or learn which food to try and souvenirs to buy on your next trip to Europe
Madrid travel guide
Guide me through Madrid
Discover what Madrid locals already know and love about their charming city: With secret rooftop bars, delicious food, late-night dining, and enchanting energy, Madrid certainly knows how to live! Get lost in the diverse neighborhoods, enjoy the fabulous museums, get carried away by the pace of the city and embrace the night!
Not yet sure where to travel after Madrid?
Madrid Top 5
Explore the neighborhoods
Relax at El Retiro Park
Try Madrid’s signature dish Bocadillo de calamares
Join a Free Walking Tour
Hit Madrid’s (rooftop) bars
Best things to do in Madrid
The Highlights
Top 5 • Specials • Museums • Other Activities • Delicacies • Travel Tips • Transportation • Day Trips
If you enjoy walking, you will love Madrid. There is just so much to experience in the city’s vibrant neighborhoods. Join a Free Walking Tour to learn about Madrid’s exciting history and find loads of details telling the city’s story in the streets! Remember to tip your guide at the end.
You will inevitably pass by two of Madrid’s main squares, Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. Stroll Plaza Mayor and admire its impressive buildings such as the city council building Ayuntamiento, San Pedro Church, and the San Francisco el Grande Basilica. Puerta del Sol is the city’s central square, where you can find a stone slab on the ground marking kilometer 0 as it is the center of Spain’s radial road network.
Admiring the impressive buildings of the city, Madrid exudes its old-world charm. Visit the huge Palacio Real, Europe’s largest functioning palace which is partially open to the public. Located directly opposite is the Catedral de la Almudena, Madrid’s beautifully ornated and enormous cathedral which offers stunning views from its towers. Another temple with a view is the Temple of Debod, which is located in Cuartel de la Montaña Park. This Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BCE can be visited from the outside while wandering the hill.
When walking through the city, stop at the famous Plaza de Cibeles, where you can marvel at the stunning architecture and climb Cibeles Palace which offers some of the best panoramic views of the city. Another architectural gem is the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales. This convent and former palace houses an interesting collection of artwork.
When you’ve picked up fresh food for a picnic at the markets or feel tired from all the sightseeing, visit one of Madrid’s beautiful green spaces to relax, walk, or people-watch. El Retiro Park is the city’s main park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Find fountains, monuments, a large lake, and the Palacio de Cristal – a magical glass palace set in a beautiful iron framework. Another fantastic place to relax is the Royal Botanical Garden. The park features labyrinths, greenhouses, sculptures, and landscaped gardens.
Apart from visiting the city’s sights, strolling Madrid’s neighborhoods and taking in the city’s pace and atmosphere should be an essential part of your visit to the Spanish capital. Spend some time in the Barrio de La Latina. Walk the narrow streets filled with tapas bars and cantinas and pay a visit to the San Francisco el Grand basilica and the Moorish San Pedro el Real church.
Stroll the Barrio de las Letras, or Huertas neighborhood, and find Plaza de Santa Ana, one of the city’s most vibrant areas featuring jazz bars, terracces, cafes and restaurants. Discover charming boutiques and floor slabs showing literary fragments in this neighborhood, which has been known for having once housed some of the most famous representatives of the Golden Age of Spanish literature.
Home to trendy coffee shops, street food markets, outdoor cafes, edgy bars, and all the nightlife you desire, the hip Malasana neighborhood is worth a visit both, day and night.
Special things to see in Madrid
The Markets
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Boasting an incredible gastronomic scene, it’s no wonder that Madrid awaits with several markets selling fresh produce and local delicacies. Check out the city’s most famous covered market Mercado de San Miguel to snack your way through some tapas while doing some people-watching. Shop your groceries at the traditional Mercado de Antón Martín, selling meats, cheese, olive oil, and fresh produce.
At Mercado de San Ildefonso and Mercado de San Antón, foodies can find food stalls selling international and local cuisine as well as cocktail bars and a rooftop terrace with a view.
Best museums to visit in Madrid
Museums
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The Spanish capital is home to fabulous museums, amongst them three of the world’s most important art galleries. Masterpieces of Spain’s most celebrated artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Diego Velázquez, and Joan Miró can be admired in the Museo del Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía. Take your time visiting these museums as they are huge.
Once a former electrical power station, the CaixaForum nowadays houses changing exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, multimedia, music, and more. Learn about Madrid’s rich history in the free Museo de la Historia de Madrid or see a vast collection of archaeological exhibits from the Iberian peninsula in the National Archaeological Museum. Explore the Naval Museum of Madrid to learn about the history of the world-famous Spanish Armada.
