15 Best Things To Do In Madrid (A First-Timer's Guide)

Madrid wasn’t exactly on our radar when we first started spending time in Spain. We’d come for the beaches, the food, the slower pace — and somehow, Madrid kept pulling us back.

Madrid is one of those cities that doesn’t really feel like it’s trying to impress you, which is exactly what makes it so impressive.

Yes, there’s a jaw-dropping Royal Palace, a grand boulevard in the Gran Vía, and a Plaza Mayor that stops you in your tracks.

But Madrid is also a real, lived-in city that doesn’t care too much about appeasing tourists — which is exactly what we love about it.

We’ve been enough times now to know what’s worth your time and what you can skip.

This is our honest list of the best things to do in Madrid — the big-ticket sights you shouldn’t miss, plus a few ways to experience the city the way locals actually do.

Map: Things to Do in Madrid

Most of Madrid’s main attractions are within easy walking distance of each other, clustered in the central district.

The Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, and Mercado de San Miguel are all practically neighbours, and the three big art museums — the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza — sit along the same boulevard.

We’ve pinned everything in this guide to the map below, so you can plan your days without too much backtracking.

What to Do in Madrid?

There’s no shortage of great things to do in Madrid. But if we had to pick, these are the attractions we think you really shouldn’t miss.

1. Royal Palace (Palacio Real)

I wasn’t sure how much we’d enjoy the Palacio Real, but it did actually blow us away.

Built on the orders of King Philip V after a fire destroyed the original fortress, the Palacio Real ended up with over 3,000 rooms, making it the largest royal palace in Western Europe by floor space.

It’s the official residence of the Spanish royal family, though it’s used for state ceremonies rather than day-to-day living.

The art alone is worth the entrance fee, including works by Caravaggio, Goya and Velázquez.

Here are the rooms we suggest you don’t miss:

• The Throne Room – the vaulted ceiling contains a stunning fresco depicting the royal family.
• Salón de Columnas – a ballroom with incredible Belgian tapestries.
• Escalera Principal – the main staircase with an imposing sculpture of Charles II.
• Gasparini Salon – private dressing room of Carlos II and one of the most beautiful rooms in the palace.

Tickets – The palace can get very busy, with long queues, so buy a fast-track ticket and arrive as early as possible.

2. La Almudena Cathedral

I have to admit I didn’t appreciate La Almudena Cathedral on my first visit. But I went back recently with my sister, and it was better than I remembered — so it’s earned a place on this list.

It’s right next to the Royal Palace, so it’s easy to combine the two.

The interior is unusually large and cavernous for a cathedral, with a vivid, colourful ceiling and stained glass windows featuring geometric patterns and straight lines.

Construction began in 1883 but wasn’t completed until 1992, so it doesn’t have the ancient, atmospheric feel of many European cathedrals.

That said, there are a few things worth seeing and some you can skip through:

• Museum — we’ll be honest, we moved through this one fairly quickly.
• Small chapel dedicated to Pope John Paul II — designed with a series of wooden porches, it’s a calm, contemplative space.
• Altar of the Patroness of Madrid — genuinely stunning.
• Roof Terrace — the highlight for us, offering great views over Madrid and the Royal Palace right next door. It’s included in the price, so don’t skip it.

3. Cathedral Crypt (Santa María la Real de la Almudena)

This is one of those places in Madrid that’s easy to walk straight past — but we’d really encourage you not to.

The crypt sits beneath the cathedral and shares the same footprint, supported by 500 columns decorated with arches and elaborate reliefs.

When you’re standing inside looking down row after row of columns, lit from below, it’s genuinely mesmerising.

There are also 5 naves, 20 chapels, and beautiful Gothic-style stained glass windows.

Because it’s slightly hidden from the main cathedral entrance and often overlooked, you’ll likely find it quieter than anywhere else in this part of Madrid.

The entrance is on the south side of the cathedral on Calle Mayor.

Tickets: Free to enter — and the audio guide is well worth the €1.50.

4. Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is Madrid’s grand central square and the oldest part of the city. It’s a useful landmark to get your bearings when you first arrive.

