This list of the best places to see in Madrid will help you make the most of the Spanish capital, a city that is not only fascinating, but also a city that never sleeps.
Perfect for wandering the streets of its liveliest neighbourhoods, visiting museums, shopping in the city centre or relaxing on a stroll through some of its green spaces, Madrid is the ideal city for a city break and also for sampling its excellent gastronomy, whether in one of its markets or on a tapas tour of its most famous establishments.
Although the city offers endless experiences, we think that to get to know its main tourist attractions, you need between 3 and 4 days, which you can extend if you want to make an excursion to some of the wonders that are closer, such as El Escorial, Toledo or Segovia, among many others.
Based on the number of times we have travelled to Madrid, either for leisure or work, after writing this guide to Madrid and this post on tips for travelling to Madrid, we have compiled a list of what we believe are the 22 must-see places in Madrid. Let's get started!
1. Puerta del Sol
Ordering a delicious hot chocolate with porras at the historic Chocolatería San Ginés or a homemade napolitana at La Mallorquina, and then going to Puerta del Sol, is one of the best things to do in Madrid.
In this square you will find several points of interest such as the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (symbol of Madrid), the famous Tío Pepe billboard and the equestrian statue of Carlos III, located right in the centre.
However, the most emblematic place in this large space, which is open 24 hours a day, is the Casa de Correos, whose clock strikes the popular New Year's Eve chimes, and which has a small granite plaque right next to it, marking the "kilometre 0"of Spain.
A great way to get to know the history of the city and not miss anything interesting is to book this free tour of Madrid, considered one of the best free tours in Madrid, or this private tour, perfect for groups.
The Puerta del Sol
2. Plaza Mayor, one of the places to see in Madrid
Close to Puerta del Sol, going down Calle Mayor, you will arrive to Plaza Mayor, our favourite and another of the most beautiful places to see in Madrid.
This beautiful rectangular square, 129 metres long and 94 metres wide, is surrounded by important buildings such as the Casa de la Panadería and other jewels such as the Arco de Cuchilleros and the Statue of Felipe III, a gift from the Duke of Florence.
After exploring all its nooks and crannies, you can sit on one of its terraces to have a drink and watch the daily hustle and bustle of tourists or eat a traditional calamari sandwich at the popular Bar La Campana.
If your visit to Madrid is during the Christmas season, don't miss the Christmas market located in this square, where, in addition to the typical Christmas stalls, you can find the typical Christmas jokes that are so characteristic of the Spanish capital at this time of year.
Plaza Mayor
3. San Miguel Market
Located in the heart of the city centre, the Mercado de San Miguel is a meeting point for lovers of good food and one of the most emblematic markets to visit in Madrid.
This covered market is characterised by its fantastic iron architecture and its more than 30 stalls that allow you to try many of Spain's typical products and dishes such as Iberian ham, Galician seafood or Manchego cheeses, all of the highest quality.
Although you can go for lunch at midday, the most common time to go for tapas is in the evening, when the atmosphere is at its most lively.
San Miguel Market
4. Plaza de la Villa
When you leave the market you can stroll through the streets of what is known as Madrid de los Austrias, where the beautiful Plaza de la Villa stands out.
This square is one of the few corners of the city that has preserved its medieval appearance, with several buildings that recall that era, such as the Casa y Torre de Lujanes and the Casa de la Villa, which was the seat of the Town Hall and houses the Mariblanca, one of the city's icons. Other interesting spots in this area are the Plaza de Santa Cruz, the Plaza de San Ginés and the Calle del Espejo, the narrowest street in the city.
A good way to learn about the history of Hapsburg Madrid is to book this guided tour or this amazing tour of the mysteries.
The Plaza de la Villa
5. Almudena Cathedral
Continuing along Calle Mayor you will come to the Almudena Cathedral, considered the most important religious building to see in Madrid.
