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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. 91 Quinta de la Fuente del Berro Park
    Parks Popular

    Quinta de la Fuente del Berro Park

    The Quinta de la Fuente del Berro is a historic 17th-century park originally commissioned by King Philip IV as a royal r...

  2. 92 San Fernando Fine Art Royal Academy
    Museums Popular

    San Fernando Fine Art Royal Academy

    The Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando is a fine art museum and academy housed in the 18th-century Goyeneche...

  3. 93 Historic Segovia Bridge
    Historical places Popular

    Historic Segovia Bridge

    The Historic Segovia Bridge, or Puente de Segovia, is a Renaissance-style stone bridge commissioned by King Philip II an...

  4. 94 Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste
    Parks Popular

    Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste

    The Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste is a historic garden in Madrid housing over 500 varieties of roses. Designed by Ramón...

  5. 95 Parque de Pradolongo
    Parks Popular

    Parque de Pradolongo

    Parque de Pradolongo is one of the largest green spaces in the Usera district of Madrid, covering approximately 70 hecta...

  6. 96 Teatro de la Zarzuela
    Venues Popular

    Teatro de la Zarzuela

    Teatro de la Zarzuela is a historic performing arts venue in Madrid dedicated primarily to the preservation and promotio...

  7. 97 Teatro Infanta Isabel
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Infanta Isabel

    Teatro Infanta Isabel is a historic venue located in the Chueca neighborhood of Madrid, operating continuously since its...

  8. 98 Fígaro Theater
    Venues Popular

    Fígaro Theater

    The Fígaro Theater, officially named Teatro Fígaro-Adolfo Marsillach, is a historic venue located in the heart of Madrid...

  9. 99 Museo de San Isidro. Los Orígenes de Madrid
    Museums Popular

    Museo de San Isidro. Los Orígenes de Madrid

    The Museo de San Isidro is housed in the historic Palace of the Counts of Paredes, a site traditionally linked to the re...

  10. 100 Liria Palace
    Museums Popular

    Liria Palace

    Liria Palace is the primary residence of the House of Alba and houses one of the most significant private art collection...

  11. 101 IKONO Madrid
    Places of interest Popular

    IKONO Madrid

    IKONO Madrid is an immersive, interactive art gallery designed specifically for sensory engagement and social media phot...

  12. 102 Teatro Gran Vía
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Gran Vía

    Pequeño Teatro Gran Vía is a compact performance venue located beneath the larger Teatro Gran Vía in central Madrid. It...

  13. 103 Rose Garden
    Parks Popular

    Rose Garden

    La Rosaleda is a historic rose garden located within the Buen Retiro Park, designed in 1915 by Cecilio Rodríguez. The ga...

  14. 104 Teatro Amaya
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Amaya

    Teatro Amaya is a prominent commercial theater located in the Chamberí district of Madrid. The venue is characterized by...

  15. 105 Teatro Arlequín Gran Vía
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Arlequín Gran Vía

    Teatro Arlequín Gran Vía is a boutique venue situated just off Madrid's main artery, specializing in intimate theatrical...

  16. 106 Quinta de la Fuente del Berro Park
    Parks Popular

    Quinta de la Fuente del Berro Park

    Quinta de la Fuente del Berro Park is a historic 17th-century romantic landscape garden located in the Salamanca distric...

  17. 107 Teatro Marquina
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Marquina

    Teatro Marquina is a historic theater located in the heart of Madrid, specializing in contemporary stage productions and...

  18. 108 Athens Park
    Parks Popular

    Athens Park

    Athens Park, known locally as Parque de Atenas, is a multi-level urban green space situated along the edge of the histor...

  19. 109 Museo de America
    Museums Popular

    Museo de America

    The Museo de América in Madrid houses a specialized collection of over 25,000 items originating from the American contin...

  20. 110 Museo Banksy Madrid
    Museums Popular

    Museo Banksy Madrid

    Museo Banksy Madrid is an immersive, unofficial exhibition showcasing over 100 works attributed to the elusive British s...

  21. 111 Velázquez Palace
    Museums Popular

    Velázquez Palace

    The Velázquez Palace is a glass-and-iron pavilion located within Madrid's El Retiro Park, originally constructed in 1883...

  22. 112 Puente del Rey
    Historical places Popular

    Puente del Rey

    Puente del Rey is a pedestrian bridge that serves as a vital link between the Casa de Campo and the Madrid Río park comp...

  23. 113 Parque de Santander
    Parks Popular

    Parque de Santander

    Parque de Santander is a modern urban park constructed atop the subterranean Canal de Isabel II water reservoir. The fac...

  24. 114 Tabacalera Art Promotion
    Places of interest Popular

    Tabacalera Art Promotion

    Tabacalera Art Promotion is a self-managed, non-profit contemporary art space housed within the former Royal Tobacco Fac...

  25. 115 Mercado de Las Ventas
    Places of interest Popular

    Mercado de Las Ventas

    Mercado de Las Ventas is a traditional municipal market located in the Ciudad Lineal district of Madrid, distinct for it...

  26. 116 Moncloa's Lighthouse
    Places of interest Popular

    Moncloa's Lighthouse

    The Faro de Moncloa is a 110-meter-tall transmission tower featuring a glass-enclosed observation deck 92 meters above g...

  27. 117 Monument to Alfonso XII
    Historical places Popular

    Monument to Alfonso XII

    The Monument to Alfonso XII is a grand semi-circular colonnade located on the eastern shore of the Estanque Grande in Ma...

  28. 118 Kilometre Zero
    Places of interest Popular

    Kilometre Zero

    Kilometre Zero is a physical plaque embedded in the pavement of the Puerta del Sol, representing the radial center of th...

  29. 119 Plaza de la Villa
    Historical places Popular

    Plaza de la Villa

    Plaza de la Villa is one of Madrid's oldest town squares, dating back to the medieval period. It is defined by three bui...

  30. 120 National Museum of Anthropology
    Museums Popular

    National Museum of Anthropology

    The National Museum of Anthropology in Madrid is the oldest anthropological museum in Spain, founded in 1875 by King Alf...

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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.