by towering archways leading to narrow streets to get happily lost in. At Puerta del Sol, study the central statue of King Charles III on horseback and the famous Casa de Correos clock that marks the new year.
You’ll find plenty of charming restaurants for a rest with churros or tapas while shopping in Madrid. Browse department stores and boutiques along Calle Gran Vía and enjoy pedestrian retail therapy on pedestrian-only Calle de Preciados. Every Sunday, Plaza de Cascorro hosts El Rastro, a sprawling flea market that’s thought to have originated around 1740.
History and culture in Madrid
Stroll along the picturesque, tree-lined boulevard Paseo del Prado (Art Walk) to find some of Madrid’s top museums. The Prado Museum is one of the world’s best, with works by masters such as Rembrandt and Raphael. Admire medieval art and 20th-century avant-garde works at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. At the Reina Sofía Museum, see contemporary Spanish art including Guernica, one of Picasso’s best-known works.
A great choice for families with children, the Naval Museum Madrid highlights navigation instruments and parchment maps, along with model vessels and sailor uniforms. Learn about ancient Spanish history while viewing Roman mosaics and Iberian sculptures at the National Archaeology Museum Madrid.
Step back in time at museums located in grand palaces. The Sorolla Museum was the home of the Spanish painter, a national hero known as the “Master of Light”, and features his works and a lush Andalusian courtyard. Imagine what life was like for a middle-class family in the 19th century at the Museum of Romanticism. Opulent aristocratic life is on display via tapestries and furniture at the Cerralbo Museum.
Dining and nightlife in Madrid
From Basque tapas to Iberian ham and seafood paella, San Miguel Market has been serving up Spain’s scrumptious cuisine since 1916. It’s located near Plaza Mayor, where restaurant terraces and bars rest beneath the grand colonnades. A short walk from the city centre, the Huertas neighbourhood is known as the Literary Quarter, and it buzzes with lively tapas bars and nightclubs.
Wander through the atmospheric, narrow streets of La Latina for a tapas tour framed by lovely churches and squares. Home of Madrid Pride, Chueca boasts trendy cocktail bars and stylish restaurants, along with a fun atmosphere after dark.
For upmarket dining, dress up for a night out in Salamanca. The neighbourhood’s exclusive Golden Mile features Michelin-starred restaurants, flamenco dinner theatre venues and glamorous nightclubs. For ballet and opera, book tickets at the historical Teatro Real near Puerta del Sol.
Getting around Madrid
Madrid Airport (Barajas) is about a 30-minute drive from the city centre. Take the airport express shuttle, the underground metro, buses or taxis to get into the heart of the city. Tourist travel passes are available to use across all public transport systems, including city buses and the light rail. For day trips to nearby places, such as the Guadarrama Mountains, Aranjuez and El Escorial, the Cercanías suburban trains are efficient and budget friendly.
In the city centre, the best way to explore Madrid is on foot as most hotels are within easy walking distance of attractions. Use the hop-on, hop-off double-decker sightseeing buses for audio commentary along the way. Driving in central Madrid isn’t recommended due to dense traffic and limited parking. However, easily rent a car at the airport or train stations to travel further around Spain.