If you’re looking for a different kind of museum experience, visit the Chamberí Ghost Station. Once part of Madrid’s first Metro line, the station was transformed into a museum showcasing original ads and a glimpse into the history of Madrid’s metro system.
More fun activities to do in Madrid
Other Activities
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It is nearly impossible to run out of activities in the vivid Spanish capital. For those who want to learn more about the history and culture behind Madrid’s cuisine, or simply are in love with the Spanish tapas culture, Madrid is the perfect place to take a food tour! Several operators offer culinary experiences in the city.
Looking for a unique souvenir? Head to El Rastro – Europe’s largest flea market taking place on Sundays in the Barrio de La Latina.
Soccer fan or not, everyone has heard of the city’s famous team Real Madrid. The capital is the perfect spot to catch a game since football is an integral part of the local culture and crowds get wild.
Madrid nightlife is a pretty serious phenomenon. You’ll find all kinds of people out and about until well after 10 pm on any given night. The usual ritual is eating a slow and long dinner, hitting the bars, and after that heading to one of the many clubs which don’t close down until the sun goes up. If you are not sure where to start, walk around the Malasaña, Chueca, and Huertas neighborhoods and join the locals enjoying Madrid’s famous nightlife. Or hit Madrid’s amazing rooftop bars, some of them with a hidden entrance and a special charm or atmosphere.
Best food to try in Madrid
Local Delicacies
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Like anywhere in Spain, the food in Madrid is beyond incredible. Diving into the local food culture is an integral part of your Madrid adventure.
Start your day off with a traditional breakfast. Have tostadas (toast topped with crushed tomatoes or else) or churros with hot chocolate. Drop by a pastry shop for a Napolitana con Chocolate, the Spanish equivalent to a Pain au Chocolat in France. Iconic La Mallorquina serves the best ones.
Enjoy Spanish tapas culture by hitting a tapas bar. In some places, you get free tapas with every drink you order, in other places you buy the tapas separately. Local delicacies that can be found throughout the city, but sometimes also come as tapas are tortillas (Spanish omelet), croquetas (fried stuffed potato balls), cured meats such as Jamon Iberico, and patatas bravas (potatoes with a spicy sauce).
Try Madrid’s signature dish Bocadillo de calamares, a fried calamari sandwich sold around Plaza Mayor and best bought in La Campana bar. In general, Spanish people love seafood and quality seafood can be found all over the city. Try Pulpo (octopus) and Camarones al ajillo (shrimp with garlic).
As for drinking, order a Caña – a small-size draft beer – to blend in with the locals. For a special taste of Madrid, treat yourself to a Vermut – a sweet white wine that’s been infused with caramel and a blend of various botanicals and spices.
Best travel tips for Madrid
Useful travel tips
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As you have already learned, the food culture in Madrid is an important part of enjoying the city to the fullest. If you plan on eating in restaurants, have a large lunch as it is much cheaper than dinner, and keep in mind that dinner does not start before 9 pm. That said, showing up early at tapas bars is a nice way to eat without having to fight the crowds.
To save some travel money, do some of the free activities in the city. Lots of museums in Madrid are free on certain days or at certain times throughout the day, such as the Prado or Palacio Real. Check online or ask the tourism office.
If you happen to be in Spain’s capital during important dates, join Madrid’s cultural festivals, some of which involve the whole city, others just an individual neighborhood. Full programs are published in the monthly what’s-on magazine esMadrid.
If you plan to do loads of sightseeing, fiesta, and eating out, you can purchase the Madrid tourist card which also offers free public transportation.
Transportation tips for Madrid
Transportation
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Madrid is a walkable city. If you need to use the public transport system, you can rely on the city’s subway and public buses. They also connect Madrid’s airport to the city center. Ticket fares for public transportation are zone-based, with tourist passes available for unlimited usage on all public transportation as well.
Best Day Trips from Madrid
Best Day Trips
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For those who are no first-timers to the Spanish capital or simply have more time on their hands, a day trip from Madrid can be a great way to explore more of Spain’s beauty.
Segovia is a colorful town home to a Roman aqueduct and medieval castle just a short train ride away. Avila can be easily explored on foot and the city’s old town is listed as a UNESCO site.
A trip to Toledo is probably the most popular day trip from Madrid. The city can be reached within a 30 minutes train ride and is home to an impressive hilltop castle.