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

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. Here’s what to do in Madrid.

In some ways, Madrid doesn’t ease you in gently. The city arrives all at once — wide boulevards cutting through blocks of terracotta, the smell of coffee from an old-school bar at seven in the morning, a gallery the size of a city block sitting quietly at the end of a tree-lined avenue.

It is a capital that takes itself seriously without being solemn about it.

But no single landmark defines Madrid the way they do in other capitals. Here, the city wins you over gradually, through late dinners on lively plazas, evenings hopping between tapas bars, and strolling streets that feel genuinely lived in.

As people who spend around two months a year in Spain, we’ve been to Madrid many times. There’s a rhythm to life here that takes a little adjusting to. Dinner begins when we’d be getting ready for bed back in the UK, and evenings build slowly from aperitivo through to ending up somewhere completely unplanned.

It might not be unfair to say that if you’re expecting a conventional European capital, Madrid might surprise you. There’s less to do and more to experience here. It’s a city about soaking up atmosphere rather than ticking off sights.

For that reason, spending time in a few of its neighbourhoods is something we’d strongly recommend, and we cover those in more detail below.

Where Madrid does excel on the traditional attractions front is its art scene, which we think is genuinely second to none. If you’re here for the art, you’re in for a treat.

This guide covers the main attractions, the best neighbourhoods to explore, our honest take on what’s worth your time and what you might consider skipping, along with all the practical details to make your trip as straightforward as possible.

Madrid at a Glance

• How long to spend: 3–4 days minimum
• Best for: Art, food, nightlife, architecture, café culture
• Best areas to stay: Centro, Malasaña, Chueca, La Latina
• Best time to visit: Spring and autumn
• Our favourite experience: Wandering between tapas bars in La Latina at sunset
• Most overrated attraction: Mercado de San Miguel for a full meal — beautiful, but extremely crowded
• Best first-time itinerary: Royal Palace + Plaza Mayor + tapas in La Latina + Retiro Park + one major museum

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. Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace is one of the most impressive buildings in Madrid and one of Europe’s grandest royal residences.

Even if you’ve visited other European palaces before, this one still manages to feel unexpectedly grand. The scale is enormous, and the interiors are lavish with marble staircases, chandeliers, ceiling frescoes and ornate throne rooms.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes. Unlike some royal palaces in Europe, we think this one is worth seeing on the inside.

Best time to go
As early as possible. Queues become much longer by late morning.

Best Nearby Pairing
Combine your visit with a visit to Almudena Cathedral and the nearby Plaza de Oriente.

Time needed
1.5–2 hours

Skip if
You are short on time, or ornate historical interiors are not really what excites you when visiting a new city.

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

2. Wander Around Plaza Mayor & the Historic Centre

Plaza Mayor is the symbolic heart of old Madrid.

After weaving through narrow streets, the city suddenly opens into a huge square framed by elegant arcades and terracotta-coloured buildings.

It’s very touristy these days, but there’s still something atmospheric about it. Our advice: go early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

The square itself is worth seeing, but the real joy comes from wandering the surrounding streets afterwards, such as Calle Mayor.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes, it is, but you don’t need long.

Best time to go?
Visit early, then continue toward Mercado de San Miguel, Calle Mayor and La Latina.

Best nearby pairing
Start at the Plaza, then head to the Royal Palace, followed by tapas in La Latina.

Time needed
30–45 minutes

Skip if
There’s no need to skip this one; you’ll naturally walk past it while exploring Madrid anyway.

3. Spend an Afternoon in Retiro Park

The Retiro ritual is a wonderful and free thing to do in Madrid.

You’ll find locals jogging beneath tree-lined paths, couples drift across the boating lake, musicians perform near monuments, and friends gather beneath the shade with drinks and snacks.

Spread over 125 hectares, it was recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status. It’s a beautiful break from sightseeing.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes. It’s one of Europe’s great city parks, and it can be a welcome relief from the heat. 

Best time to go?
Any time of day is good, but it’s nice in the late afternoon when you want a break from sightseeing.

Best nearby pairing
Prado Museum or Barrio de las Letras

Time needed
1-2 hours, depending on how long you want to sit and relax.

Skip if
You’re pressed for time, and you want to see the main tourist attractions.

4. Eat Tapas in la Latina

If there’s one experience that captures Madrid properly, it’s this.

La Latina is packed with traditional tapas bars, lively terraces and narrow streets that fill with people late into the evening.

Unlike some European cities where nightlife revolves around clubs or major venues, Madrid’s evenings often centre around simply moving from one bar to another slowly over several hours.

