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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. 121 Madrid Río Park
    Parks Popular

    Madrid Río Park

    Madrid Río is a linear urban park stretching 10 kilometers along the Manzanares River, built primarily underground follo...

  2. 122 Santuario de Santa Gema
    Temples Popular

    Santuario de Santa Gema

    Santuario de Santa Gema is a specialized religious site in the Chamartín district of Madrid dedicated to Saint Gemma Gal...

  3. 123 Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida
    Museums Popular

    Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida

    Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida is a neo-classical chapel renowned for housing the original frescoes painted by Fran...

  4. 124 Parque Agustín Rodríguez Sahagún
    Parks Popular

    Parque Agustín Rodríguez Sahagún

    Parque Agustín Rodríguez Sahagún is a 17-hectare urban park located in the Tetuán district of northern Madrid. It featur...

  5. 125 Teatro Muñoz Seca
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Muñoz Seca

    Teatro Muñoz Seca is a prominent commercial theater located in the heart of Madrid, specializing in comedy and light ent...

  6. 126 Mint Museum
    Museums Popular

    Mint Museum

    The Museo Casa de la Moneda is one of the world's most comprehensive numismatic museums, housed within the headquarters...

  7. 127 Teatro del Barrio
    Venues Popular

    Teatro del Barrio

    Teatro del Barrio is a self-managed, cooperative theater located in Madrid's Lavapiés neighborhood that focuses on polit...

  8. 128 Parque de la Cuña Verde de Latina
    Parks Popular

    Parque de la Cuña Verde de Latina

    Parque de la Cuña Verde de Latina is an extensive urban park in Madrid designed to serve as a green transition corridor...

  9. 129 Cultural Center Casa del Reloj
    Places of interest Popular

    Cultural Center Casa del Reloj

    The Cultural Center Casa del Reloj is a multifunctional municipal space situated within the historic 19th-century Matade...

  10. 130 Casa de Vacas Cultural Centre
    Places of interest Popular

    Casa de Vacas Cultural Centre

    Casa de Vacas is a prominent cultural exhibition space located within Madrid's El Retiro Park. Originally constructed as...

  11. 131 Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
    Temples Popular

    Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales

    The Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales is a 16th-century convent located in the former palace of King Charles I and Isab...

  12. 132 Teatro de La Abadía
    Venues Popular

    Teatro de La Abadía

    Teatro de La Abadía is a renowned center for theatrical research and creation situated in a converted former 20th-centur...

  13. 133 El Paraíso Park
    Parks Popular

    El Paraíso Park

    El Paraíso Park is a expansive urban green space located in the San Blas-Canillejas district of Madrid. The park covers...

  14. 134 Fine Arts Theatre
    Venues Popular

    Fine Arts Theatre

    Teatro Bellas Artes is a historic performing arts venue located in the heart of Madrid, operating under the umbrella of...

  15. 135 María Guerrero Theatre
    Venues Popular

    María Guerrero Theatre

    The María Guerrero Theatre, also known as the Teatro Nacional, is one of Madrid's most significant cultural institutions...

  16. 136 Teatro Príncipe Gran Vía
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Príncipe Gran Vía

    Teatro Príncipe Gran Vía is a multi-purpose performance venue situated just off Madrid's main artery, the Gran Vía. The...

  17. 137 Church of Holy Cross
    Temples Popular

    Church of Holy Cross

    The Church of Holy Cross (Parroquia de Santa Cruz) in Madrid is a Neo-Gothic architectural landmark characterized by its...

  18. 138 Pontifical Basilica of Saint Michael
    Temples Popular

    Pontifical Basilica of Saint Michael

    The Pontifical Basilica of Saint Michael is unique in Madrid for its convex, undulating facade, a hallmark of Italian Ba...

  19. 139 Plaza de Olavide Garden
    Parks Popular

    Plaza de Olavide Garden

    Plaza de Olavide is a hexagonal urban square in the Chamberí district of Madrid, notable for its unique radial street la...

  20. 140 Teatro Off La Latina
    Venues Popular

    Teatro Off La Latina

    Teatro Off La Latina is a specialized performance venue situated in the heart of the historic La Latina neighborhood in...

  21. 141 Parque de La Gavia
    Parks Popular

    Parque de La Gavia

    Parque de La Gavia is a large urban park in the Villa de Vallecas district of Madrid, designed by landscape architect To...

  22. 142 Museo del Traje
    Museums Popular

    Museo del Traje

    The Museo del Traje in Madrid is Spain's primary national institution dedicated to the history and evolution of fashion...

  23. 143 Casa de América
    Places of interest Popular

    Casa de América

    Casa de América is a public diplomacy institution dedicated to fostering cultural, political, and economic ties between...

  24. 144 Parque Juan Pablo II
    Parks Popular

    Parque Juan Pablo II

    Parque Juan Pablo II is a 12-hectare green space in the Hortaleza district of Madrid, designed by architect Eduardo Prie...

  25. 145 Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real
    Temples Popular

    Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real

    Iglesia de San Jerónimo el Real is a late-Gothic, early-16th-century church located adjacent to the Prado Museum in Madr...

  26. 146 Tercer Depósito Park
    Parks Popular

    Tercer Depósito Park

    Tercer Depósito Park, commonly known as Parque de Santander, is a 120,000-square-meter urban park built atop a massive u...

  27. 147 National Museum of Decorative Arts
    Museums Popular

    National Museum of Decorative Arts

    The National Museum of Decorative Arts houses a collection of over 40,000 objects reflecting the evolution of domestic l...

  28. 148 Monumento Cervantes
    Places of interest Popular

    Monumento Cervantes

    The Monumento a Cervantes is the centerpiece of Madrid's Plaza de España, dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. It...

  29. 149 Arganzuela Bridge
    Places of interest Popular

    Arganzuela Bridge

    The Arganzuela Bridge, locally known as the Pasarela de Arganzuela, is a helical steel pedestrian and cycling bridge cro...

  30. 150 Centro Cultural Islámico de Madrid (MezquitaM30) المركز الثقافي الإسلامي بمدريد
    Temples Popular

    Centro Cultural Islámico de Madrid (MezquitaM30) المركز الثقافي الإسلامي بمدريد

    The Centro Cultural Islámico de Madrid, commonly known as Mezquita M-30, is the largest mosque in Spain. The complex fea...

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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.