- Madrid is the highest capital city in the European Union, situated at an elevation of approximately 650 meters above sea level.
- The city is home to the world's oldest restaurant, Sobrino de Botín, which has been operating continuously since 1725.
- Madrid contains more trees per inhabitant than any other city in Europe, with over 300,000 trees lining its streets.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Highlights of Madrid
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Parks
This sprawling 125-hectare park features formal gardens and the famous rose garden, the Rosaleda.
Museums
It houses one of the world's most significant collections of European art from the 12th to the early 20th century.
Historical places
This official residence of the Spanish monarchy contains over 3,400 rooms and showcases extensive royal collections.
Museums
This museum focuses on 20th-century art, most notably displaying Picasso's monumental anti-war painting, Guernica.
Historical places
An original 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple that was transported to Madrid and reassembled stone by stone.
Museums
This glass and iron structure serves as a distinctive exhibition space within the gardens of El Retiro.
Places of interest
The artificial lake serves as the focal point of the park, where visitors can rent rowboats.
Historical places
This neoclassical gate once stood at the city's eastern entrance and now functions as a major landmark.
Top things to do in Madrid
The 1,301 highest-rated places in Madrid, ranked by travellers.
1
Parks
El Retiro Park is a 125-hectare UNESCO World Heritage site that originated as a royal retreat for Philip IV in the 17th...
2
Museums
The Museo Nacional del Prado houses the world's most comprehensive collection of Spanish painting, spanning from the 12t...
3
Historical places
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Western Europe by floor area, encompassing 135,000 square mete...
4
Venues
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano is the home stadium of Atlético de Madrid, designed with a seating capacity of over 70,000...
5
Historical places
The Puerta de Alcalá is a Neoclassical triumphal gate situated in the center of the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid....
6
Museums
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía houses Spain's national collection of 20th-century and contemporary art. T...
7
Historical places
The Cibeles Fountain is a neoclassical monument located at the center of Plaza de Cibeles, representing the Roman goddes...
8
Historical places
The Temple of Debod is an original 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple relocated stone-by-stone to Madrid's Parque del Oeste....
9
Museums
The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum houses one of the world's most significant private art collections, bridging the...
10
Parks
Casa de Campo is Madrid's largest public park, spanning over 1,700 hectares on the city's western edge. Formerly a royal...
11
Museums
The Palacio de Cristal is an 1887 wrought-iron and glass structure situated within El Retiro Park, originally commission...
12
Places of interest
The Estanque Grande del Retiro is a rectangular artificial lake located in the heart of Madrid’s El Retiro Park. It serv...
13
Temples
The Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid, uniquely cha...
14
Museums
The National Archaeological Museum (MAN) in Madrid houses one of the world's most significant collections of Iberian, Ro...
15
Parks
Founded in 1755 by King Ferdinand VI, the Real Jardín Botánico is a scientific institution managed by the Spanish Nation...
16
Parks
Parque Juan Carlos I is a massive 160-hectare urban park located in the Barajas district of Madrid. It features a promin...
17
Zoos
Zoo Aquarium de Madrid is one of the few facilities globally to combine a traditional zoological park with a marine aqua...
18
Parks
Parque del Oeste is a large urban park in Madrid designed in the English landscape style, featuring rolling hills and me...
19
Amusement parks
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid is an expansive amusement park located within the city's largest public park, Casa de Ca...
20
Parks
El Capricho is one of Madrid’s few surviving Romantic-style gardens, commissioned in 1784 by the Duchess of Osuna. The 1...
21
Museums
The Sorolla Museum is housed in the former residence and studio of Spanish Impressionist painter Joaquín Sorolla. Locate...
22
Museums
The Museum of Illusions Madrid is an interactive gallery featuring immersive installations designed to challenge human p...
23
Historical places
The Puerta de Toledo is a neoclassical monument in Madrid, completed in 1827 to commemorate the return of King Ferdinand...
24
Museums
The Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid is housed within the historic Delicias railway station, which dates back to 1880 and...
25
Places of interest
The Neptune Fountain is a neoclassical monument located at the center of the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo in Madrid. De...
26
Places of interest
The Tour Bernabéu offers an immersive look into the history and facilities of Real Madrid CF's home stadium, the Santiag...
27
Zoos
Faunia is a hybrid zoo and botanical garden in Madrid that organizes its animal exhibits into thematic ecosystems mimick...
28
Venues
Teatro Real is Spain’s premier opera house, recognized internationally for its high-caliber productions and technical ca...
29
Parks
Quinta de los Molinos is a historic park in Madrid distinguished by its extensive collection of almond trees that bloom...
30
Museums
The Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales is one of the oldest natural history museums in the world, founded in 1771 by K...
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Madrid on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Madrid
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures and avoid the extreme summer heat common in the interior of Spain.
3-4 days to explore the major museums, historic palaces, and primary city parks without rushing.
The city features a highly efficient metro system, and the central districts are densely packed and largely walkable.
Stay in the Barrio de las Letras for a central, historic atmosphere or near Salamanca for upscale shopping and high-end dining.
Mid-range; while luxury options abound, the city offers diverse dining and accommodation options that cater to varying budgets.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 1,301 curated attractions in and around Madrid, ranked by traveller ratings.
El Retiro Park is the highest-rated place to visit in Madrid right now.
The largest category is temples, with 376 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Vigo, Barcelona, Granada.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
