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Madrid
Spain

Things to do in Madrid

1,436 attractions · Spain

Photo: Eric Salard, CC BY-SA 2.0

Community of Madrid, Spain · 40.400, -3.683

About Madrid

Madrid sits at the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, functioning as the high-altitude capital of Spain. The city is renowned for the Golden Triangle of Art, which includes the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. Visitors can explore the expansive royal history at the Royal Palace of Madrid or find urban reprieve in green spaces like El Retiro Park. The city's layout is defined by grand boulevards and historic squares, anchored by iconic landmarks such as the Cibeles Fountain.

Good to know

  1. 1

    Madrid is the highest capital city in the European Union, situated at an elevation of approximately 650 meters above sea level.

  2. 2

    The city is home to the world's oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botín, which has been operating continuously since 1725.

  3. 3

    Madrid contains more trees per inhabitant than any other city in Europe, with over 300,000 trees lining its streets.

  4. 4

    The official symbol of Madrid is a bear reaching up to eat fruit from a strawberry tree, an emblem dating back to the 13th century.

  5. 5

    Unlike many European capitals, Madrid was not established as a city by Romans or Greeks but was founded by the Emir Muhammad I of Córdoba in the 9th century.

Plan your visit to Madrid

Best time to visit

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures and avoid the extreme summer heat common in the interior of Spain.

How many days

3-4 days to explore the major museums, historic palaces, and primary city parks without rushing.

Getting around

The city features a highly efficient metro system, and the central districts are densely packed and largely walkable.

Where to stay

Stay in the Barrio de las Letras for a central, historic atmosphere or near Salamanca for upscale shopping and high-end dining.

Budget

Mid-range; while luxury options abound, the city offers diverse dining and accommodation options that cater to varying budgets.

Top things to do in Madrid

The 1,436 most popular places in Madrid.

Filtered by
  1. 1 El Retiro Park
    Parks Icon

    El Retiro Park

    El Retiro Park is a 125-hectare UNESCO World Heritage site that originated as a royal retreat for Philip IV in the 17th...

  2. 2 Plaza Mayor
    Places of interest Icon

    Plaza Mayor

    Plaza Mayor is a 17th-century enclosed rectangular square in the heart of Madrid, measuring 129 by 94 meters. It is enti...

  3. 3 Puerta del Sol
    Places of interest Icon

    Puerta del Sol

    Puerta del Sol serves as the central hub of Madrid and the literal zero-point for Spain's radial highway network. The sq...

  4. 4 Museo Nacional del Prado
    Museums Icon

    Museo Nacional del Prado

    The Museo Nacional del Prado houses the world's most comprehensive collection of Spanish painting, spanning from the 12t...

  5. 5 Royal Palace of Madrid
    Historical places Icon

    Royal Palace of Madrid

    The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Western Europe by floor area, encompassing 135,000 square mete...

  6. 6 Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium
    Venues Very popular

    Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium

    The Riyadh Air Metropolitano is the home stadium of Atlético de Madrid, designed with a seating capacity of over 70,000...

  7. 7 Puerta de Alcalá
    Historical places Very popular

    Puerta de Alcalá

    The Puerta de Alcalá is a Neoclassical triumphal gate situated in the center of the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid....

  8. 8 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
    Museums Very popular

    Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

    The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía houses Spain's national collection of 20th-century and contemporary art. T...

  9. 9 Cibeles Fountain
    Historical places Very popular

    Cibeles Fountain

    The Cibeles Fountain is a neoclassical monument located at the center of Plaza de Cibeles, representing the Roman goddes...

  10. 10 Temple of Debod
    Historical places Very popular

    Temple of Debod

    The Temple of Debod is an original 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple relocated stone-by-stone to Madrid's Parque del Oeste....

  11. 11 Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum
    Museums Very popular

    Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

    The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum houses one of the world's most significant private art collections, bridging the...

  12. 12 Casa de Campo
    Parks Very popular

    Casa de Campo

    Casa de Campo is Madrid's largest public park, spanning over 1,700 hectares on the city's western edge. Formerly a royal...

