Things to do in Madrid

Malasaña is a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood located in the heart of Madrid. Known for its bohemian atmosphere and creative energy, the area is popular among artists, musicians, and young people (especially those from the nearby university). Its streets host busy coffee shops, indie vintage stores, and plenty of places to take the weight off your feet.

   Where to start? A great place to start exploring the area is Plaza del Dos de Mayo, whose bars are both welcoming and authentic.

After checking out Malasaña during the day, make sure to stay for its nightlife. It’s many bars and clubs are known to stay open until the early hours of the morning.

Partying not your thing? Head instead to Centro Cultural Conde Duque. It has a packed schedule of (often free) events, from open-air exhibitions and movie screenings to jazz concerts.

   See Madrid on a segway: Book this private yet affordable Madrid Sightseeing Segway Tour.

Also, don’t miss the 400 column neo-Romantic crypt – a masterpiece in its own right. But its main facade echoes the Baroque style. Meanwhile, the interior blends old and modern, with several contemporary artists asked to contribute to its side chapels.

Over the last few years, more and more rooftop bars have been popping all over Madrid – everyone loves them. They are the ideal place to enjoy the city's skyline while sipping on a refreshing cocktail or indulging in some delicious tapas.

You will find popular rooftop bars in many upscale hotels, such as the one at the Riu Plaza España. But there are also plenty of budget-friendly options such as Doñaluz, on top of the B&B Hotel Madrid Centro Puerta del Sol.

With Madrid's sunny climate, rooftop bars provide an excellent escape from the heat during the day, while also offering a prime location for a memorable night out.

Madrid’s Chueca is another “everybody’s welcome” neighborhood which should be high on your list. Adorned with rainbow flags to celebrate the district’s large LGBTQ+ community, the area has a reputation as a party destination, while at the same time it maintains a laid-back and friendly vibe.

There are cafes and bars to pick between, but also plenty of opportunity for shopping at fashion boutiques, and taking in a little culture too.

For the latter, consider the Museum of Romanticism. Situated in a palace built in 1776, its rooms are decked out in the finest nineteenth century paintings, objet d’art, and furnishings. The result is a fascinating what Madrid must have been like to live in two centuries ago.

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza (or just Museo Thyssen) is the last of Madrid’s three great art galleries. Its collection contains 1,600 paintings, and once formed the second largest private collection in the world.

The collection, created by Baron Thyssen in just 40 years, is particularly strong in the areas of Impressionism, German Expressionism, and 20th-century American art. Some of the big name artists hung here include Rubens, Cezanne, Monet and Van Gogh, as well as Rembrandt, Degas, and Gauguin.

   Don't miss! Make the most of your visit by taking part in this Thyssen Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry

The ground floor of the museum now displays the 180-piece Carmen Thyssen Collection, started by the baron’s wife after his death in 2002.

With its diverse collection of masterpieces from around the world, the Thyssen Museum is a must-see destination for any art lover visiting Madrid.

Occupying just a handful of streets, Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter) is one of Madrid’s smallest neighborhoods and our personal favorite. The neighborhood takes its name from the many famous writes and poets who lived here during the Spanish Golden Age.

Authors such as Cervantes – who wrote Don Quixote – and Lope de Vega among many others have called this area home. De Vega’s house is now a museum with a charming courtyard garden from the seventeenth century.

Beyond its reputation for words, Las Letras has also become known for its food, with tapas restaurants spilling out from its main strip, Calle de las Huertas.

Cava Alta and Cava Baja (Upper and Lower Streets) lie within La Latina neighborhood. These streets are known for their charming atmosphere and traditional architecture, with many of the buildings dating back to the medieval era. However, the Cava Streets are most famed for being a foodie haven due to its plethora of tapas bars.

   Enjoy the true art of tapeo: Discover the best of the local cuisine by participating in this Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour

On Cava Baja alone there are somewhere in the region of 50 tapas bars and restaurants within little more than 300 yards. They cover the full spectrum of experiences, from tiny hidden gems frequented by locals, to contemporary eateries blazing a trail.

Not sure where to start? Try Los Huevos de Lucio on Cava Baja, a chic yet informal tapas spot focusing its attention on eggs (huevos) alongside tapas favorites.

Although the Palacio de Cristal (or Glass Palace) is located within El Retiro Park, it’s a destination worth visiting in its own right.

Taking the form of a Greek cross, it was constructed out of iron and glass as a giant greenhouse to ensure the survival of an exhibition of plants from the Philippines in the 1880s.

Today, instead of plants, visitors will find a series of temporary art exhibitions throughout the year. Don’t miss visiting the palace as it’s one of the best things to do in Madrid.

If you want to see how the wealthy of Madrid live, then make sure you check out the upscale neighborhood of Salamanca. Besides its elegant architecture, Salamanca is known for its high-end shopping. The area is home to many luxury brands, including Chanel, Prada, and Gucci, making it a haven for fashion lovers.

Salamanca is also a great place to eat. It’s full of gourmet restaurants, many of them with Michelin stars. If your budget won’t quite stretch that far, a sense of what Salamanca is about can be had at the Platea Madrid food market.

The neighborhood is home to a couple of museums, the most notable being the National Archeological Museum.

   Why visit? Overall, Salamanca offers a luxurious and sophisticated experience for travelers looking to indulge in the finer things in life.

Chocolatería San Ginés is a historic café located in the heart of Madrid, very close to the Plaza Mayor. Established in 1894, it’s known for serving the most famous and traditional chocolate con churros in the city.

