Back to map
A
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. 1051 Escultura "El Barrio es Nuestro"
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Escultura "El Barrio es Nuestro"

  2. 1052 Plaza de Mariano de Cavia
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Plaza de Mariano de Cavia

  3. 1053 FESTIVAL AÉREO ALA 48
    Venues Hidden gem

    FESTIVAL AÉREO ALA 48

  4. 1054 Parque Valhalla
    Parks Hidden gem

    Parque Valhalla

  5. 1055 Parque infantil Portalegre
    Playgrounds Hidden gem

    Parque infantil Portalegre

  6. 1056 Área infantil Fernando Giráldez
    Playgrounds Hidden gem

    Área infantil Fernando Giráldez

  7. 1057 Mercado de Olavide
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Mercado de Olavide

  8. 1058 Miguel Ángel Blanco Gardens
    Parks Hidden gem

    Miguel Ángel Blanco Gardens

  9. 1059 Familia Unida
    Temples Hidden gem

    Familia Unida

  10. 1060 Studio Gallery Liebre
    Museums Hidden gem

    Studio Gallery Liebre

  11. 1061 Poparte Galería
    Museums Hidden gem

    Poparte Galería

  12. 1062 Art gallery and framing Sargent
    Museums Hidden gem

    Art gallery and framing Sargent

  13. 1063 Fuente del Triángulo
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Fuente del Triángulo

  14. 1064 Concha Barrios Gallery
    Museums Hidden gem

    Concha Barrios Gallery

  15. 1065 Palacio de Medina de las Torres
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Palacio de Medina de las Torres

  16. 1066 Acto Primero Teatro
    Venues Hidden gem

    Acto Primero Teatro

  17. 1067 Museo Policía Municipal de Madrid
    Museums Hidden gem

    Museo Policía Municipal de Madrid

  18. 1068 IGLESIA CRISTIANA VIDA Y AMOR
    Temples Hidden gem

    IGLESIA CRISTIANA VIDA Y AMOR

  19. 1069 Pablo Iglesias Tombstone
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Pablo Iglesias Tombstone

  20. 1070 emotion artgallery
    Museums Hidden gem

    emotion artgallery

  21. 1071 Galería Hispánica
    Museums Hidden gem

    Galería Hispánica

  22. 1072 La Kúpula
    Museums Hidden gem

    La Kúpula

  23. 1073 Countess of Pardo Bazán sculpture
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Countess of Pardo Bazán sculpture

  24. 1074 SDI Cultural Space
    Museums Hidden gem

    SDI Cultural Space

  25. 1075 Casa José Cubiles
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Casa José Cubiles

  26. 1076 Santuario Ntra. Sra. de los Peligros. M.M. Cistercienses
    Temples Hidden gem

    Santuario Ntra. Sra. de los Peligros. M.M. Cistercienses

  27. 1077 Monumento a Eduardo Rosales
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Monumento a Eduardo Rosales

  28. 1078 Roble del Puente de Hierro
    Parks Hidden gem

    Roble del Puente de Hierro

  29. 1079 Monumento a Francisco Piquer
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Monumento a Francisco Piquer

  30. 1080 Fuente de Finlandia
    Places of interest Hidden gem

    Fuente de Finlandia

Explore by category

Jump straight to what you're into.

Madrid on the map

Top attractions plotted across the city.

Open full map
Open full map

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.