Things to do in Madrid

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Almudena Cathedral

Top things to do in Madrid

Image for Madrid Tapas Night Walking Tour

Madrid Tapas Night Walking Tour

￥7,645
Per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Madrid Tapas Night Walking Tour
Image for Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour

Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour

￥9,787
Per adult
Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour
Image for Madrid City Tour - Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Madrid City Tour - Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

￥3,017
Per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Madrid City Tour - Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Image for Real Madrid Bernabeu Tour - Open Date Ticket (Ticket Only)

Real Madrid Bernabeu Tour - Open Date Ticket (Ticket Only)

￥2,436
Per adult
84% of travellers recommend
Real Madrid Bernabeu Tour - Open Date Ticket (Ticket Only)
Image for Day Tour of Toledo & Segovia with Alcazar Entrance

Day Tour of Toledo & Segovia with Alcazar Entrance

￥8,508
Per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Day Tour of Toledo & Segovia with Alcazar Entrance
Image for Wine Tasting Small Group Tour from Madrid

Wine Tasting Small Group Tour from Madrid

￥18,025
Per adult
Wine Tasting Small Group Tour from Madrid
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Madrid must see attractions

1. Gran Via Street

The Gran Via is a shopping hub and a center for nightlife. Like much of Madrid, the strip celebrates the past while embracing the future: boutique stores and international brands are housed in some of Madrid’s most iconic heritage architecture.
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Madrid’s famous shopping strip has boutiques and international brands, an exciting nightlife and an impressive display of early 20th-century architecture.

2. Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s best-known public places. Its cobbled courtyard is surrounded by stylish restaurants, boutiques, bars and cafés. It was a chaotic market back in the 16th century until King Felipe II commissioned a proper public square. The plaza was completed in 1619 under the supervision of architect Juan Gómez de Mora, but would burn down three times before the present version was constructed in 1790.
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This square has seen everything from markets and public celebrations to bullfights and executions. Today you’ll find street performers, artists and plenty of shops.

3. Prado Museum

The Prado (Museo Nacional del Prado) is one of the world’s most prestigious art museums. It was commissioned in 1785 by King Carlos III to showcase Spanish talent and taste. The royal collection has formed the core of the museum’s inventory since it opened to the public in 1819. The collection has expanded over the years to include works from other European nations and even ancient Greek and Roman statues.
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An art museum to rival the Louvre or the British National Gallery, this is the place to see some of the finest art Europe has to offer.

4. El Retiro Park

El Retiro (El Parque de Retiro) is one of Madrid’s favorite parks and occupies nearly 350 acres (140 hectares) of land in the city center. It was once a royal retreat and the site of a large palace, but was opened to the public in the 1860s. There are statues and monuments all throughout the park, as well as two ponds, art galleries and fountains. It’s a popular retreat for Sunday afternoon picnics and you’ll notice street performers plying their trade in the busiest areas.
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Relax by the pond, walk through landscaped gardens, and admire the elegant statues and buildings in one of Madrid’s biggest and most popular parks.

5. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Real Madrid is one of the most internationally recognized soccer teams and their Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu) is among the sport’s finest. Watching a match at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a lifetime dream for both long-term Madridistas and soccer enthusiasts. Walk on the hallowed turf of the playing field, browse the clubs impressive trophy hall and relive historical moments via multimedia exhibits.
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Cheer on the superstar players of one of the world’s most successful soccer clubs and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the colossal 81,000-capacity stadium.

6. Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol, or “Sun Gate,” is Madrid’s beating heart. It was once at the eastern extremity of the city and the location of a medieval gate decorated with the rising sun, from which it gets its name. Today it’s the city’s main public square, hosting everything from political demonstrations to New Year’s Eve celebrations.
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Stand at the very center of Madrid and feel the buzz as thousands of people meet and greet before a night out, gather for protests, or start out on a tour of the city.

7. Royal Palace of Madrid

The Spanish Royal Palace (Palacio Real) is one of the biggest palaces in Western Europe. The palace is known for its extravagant interior and the staggering collection of furniture, artwork, weapons, armor and accessories found throughout its 3,400 rooms. Construction of the building you see today started in 1738 after the previous royal residence burned down on the same site in 1734. Nowadays the Spanish royal family does not live in the palace.
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Be spellbound by the scale and splendor of the Spanish Royal Family’s former official residence.

