Spain's sunny capital is a city that never really sleeps. Madrid has world-class art, a grand royal palace, leafy parks, and a food scene built around tapas, late dinners, and churros at dawn. Here are the 20 best things to do in Madrid, with the best time to visit each.
Royal and Historic Madrid
1. The Royal Palace
Best time: Weekday mornings.
With more than 3,000 rooms, the Palacio Real is one of the largest royal palaces in Europe. It's the official residence of the Spanish royal family, though they live elsewhere, and is used for state ceremonies. Tour the throne room, the royal armory, and the porcelain room, and visit the Gallery of Royal Collections next door.
2. Plaza Mayor
Best time: A sunny afternoon, or in December for the Christmas market.
Madrid's grand 17th-century square is surrounded by arcades and painted facades. Try a calamari sandwich, a local classic, in a nearby bar.
3. The Temple of Debod
Best time: Sunset.
This 2,000-year-old Egyptian temple was a gift from Egypt in thanks for Spain's help saving monuments from flooding by the Aswan Dam. It stands in a park with one of the best sunset views in Madrid.
4. Puerta del Sol
Madrid's busy central square is home to Kilometer Zero, the starting point of Spain's national roads, and the clock that Spaniards watch on New Year's Eve, eating 12 grapes at midnight.
The Golden Triangle of Art
5. The Prado Museum
Best time: Weekday afternoons, or the free entry hours in the evening.
One of the world's greatest art museums, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian, and Bosch. Don't miss Las Meninas and Goya's Black Paintings.
6. The Reina Sofía Museum
Spain's national museum of modern art is home to Picasso's powerful Guernica, as well as works by Dalí and Miró.
7. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
This private collection takes you on a journey through Western art, from medieval paintings to Impressionism and Pop Art.
Parks and Views
8. El Retiro Park
Best time: Late morning or a summer evening.
Row a boat on the Great Pond below the Alfonso XII monument, see the glass Crystal Palace, and stroll the rose garden. Retiro is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Paseo del Prado.
9. Casa de Campo and the Teleférico
Ride the Teleférico cable car from Parque del Oeste to Casa de Campo, Madrid's largest park, a former royal hunting estate with a lake, zoo, and amusement park.
10. Rooftop views
See the city from the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes or the Palacio de Cibeles, especially at sunset.
Food and Neighborhoods
11. Mercado de San Miguel
This beautiful iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor is packed with stalls selling tapas, oysters, jamón, and vermouth. It's touristy but fun, especially early in the evening.
12. Sobrino de Botín
Founded in 1725, Botín holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest restaurant in the world. Try the roast suckling pig or lamb, cooked in the original wood-fired oven. Book ahead.
13. A tapas crawl on Cava Baja
In the La Latina neighborhood, Calle de la Cava Baja is lined with tapas bars. Go bar-hopping in the early evening, as Madrileños do.
14. Chocolate con churros
Dip fried churros into thick hot chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés, open since 1894.
15. El Rastro flea market
Best time: Sunday mornings.
Madrid's famous open-air flea market fills the streets of La Latina every Sunday and public holiday with antiques, vintage clothes, and curiosities.
16. Malasaña
The heart of Madrid's 1980s counterculture movement, La Movida, is now full of vintage shops, cafés, and bars.
17. Gran Vía
Madrid's grand boulevard is lined with early 20th-century buildings, theaters, and shops, and comes alive in the evening.
Beyond the Center
18. The Santiago Bernabéu
Real Madrid's newly renovated stadium has a retractable roof and a museum full of trophies. Take the tour, or catch a match.
19. Matadero Madrid
This former slaughterhouse by the Manzanares River is now a vibrant arts center, with exhibitions, theater, cinema, and markets, next to the riverside park of Madrid Río.
20. Day trips to Toledo and Segovia
Fast trains make it easy to visit the medieval city of Toledo or the Roman aqueduct of Segovia in a day. See the best day trips from Madrid.
Tips for Visiting Madrid
- Eat late. Lunch is around 2 pm, and dinner is rarely before 9 pm.
- Use the free museum hours. The Prado, the Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen offer free entry at certain times.
- Avoid the midday heat in July and August.
- Stay connected. An egoViet Spain eSIM keeps your tickets and maps on hand. See our Spain eSIM guide. See also the best European travel apps.
Plan your trip with our Spain travel guide and the best city breaks in Spain.
FAQs: Things to Do in Madrid
What is Madrid best known for?
Its art museums, especially the Prado, the Royal Palace, El Retiro Park, tapas, and lively nightlife.
How many days do you need in Madrid?
Two to three days is enough for the main sights, plus a day trip to Toledo or Segovia.
Is the Prado free?
The Prado offers free entry during the last two hours on most days. Expect a line.
What is the oldest restaurant in the world?
Sobrino de Botín in Madrid, founded in 1725, according to Guinness World Records.