Independent travel guide · updated daily
Things to do in Madrid
Useful advice for visiting Madrid without wasting time: the landmarks worth your hours, where to eat in each neighborhood, how to get in from the airport, when museums are free and what matches, concerts and festivals are on during your trip.
Must-see places in Madrid
All places →
Royal Palace of MadridOver 3,000 rooms, with the best sunset in central Madrid next door.
Prado MuseumVelázquez, Goya, Bosch and Titian in one of the world’s great museums.
Retiro ParkMadrid’s great garden, a World Heritage Site next to the Paseo del Prado.
Plaza MayorFour centuries of markets, fiestas and bullfights in Madrid’s most photographed square.
Gran VíaMadrid’s Broadway: early-20th-century architecture, musicals and viewpoints.
Temple of DebodA 2,000-year-old Egyptian temple with views of the Royal Palace.
Where to eat in Madrid
Madrid eats standing at the bar: a vermouth before lunch, a few shared plates at midnight. Traditional Madrid cooking is hearty and unpretentious (cocido stew, tripe, offal, salt cod, sandwiches), but the city is also one of the best places in Spain to try food from every region and from around the world.
Madrid neighborhoods
All neighborhood guides →Central Madrid is compact, but every neighborhood has its own personality. These guides help you decide where to spend your time and what not to miss.
Barrio de las Letras (Huertas)Literary quotes in the pavement, century-old taverns and the art museums two streets away.- Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal PalaceKilometre zero, Plaza Mayor and one of Europe’s largest royal palaces.
LavapiésCorrala tenements, alternative arts centres and food from half the world.
Salamanca districtMadrid’s “golden mile”, quiet museums and one of the city’s best tortillas.
Malasaña and ChuecaLa Movida, independent shops, cafés and Spain’s Pride capital.
Atocha, Delicias and Madrid RíoContemporary art, historic trains and the riverside park along the Manzanares.
Upcoming events
All events →- 12 Oct · 11:00Desfile 12 octubre
- Until 12 OctFiestas del Pilar 2026
- 12 Oct · 20:30God Save The Queen
- 12 Oct – 18 OctMadrid Otra Mirada (MOM)
- 12 Oct · 20:30Ryan Adams
- 12 OctThe King: Michael Jackson Live Tribute
- 13 Oct · 21:00Atlético de Madrid - Manchester United (UEFA Champions League. Fase Liga. Jornada 2)
- 13 OctLaura Diepstraten
Event pages are in Spanish; dates, venues and metro stops are easy to follow.
Madrid travel tips
Read more →- Airport to city centreHow to get from Madrid Barajas airport to the centre: metro line 8, Cercanías C-1 train, 24-hour Airport Express bus and fixed-fare taxi. T…
- Metro and commuter trainsHow the Madrid metro works: Public Transport Card, 10-trip ticket, Tourist Travel Pass, opening hours, useful lines for visitors, and when …
- Prado, Thyssen and Reina SofíaHow to visit Madrid’s three great art museums: free entry hours, must-see works, how long you need, the Paseo del Arte pass and tips to ski…
- One day in MadridHow to see Madrid in one day: Sol, Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, tapas in La Latina, the Prado or Retiro, Gran Vía at sunset and dinner in Hue…
Quick tips before you arrive
- Spanish meal times: lunch is 2–4 pm and dinner from 9 pm. Many restaurants close their kitchens between services.
- Summer heat: July and August often exceed 35 °C; plan museums for midday and walks for early morning or evening.
- Pickpockets: Sol, Gran Vía, the metro and El Rastro are the hotspots. Keep your bag in front and your phone safe.
- Tap water: Madrid’s water is excellent; ask for “una jarra de agua” in restaurants.
- Tipping: not mandatory; rounding up or 5–10% for good service is normal.