Built on the remains of an ancient mosque and the first cathedral to be consecrated outside Rome in 1993 by Pope John Paul II, this temple dedicated to the Virgin Mary stands out on the outside for its enormous dome, while the stained glass windows inside create a magical atmosphere.
Before leaving the cathedral, we recommend you climb up to the dome, which has a platform from which you can get excellent views of the surrounding area.
Visiting hours: daily from 9am to 8.30pm.
Almudena Cathedral
6. Royal Palace, one of the places to visit in Madrid
Just opposite the Almudena Cathedral, in the Plaza de la Armería, is the entrance to the Royal Palace, the official residence of the kings of Spain until they moved to the Zarzuela Palace, and another of the best places to visit in Madrid.
This enormous palace, the largest in Western Europe, is currently used for sightseeing and is closed for state ceremonies and official acts. Before or after entering the complex, we recommend you go to the Plaza de Oriente and, above all, to the Sabatini Gardens to take good photos of the palace.
Once inside, you can tour the luxurious halls and royal rooms, the Royal Pharmacy and the spectacular Royal Armoury, with one of the most important collections in the world.
A great way to learn about the history of the palace and skip the long queues at the entrance is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish or take an offer that also includes a guided tour of the Prado Museum.
If you prefer to do the visit on your own, we advise you to book your ticket online in advance, which will save you time.
For more information you can read this specific post about the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 8pm from April to September, in the other months it closes at 6pm.
Royal Palace, one of the places to visit in Madrid.
7. Temple of Debod
Although it is best to go at sunset, if you are near the Plaza de España, one of the best things to do in Madrid is a 15 minute walk to the Temple of Debod, we assure you that you will not regret it.
This ancient Egyptian temple, more than 2,200 years old, was a gift from Egypt to Spain for its help in saving Abu Simbel from being submerged under the waters of the Aswan High Dam.
The Temple of Debod has become a beautiful place to enjoy peace and relaxation, especially in the late afternoon, when you can watch a unique sunset.
A few metres from the temple, at the back, there is a viewpoint with views of the Casa de Campo, the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.
Temple of Debod
8. Plaza de España
The next stop on the route of the most important places to see in Madrid will be the Plaza de España, the starting point of the famous Gran Vía and one of the largest in the country.
Although it is not the most beautiful in the city, it is worth taking the time to see several monuments and historic buildings such as the 142-metre high Torre de Madrid, the modernist Casa Gallardo, the Monument to Miguel de Cervantes and the building of the Asturian Mining Company.
Don't forget the imposing Edificio España, where you can take the lift up to the rooftop of the Hotel Riu Plaza España for breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the whole of Madrid while you have a drink.
9. Madrid's Gran Via
The Gran Vía is the most famous street to visit in Madrid and a must-see for all first-time visitors to the city.
Its construction dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when great buildings such as the Grassy, the Telefónica or the Metrópolis Building, one of our favourites in the city, were erected.
This artery also concentrates some of the largest shopping centres and is, together with its neighbouring street Fuencarral, one of the favourites for locals and tourists to go shopping, although it is more famous for its great theatres, where some of the best plays and musicals of the moment are performed, such as the Lion King, which we loved.
For the best view of Gran Vía with the famous Schweppes sign in the foreground and the Torre Madrid building in the background, you can go up to the top floor of El Corte Inglés de Callao and have a drink on the terrace.
If you're short on time, a good way to get around this long avenue and stop at the city's main points of interest is to book the tourist bus.
La Gran Vía, another of the places to see in Madrid.
10. Shopping in Malasaña, one of the things to do in Madrid
Walking up Calle Fuencarral you will reach Malasaña, an alternative and somewhat hipster neighbourhood, which you will love for its vintage shops, street markets, bookshops, independent theatres, designer bars, young people and lively nightlife.
The nerve centre of the neighbourhood, a reference point for the Movida Madrileña movement in the 80s, is the Plaza del Dos de Mayo, where one of the most important focal points of the uprising against the French took place, as well as the streets Manuela Malasaña and del Pez.
