Best things to do in Madrid
It´s impossible to get bored in Madrid. The capital of Spain is vibrant and lively and there is a wide range of activities to make the most of your vacations in Madrid.
You will discover some of the world’s best monuments, art, entertainment, and restaurants. There are a multitude of reasons why to visit Madrid!
The goal of the Madrid Traveling guide is not featuring absolutely all the things to do in Madrid, as most tourists spend a limited time in the city. Therefore, I have focused on the very best points of interest which should be ranked high on every visitor’s list when exploring the city.
If your time in Madrid is limited, in Madrid Traveling you will find my personal recommendations of the best things to do and tips to enjoy your visit to Madrid to the fullest.
Madrid is a reference in art and culture, not just in Spain and Europe, but all around the world.
Madrid’s main museums collect the artwork of some of the most important artists ever. Visitors will love the Art Walk (Paseo del Arte), which houses in less than 1 mile three of the world’s top museums: Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Guernica, one of Picasso’s best-known works, Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria by Caravaggio, are just a few of the most popular paintings in Madrid.
If you like sports, the Real Madrid museum is one of the most popular attractions in the city. You will enjoy the history of one of the best soccer clubs in the world, and contemplate the famous Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. This is one of the best things to do on your trip to Madrid.
The Royal Palace, La Almudena Cathedral, and the Royal Theatre are some of the most remarkable landmarks in the Austrias neighborhood. The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish Royal family. Nowadays, it is only used for state ceremonies as the current Royal family lives in the Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of the city.
Besides, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España, Puerta de Alcala, Puerta del Sol, and Cibeles are just a few of the multiple attractions you will discover on your trip to the capital of Spain.
Debod Temple is an ancient Egyptian temple close to Plaza de España. When the Temple was donated to Spain by the Egyptian state in 1968, it was dismantled and transported to Madrid, where it was rebuilt.
One of my favorite outdoor spots in the Madrid metropolitan area is El Retiro Park. It is one of the largest parks in the city, very close to the Puerta de Alcala. The monument to Alfonso XII, close to the Retiro Pond, the Crystal Palace, and the Velazquez Palace are noteworthy.
In Madrid city, you will find a wide offer of shows and spectacles. Flamenco shows, theater, opera, musicals, concerts, and music festivals like Mad Cool are essential to understand Spanish culture. Flamenco shows are a must-see in your visit, you will fall in love with the passion of the music and energy of the dancing, one of the roots of the Spanish culture.
Going on a shopping spree in Madrid is an amazing experience for many tourists and locals, and one of the best things to do in Madrid. There are thousands of places for shopping in Madrid. Salamanca neighborhood, Gran Via, Preciados, and Fuencarral are excellent areas for shopping.
Madrid is an amazing city if you are traveling with kids. There are plenty of family-friendly activities for your children like Warner Park, Faunia, and the National Museum of Natural Sciences, where kids will enjoy learning.
Spain’s eating and drinking culture is one of the greatest attractions in the country. Cocido, broken eggs with ham, potato omelet, iberic ham, gazpacho, and paella are some Spanish specialties you will taste. Enjoying Spanish food and wine is one of the best things to do on your visit to Madrid.