The square was destroyed by fire in 1790 and rebuilt with the architectural uniformity you see today: a sweeping, enclosed space with matching facades on all sides.

Cafés line the shaded porticos around the edges, but we’d give those a miss. They’re pricey and firmly aimed at tourists.

Look out for the Arco de Cuchilleros on the southwest corner, the most famous of the ten entrance arches, and the bronze equestrian statue of Philip III at the centre of the square.

Depending on when you visit, you might also catch street performers, artists, outdoor concerts, or seasonal parades. It’s free to enter and open at all hours.

5. Mercado de San Miguel

The Mercado de San Miguel is a beautiful cast-iron market hall dating back to 1916, and it’s right on the edge of Plaza Mayor, so it’s easy to combine the two.

After several reincarnations, the most recent version relaunched in 2018. It’s a great place to graze — tapas, fresh seafood, unusual Spanish ice cream flavours, paella, cheeses and breads, all under one roof.

It gets very busy at lunchtime. Find a table and claim it before you head to the stalls to order.

6. Chocolate, Churros & Treats

One of the best ways to experience Madrid is through its sweet side. Here are a few places worth seeking out.

We’ll start with churros, which are the most difficult to recommend.

Honestly? They’re not that good. In most tourist spots, the doughnuts have been sitting around for a while, so they’re never really fresh. The chocolate is also not up to the standard we’ve found elsewhere in Spain — Ronda in particular spoiled us.

If you know a better spot, tell us in the comments, and we’ll try it next time.

Chocolatería San Ginés

San Ginés is the Madrid churros institution. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and the traditional recipe hasn’t changed in 120 years.

Los Artesanos 1902

Chocolatería 1902 is another long-established spot. Very popular, but as mentioned, expect pre-cooked churros stacked up waiting to go.

La Mallorquina

A wonderful old-school pastelería with a great selection of treats. Service can be slow due to the sheer volume of people they serve, but it’s worth a visit.

Late & Late Chocolate

This was a find on our last trip to Madrid with my sister. Late y Late make excellent artisanal chocolates — we know because we tried several. Late means “heartbeat” in Spanish, and the name refers to the effect chocolate has on the heart.

Yam Yam Cacao

Just around the corner from the Mercado de San Miguel, Yam Yam make incredible Belgian chocolate from a tiny, unassuming shop. Don’t walk past it.

7. Templo de Debod & Plaza de España

The Templo de Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple that was dismantled and rebuilt in Parque de la Montaña. It’s one of the few examples of Egyptian architecture outside Egypt itself.

It was donated by the Egyptian government for preservation after the construction of the Aswan Dam threatened its original site.

Surrounded by a shallow pool with views over the Royal Palace, it makes for a great photo. You don’t need long here — it’s more of a wander-past than a dedicated visit.

The nearby Plaza de España has recently been renovated into a greener, car-free space with walking and cycling tracks connecting it to other green spaces in Madrid. It’s worth a stroll if you’re in the area.

8. Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida

The Chapel of St Anthony of La Florida is a small but beautiful chapel in the centre of Madrid. The highlight is the stunning frescoes by Francisco Goya.

Goya is considered one of Spain’s most important artists from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His work reflects historical and political upheavals.

He is buried in the church, which acts as a fitting canvas for some of his finest works. It’s just a single room in an unassuming building, but it’s well worth going.

Unfortunately, photos are not permitted inside, so you’ll have to go and see for yourself.

9. Malasaña District

Malasaña is a bohemian district in Madrid with cool shops, restaurants, cafés, bars and markets. The best way to experience it is to stroll around aimlessly and soak up the atmosphere.

The ground floors of the buildings contain tattooists, bakeries, fishmongers, boutiques and bars. Upstairs is residential. The result is a lived-in area, slightly worn around the edges and full of character.

It’s one of our favourite parts of Madrid. Here are a few spots we love:

• HanSo Café — A relaxed coffee house with a great selection of sandwiches and excellent coffee.
• Plaza Juan Pujol — A colourful square with student-friendly cafés and street art. A good place to stop when you need a break.
• Toma Café — A small café specialising in great coffee, cakes and pastries. Their tomato bread is some of the best we’ve had in Madrid.

