15 Wonderful Things To Do In Madrid, Spain
Lavish palaces, world-class art museums, and bustling food markets. These are just a glimpse of what makes Madrid one of Europe’s most dynamic and enchanting capitals. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a foodie, or simply someone seeking adventure, this vibrant city has something for you. So if you’re planning a trip to Spain, here are 15 Wonderful Things To Do In Madrid, Spain:
Explore the Royal Palace of Madrid
Step inside Europe’s largest royal palace, the Royal Palace of Madrid, where opulent rooms, frescoed ceilings, and an impressive armory showcase Spain’s regal history. The neoclassical façade spans over 1.4 million square feet with more than 3,400 rooms, making it the largest palace in Europe.
Enjoy the lavishly decorated state rooms, including the Hall of Columns, the Stradivarius Room, and my personal favorite, Gasparini’s Hall, which features a rococo furnishings adorned with decorations of leaves, flowers, and birds.
The Royal Armory showcases one of Europe’s most important collections of medieval armor and weapons, while the palace’s grand courtyard provides a striking view! Visits to the palace are largely self-guided, though guided and group tours are also available in Spanish and English.
Entry Cost: Starting at €14/person.* Discounts are available to Seniors, Students, and Children.
Hours:
- Winter (October to March): Monday to Saturday from 10AM – 6PM, and Sundays from 10AM – 4PM*
- Summer (April to September): Monday to Saturday from 10AM – 7PM, and Sundays from 10AM to 4PM*
Wander Almudena Cathedral
Located across from the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral is a surprisingly young and modern cathedral. It was first consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993 after taking over a century to complete and blends multiple architectural styles including Gothic, Romanesque, and Neoclassical.
The interior is surprisingly modern, with stunning neo-Gothic ceilings and contemporary stained glass windows. I loved taking in all the vibrant colors and designs along its high windows and ceilings, a stark contrast from Spain’s many other cathedrals.
If you’re looking for a challenge, climb to the rooftop terrace for panoramic views over Madrid and the palace grounds. Below the main structure, the crypt houses a series of Romanesque-style chapels supported by over 400 stone columns, along with the tombs of Madrid’s nobility.
Entry Cost: Free to visit, though a donation of €1 is requested*
Hours:
- Winter (September to June): Monday to Sunday from 10AM – 8:30PM*
- Summer (July to August): Monday to Sunday from 10AM – 9PM*
Stroll Around Retiro Park
This massive 350-acre park is my favorite place in all of Madrid, and is especially wonderful if you’re visiting the city during the fall. Retiro Park offers winding paths, manicured gardens, and historical landmarks to anyone looking to escape the busy city streets.
The crown jewel of the park is the Crystal Palace, a 19th-century glass pavilion originally built for plant exhibitions, now used for contemporary art displays. Crystal Palace was unfortunately being renovated during my visit so I wasn’t able to step inside the interior, but it absolutely looked stunning from the outside.
Nearby, the Monument to Alfonso XII overlooks the park’s large artificial lake, where visitors can rent rowboats. The Rosaleda rose garden blooms with hundreds of varieties and is perfect for a springtime visit to the city, while the quieter northern section, the Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens, features peacocks wandering among shaded pergolas.
Cost: Free to visit, but activities (like the park’s row boats), food, and beverages cost extra*
Hours:
- Winter (October to March): Monday to Sunday from 6AM – 10PM*
- Summer (April to September): Monday to Sunday from 6AM – 11:59PM*
Take In Puerta de Alcalá
Standing at Plaza de la Independencia near Retiro Park, Puerta de Alcalá is a grand neoclassical gate built in 1778. Designed by Francesco Sabatini, its five arches are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, including war trophies and royal crests. Once a key entry point into Madrid, it now serves as a striking city landmark, illuminated at night. The surrounding plaza has benches for you to take in the monument, and with the nearby Retiro Park entrance, it’s a natural stop while exploring the area.
