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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. 61 Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII
    Parks Popular

    Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII

    The Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII is a botanical garden located on the campus of the Complutense University of Madri...

  2. 62 Teatros del Canal
    Venues Popular

    Teatros del Canal

    Teatros del Canal is a contemporary performing arts center in Madrid designed by architect Juan Navarro Baldeweg. The co...

  3. 63 Parque de la Emperatriz María de Austria
    Parks Popular

    Parque de la Emperatriz María de Austria

    Parque de la Emperatriz María de Austria, widely known locally as Parque Sur, is a sprawling 16-hectare municipal park s...

  4. 64 Museo de Cera
    Museums Popular

    Museo de Cera

    Museo de Cera in Madrid hosts over 450 wax figures representing historical, cultural, and political personalities. The c...

  5. 65 Metropolis Building
    Historical places Popular

    Metropolis Building

    The Metropolis Building is a landmark Beaux-Arts office structure located at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá and Gra...

  6. 66 Puente de Toledo
    Historical places Popular

    Puente de Toledo

    Puente de Toledo is an 18th-century stone bridge designed by architect Pedro de Ribera, constructed to span the Manzanar...

  7. 67 Estación Museo de Chamberí
    Museums Popular

    Estación Museo de Chamberí

    Estación Museo de Chamberí is a preserved ghost station on the Madrid Metro network that ceased operations in 1966. Desi...

  8. 68 Cofidis Alcázar Theater
    Venues Popular

    Cofidis Alcázar Theater

    The Cofidis Alcázar Theater is a historic performance venue located in the heart of Madrid, functioning under the manage...

  9. 69 Parque de Aluche
    Parks Popular

    Parque de Aluche

    Parque de Aluche is a 44-hectare urban park located in the Latina district of Madrid, known for its extensive network of...

  10. 70 España Building
    Historical places Popular

    España Building

    The España Building, or Edificio España, is a 117-meter Neo-Baroque skyscraper located at the start of Gran Vía in Madri...

  11. 71 Cerro del Tío Pío
    Parks Popular

    Cerro del Tío Pío

    Cerro del Tío Pío, often called 'Parque de las Siete Tetas' due to its seven distinctive rolling hills, is a public park...

  12. 72 La Casa Encendida
    Places of interest Popular

    La Casa Encendida

    La Casa Encendida is a multidisciplinary cultural center housed in a historic 1913 Neo-Mudéjar building originally commi...

  13. 73 La Escalera de Jacob
    Venues Popular

    La Escalera de Jacob

    La Escalera de Jacob is a multidisciplinary performance space located in the Lavapiés neighborhood of Madrid. The venue...

  14. 74 Reina Victoria Theater
    Venues Popular

    Reina Victoria Theater

    The Reina Victoria Theater is a historic performance venue located in the heart of Madrid, inaugurated in 1916. The buil...

  15. 75 Parque Madrid Río
    Parks Popular

    Parque Madrid Río

    Parque Madrid Río is a 10-kilometer-long linear park built along the Manzanares River following the underground diversio...

  16. 76 Galería de las Colecciones Reales
    Museums Popular

    Galería de las Colecciones Reales

    The Galería de las Colecciones Reales is Spain's premier showcase for royal collections, situated directly between the R...

  17. 77 Museo Geominero
    Museums Popular

    Museo Geominero

    The Museo Geominero is housed in a stunning 1920s building characterized by a glass-domed central atrium and elaborate c...

  18. 78 Toboganes de Madrid Río
    Playgrounds Popular

    Toboganes de Madrid Río

    Toboganes de Madrid Río features a series of high-speed concrete tube slides built directly into the terrain of a landsc...

  19. 79 Teatro Español
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Español

    Teatro Español is the oldest continuously operating theater in Europe, with its origins tracing back to the 16th-century...

  20. 80 Casita-Museo de Ratón Pérez
    Museums Popular

    Casita-Museo de Ratón Pérez

    The Casita-Museo de Ratón Pérez is dedicated to the legendary mouse who collects children's lost teeth in Spanish folklo...

  21. 81 Valdebernardo Forest Park | North Zone
    Parks Popular

    Valdebernardo Forest Park | North Zone

    Valdebernardo Forest Park is a sprawling green space in Madrid’s Vicálvaro district featuring diverse ecosystems includi...

  22. 82 Parque de las Cruces
    Parks Popular

    Parque de las Cruces

    Parque de las Cruces is an expansive green lung in the Carabanchel and Latina districts of Madrid, covering over 20 hect...

  23. 83 Nomad Museo Inmersivo
    Places of interest Popular

    Nomad Museo Inmersivo

    Nomad Museo Inmersivo is an interactive digital art space located on Madrid’s central Gran Vía. The facility replaces tr...

  24. 84 El Pavón Teatro
    Venues Popular

    El Pavón Teatro

    El Pavón Teatro is an iconic Art Deco performance venue located in the Lavapiés neighborhood of Madrid. Originally inaug...

  25. 85 La Chocita Del Loro
    Venues Popular

    La Chocita Del Loro

    La Chocita del Loro is a premier comedy club located on Madrid’s central Gran Vía, specializing in stand-up performances...

  26. 86 Church of Saint Anthony of the German
    Temples Popular

    Church of Saint Anthony of the German

    The Church of Saint Anthony of the German is distinguished by its nearly total coverage of Baroque frescoes, which span...

  27. 87 Museo de la Felicidad · MÜF
    Museums Popular

    Museo de la Felicidad · MÜF

    The Museo de la Felicidad (MÜF) is an experiential museum in Madrid dedicated to the scientific and psychological study...

  28. 88 Microteatro Por Dinero
    Venues Popular

    Microteatro Por Dinero

    Microteatro Por Dinero is a venue dedicated to 'micro-theater,' featuring short plays lasting approximately 15 minutes p...

  29. 89 Teatro Maravillas Madrid
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Maravillas Madrid

    Teatro Maravillas is a historic mid-sized theater located in the heart of Madrid’s Malasaña district. It specializes in...

  30. 90 Las Vistillas Garden
    Parks Popular

    Las Vistillas Garden

    Las Vistillas Garden is a terraced public park located on a steep ridge overlooking the Manzanares River and the Almuden...

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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.