Madrid is a city made for wandering, eating and appreciating beauty. From impressive museums to lots of green spaces, there are many things to visit, try and do while spending some days or a weekend in Madrid. It’s hard to collect them all in one space, but I tried my best. Enjoy these recommendations for a trip to Madrid!
Some of the best things to do in Madrid
Enjoy the parks in the city
Madrid has an impressive amount of green space for a capital city, and it’s one of the easiest ways to slow down, and sometimes also cool down. El Retiro is the city’s most famous park. Wander through the rose gardens, sit under the trees with street performers explore the area. For sunset, head to Templo de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple relocated to Madrid. It’s one of the best sunset spots in the city.
If you want something more spacious, Casa de Campo feels almost like a forest inside the city. You can walk, bike, or take a break near the lake. For a more modern urban route, Madrid Río Park follows the river with cycling paths, playgrounds, and bridges that connect different districts. A cool part of the city to experience, that is definitely not on the to-do list of many tourists. It’s a great spot to get the local experience.
Visit one of the many museums in Madrid
Madrid is home to some of Europe’s most important art museums. The “Golden Triangle of Art” is made up of the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, all within walking distance of each other. You can explore masterpieces by Goya and Velázquez, modern works like Picasso’s Guernica, and much more. I’ve made an article with all my favorite museums in Madrid, so you can see what else is there besides the big names.
Eat & drink at one of the local “mercados”
In my opinion, going to a Mercado is one of the most fun things to do while visiting Madrid (and other cities in Spain). They are one of Madrid’s best food experiences. Mercados are traditional market halls that have evolved into food spaces where you can drink, eat and depending on which one you go to, also still do your groceries. The most famous (and most touristy) one is Mercado de San Miguel.
For a more local atmosphere, try Mercado de San Fernando in Lavapiés, Mercado de Antón Martín near the city center, or Mercado de Vallehermoso in Chamberí, which is loved by locals for its mix of traditional stalls and modern food concepts. I’ve collected my favorite markets in Madrid in one bigger article. Mercado de San Miguel is beautiful to visit, but if you want to experience the mercados the way the locals do, try one of the others for an afternoon drink or dinner.
Enjoy the views from higher up
To see Madrid from above, head to one of the city’s rooftops. A popular option is the rooftop of the Hotel Riu Plaza España, where you’ll find glass walkways and a 360 skyline view. For a more cultural experience, combine views with art at Círculo de Bellas Artes. Visit the exhibitions inside the building before heading to the rooftop. They’re both included in the entrance ticket. You can also visit CentroCentro, located in the Palacio de Cibeles. The bar gives you a beautiful view on the fountain right in front of the building.
Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the most impressive royal residences in Europe. It is huge. Beautiful, and huge. With over 3.000 rooms, you might expect a very long visit. But sadly/luckily, there are around 30 rooms open for visitors. If you don’t go inside, the surrounding area is worth visiting as well. If you don’t want to go inside, get skip the line tickets and enjoy.
The Sabatini Gardens and Campo del Moro are peaceful green spaces nearby. Just next to it, the Almudena Cathedral is free to enter! It’s also one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset. I have some recommendations for the best ice cream in Madrid, also close by to the royal palace!
Try some local food & drinks
Obviously one of the main things to do in Madrid is to get to know the city is by trying the local food & drink culture. It is social, and meals are meant to be enjoyed slowly. Sitting at a table for multiple hours? Easy! Start your day with a coffee and a classic pincho de tortilla, then later in the day move on to tapas like patatas bravas, huevos rotos, or jamón ibérico.
Try local cheeses like Manchego, and don’t skip a glass of vermouth or Rioja wine in the afternoon. If you are a vegetarian like me, don’t worry! There are a lot of restaurants in Madrid with plenty of veggie options on the menu as well! Or end your night at one of the many wine bars in Madrid.
Sunday morning at the flea market: El Rastro
Every Sunday, El Rastro takes over the La Latina area. It’s the city’s biggest flea market, where you’ll find everything from antiques and clothing to artwork, vinyl records, and handmade items. Wander around, explore the smaller side streets and stop for a drink at one of the nearby terraces and enjoy the Sunday morning atmosphere.
Explore the different neighborhoods
Madrid’s neighborhoods each have their own personality. Malasaña is known for its alternative vibe, vintage shops, and nightlife. Chueca is modern, vibrant, and one of the city’s queer area. La Latina is famous for tapas bars, history and its atmosphere.
Salamanca is upscale, perfect for luxury shopping and elegant streets. Chamberí offers a more residential, local feel with great restaurants. Barrio de las Letras is the literary heart of the city, full of history and cultural references. Lavapiés is one of the most diverse neighborhoods, known for street art and global cuisine. Of course Madrid is made out of more neighborhoods, but these are great ones to visit. Especially if it’s one of your first visits.
Relax at some of the “plazas”
Madrid is a city built around plazas, and sitting down in one is one my favorite things to do. People watch, fresh drink, and experience the cities energy. Walk through Plaza Mayor to admire its architecture and history (but I would avoid for dinner/drinks), then head to smaller squares like Plaza de la Paja, Plaza Olavide, Plaza Cascorro, or Plaza de las Comendadoras.
These are perfect places to sit with a beer, some olives, or a plate of chips, and simply watch everything that’s happening around you. Doing nothing here is part of the experience.
Make your way to the football stadiums
You can visit Real Madrid CF at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where tours take you behind the scenes and onto the pitch. On the other side of the city, Atlético de Madrid plays at the modern Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium, offering a different but passionate football atmosphere. For a more local experience, check out Rayo Vallecano and their stadium in Vallecas. Watching a match here gives you a more authentic, community-driven side of Madrid’s football culture.
Enjoy your trip to Madrid, where there are a bunch of things to do and even more restaurants and bars to try! It is a city where you can relax, but also a city that offers plans for each day. Sitting still is hard. But it’s also a must. Is there weather letting your down while you’re visiting? Here are my recommendations for things to do on a rainy day in Madrid.
Want to see more of Spain? Take a train to Valencia, it will take 2 hours to get there. Here you can read about things to do in Valencia. A great option for a few nights as well!
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