Is it worth it?
For sure. The tapas scene in Madrid is one of the best in Spain, and La Latina is the perfect place to experience it.

Best time to go
After 7 pm, particularly on weekends.

What to order
You can’t skip the vermouth, then follow with a tortilla Española, croquetas and patatas bravas.

Best pairing nearby
Plaza Mayor and Mercado de San Miguel work perfectly well beforehand, before continuing deeper into La Latina’s quieter side streets. On Sundays, El Rastro flea market is the perfect pre-tapas activity — the market flows naturally into the surrounding bars.

Skip if
You prefer a more formal dining experience, tapas in La Latina is pretty casual.

5. See the Masterpieces at the Prado Museum

The Prado is one of the greatest art museums in Europe.

Even if you don’t usually love galleries, the collection here is easy to digest and accessible. Rather than trying to cover every artistic movement equally, the museum excels in Spanish masters.

Inside, you’ll find iconic works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and Rubens.

The biggest mistake people make here is trying to see everything. You’ll enjoy the museum much more if you focus on a smaller number of masterpieces rather than rushing through endless galleries.

Is it worth visiting if you’re not an art person?
Yes — but keep your visit shorter.

Best time to go

Late afternoon is usually best. The museum often feels calmer after the initial morning rush, and it pairs perfectly with an evening stroll through Retiro afterwards.

Time needed
2–3 hours

Best Pairing nearby
Retiro Park and Barrio de las Letras make a perfect combination after the museum.

Skip if
You are really not into art galleries. In that case, ambling around Madrid’s neighbourhoods is a better use of your time.

6. Watch Sunset at Temple of Debod

The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple that was gifted to Spain in the 1960s and reconstructed overlooking western Madrid.

The temple itself is relatively small and not particularly interesting, but the real reason to come is the atmosphere around sunset.

The temple is surrounded by lawns, offering great views of the city. It’s a great place to catch sunset.

Is it worth it?
Yes and No. If you had limited time in Madrid, we wouldn’t prioritise it, but if you are in the area on a nice evening, it’s worth popping in.

Best time to go
About an hour before sunset.

Best pairing nearby
Plaza de España and rooftop drinks around the Gran Vía pair naturally with sunset here.

Time needed
45 minutes to 1 hour to watch the sunset. Much less just to snap an image of the temple.

Skip if
You run out of time, or you are not particularly into sunset photography.

7. Explore Malasaña & Chueca

For us, Madrid is all about exploring its neighbourhoods, and Malasaña and Chueca are two of the best for getting a feel for the city.

Both are packed with independent cafés, wine bars, vintage shops, cocktail spots and small plazas filled with outdoor terraces.

These are younger, more creative and less formal than central Madrid.

Late afternoons are especially good here as cafés fill up and the city slowly transitions into the evening.

Is it worth it?
Yes. We highly recommend carving out some time to explore these neighbourhoods. Our Madrid itinerary has a walking route which captures the best of both areas.

Best time to visit
Late afternoon into evening.

Best nearby pairing
Gran Vía, rooftop bars and late-night drinks all fit naturally before or after exploring these neighbourhoods.

Time needed
2–4 hours

Skip If
We would only suggest skipping the neighbourhoods if you were a big art fan and wanted to spend most of your time in the art galleries.

8. Visit Mercado de San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel is one of Madrid’s most famous food markets.

The restored iron-and-glass structure is beautiful, and inside there are tapas counters, wine bars, and seafood stands – just to name a few.

We really like Mercado San Miguel, but it is always extremely busy – often it can be impossible to find a table. So you’ll need someone to anchor a spot while someone else goes and scouts for food.

It’s also one of the most expensive places to eat.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes, but only briefly. Have a glass of cava with a bite of seafood at 11:30, then walk 4 minutes to Mercado de Antón Martín for the real, cheaper tapas experience.

Best time to visit
We’d suggest coming around 11:30 am for a glass of tapas and maybe a bite of seafood.

Best nearby pairing
Plaza Mayor and La Latina are both an easy walk away and naturally pair well with the market.

Time needed
20–40 minutes

Skip If
You don’t like the idea of a very crowded, expensive and tourist-driven lunch spot.

9. Experience Gran Vía at Night

Gran Vía is a grand boulevard that cuts through the centre of the city with 20^th-century architecture, theatres, rooftop bars and high-end hotels.

During the day, it’s a little hectic and commercial, but at night, it’s far more enjoyable. Some of the buildings to check out are Edificio Metrópolis, Telefónica Building and Edificio Capitol.

Come for rooftop drinks, shopping, and a nice sunset stroll.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes, it would be hard to come to Madrid and skip the Gran Vía.