The churros are freshly made, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The hot chocolate is thick and rich, making it a perfect pairing.

   Pro tip: If you want a sweet treat but are looking to get out of the beaten path, head instead to La Casa de las Torrijas for some delicious torrijas (the Spanish version of French toasts). You won’t be disappointed!

Visitors flock to Chocolatería San Ginés to experience a taste of old Madrid, and to indulge in this delicious treat. The café is open 365 days a year, almost 24 hours a day, so it's an excellent place to visit after a night out, or for an early morning breakfast.

Lavapiés is a dynamic and ever-changing district that is somewhat rough around the edges. It’s best known for its multicultural atmosphere. The area is a melting pot of cultures, with a significant immigrant population from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

That means you can find many affordable ethnic restaurants, making it a popular destination for foodies and budget-conscious travelers.

   Feeling hungry? Looking for exotic foreign cuisine? In Lavapiés, you’ll find everything from Indian curry to Senegalese specialties!

Walking through this neighborhood you will notice its many galleries, street art, and laid-back ambience that makes it a great contrast to other parts of the city. Lavapiés offers a unique and eclectic experience for travelers looking to discover a different side of Madrid.

The Sabatini Gardens are located next to Madrid’s Royal Palace. They were designed in the 1930s, occupying the site of the royal stables which had been built in the eighteenth century by Italian architect Francesco Sabatini – who is also responsible for the Puerta de Alcalá.

   Why visit? The Sabatini Gardens are a tranquil oasis in the heart of Madrid and an ideal spot for a peaceful break from the city’s hustle and bustle.

These neoclassical style gardens are meticulously landscaped. They feature numerous fountains, several statues of Spanish kings and a variety of flower beds, all set against the backdrop of the magnificent Royal Palace.

Heading to the Rastro flea market or Cavas Streets? Then you will find yourself in barrio La Latina – why not stick around? The neighborhood is a common place to head for a relaxing caña (glass of beer) among locals. Although busy, the vibe more than makes up for any lack of table space.

In the same area, you’ll find the massive Cebada marketplace. Here grocers stand side by side key cutters, street food vendors, and small-scale artists and artisans. However, La Latina is well-known for its myriad of churches too, such as the Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande.

Our recommendation? Wander at will and see where you end up!

Plaza de España (Spain Square) is located at the western end of the Gran Vía. The newly renovated square is flanked by some of Spain’s tallest buildings such as the Torre de Madrid and the Edificio España. These behemoth buildings date from the 1950’s and were “symbols of prosperity” during the decades of Francisco Franco’s rule in Spain.

   Did you know? French soldiers executed rebels here during the Dos de Mayo uprising against Napoleon’s occupation of the city.

In the square, you will find areas to relax, a fountain and a huge monument dedicated to the famous Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote.

A building of astonishing beauty inside and out, Palacio de Liria (Liria Palace) was built in the 1700s as the official city residence of the Dukes of Alba.

   Don't miss! Make the most of your visit by taking part in this Liria Palace Guided Tour

The one hour guided tour of this stately home reveals architecture by British architect Edwin Lutyens, alongside a fascinating collection of artifacts. These include a first edition of Don Quixote from 1605, handwritten documents from Christopher Columbus, and a library of 18,000 etchings.

It’s worth heading to Plaza de la Villa since this public square is the location of some of Madrid’s oldest surviving buildings. The most antique is the Casa y Torres de los Lujanes, built in the 1400s. It sits on the eastern side of the square and was built in the Gothic-Mudejar style.

New by comparison is the sixteenth-century Casa de Cisneros, and the Casa de la Villa (old town hall) on the western side of the plaza. The latter remained the location of the city government until 2008.

The Museo Sorolla is an intriguing blend of an historic home and art gallery. Nineteenth century artist Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida deserves to be better known, so there’s plenty of reason to head to the place he called home in the Chamberí neighborhood.

Said to be one of Europe’s best preserved house museums, it also has the largest number of his paintings anywhere. What’s more, visitors are able to stroll through the garden he designed, just like Sorolla himself must have done during the last years of his life.

First opened in 1911, the Edificio Metrópolis (Metropolis Building) soon became one of Madrid’s landmark buildings, even though it was only ever intended as the headquarters offices of an insurance company.

Richly decorated with carved stonework, its French Beaux Arts style was extravagant 100 years ago and even more so today. Its columns supporting a copper dome topped with a winged figure, make this corner one of the most picturesque of Madrid.

On the other side of the same building you’ll find the National Library. It contains a copy of every book published in Spain. Although most of the library is off-limits to non-researching visitors, there are eight curated rooms that form part of a free exhibition.

Situated next to Retiro Park and the Prado Museum, the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid is a great place to slow down and escape the fast-paced city.

   Why visit? In total, the botanical gardens has 90,000 flowers and plants plus 1,500 trees, ensuring there’s something to admire whatever the season.

The beautifully cared for gardens are divided into seven zones, and contains five greenhouses with plants from all over the world. There’s even a Bonsai collection!

The Teatro Real (Royal Theater) is one of the most important opera houses in Europe. It’s has held several world premieres of new works, by both Spanish composers such as Cristóbal Halffter, and international names like Philip Glass.

   Want more? Outside of performance times, the Teatro Real has guided tours lasting 60-90 minutes, taking in the main auditorium and backstage areas.

Productions span much of the year (the only exception being the August heat), resulting in around 20 different operas each year. Add to this a busy schedule of orchestral concerts and choral recitals, and you have a packed events list.