Madrid is a city full of history, culture and fun. With so much to do and see, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when planning your visit. That’s why we’ve put together this guide with 7 things to do if you’re in Madrid.
In Madrid you can visit some of the best museums in the world, and enjoy the nightlife in one of the city’s most famous neighborhoods.
Each of these plans will offer you a unique experience and allow you to discover the best of the city.
Whether you’re interested in art, history, culture, football, shopping, food, or just enjoying a relaxing day in a park, you’ll find the perfect plan for you in this guide.
So, take a pair of comfortable shoes and get ready to discover Madrid!
Visit the Prado Museum
This is one of the most important museums in the world and houses an impressive collection of works by artists such as Velázquez, Goya and El Bosco among other national and international artists.
One thing to know before visiting the Prado Museum is that it has one of the most important art collections in the world, with more than 8,600 paintings and 700 sculptures, among
the most famous works are “Las Meninas” by Diego Velázquez, “El 3 de mayo de 1808” by Francisco de Goya and “El Jardín de las Delicias” by El Bosco.
The opening hours and prices of the Prado Museum are as follows:
- Open every day of the year except 1 January, 1 May and 25 December and opening hours are from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
- Admission is €15 for adults, €7.5 for students and free for children under 18.
Important: On Tuesdays, from 18:00 to 20:00, admission is free and guided tours in Spanish and English are also offered to learn more about the collection and the works on display.
A stroll through the Retiro Park
This is the largest park in Madrid and is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the views of the city. Here you will find an artificial lake, a glass palace and several gardens. It was created in the 17th century as a private garden for King Felipe IV, but was later opened to the public in 1868.
Retiro Park is the largest park in Madrid, covering 120 hectares and located in the center of Madrid, just behind the Prado Museum, the park offers a variety of attractions to visit, including an artificial lake where you can rent boats, a glass palace, several themed gardens and a large central pond surrounded by monuments and sculptures.
Watch a football match at the Santiago Bernabeu
If you are a football lover, you cannot miss the opportunity to watch a match at the Real Madrid stadium, watching a football match at the Santiago Bernabeu is an exciting experience for football lovers.
The Santiago Bernabeu offers sightseeing tours for visitors, where you can see the pitch, the changing rooms, the trophy room and other places of interest in the stadium.
Tours are available in several languages and it is advisable to book in advance. You can also buy tickets for Real Madrid matches on the team’s official website, at the stadium’s ticket offices or through authorised resellers. It is important to note that matches usually sell out quickly, especially the most important ones.
Have a drink in the Malasaña neighborhood
This is one of Madrid’s most emblematic neighborhoods, full of charming bars and restaurants. It is a perfect place to enjoy a drink and the Madrid nightlife.
The Malasaña neighborhood was the center of counterculture and bohemian culture in Madrid in the 70s and 80s and is mainly known for its youthful atmosphere and underground aesthetics.
Malasaña today is mainly known for its great variety of bars and pubs, with options for all tastes, from traditional bars to bars with live music, pubs with craft beers and cocktail bars with electronic music. From 20:00 hours onwards most of the bars start to fill up and it is possible to enjoy good music and atmosphere.
Visit the Royal Palace
This is the official home of the Spanish royal family and is an impressive building that is well worth a visit. Visiting the Royal Palace in Madrid is an opportunity to learn about the history of Spain and see one of the most impressive buildings in the city.
The palace has several permanent and temporary exhibitions, such as those showing the life of the kings, the history of the palace, royal jewelry, hunting and court gossip, as well as guided tours in several languages, to learn more about the history of the palace and the works of art on display.
The opening hours and visiting fees of the Royal Palace are as follows:
The Royal Palace is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (except Tuesdays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December).
The entrance fee is 13 euros for adults and 10 euros for students and under 18s.
Strolling through the Rastro
El Rastro is one of the largest open-air markets in Europe and is a great place to find antiques, crafts and souvenirs. It is a Madrid classic and is held on Sundays and public holidays.
Strolling through El Rastro is a fun experience full of surprises for shoppers and treasure hunters and is the perfect place to find antiques, crafts and souvenirs. It is a Madrid classic and is held on Sundays and public holidays.
El Rastro is located in the La Latina neighbourhood in the center of Madrid and occupies the streets Ribera de Curtidores, Embajadores and de la Cebada.
At the flea market in Madrid you can find a wide variety of products, from antiques, decorative objects, clothes, shoes, books, records, musical instruments and handicrafts.
The main recommendations we give you before you go to the flea market are the following:
- Arrive early, as the best items tend to sell quickly.
- It is advisable to bring a backpack or large bag to carry your purchases.
- Some sellers may increase prices for tourists.
The Rastro is open every Sunday and public holiday, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Visiting the Reina Sofia Museum
One of the most interesting things to do in Madrid is to visit the Reina Sofia Museum. The museum houses a large collection of contemporary art and is known for having some of the most important works of the 20th century, such as Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica”.
The museum has a wide variety of temporary and permanent exhibitions, with an emphasis on contemporary and contemporary Spanish art, including works by artists such as Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró and Juan Gris, among others, and offers guided tours in several languages, to learn more about the collection and the exhibitions in detail. It is advisable to book in advance.
There are also several dining options inside the museum, from restaurants and bars to small cafés, where you can enjoy a light meal before or after your visit.
The opening hours and visiting fees of the Reina Sofia Museum are as follows:
The museum is open every day (except 1 January and 25 December) from 10:00 to 21:00.
Admission is free for children under 18 and students with a student card, for adults it is 12 euros.
Important: On Wednesdays from 18:00 to 21:00 the entrance is free of charge.
There are hundreds of other plans for you to continue discovering this city little by little, until you feel like a local. And to make you fall in love with living in Madrid and feel at home, we invite you to take a look at our apartments with a homey feel, we’re sure you’ll love them!