Other squares worth visiting or having a drink on one of the terraces are Plaza de la Luna and Plaza de San Ildefonso, which houses a nice market where you can go for tapas.
Malasaña
11. Chueca
Next to Malasaña is the neighbourhood of Chueca, one of the most important LGTB neighbourhoods in Europe and another of the must-see places in Madrid.
In addition to the great atmosphere at all hours, especially after sunset, it's impossible to get bored in this neighbourhood thanks to its endless supply of bars, restaurants, art galleries, tattoo parlours and even sex shops.
Places to include on a route through the neighbourhood include Plaza del Rey, with its Casa de las Siete Chimeneas, the emblematic Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, Plaza de Santa Bárbara with its famous Santa Bárbara brewery, and Plaza de Chueca, a perfect place to have a drink on one of its terraces.
This neighbourhood is also one of our favourites for dining out as it has some of the best restaurants to eat out in Madrid, such as Kuoco 360 or the stalls of the Mercado de San Antón.
A good way not to miss out on anything in this area is to book this fun free tour of Chueca and Malasaña for free!
San Antón Market
12. Fine Arts Circle
At the end of Gran Vía is one of the best viewpoints in Madrid and our favourite, the terrace of the Círculo de Bellas Artes.
The rooftop of this private cultural centre, founded in 1880 by a small group of artists, is perfect for a drink at sunset with a unique view of the city, including the Metrópolis building and the beginning of Gran Vía, as well as another of the most recommended places to see in Madrid.
Madrid from the Círculo de Bellas Artes
13. Cibeles Square
Getting to the Plaza de Cibeles, presided over by the beautiful Fuente de las Cibeles, place of celebration of the titles of Real Madrid, is another essential thing to do in Madrid.
Besides watching from afar the lion-drawn chariot of the goddess Cibeles, at this roundabout you have several buildings to take into account such as the Buenavista Palace, dating from 1777, the Linares Palace, the Bank of Spain and above all the imposing Cibeles Palace, which houses the city hall and has a fantastic viewpoint on its terrace that offers views from the Retiro Park to the skyscrapers of the financial district.
Palacio Cibeles opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30am to 1:30pm and from 4pm to 7pm (Saturdays it closes at 9pm).
Plaza de Cibeles, another of the squares to visit in Madrid in 2021.
14. Puerta de Alcalá
A few metres away from Plaza de Cibeles, going up Calle Alcalá, you will reach Puerta de Alcalá, the most famous of the five ancient royal gates that gave access to the city and another of the most beautiful places to visit in Madrid.
This neoclassical gate, which even has a song dedicated to it and performed by Ana Belén and Víctor Manuel, is shaped like a triumphal arch and presides over the Plaza de la Independencia.
As well as seeing it during the day, it's worth a visit at night to see it illuminated or book this night tour, which takes in Madrid's best-lit monuments and buildings.
Alcalá Gate
15. El Retiro, one of the best parks to see in Madrid.
Another of the best things to do in Madrid is to take a pleasant stroll through the famous Retiro Park, disconnecting from the noise and stress of the city.
In this historic park you will find from a huge artificial pond, which has on one side the Monument to Alfonso XII and where you can rent a boat for a stroll, to the beautiful Palacio de Cristal, which will make you fall in love at first sight.
For us it is a recurring visit when we visit the capital, whether to stroll along its tree-lined paths, do a bit of running, listen to a street musician or simply sit on a bench to breathe in the fresh air or read a book.
A good time to visit the Retiro is in spring when the flowers in the Rose Garden are at their peak or with the beautiful colours of autumn, although if you prefer to see it with fewer people, we recommend avoiding Sundays.
The Retiro
16. Prado Museum
Between the Retiro and the Fuente de Neptuno, the place where Atlético de Madrid celebrates its titles, is the Prado, one of the most important museums in the world and another of the must-see places in Madrid.
