From its royal palace to art museums to tapas bars, Madrid offers plenty to discover while wandering its boulevards. Sitting near the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish capital is the seat of not only the country’s government, but also of much of its culture, food, history, and art. With so much to do, it can be hard to exhaust Madrid’s many attractions, ranging from Buen Retiro Park to the Prado museum. But make sure to leave time to explore farther afield, where historic sights including El Escorial, Toledo, and Segovia make for perfect day trips.
Spring kicks off in Madrid with the Festival of San Isidro, but it’s World Pride week in June that draws the biggest—and most colorful—crowds. Balmy summer nights mean plenty of options for alfresco dining and entertainment, but be aware that many businesses close down in August as locals escape the city's heat for the coast.
Lara was born and raised in Madrid. You’ll find her exploring the world, tasting all sorts of local food, and playing with clay in her spare time.
hit the bars (or San Miguel Market) and try some tapas. Start with patatas bravas at Las Bravas, then head to Plaza Mayor for the best squid sandwich in La Campana.
starts with churros and chocolate for breakfast at San Ginés, includes a museum (both the Prado and Reina Sofia are fantastic), and ends with some shopping in the Salamanca neighborhood.
renting a rowing boat at the lake in Retiro Park.
take a walking tour to learn about the most historic neighborhood, Madrid de los Austrias. Then, recharge your batteries with tapas in the La Latina neighborhood.
head to the Faro de Moncloa Observation Deck, or catch the sunset on either the Círculo de Bellas Artes or Cibeles Palace terrace.
Madrid is known for its art galleries, architecture, royal palaces, buzzing nightlife, and its famous fried calamari sandwiches. People often flock to see the Golden Triangle of Art—an area that’s home to three art museums; the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza.
...MoreYes, a 2-day trip is a perfect introduction to Madrid. Take a stroll through Plaza Mayor; visit Mercado de San Miguel to feast on tapas and wine; admire artistic masterpieces at the Prado Museum; and if the weather’s nice, visit Retiro Park or Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid.
...MoreMadrid is famous for its bocadillo de calamares, or calamari sandwiches, made with deep-fried squid in a crusty baguette. It’s also known for cocido madrileño (a traditional chickpea-based stew), decadent donut-like churros with chocolate sauce, and its tapas scene as a whole. Be sure to visit Cava Baja—Madrid’s tapas street.
...MoreMadrid’s continental Mediterranean climate means a lot of favorite local activities center around spending time outdoors; such as meeting up at Retiro Park. Madrileños (Madrid locals) also live and breathe tapas culture, and it’s perfectly acceptable to sit outside and enjoy tapas and drinks at pretty much any time of day.
...MoreThe most visited attraction in Madrid is the Prado Museum, a world-renowned art museum that’s home to paintings and sculptures by European artists such as Botticelli and Bosch. Puerta del Sol—one of Madrid’s most famous squares—is one of the most visited outdoor spaces and a popular meeting point.
...MoreNo, Madrid isn’t dangerous. It’s seen as a safe city, but just like other European capital cities, pickpockets operate in crowded and touristy areas. Be sure to keep your belongings close to you and watch out for pickpockets in busy areas such as Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and Gran Via.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 87 |
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Number of Tours | 1,156 |
Number of Reviews | 54,354 |
Currency | EUR |
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