Cost: Free to See*
Hours: 24/7
View the Art at Museo Nacional del Prado
The Prado Museum houses Spain’s most significant collection of classical European art, including “Las Meninas” by Velázquez, “The Third of May 1808” by Goya, and “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Bosch. The museum’s layout follows a chronological order, allowing you to trace artistic movements from the 12th to the 19th century. Highlights include Goya’s Black Paintings, housed in a dimly lit room to enhance their eerie effect, and Rubens’ “The Three Graces”. The building itself is an 18th-century neoclassical structure with large galleries and vaulted ceilings.
Entry Cost: Starting at €15/person.* Discounts are available to Seniors and Children.
Hours: Mondays to Saturdays from 10AM – 8PM. Sundays and holidays from 10AM – 7PM.
Catch Sunrise at Templo De Debod
Located inside Madrid’s Parque de la Montaña (“Mountain Park), Templo de Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BCE. It originally came to Madrid in the 1960s when it was was dismantled and rebuilt as a gift from Egypt for Spain’s help in saving their famed Abu Simbel temple from flooding. Inside, the temple’s small chambers display hieroglyphic carvings of Egyptian deities, while an upper-level room offers additional city views.
While the inside is fun to see, the Temple can get quite crowded. And so I think the temple is best appreciated in the morning when there’s no one around, the park is quiet, and the sky is a cotton candy pink and lavender purple color. Positioned on a raised platform at the top of the park, Templo de Debod offers a direct view toward the sunrise.
Entry Cost: Free*, but advance reservations are recommended.
Hours: Tuesdays to Sundays and Holidays from 10AM – 8PM*
Sample Tapas at Mercado de San Miguel
Housed in a 20th-century iron-and-glass market hall, Mercado de San Miguel is a bustling spot for gourmet tapas. Vendors serve fresh seafood like Galician octopus and shrimp skewers, while others offer slices of jamón ibérico carved to order. Cheese and olive stalls provide samples, and small wine bars pour regional Spanish wines.
An inexpensive way to grab a meal if you don’t mind fighting for a place to eat, the market is busiest in the evenings, with locals and tourists crowding around the food stalls.
Cost: Free to Enter*. Food and Beverage costs vary.
Hours: Sundays to Thursdays from 10AM – 12PM and Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday evenings from 10AM – 1AM.
Get Lost In the Sorolla Museum Gardens
The former home and studio of painter Joaquín Sorolla, the Sorolla Museum is known for its lush Andalusian gardens and patios! This site was unfortunately being renovated when I was in Madrid, but it’s garden is definitely worth visiting when it reopens so you can experience its trickling fountains, vine-covered archways, and ceramic-tiled benches.
The house itself showcases Sorolla’s work, including “Walk on the Beach”, displayed in the same studio where he painted it. Large windows let in natural light, and personal items like his paintbrushes and letters remain in the workspace. The museum is a quiet retreat compared to Madrid’s larger attractions.
Cost: Starting at €3/person.*
Hours: Currently closed for renovations, but reopens in early 2026!
Visit Las Ventas
Las Ventas is Spain’s most famous bullring, built in 1929 in a neo-Mudéjar style with intricate brickwork and ceramic tile decorations. The arena can hold over 23,000 spectators and still hosts bullfights during the San Isidro Festival in May and June.
If visiting during the months of July and August, take a self-guided tour through the stands, the chapel where matadors pray before a fight, and the sandy arena itself. The attached museum provides an overview of bullfighting history, displaying ornate matador costumes and vintage posters.
Visting outside of these months? The exterior of Las Ventas is still a beautiful site and worth a visit!
Cost: Varies by Tour and/or Event
Tour Hours:
- Summer (July to August): Tuesdays to Sundays from 10AM – 3PM.
- Winter (September to June): Closed
Indulge at Chocolatería Valor
This classic Spanish café specializes in thick, rich hot chocolate served with crispy churros. The chocolate here is dark and velvety, albeit with a slightly bitter edge, perfect for dipping the freshly fried churros! What’s more, is they have vegan and gluten free options for those with special diets!