8. Casa de Campo

Casa de Campo is an enormous park to the west of downtown Madrid. It was set aside as a hunting estate by King Felipe II in the 16th century and was not opened to the public until the 1940s. The park is a staggering 4,200 acres (1,700 hectares) and is home to numerous public facilities, a zoo and even a theme park.
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Walk along one of many trails, visit the zoo and amusement park, or relax by the lake in a restaurant or café at this attractive green space.

Popular places to visit in Madrid

Image for Gran Via Street

Gran Via Street

4.5/5(1,249 reviews)

Madrid’s famous shopping strip has boutiques and international brands, an exciting nightlife and an impressive display of early 20th-century architecture.

Gran Via Street
Image for Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor

4.5/5(2,853 reviews)

This square has seen everything from markets and public celebrations to bullfights and executions. Today you’ll find street performers, artists and plenty of shops.

Plaza Mayor
Image for Prado Museum

Prado Museum

4.5/5(1,978 reviews)

An art museum to rival the Louvre or the British National Gallery, this is the place to see some of the finest art Europe has to offer.

Prado Museum
Image for El Retiro Park

El Retiro Park

4.5/5(1,785 reviews)

Relax by the pond, walk through landscaped gardens, and admire the elegant statues and buildings in one of Madrid’s biggest and most popular parks.

El Retiro Park
Image for Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

4.5/5(592 reviews)

Cheer on the superstar players of one of the world’s most successful soccer clubs and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the colossal 81,000-capacity stadium.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Image for Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol

4.5/5(1,420 reviews)

Stand at the very center of Madrid and feel the buzz as thousands of people meet and greet before a night out, gather for protests, or start out on a tour of the city.

Puerta del Sol
Image for Royal Palace of Madrid

Royal Palace of Madrid

4.5/5(2,104 reviews)

Be spellbound by the scale and splendor of the Spanish Royal Family’s former official residence.

Royal Palace of Madrid
Image for Casa de Campo

Casa de Campo

4.5/5(248 reviews)

Walk along one of many trails, visit the zoo and amusement park, or relax by the lake in a restaurant or café at this attractive green space.

Casa de Campo
Image for Madrid Rio

Madrid Rio

4.5/5(57 reviews)

Take the children to have fun at multiple playgrounds, relax beneath the summer sun at waterside lawns and attend contemporary visual and performing arts events.

Madrid Rio

Areas of Madrid

Puerta del Sol showing street scenes, a sunset and a city

Madrid Centro

4.5/5Wonderful!(2,922 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Madrid Centro. Check out top attractions like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, and jump on the metro at Sol Station or Gran Via Station to see more of the city.

Madrid Centro
Salamanca showing street scenes as well as a small group of people

Salamanca

4.5/5Wonderful!(751 area reviews)

Contemporary fashion, gourmet cuisine, fine art and upscale residential living await discovery in one of Madrid’s most stylish neighborhoods.

Salamanca
Reina Sofia Museum which includes a square or plaza and modern architecture as well as a large group of people

Atocha

4.5/5Wonderful!(191 area reviews)

Take time in Atocha to visit attractions like Atocha Station Memorial and Lavapies. You might also appreciate the interesting museums, and you can hop on the metro at Mendez alvaro Station to see more of the city.

Atocha
Madrid showing chateau or palace and heritage architecture

Retiro

4.5/5Wonderful!(311 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Retiro. Top attractions like El Retiro Park and Prado Museum are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Conde de Casal Station or Sainz de Baranda Station to see more of the city.

Retiro
Barajas, Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Barajas

4/5Very Good!(826 area reviews)

Consider exploring the abundant dining options in Barajas. If sightseeing is on the list, Real Madrid City is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Barajas Station or Aeropuerto T1-T2-T3 Station to see more of the area.

Barajas
Sorolla Museum

Chamberi

4.5/5Wonderful!(272 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Sorolla Museum and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Chamberi. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Canal Station or Alonso Cano Station.

Chamberi

Day trip destinations from Madrid

Alcala de Henares showing a park, wildflowers and a statue or sculpture

Alcala de Henares

Chinchon

Chinchon

Getafe featuring outdoor art

Getafe

Photo by ‎Pedro Manuel Oliver Fernández

Leganes

Photo by Raul Grande Revilla

Pozuelo de Alarcon

Photo by Juan Antonio García Molina

San Sebastian de los Reyes

Majadahonda

Majadahonda

Photo by Mathilde Vachet

Torrelodones