Is Madrid Worth Visiting? 30 Things to Do

Yes, Madrid is worth visiting!

Yes, the Spanish Capital, Madrid is worth visiting. With delicious food, music (including guitar and Flamenco), artwork, and historical architecture, there is always something interesting to do and enjoy.

Is Madrid Boring?

I’ve seen this question asked a few times. We had the best time in Madrid. As we walked around, the city had lots of energy with tons of people out and about. With many cafes, tapas bars, and museums, there is always something to eat and do.

What is Madrid most known for?

Madrid, Spain’s capital city, is authentic Spain is known for great weather, exciting vibes, yummy food, and lots of art! Madrid has sunny weather year-round with the coolest month being January, with highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid-30s 30 and the warmest month being July, with highs in the low-90s and lows in the mid-60s.

As you walk around Madrid, you will feel an exciting vibe with lots of energy as people bustle around to enjoy great food, art, and music. Madrid is not as crowded as some of the more touristy places like Barcelona.

Is a day trip worth it?

Yes, there are so many things to do, and you can select some of my favorites from the list below to have a full day of things to do. Most tourists, however, spend 2-3 days, but if you are a first-time visitor, a week would not be too long to visit all of the best things in Madrid.

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30 Things to Do When Visiting Madrid, Spain

Is Madrid worth visiting? Yes! Check out the 29 things to do in this post and pick the ones that are most interesting to you.

The first three things are art museums. Madrid has a trio of world-class art museums, including the Prado, Queen Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Below is a brief description of each.

1. Prado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado)

The Prado Museum (Museo del Prado) includes works by some of Spain’s most famed artists, including Velázquez’s “Las Meninas” and Goya’s “Third of May 1808.” This is the most famous museum of the three and a must-see when you visit Madrid.

This museum opened in 1819 and has 8,600 paintings and 700+ sculptures. Plan to come early or late to miss the crowds. There is an admission fee to get in.

2. Queen Sofia Arts Center (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia)

The second museum, the Queen Sofia Arts Center (or Reina Sofia Museum), is a 20th-century art gallery containing 21,000 works of art, including Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. This museum welcomes more visitors than the Prado, most likely because of the free admission. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.

3. Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, the youngest of Madrid’s three major museums, takes its name from the family whose collection was acquired in 1993. Housed in the elegant Villahermosa Palace, the museum showcases an impressive array of 1,000 artworks, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Renoir, Rembrandt, and Hopper.

The cafe is good here. Come early to avoid long lines. There is a small admission fee.

4. Enjoy the Food

Madrid is known for its wonderfully rich and unique food, including tapas, tortillas, paellas, bocadillos, and banderillas.

• tapas – bite-sized snacks
• tortillas – Spanish Omelette
• paellas – saffron-flavored rice cooked with meats, seafood, and vegetables
• bocadillos – a sandwich made with Spanish bread and cut lengthwise
• banderillas – skewers of olives, veggies, and seafood

Below are some restaurants you may want to visit

• According to The Guinness Book of Records, the world’s oldest continuously running restaurant – Sobrino de Botin, can be found in Madrid.
• Sidería El Tigre is considered by some as the best place for drinks in all of Madrid, and some say all of Europe. 
• Eat churros and hot chocolate atChocolatereía San Ginés, which has been around since 1894 and is open 24 hours a day.
• Plaza de España – This popular square has many restaurant options for an evening meal.
• Platea is a theater-turned-market. It’s a posh take on the food market and the perfect spot for a late lunch
• Salmon Guru – the best cocktail bar in the world, according to many.

5. Puerta del Sol Square (Gateway of the Sun)

Puerta del Sol Square is the true center of Madrid. It includes fountains, shops, street performers, and restaurants. Usually crowded, but a great place to experience the vibrancy of Madrid and people-watch.

6. Plaza Mayor de Madrid

Plaza Mayor de Madrid dates back to 1617 and is located in the heart of Madrid. This must-see plaza is surrounded by cafes and bars. You will find this a great location to people-watch and see street performers. It starts getting busy around 2:00 pm and increases into nightfall. The Statue of Phillip III on horseback can be found here.

7. Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real)

The King of Spain lived at the Royal Palace of Madrid from the mid-1700s to the 1900s. Currently, the royal family does not live here, but it is still considered the official residence.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is possibly the largest in Europe, with over 3000 rooms and one of the most beautiful places to visit. Some are open to the public, including the armory room, throne room, and the royal pharmacy. Go early to avoid long lines and crowds.

A 1-hour guided tour is available for a small fee and is the best way to see the palace. Easily accessible from the Opera Metro Station.

8. El Retiro Park (Parque del Buen Retiro)

One of our favorite places to visit is the El Retiro Park, with over 300+ acres and more than 15,000 trees, it is a truly beautiful green space in the heart of Madrid. El Retiro Park is translated as the “Park of the Pleasant Retreat” and it is indeed that! You will find formal gardens, cafes, playgrounds, lakes, rose gardens, and jogging paths here.

9. Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal)

The Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal) is found inside El Retiro Park and was built in 1887, modeled after London’s famous Crystal Palace. Built in the shape of a Greek cross, almost entirely of glass with an iron framework on a brick base, it is stunning. With domed roofs over 72 feet high, this palace stands out in the park. You can rent a rowboat and see rotating art exhibits here. Admission is free to the public.

10. Hop on Hop off Bus Tours

Madrid City Tour is the official Hop on Hop off bus tour in Madrid and will take you to the top tourist attractions. This tour includes double-decker buses and the ability to get off and on as many times as you wish. 2 routes are included: Historical Madrid (21 stops, 80 minutes) & Modern Madrid (16 stops, 60 minutes).

📍Book your Hop on Hop off Bus Tours around Madrid

11. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (Real Madrid)

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is home to the Real Madrid soccer team(football as it is called in Europe). The stadium is north of central Madrid with a capacity of 81,044. You can take an official tour behind the scenes to see things like the locker rooms, training areas, trophy room, and team seats. Tours require tickets and an admission fee.

12. Cibeles Palace (Plaza de Cibeles)

Formerly a post office, but is now Madrid’s city hall, located at what is considered the most famous plaza in Madrid. Cibeles Palace is located at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá and Paseo del Prado. You can visit some areas for a couple of euros, including the observation deck with great city views. Currently, Cibeles Palace has concerts and a rotation of exhibits.

13. The Royal Botanical Gardens (Real Jardin Botanico)

The Royal Botanical Gardens has 20 acres of live plants in the gardens. The entrance is located at Plaza de Murillo next to the Prado Museum. The garden contains 5,000 species of live plants and a herbarium with more than a million entries. Guided tours are offered.

14. Madrid Atocha Train Station (Estacion Madrid – Puerta de Atocha)

The Madrid Atocha Train Station is well worth visiting. It has a grand atrium including a botanical garden with 7,000+ plants and 400 species. Also included are shops and restaurants. You can catch the metro or Renfe train here.

15. Gran Via

The Gran Via is in the heart of the city and has plenty of shopping, restaurants, and ornate buildings. Built in the early 1900s, it’s a great place to visit.

16. Circulo de Bellas Artes

Circulo de Bellas Artes, a cultural center, is known for its panoramic rooftop views. Well worth the visit for the views alone, plus there is a restaurant on the rooftop. A nominal fee is necessary to reach the summit.

17. The Monastery of Barfoot Royals (Las Descalzas Reales Monastery)

The Monastery of Barfood Royals occupies the palace of Carlos I and Isabel of Portugal. Once only a convent for nuns, but now has a collection of art and relics including marble sculptures and tapestries. A number of Franciscan nuns still live here.

18. Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de la Almudena)

Construction for this Catholic church began in 1879 and is considered the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid. Adjacent to the Royal Palace and located near the city center this cathedral is easy to find.

A museum showing the history of the church and the archdiocese of Madrid is located on the grounds. Entrance to the cathedral is free but there is a charge for the museum.

19. The Temple of Debod

The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple, the only one in Spain, and dates back to the 2nd century BC. The 1968 Egyptian government sent this temple brick by brick to Spain as a thank-you for helping them preserve temples and monuments that could have been destroyed by the flood from the Aswan dam. Tip: Go at sunset for great pictures.