The café, which has been serving Madrid for decades, has a traditional interior with wooden tables and old-fashioned décor. While most people order the classic churro-chocolate combo, there are also options like chocolate with orange or cinnamon. Chocolatería Valor can be especially popular in the evening, with locals stopping by for a late-night treat.
Address: C. del Postigo de San Martín, 7, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
- There are multiple Chocolatería Valor locations throughout Madrid, but this is the most central location
Cost: Varies
Hours: Mondays to Thursdays from 8AM – 10:30PM, Fridays from 8AM – 12AM, Saturdays from 9AM – 1AM, Sundays from 9AM – 10:30PM
Catch a Flamenco Show
Madrid is home to several top-tier tablaos, where flamenco performances feature intense guitar solos, rapid footwork, and passionate singing. Venues like Corral de la Morería and Cardamomo offer intimate settings with low lighting and rustic wooden stages. Performers wear traditional ruffled dresses or fitted jackets, and the energy builds as the music intensifies. Many venues offer dinner and drinks for. anextra fee, with traditional Spanish dishes like paella or jamón ibérico served alongside the show.
Hours: Varies by establishment
Cost: Varies by establishment
Sip Rooftop Cocktails
Madrid’s rooftops offer some of the best views of the city, and outside of the winter, are some of the best places in the city to enjoy a cool drink. My recommendation? Check out the Sabatini Terrace stands out for its direct vantage point over the Royal Palace and Gardens! While the food isn’t particularly noteworthy, the terrace has plush seating and an informal atmosphere, making it a prime spot for sunset drinks. Popular cocktails include tinto de verano and gin & tonic, the former of which is a Madrid staple.
Other rooftop bars, like Azotea Cibeles and El Jardín de Diana, provide an upscale setting to catch the panoramic view of Gran Vía and the city skyline.
Hours: Varies by establishment
Admire the Works at Reina Sofía Museum
If you haven’t had your art fill yet, Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum focuses on 20th century and contemporary Spanish art, with Picasso’s “Guernica” as its main attraction. The massive anti-war painting dominates an entire room, allowing you to examine its chaotic composition up close!
Other highlights of the museum include surrealist works by Dalí and abstract pieces by Miró. The museum is housed in a former hospital, with a modern glass elevator and an outdoor courtyard featuring sculptures by Calder and Chillida.
Cost: Starting at €12/person.* Discounts are available to Seniors, Students, and Children.
Hours: Mondays to Saturdays from 10AM – 9PM and Sundays rom 10AM – 2:30PM
Head Underground at Chamberi Ghost Station
Chamberí Station, part of Madrid’s original 1919 metro line, was abandoned in 1966 when trains became too long for its curved platform. Now restored as a museum, it preserves its early 20th-century charm with vintage tile advertisements, original wooden turnstiles, and dimly lit tunnels. Visitors can walk along the platform, where the absence of modern signage makes it feel frozen in time. Occasionally, modern metro trains rush past on active tracks, creating an eerie contrast between past and present. Informational exhi
Hours: Vary. As a general rule, monthly visitor passes are available on the Chamberí Station website during the last week of the current month. Advanced reservations are required.
Cost: Free to visit on a guided tour*
Take A Day Trip
Only a short train ride or scenic drive outside of Madrid you’ll find the most epic fairytale castles, medieval villages and Roman-era archaeological sites just waiting to be discovered!
The medieval city of Toledo offers a captivating blend of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish heritage. Stop here and visit Alcantara Bridge, get your adrenaline pumping with Fly Toledo and sample the city’s famous marzipan.
For a fairytale setting, Segovia is a charming and historic town with a historic Alcázar that’s said to have inspired Disney’s Snow White and Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World. Explore the grounds there before wandering over to the town’s Roman Aqueduct and Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso.
The town of Ávila is home to one of the most well-preserved medieval walls in all of Europe. Beyond the walls, visitors can explore the stunning Ávila Cathedral, partially built into the fortifications, and the Basilica of San Vicente, a Romanesque masterpiece filled with intricate carvings.
*At time of writing.