Best time to visit
Blue hour into the evening is the best.

Best nearby pairing
Rooftop bars, flamenco shows and evening shopping all combine naturally with a walk along the Gran Vía.

Time needed
Around 1 hour

Skip If
There’s not much need to skip this one; you’ll naturally collect it on your way around the city.

10. Watch a Flamenco Show

To be honest, seeing flamenco outside Andalucía, where it originates, is generally more of a tourist experience than anything particularly authentic.

But Tablao Flamenco 1911 in Barrio de las Letras is the oldest flamenco venue in the world, and probably the best option for first-timers. The venue is a Moorish-Andalusian masterpiece with lobed arches inspired by the Alhambra, and they host some of the best flamenco artists in the country.

Is it worth it?
If you haven’t experienced flamenco before, it’s a good thing to do in Madrid. However, if you are travelling to Andalucía, we would recommend saving it for somewhere like Seville or Granada.

Time needed
Performances are usually around 1 hour.

Skip If
We allow an evening to just hit up the neighbourhood bars in Madrid, then see a Flamenco performance if you have another evening.

11. Visit Reina Sofía Museum

If the Prado focuses on classical masterpieces, Reina Sofía covers modern and contemporary art.

The museum’s most famous work is Picasso’s Guernica — one of the most powerful anti-war paintings ever created.

Even if you aren’t deeply interested in modern art, Guernica is worth seeing – the sheer scale is impressive.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes, particularly if you prefer modern art over classical painting.

Best time to visit
Morning is generally the quietest time to visit, but the gallery 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.

Best nearby pairing
Retiro Park and Barrio de las Letras both fit naturally before or after the museum.

Time needed
1.5–2 hours

Skip If
Skip this in favour of the Prado if you prefer classic art.

12. Visit Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida

This small chapel is one of Madrid’s most underrated attractions.

From the outside, Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida looks fairly modest, but inside you’ll find remarkable frescoes painted by Goya covering the ceiling.

It’s one of the few places in Madrid where you can experience the artist’s work in its original setting rather than inside a museum.

Because it sits slightly outside the main tourist centre, it also feels calmer and less touristic than the Prado or Royal Palace.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, particularly if you enjoy art or want to experience a quieter side of Madrid.

Best time to visit
Late morning or early afternoon.

Best nearby pairing
Temple of Debod combines well with this.

Time needed
30–45 minutes

Skip if
You’re already spending extensive time in the Prado and want to prioritise Madrid’s bigger attractions.

13. Try Churros at San Ginés

San Ginés is Madrid’s most famous churros spot, dishing them up since 1894.

It’s very touristy, and there is often a queue, but there’s something wonderfully old-school about squeezing into the historic café late at night with thick hot chocolate churros.

Our honest opinion on churros in Madrid is that they just aren’t that good. In most tourist spots, San Ginés included, the doughnuts have been sitting around for a while, so they’re never really fresh. The best churros and chocolate we had in Spain were in Ronda.

Is it worth visiting?
It’s worth it for the atmosphere but not for the actual churros.

Best time to visit
It’s much quieter late at night.

Best nearby pairing
Plaza Mayor and a late-night wander through the historic centre pair perfectly with churros here.

Time needed
20-30 minutes

Skip If
Skip if you want genuinely great chocolate rather than the atmosphere. If this is you, try Late & Late Chocolate for their excellent artisanal chocolates, or Yam Yam Cacao for the best chocolates in Madrid.

14. Visit la Almudena Cathedral & Crypt

Sitting directly opposite the Royal Palace, La Almudena Cathedral is Madrid’s main cathedral and one of the city’s most striking religious buildings.

The cathedral itself is relatively modern by European standards, and the highlight for us was the rooftop view.

But the enormous crypt beneath it is far more atmospheric. Romanesque columns stretch beneath softly lit, vaulted ceilings, creating one of Madrid’s most underrated interiors.

Most people either skip the crypt entirely or don’t realise it exists, but we think it’s definitely worth visiting.

So our two things to do here are: the cathedral rooftop and the crypt. The entrance to the crypt is on the south side of the cathedral on Calle Mayor.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes, particularly because it combines so naturally with the Royal Palace.

Best time to visit
Morning works best before the palace crowds peak.

Best nearby pairing
Royal Palace, Plaza de Oriente and Plaza Mayor all fit naturally into the same walking route.

Time needed
30–60 minutes

Skip if
You’ve already visited several major cathedrals elsewhere in Spain and are short on time.

