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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. 31 Neptune Fountain
    Places of interest Very popular

    Neptune Fountain

    The Neptune Fountain is a neoclassical monument located at the center of the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo in Madrid. De...

  2. 32 Teatro Real
    Venues Very popular

    Teatro Real

    Teatro Real is Spain’s premier opera house, recognized internationally for its high-caliber productions and technical ca...

  3. 33 Parque de la Quinta de los Molinos
    Parks Very popular

    Parque de la Quinta de los Molinos

    Quinta de los Molinos is a historic park in Madrid distinguished by its extensive collection of almond trees that bloom...

  4. 34 Teatro Lara
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Lara

    Teatro Lara is an intimate, historic performance venue in Madrid, founded in 1880 by Cándido Lara. Known as the 'Bombone...

  5. 35 Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
    Museums Popular

    Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales

    The Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales is one of the oldest natural history museums in the world, founded in 1771 by K...

  6. 36 Naval Museum
    Museums Popular

    Naval Museum

    The Naval Museum of Madrid is located within the Spanish Navy Headquarters and houses an extensive collection documentin...

  7. 37 La Estación Gran Teatro Caixabank Príncipe Pío
    Venues Popular

    La Estación Gran Teatro Caixabank Príncipe Pío

    La Estación Gran Teatro Caixabank Príncipe Pío is a multi-purpose cultural venue housed within the restored 19th-century...

  8. 38 Parque Enrique Tierno Galván
    Parks Popular

    Parque Enrique Tierno Galván

    Parque Enrique Tierno Galván is a 45-hectare urban park located in the Arganzuela district of Madrid. It features a prom...

  9. 39 Teatro Gran Vía
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Gran Vía

    Teatro Gran Vía is a prominent theater venue located at Gran Vía, 66 in central Madrid. It operates under the management...

  10. 40 Sabatini Garden
    Parks Popular

    Sabatini Garden

    The Sabatini Gardens are a neoclassical formal garden located on the site of the former royal stables commissioned by Ki...

  11. 41 Madrid History Museum
    Museums Popular

    Madrid History Museum

    The Madrid History Museum occupies the former Royal Hospice of San Fernando, an 18th-century building featuring an elabo...

  12. 42 Berlin Park
    Parks Popular

    Berlin Park

    Parque de Berlín is a prominent urban green space in the Chamartín district of Madrid, notable for housing three origina...

  13. 43 Cerralbo Museum
    Museums Popular

    Cerralbo Museum

    The Cerralbo Museum is housed in the former residence of Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, the 17th Marquis of Cerralbo, pre...

  14. 44 Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great
    Temples Popular

    Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great

    The Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great is distinguished by its massive circular dome, which measures 33 meters in...

  15. 45 Saint Isidore Park
    Parks Popular

    Saint Isidore Park

    Parque de San Isidro is a large municipal park in the Carabanchel district, historically linked to the traditional festi...

  16. 46 Plaza del Dos de Mayo
    Parks Popular

    Plaza del Dos de Mayo

    Plaza del Dos de Mayo is the heart of the Malasaña neighborhood in Madrid, occupying the site of the former Monteleón ar...

  17. 47 Fountain of the Fallen Angel
    Places of interest Popular

    Fountain of the Fallen Angel

    The Fountain of the Fallen Angel is one of the few public monuments globally dedicated to Lucifer. Sculpted by Ricardo B...

  18. 48 Basilica of Jesus of Medinaceli
    Temples Popular

    Basilica of Jesus of Medinaceli

    The Basilica of Jesus of Medinaceli houses the 17th-century 'Christ of Medinaceli', a sculpture carved in Seville that i...

  19. 49 Plaza de Chueca
    Places of interest Popular

    Plaza de Chueca

    Plaza de Chueca serves as the central hub of Madrid's most prominent LGBTQ+ district, known for its high concentration o...

  20. 50 Campo del Moro
    Parks Popular

    Campo del Moro

    Campo del Moro is a 20-hectare English-style landscape garden located at the foot of the Royal Palace of Madrid. Unlike...

  21. 51 Dehesa de la Villa
    Parks Popular

    Dehesa de la Villa

    Dehesa de la Villa is a significant forested park in Madrid, known for its status as a remnant of the ancient pine fores...

  22. 52 Teatro Nuevo Apolo
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Nuevo Apolo

    Teatro Nuevo Apolo is a prominent performing arts venue located in the heart of Madrid, situated directly on the Plaza d...

  23. 53 Sweet Space Museum
    Places of interest Popular

    Sweet Space Museum

    Sweet Space Museum is an interactive, multi-sensory art experience located on the second floor of a building in Madrid's...

  24. 54 El Oso y el Madroño
    Places of interest Popular

    El Oso y el Madroño

    El Oso y el Madroño is a bronze statue serving as the official symbol of Madrid. It depicts a bear reaching for the frui...

  25. 55 Museo del Romanticismo
    Museums Popular

    Museo del Romanticismo

    The Museo del Romanticismo is housed in an 18th-century palace that displays an extensive collection of 19th-century Spa...

  26. 56 Teatro Calderón
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Calderón

    Teatro Calderón is a historic landmark in Madrid, originally inaugurated in 1917 under the name Teatro Odeón. Designed b...

  27. 57 Teatro La Latina
    Venues Popular

    Teatro La Latina

    Teatro La Latina is a historic performance venue located in the heart of Madrid, specializing in popular Spanish theater...

  28. 58 Manzanares River Linear Park
    Parks Popular

    Manzanares River Linear Park

    The Manzanares River Linear Park is a sprawling urban project designed by architect Ricardo Bofill along the banks of th...

  29. 59 Palacio Vistalegre
    Venues Popular

    Palacio Vistalegre

    Palacio Vistalegre is a versatile multi-purpose arena located in the Carabanchel district of Madrid, situated on the sit...

  30. 60 Lope de Vega Casa Museo
    Museums Popular

    Lope de Vega Casa Museo

    The Lope de Vega Casa Museo is the preserved 17th-century home where the prolific Spanish playwright lived for the final...

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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.