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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. 211 Teatro Quique San Francisco
    Venues Known locally

    Teatro Quique San Francisco

    Teatro Quique San Francisco is a cultural venue located in the Chamberí district of Madrid, situated within the historic...

  2. 212 Church of Saint Joseph
    Temples Known locally

    Church of Saint Joseph

    The Church of Saint Joseph is a prominent 18th-century Baroque religious site located on the busy Calle de Alcalá in Mad...

  3. 213 Church of San Pedro el Viejo
    Temples Known locally

    Church of San Pedro el Viejo

    The Church of San Pedro el Viejo is one of Madrid's oldest religious buildings, dating its origins to the 14th century....

  4. 214 Centro de Ocio y Deporte Tercer Depósito Canal de Isabel II
    Parks Known locally

    Centro de Ocio y Deporte Tercer Depósito Canal de Isabel II

    The Centro de Ocio y Deporte Tercer Depósito is a unique urban park built atop the historic Tercer Depósito water reserv...

  5. 215 Viewpoint Temple of Debod
    Places of interest Known locally

    Viewpoint Temple of Debod

    The Temple of Debod is an authentic ancient Egyptian temple gifted to Spain in 1968 and reconstructed in Madrid's Parque...

  6. 216 Centro Cultural Carril del Conde
    Places of interest Known locally

    Centro Cultural Carril del Conde

    Centro Cultural Carril del Conde is a community-focused public facility located in the Hortaleza district of Madrid. It...

  7. 217 Palacio de Cibeles (sede del Ayuntamiento de Madrid)
    Historical places Known locally

    Palacio de Cibeles (sede del Ayuntamiento de Madrid)

    Palacio de Cibeles is a monumental early 20th-century building serving as the official seat of Madrid's City Council. Or...

  8. 218 Real Casa de Correos
    Historical places Known locally

    Real Casa de Correos

    The Real Casa de Correos serves as the seat of the Presidency of the Community of Madrid. Located on the Puerta del Sol,...

  9. 219 Basílica de la Concepción de Nuestra Señora
    Temples Known locally

    Basílica de la Concepción de Nuestra Señora

    The Basílica de la Concepción de Nuestra Señora is a prominent Neo-Gothic landmark completed in 1914 in Madrid's Salaman...

  10. 220 Imprenta Municipal - Artes del Libro
    Museums Known locally

    Imprenta Municipal - Artes del Libro

    The Imprenta Municipal - Artes del Libro is a museum and cultural center dedicated to the history of printing, graphic a...

  11. 221 Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen y San Luis
    Temples Known locally

    Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen y San Luis

    The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen y San Luis is a historic church situated on Calle del Carmen, a central pedes...

  12. 222 Auditorio del Parque Lineal del Manzanares
    Parks Known locally

    Auditorio del Parque Lineal del Manzanares

    The Auditorio del Parque Lineal del Manzanares is a prominent open-air performance space designed by architect Ricardo B...

  13. 223 Parque Pinar del Rey
    Parks Known locally

    Parque Pinar del Rey

    Parque Pinar del Rey is a sprawling urban green space in the Hortaleza district of Madrid, characterized by its dense ca...

  14. 224 Alfredo Kraus Park
    Parks Known locally

    Alfredo Kraus Park

    Alfredo Kraus Park is a modern urban green space located in the Hortaleza district of Madrid. It serves as a central rec...

  15. 225 Numancia market
    Places of interest Known locally

    Numancia market

    Mercado de Numancia is a traditional municipal market serving the Puente de Vallecas neighborhood of Madrid. It function...

  16. 226 Museo La Neomudéjar
    Museums Known locally

    Museo La Neomudéjar

    Museo La Neomudéjar is an experimental contemporary art center situated in a repurposed 19th-century railway warehouse n...

  17. 227 Madrid Central Mosque
    Temples Known locally

    Madrid Central Mosque

    The Madrid Central Mosque, also known as the Abu-Bakr Mosque, serves as a primary center for the Muslim community in Mad...

  18. 228 Basilica Parroquia La Milagrosa
    Temples Known locally

    Basilica Parroquia La Milagrosa

    Basilica Parroquia La Milagrosa is a prominent neo-Gothic Catholic church located in the Chamberí district of Madrid, di...

  19. 229 Cerro Almodóvar Park
    Parks Known locally

    Cerro Almodóvar Park

    Cerro Almodóvar Park is a neighborhood-focused green space in the Latina district of Madrid. It features a dedicated out...

  20. 230 Exhibition Hall El Aguila
    Museums Known locally

    Exhibition Hall El Aguila

    Exhibition Hall El Águila is a public cultural space located within the restored complex of the former El Águila brewery...

  21. 231 Sacramental Cemetery of San Isidro
    Historical places Known locally

    Sacramental Cemetery of San Isidro

    The Sacramental Cemetery of San Isidro is the oldest burial site in Madrid, established in 1811 to house the remains of...

  22. 232 Catedral Ortodoxa Rusa de Santa María Magdalena
    Temples Known locally

    Catedral Ortodoxa Rusa de Santa María Magdalena

    The Catedral Ortodoxa Rusa de Santa María Magdalena is the first Russian Orthodox cathedral built in Madrid, serving as...

  23. 233 Fuente de la Plaza San Juan de la Cruz
    Places of interest Known locally

    Fuente de la Plaza San Juan de la Cruz

    The Fuente de la Plaza San Juan de la Cruz is a prominent urban water feature situated on the Paseo de la Castellana in...

  24. 234 Church of the Calatravas
    Temples Known locally

    Church of the Calatravas

    The Church of the Calatravas is a 17th-century religious site located on Calle Alcalá, distinguished by its elaborate Ch...

  25. 235 Dragon Elipa
    Places of interest Known locally

    Dragon Elipa

    Dragon Elipa is a prominent, large-scale outdoor sculpture located within the Parque de la Elipa in the Ciudad Lineal di...

  26. 236 Dog park
    Parks Known locally

    Dog park

    This designated dog exercise area is located within the northern section of El Retiro Park, Madrid's premier historical...

  27. 237 Caramuel Park
    Parks Known locally

    Caramuel Park

    Caramuel Park is a neighborhood-scale green space located in the Latina district of Madrid. It serves primarily as a rec...

  28. 238 Vicálvaro Forest Park
    Parks Known locally

    Vicálvaro Forest Park

    Vicálvaro Forest Park acts as a sprawling 70-hectare green lung located on the eastern periphery of Madrid. The park was...

  29. 239 Palacio de Las Alhajas
    Museums Known locally

    Palacio de Las Alhajas

    The Palacio de Las Alhajas is a historic 19th-century building in Madrid that formerly served as the headquarters for th...

  30. 240 Museum of Senses Madrid
    Museums Known locally

    Museum of Senses Madrid

    The Museum of Senses Madrid offers an interactive, sensory-focused exhibition space designed to challenge visual percept...

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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.