  13. 13 Palacio de Cristal
    Museums Very popular

    Palacio de Cristal

    The Palacio de Cristal is an 1887 wrought-iron and glass structure situated within El Retiro Park, originally commission...

  14. 14 Estanque Grande del Retiro
    Places of interest Very popular

    Estanque Grande del Retiro

    The Estanque Grande del Retiro is a rectangular artificial lake located in the heart of Madrid’s El Retiro Park. It serv...

  15. 15 Las Ventas Bullring
    Historical places Very popular

    Las Ventas Bullring

    Las Ventas is the largest bullring in Spain and the third-largest in the world, featuring a distinct Neo-Mudéjar archite...

  16. 16 Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena
    Temples Very popular

    Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena

    The Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid, uniquely cha...

  17. 17 Matadero Madrid
    Places of interest Very popular

    Matadero Madrid

    Matadero Madrid is a contemporary arts center occupying the former municipal slaughterhouse and livestock market complex...

  18. 18 National Museum of Archaeology
    Museums Very popular

    National Museum of Archaeology

    The National Archaeological Museum (MAN) in Madrid houses one of the world's most significant collections of Iberian, Ro...

  19. 19 Real Jardín Botánico
    Parks Very popular

    Real Jardín Botánico

    Founded in 1755 by King Ferdinand VI, the Real Jardín Botánico is a scientific institution managed by the Spanish Nation...

  20. 20 Zoo Aquarium de Madrid
    Zoos Very popular

    Zoo Aquarium de Madrid

    Zoo Aquarium de Madrid is one of the few facilities globally to combine a traditional zoological park with a marine aqua...

  21. 21 Parque del Oeste
    Parks Very popular

    Parque del Oeste

    Parque del Oeste is a large urban park in Madrid designed in the English landscape style, featuring rolling hills and me...

  22. 22 Círculo de Bellas Artes
    Places of interest Very popular

    Círculo de Bellas Artes

    The Círculo de Bellas Artes is a private, non-profit cultural institution in Madrid housed in an iconic building designe...

  23. 23 Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
    Amusement parks Very popular

    Parque de Atracciones de Madrid

    Parque de Atracciones de Madrid is an expansive amusement park located within the city's largest public park, Casa de Ca...

  24. 24 Sorolla Museum
    Museums Very popular

    Sorolla Museum

    The Sorolla Museum is housed in the former residence and studio of Spanish Impressionist painter Joaquín Sorolla. Locate...

  25. 25 CaixaForum Madrid
    Places of interest Very popular

    CaixaForum Madrid

    CaixaForum Madrid is a cultural center located in a former early 20th-century power station known as the Central Eléctri...

  26. 26 Museum of Illusions Madrid
    Museums Very popular

    Museum of Illusions Madrid

    The Museum of Illusions Madrid is an interactive gallery featuring immersive installations designed to challenge human p...

  27. 27 Toledo Gate
    Historical places Very popular

    Toledo Gate

    The Puerta de Toledo is a neoclassical monument in Madrid, completed in 1827 to commemorate the return of King Ferdinand...

  28. 28 Tour Bernabéu
    Places of interest Very popular

    Tour Bernabéu

    The Tour Bernabéu offers an immersive look into the history and facilities of Real Madrid CF's home stadium, the Santiag...

  29. 29 Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid
    Museums Very popular

    Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid

    The Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid is housed within the historic Delicias railway station, which dates back to 1880 and...

  30. 30 Faunia
    Zoos Very popular

    Faunia

    Faunia is a hybrid zoo and botanical garden in Madrid that organizes its animal exhibits into thematic ecosystems mimick...

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Frequently asked

How many attractions are there in Madrid?

Aventuro lists 1,436 curated attractions in and around Madrid, sorted by popularity.

What's the top attraction in Madrid?

El Retiro Park is the most popular place to visit in Madrid right now.

What kind of attractions does Madrid have?

The largest category is places of interest, with 364 places to explore.

Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?

Travellers also explore Barcelona, Valencia, Seville.