20. Teleferico Madrid

Teleferico Madrid is a cable car service that connects both sides of Madrid across the river. It helps locals to avoid rush-hour traffic plus gives a great view to tourists.

21. Flamenco Show

Flamenco is a Spanish dance with a unique rhythm. This style of dance started in southern Spain, but now dancers come from all over Madrid to show their talents. The oldest flamenco house in the world is Corral de la Moreria which opened in 1956 in the city center and is still considered one of the best places to catch a show. You may even see celebrities or politicians at the show.

22. Mercado San Miguel

The Mercado San Miguel is a market with a beautiful glass and cast-iron facade, located close to Plaza Mayor. This market has cafes, restaurants, and bars, great for foodies, as many vendors offer free samples.

23. Barrio de Salamanca

As the elite area in the city, Barrio de Salamanca offers designer stores and fancy restaurants. This neighborhood is comparable to New York City’s Fifth Avenue. It begins near the corner of Buen Retiro Park and ends in the Plaza de la República de Ecuador.

24. Casa de Campo

The largest public park in Madrid, Casa de Campo is 7 square miles. It is originally the hunting ground for the Spanish royal family. It includes a lake with boat and kayak rentals, restaurants, and a pool. The Zoo is also located here.

25. Madrid Zoo & Aquarium (Zoo Aquarium de Madrid)

The Madrid Zoo & Aquarium is 49 acres and is located in the Casa de Campo park. It opened in 1972 with a zoo, a petting zoo, an aquarium with a dolphin exhibit, and an aviary. Also on the grounds are restaurants, a boat tour, and a train tour.

The zoo has 6,000 animals with over 500 species. Animals include Giant Pandas, Koalas, Primates (gorillas, chimpanzees, mandrills, orangutans), and bottleneck dolphins.

Zoo Website

26. El Rastro Market

El Rastro Market is what we in the US call a flea market. It has been around since the 15th century and has hundreds of merchants selling everything from souvenirs, art, clothes, antiques, and household items. You will also find live music, and it can be very crowded. Open Saturdays and public holidays

27. Sorolla Museum

The Sorolla Museum includes works by Joaquin Sorolla and his family members. The building was originally the artist’s house and former studio. Also, additional works by other artists, including Benlliure, Rodin, and Bloy, are found here.

28. Matadero Madrid (El Matadero y Mercado Municipal de Ganados)

Matadero Madrid is a former slaughterhouse, now turned cultural and arts center. You will find cafes, bars, plays, films, markets, and live music here.

29. UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Madrid’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites are each unique and special in their own way.

San Lorenzo de El Escorial is an immense palace monastery complex built during the 16th century by King Philip II to honor Spain’s patron saint.

Alcalá de Henares is a cultural site full of architectural gems, including a university founded by Cardinal Cisneros in the early 15th century.

Aranjuez is an 18th-century palace and garden complex located south of Madrid, notable for its lush gardens, cascades, and canals.

Lastly, Hayedo de Montejo is a beech forest located near the town of Hoyo de Manzanares and known for its abundance of unique species and plants.

Together, these four World Heritage Sites make Madrid a truly special city full of culture and history.

30. Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas has a Moorish design with ceramic tiles. It is an arena for bullfights. You can tour the arena without seeing a bullfight for a small fee.

👉 Las Ventas Bullring Entrance Tickets

📍Book your Walking Tour in Madrid

Transportation in Madrid

Madrid is a very easy town to get around and is a very walkable town, see available walking tours in the link below. As described above, there are also Hop on Hop off Bus Tours and Tuk Tuk Tours. Public transportation, like taxis, buses, cars (not the best as lots of traffic and high parking fees), and the Metro, is also available.

Places to Stay

The Wrap-Up: Is Madrid worth visiting?

Visiting Madrid provides you with many unique opportunities. From shopping in the city, hanging out in the art museums, and visiting historical sites such as the Royal Palace, a bullring, or a city park. This city has some of the most beautiful green spaces of any city in the world.

So whether you spend a day or two or even a week, you are sure to make memories that will last you a lifetime. As well as be able to answer the question “Is Madrid worth visiting?” with a resounding “Yes!”.

Other posts that you may find helpful!

• Spain Posts
• International Travel Resources
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