10. Chueca

Another great area we love in Madrid is Chueca — a lively neighbourhood in the heart of the city known for its diversity, gay-friendly venues, cosy pavement cafés, tapas bars and vibrant street art.

It’s an excellent destination for a night out, with traditional Spanish restaurants and some of the best bars and clubs in town.

For dinner, try El Social or Josefita. Both are small, atmospheric Spanish restaurants with great wine lists and excellent regional dishes.

11. Gran Vía

Madrid’s most famous street, the Gran Vía, was built between 1910 and 1929 and required the demolition of over 300 buildings to create the regal boulevard it is today.

Known as the Spanish Broadway, the Gran Vía is the centre of Madrid’s nightlife, with cinemas, theatres and restaurants spreading out from the boulevard in every direction.

After a revamp in 2018, Gran Vía now has more green spaces, wider pavements, new benches, trees and a bike lane between Callao and Plaza de España.

It’s the perfect place for window shopping, bar hopping and aimless ambling in an iconic setting.

Some of the iconic landmarks on the Gran Vía include:

• Edificio Metrópolis — the ornate building at the start of Gran Vía, with its distinctive dome and winged victory statue, best seen from Calle de Alcalá.
• Telefónica Building — one of the first skyscrapers in Europe, and the site of Spain’s first transatlantic telephone call.
• Edificio Capitol — a 14-storey Art Deco building that has featured in numerous Spanish films.

12. Madrid’s Incredible Art Museums

If you love art, Madrid will not disappoint. The three main galleries sit within walking distance of each other along the Paseo del Prado and are collectively known as the Golden Triangle of Art.

Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum has a vast collection of works spanning from the Middle Ages to the late 20th century, offering the broadest chronological range of the three galleries.

Inside, you’ll find the major art movements, including Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, and Rococo. Some of our favourite sections included Expressionism and 20th-century Pop Art.

There is also a large collection of 19th-century American art, which is not typically found in European galleries.

Some of the more recognisable pieces are from Caravaggio, Rubens, Dalí, Monet, Rembrandt, Picasso, and Lichtenstein.

Tours: You can just wander around on your own, but if you’d like a more in-depth understanding, this skip-the-line ticket with a guided tour is very good.

Prado Museum

The Prado Museum is the main national art museum in Spain.

There are around 20,000 works from the 12th to the 13th century, and the Prado is widely considered to be the finest collection of European art in the world.

It includes the most complete collection of works by El Greco, Velázquez, and Francisco de Goya. You’ll also find important masters, including Zurbarán, Raphael, Tintoretto, and Peter Paul Rubens, to name just a few.

Tickets: To avoid the queue, we recommend getting your skip-the-line ticket in advance.

Reina Sofía Museum

The Reina Sofía is Spain’s national museum for 20th-century art. It opened in 1990 as an important moment in Spain’s post-Franco cultural transition.

The most famous work is Guernica – Picasso’s enormous depiction of the bombing of a Basque town during the Spanish Civil War.

Their other prized possession is The Great Masturbator, the psychic snapshot of life as seen by 25-year-old Salvador Dalí.

It’s a massive collection and honestly, one of our favourites in Madrid. I think I’ve been 4 times now, and with the regular temporary exhibitions, there’s always a reason to go.

Reina Sofia is free from 7 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm on Sundays. At all other times, book skip-the-line tickets.

MADRID ART WALK PASS // If you plan on visiting all three major art galleries in Madrid (Thyssen-Bornemisza, Prado and Sofia Reina) you should buy the Art Walk Pass which is €32 and includes skip-the-line access to all 3 galleries. Purchase your Art Walk Pass here.

13. Retiro Park

Spread over 125 hectares in central Madrid, El Retiro Park is a green oasis in the centre of the city. Recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status, it’s a beautiful break from sightseeing.

There are grassy fields, open-air cafés, tree-lined pathways and ornate gardens, with a mix of landscape styles, statues and fountains throughout.