With thousands of interesting works, some of the best things to see in the Prado Museum include Rubens' The Three Graces, El Greco's The Gentleman with the Hand on his Chest, Goya's The Naked Maja and The 3rd of May in Madrid, Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights and Velázquez's masterpiece, Las Meninas.
The best way to visit the museum is to book this guided tour with an art and history expert who will give you the history of the main pieces and will also help you skip the long queues. If you don't want to take a guided tour, we recommend you book this ticket in advance to avoid the queues and for the same price as at the ticket office.
Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm; closed at 7pm on Sundays.
Prado Museum
17. Barrio de las Letras
The Barrio de las Letras, the literary heart of the city and where great writers such as Cervantes, Quevedo and Lope de Vega lived during the Spanish Golden Age, is another of Madrid's important tourist attractions.
A route through the neighbourhood should start at its nerve centre, the Plaza de Santa Ana, and from there you can lose yourself in its pedestrian streets such as Huertas, Cervantes or Lope de Vega, and stop off at its more traditional taverns such as Los Gatos, Casa Alberto or the Galician Maceiras, perfect for a tapa accompanied by a beer or a glass of wine.
Other interesting spots in the neighbourhood are the Convento de las Trinitarias Descalzas de San Ildefonso, where Cervantes was buried, the Plaza Jacinto Benavente, the Congreso de los Diputados, the Basílica de Jesús de Medinacili or the Plaza del Ángel, which has the famous Café Central.
To get to know the history of this neighbourhood and its curiosities, there is nothing better than booking this free tour of Cervantes or this one of the Golden Age.
Barrio de las Letras
18. Reina Sofia, one of the museums to visit in Madrid.
The walk through the Barrio de las Letras can end inside the Reina Sofia Museum, one of the best museums in Madrid and another of the most interesting places to see in Madrid.
With more than 4 million visitors a year, this museum has great works by Dalí and Miró, among many other artists, although nothing can overshadow its jewel, the Guernica painting by Picasso, one of the great masterpieces in the history of painting.
To understand this painting and others in the museum, we recommend you book this guided tour in Spanish with an expert or take this offer which also includes a visit to the Prado. If you want to visit the museum on your own, you can book your ticket online.
Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 9pm (closed on Tuesdays) and Sundays from 10am to 7pm. Free admission in the last hour and on Sundays from 13:30h.
Reina Sofia Museum
19. Other museums in Madrid
In addition to the Prado and Reina Sofia museums, there are other museums worth seeing in Madrid such as:
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: located inside the Villahermosa Palace, it houses an important collection with works by great masters such as Van Eyck, Van Gogh and Caravaggio. You can book a ticket on this page or book a guided tour.
National Archaeological Museum: founded by Isabel II in 1867, you can take a look at the history of Spain with valuable pieces such as the Lady of Elche, the six crowns of the Treasure of Guarrazar and the Statue of Livia, among many others.
Sorolla Museum: housed in a beautiful Andalusian-style mansion, this house-museum contains works and personal objects of the painter Joaquín Sorolla.
Naval Museum: located in the Casa de los Consejos, in the rooms of this museum you will find numerous objects such as a navigational chart from the year 1500 that correspond to Spanish naval history and that will delight young and old alike.
Lady of Elche
20. La Latina
One of our favourite neighbourhoods to visit in Madrid, whether for dinner or a nightcap, is La Latina.
This historic neighbourhood, especially around the picturesque Calle Cava Baja, is full of good atmosphere at sunset in its many taverns, bars and traditional restaurants, such as Casa Lucio and its famous huevos rotos (scrambled eggs).
As well as visiting it at night, this neighbourhood is also worth a daytime visit, passing through Calle Cava Alta, Plaza de San Andrés, Plaza de la Puerta de los Moros, Plaza de la Cebada, the Church of San Pedro el Viejo and Plaza de la Paja, which has the beautiful Jardín del Príncipe de Anglona (Prince of Anglona Garden).