15. Explore el Rastro Flea Market

El Rastro is Madrid’s most famous flea market and one of the liveliest things to do in the city on a Sunday morning.

Hundreds of stalls spill through the streets of La Latina selling everything from antiques and vintage clothes to old records, furniture, books and complete junk. Some of it feels genuinely interesting. Some of it feels like chaos.

That’s part of the appeal.

The atmosphere is far more important than whether you actually buy anything.

The surrounding streets also fill with people drinking vermouth and hopping between tapas bars, giving the whole neighbourhood a fun, slightly chaotic energy that feels very Madrid.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes, particularly if you’re in Madrid over a weekend. Even if you don’t love markets, the atmosphere alone makes it worthwhile.

Best time to visit
Sunday morning, ideally before midday. It gets extremely crowded later on.

Best nearby pairing
La Latina is the perfect follow-up for tapas and drinks afterwards.

Time needed
1–2 hours

Skip if
You dislike crowds or have no interest in markets whatsoever. The experience is much more about atmosphere than serious shopping.

16. Visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

If the Prado owns Spanish masters and Reina Sofía owns the twentieth century, the Thyssen fills in everything in between.

The collection spans seven centuries of Western art, from early Renaissance panels through to American pop art.

In our opinion, this is the most accessible of the three for non-art lovers. The layout is logical, and the collection is varied enough to hold attention. You’re also unlikely to hit the same wall of exhaustion that can come from the Prado’s sheer scale.

Is it worth visiting?
Yes, and particularly worth it if you found the Prado or Reina Sofía a little narrow in focus.

Best time to go
Monday is free entry, which makes it busy. Late morning on a weekday is generally the quietest. Book skip-the-line tickets if visiting at peak times.

Best nearby pairing
The museum sits on the Paseo del Arte alongside the Prado and Reina Sofía, so combining the two is logistically easy but mentally ambitious. Retiro Park is a short walk away if you need fresh air afterwards.

Time needed
1.5–2 hours

Skip if
You’ve already done the Prado and Reina Sofía and are running low on time or energy.

Things to Do in Madrid by Interest

If It’s Your First Time in Madrid

If this is your first trip to Madrid, we suggest you prioritise: the Royal Palace, Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, La Latina tapas and one museum.

For Food & Coffee Lovers

If you are here for the food, make a beeline for La Latina, followed by Malasaña & Chueca, which have several excellent restaurants.

For coffee we loved:

• 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.

In Chueca, we can’t rate El Social or Josefita highly enough. 

If you are into food, I suspect Mercado De San Miguel might be a little too touristy for you.

For Art Lovers

This is an easy one. Madrid has some of the best art in the world.

If you plan on visiting all three major art galleries in Madrid (Thyssen-Bornemisza, Prado and Reina Sofia), 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.

For Nightlife

To experience Madrid’s nightlife, you want to be in Malasaña and Chueca, plus the rooftop bars on the Gran Vía are worth a look.

Two Easy Walking Routes in Madrid

Historic Madrid Walk

Royal Palace → Almudena Cathedral → Plaza Mayor → Mercado de San Miguel → Puerta del Sol

This is what we would recommend as the classic first-day route through old Madrid. It starts at the city’s grandest building, takes in the cathedral and crypt, then heads to the historic square. You could stop for a glass of cava at the market too.

Retiro & Modern Art Walk

Reina Sofía → Retiro Park → Prado Museum → tapas in La Latina

This is a slower, more relaxed route that works best in the afternoon. Begin with Guernica at the Reina Sofía, then wander through Retiro Park before finishing at the Prado. By the time you’re done, La Latina is just waking up for the evening — perfect timing for tapas and vermouth.

How Many Days Do You Need in Madrid?

Madrid is not a city you need a lot of time in, and it’s a perfect weekend break.

Two full days will give you enough time to see the major landmarks, including the Royal Palace, the Prado, and the Plaza Mayor, and to spend time in a couple of neighbourhoods and eat well.

With three or four days, you can explore the art museums properly, spend a morning in Retiro Park, and wander a little longer around Malasaña.

Our guide to planning a trip to Madrid has more practical information to get the most out of your visit.

Where to Stay in Madrid

Our recommendations for where to stay are:

• Best for First-Time Visitors: Sol / Centro
• Best for Nightlife: Malasaña or Chueca
• Best for Art Lovers: Barrio de las Letras
• Best for Local Atmosphere: La Latina

We have a full accommodation guide to Madrid that explains each neighbourhood and why you might want to base yourself there.

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 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 club’s history.

Madrid Puerta de Atocha Train Station has a tropical garden under the original train shed. However, it’s currently closed for work.

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.

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

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