Here are the highlights worth seeking out:

• El Estanque — the large artificial lake at the heart of the park. On weekends, you can hire a rowing boat.
• Monument to King Alfonso XII — the grand colonnade and equestrian statue beside the lake. On weekends, musicians gather on the steps.
• Palacio de Cristal — a stunning glass and iron palace built in 1887 to house exotic plants brought from the Philippines. Now used as an exhibition space and one of the most photographed spots in the park.
• Palacio de Velázquez — just beside the Crystal Palace, this exhibition space hosts shows from the Reina Sofía collection.
• El Ángel Caído — a striking and slightly unsettling statue depicting the moment Lucifer is cast out of heaven. One of the few public monuments in the world dedicated to the devil.

14. El Rastro Flea Market

El Rastro is a Madrid institution. Every Sunday, over 1,000 stalls spill out from the central hub around Plaza de Cascorro and fill the surrounding streets with everything from trading cards and second-hand vinyl to antique furniture and vintage cameras.

The main section forms a triangle between Calle de Toledo, Calle de Embajadores and Ronda de Toledo, but the side streets are where you’ll find the real gems.

The surrounding neighbourhood is full of old-school tapas bars and well-worn restaurants, which always give us a sense of the real Madrid.

For coffee and a snack, try the tiny Ruda Café. For something more substantial, the tostadas at El Capricho Extremeño are a Sunday ritual in Madrid.

15. Basílica de San Francisco el Grande

The Basilica of Saint Francis the Great is a visual masterpiece and a homage to Spanish art.

It doesn’t give too much away from the exterior, but inside, a round floor plan is crowned with a huge 33-metre dome. The marble-and-gold-inlaid chapels contain an incredible collection of art by Spanish masters.

It’s one of the most beautiful churches in the world.

There are 3 chapels featuring paintings by Zurbarán. But the most famous work is the magnificent painting by Francisco Goya, St Bernardino of Siena preaching to Alfonso V of Aragon.

Other Things to Do in Madrid

That covers the main things we think you should do in Madrid for your first visit. But if you have some more time, here are a few other things worth doing.

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is Real Madrid’s home stadium. It has a capacity of over 80,000 visitors, and it’s one of the most famous football grounds in the world.

You can take a guided tour of the stadium to learn about the history of the club, see some club memorabilia, and take in panoramic views of the stadium.

Atocha Train Station

Madrid Puerta de Atocha was the first train station in Madrid. The historic steel-and-glass building is one of the city’s best-known landmarks.

The interesting thing about the station is the tropical garden situated under the original train shed. It has over 7,000 plants, making it a great photo opportunity in Madrid. There are bars and restaurants overlooking the garden.

2026 Update: The tropical garden is currently closed for works. It has also made the station a bit confusing to navigate, so if you are leaving from Atocha, allow a little extra time to find your platform.

Palacio de Liria

Palacio de Liria is a neoclassical palace often considered the little brother of the Real Palace. It’s the official residence of the Alba family, whose lineage dates back to ancient times and is closely linked to Spanish history.

The building is protected under Spanish Heritage law. The library contains the first edition of Don Quixote. See it on a guided tour of Palacio de Liria.

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol marks kilometre zero for the Spanish road system. It’s the symbolic centre of the city and one of the busiest places in Madrid.

The large public square has witnessed historical events, the most notable of which was the proclamation of the 2nd republic. Today, it’s a very popular tourist destination, and you’ll no doubt find yourself strolling past it at some point.

Teatro Royal

The Royal Theatre is located opposite the Royal Palace and is considered one of the top institutions for the performing arts in Spain.

It has a whopping stage area of 1,472 m2, which allows for very complex set changing. I’m sure seeing a performance here would be an amazing experience, but so far, we have only admired it from the outside.

Planning Your Madrid Trip

Before you decide what to see in Madrid, you’ll need to sort out the basics. Our Madrid travel planning guide covers getting from the airport, transport options and the best time to visit.

Not sure where to stay? Check our Where to Stay in Madrid guide for the best neighbourhoods and hotels.

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