This free tour of Lavapiés and La Latina will give you a closer look at the idiosyncrasies and must-sees of these two old neighbourhoods.
La Latina
21. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Visiting the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, with more than a million visitors a year and home to one of the most famous football teams in the world, is another of the things to do in Madrid.
This stadium, which will have a capacity of 82,000 spectators when the works are finished in 2023 including a retractable roof and turf, is home to the award-winning Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, which has had throughout its history stars of the sport such as Di Stéfano, Beckham, Zidane or Cristiano Ronaldo among many others.
Although due to the works, visits have been limited to areas such as the pitch, the dressing room or the press room, it is worth going inside to visit the museum and see the 14 Champions League. You can book your tour of the stadium in advance from this page.
To get to the stadium, located on the remote Avenida de Concha Espina, take metro line 10 and get off at the Santiago Bernabéu stop.
Museum opening hours: daily from 10am to 7pm.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
22. El Rastro
To finish off this list of places to see in Madrid, we suggest you go to the Rastro, the city's most important open-air market, on a Sunday morning (from 9am to 3pm) to find some bargains.
Located around the slope of Ribera de Curtidores, in this second-hand market with more than 400 years of history, you'll find hundreds of stalls with all kinds of items such as furniture, souvenirs, old books, coins, records, handicrafts or stickers, among many other things.
To take a good photo, we recommend you go up to the terrace of Nuevas Galerías and always keep an eye on your belongings, as pickpockets are common.
El Rastro
Where to sleep in Madrid
As you plan your trip to this remarkable destination, finding the perfect accommodation that embodies luxury and comfort is essential. Begin your exploration by visiting the website Hotel Atlantico Madrid, where you can find comprehensive information about the hotel's amenities, services, and exclusive offerings. Discover why this iconic establishment has been a beloved choice for visitors to Madrid for decades.
As well, we recommend you to look at the option of Hotel Emperador Madrid on emperador.madridrealhotel.com , a prestigious establishment that promises an unforgettable stay in the heart of the city.
Two another good options for accommodation in Madrid are Room007 Select Sol and One Shot Prado 23, both located near Puerta del Sol and offering excellent value for money.
For a more special occasion we recommend Room Mate Óscar, a hotel with an original design, a fantastic terrace and located in the lively neighbourhood of Chueca.
For more information on the best hotels and neighbourhoods, check out this post on where to stay in Madrid.
Itineraries around Madrid
To follow a logical route through the most beautiful places to see in Madrid, we suggest you read these guides optimised by days:
Madrid in one day
Madrid in two days
Madrid in 3 days
Madrid in 4 days
Also, to get to the city in the most comfortable and quickest way you can follow this post on how to get from Madrid Airport to the city centre.
Excursions from Madrid
If you have more days we suggest you to do some of the best trips near Madrid such as visiting Toledo, Segovia or El Escorial.
Among the best excursions from Madrid you have:
Excursion to Toledo and Segovia
Excursion to Avila and Segovia
Excursion to Cuenca and Ciudad Encantada
Excursion to El Escorial on the Philip II Train
Frequently asked questions about Madrid
How much time do I need to get to know Madrid?
Although Madrid is a big city with long distances between the main tourist attractions, we believe that 3 or 4 days are enough to enjoy the best experiences and taste its excellent gastronomy.
How to get around Madrid?
The most comfortable and fastest way to get around Madrid is by metro, which has a stop near all the most important places to see in Madrid, although the bus also has a good connection and frequency. Another good option for getting around Madrid if you're short on time is by taxi, which offers a quality service, or the tourist bus, which stops at the main points of interest in Madrid and you can get on and off as many times as you like.
What is the most beautiful thing about Madrid?
If you have less time and can't complete this list of the 22 most beautiful places in Madrid, our top 10 would be: Puerta del Sol, el Retiro, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Templo de Debod, Palacio Real, Museo del Prado, Malasaña, Chueca and la Latina.
