Visit the Prado MuseumMust-See SightsPaidSpain's main art museum, with a huge permanent collection including Velázquez, Goya and Bosch. Expect queues — book tickets online and go early or late to avoid the worst crowds.0 Add to listVisit the Prado MuseumMust-See SightsPaidSpain's main art museum, with a huge permanent collection including Velázquez, Goya and Bosch. Expect queues — book tickets online and go early or late to avoid the worst crowds.0 Add to list
Tour the Royal PalaceMust-See SightsPaidThe official residence of the Spanish royal family is one of Europe's largest palaces. Tickets are required; the state rooms are over the top in the best way.0 Add to listTour the Royal PalaceMust-See SightsPaidThe official residence of the Spanish royal family is one of Europe's largest palaces. Tickets are required; the state rooms are over the top in the best way.0 Add to list
Stroll El Retiro ParkMust-See SightsWith KidsMadrid's central park — good for a slow walk, a boat on the lake, or finding the glass Crystal Palace tucked inside. Easy with kids and a useful break from the city streets.0 Add to listStroll El Retiro ParkMust-See SightsWith KidsMadrid's central park — good for a slow walk, a boat on the lake, or finding the glass Crystal Palace tucked inside. Easy with kids and a useful break from the city streets.0 Add to list
Stand in the Grand Plaza MayorMust-See SightsThe main arcaded square at the heart of old Madrid — a classic first stop. Touristy but worth it; the bocadillo de calamares bars right on the square are part of the experience.0 Add to listStand in the Grand Plaza MayorMust-See SightsThe main arcaded square at the heart of old Madrid — a classic first stop. Touristy but worth it; the bocadillo de calamares bars right on the square are part of the experience.0 Add to list
See Picasso's GuernicaMust-See SightsPaidPicasso's Guernica is here — a massive anti-war painting that is more striking in person than in photos. The Reina Sofía also has a strong Dalí and Miró collection. Tickets required.0 Add to listSee Picasso's GuernicaMust-See SightsPaidPicasso's Guernica is here — a massive anti-war painting that is more striking in person than in photos. The Reina Sofía also has a strong Dalí and Miró collection. Tickets required.0 Add to list
Find the Bear Statue at Puerta del SolMust-See SightsThe symbolic center of Spain, with the famous bear-and-strawberry-tree statue and the kilometer-zero marker. Busy and a bit chaotic, but a natural first landmark to find.0 Add to listFind the Bear Statue at Puerta del SolMust-See SightsThe symbolic center of Spain, with the famous bear-and-strawberry-tree statue and the kilometer-zero marker. Busy and a bit chaotic, but a natural first landmark to find.0 Add to list
Walk the Gran VíaMust-See SightsMadrid's main commercial boulevard with early-20th-century buildings, theatres and cinemas. Good for an evening walk — the architecture is worth looking up at.0 Add to listWalk the Gran VíaMust-See SightsMadrid's main commercial boulevard with early-20th-century buildings, theatres and cinemas. Good for an evening walk — the architecture is worth looking up at.0 Add to list
See the Temple of DebodMust-See SightsAn actual ancient Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain and rebuilt in a park near the Royal Palace. The area in front is also one of the better spots in Madrid to watch the sunset.0 Add to listSee the Temple of DebodMust-See SightsAn actual ancient Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain and rebuilt in a park near the Royal Palace. The area in front is also one of the better spots in Madrid to watch the sunset.0 Add to list
Sample Tapas at Mercado de San MiguelMust-See SightsA covered iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now mostly a tapas-and-pintxos hall. More expensive than a regular bar but easy to graze through — good for a first afternoon in Madrid.0 Add to listSample Tapas at Mercado de San MiguelMust-See SightsA covered iron-and-glass market near Plaza Mayor, now mostly a tapas-and-pintxos hall. More expensive than a regular bar but easy to graze through — good for a first afternoon in Madrid.0 Add to list
Order a Bocadillo de CalamaresLocal FoodWalk into a no-frills bar near Plaza Mayor and order a bocadillo de calamares: fried squid rings crammed into bread, in a city 350km from the sea. Nobody questions it; neither should you.0 Add to listOrder a Bocadillo de CalamaresLocal FoodWalk into a no-frills bar near Plaza Mayor and order a bocadillo de calamares: fried squid rings crammed into bread, in a city 350km from the sea. Nobody questions it; neither should you.0 Add to list
Order Vermut de Grifo at Bodega de la ArdosaLocal FoodLocal RitualsAt noon, squeeze into Bodega de la Ardosa, pouring vermouth since 1892, and ask for vermut de grifo, the house vermouth on tap, served with an olive and orange slice. Sip slowly and pretend you do this every Sunday.0 Add to listOrder Vermut de Grifo at Bodega de la ArdosaLocal FoodLocal RitualsAt noon, squeeze into Bodega de la Ardosa, pouring vermouth since 1892, and ask for vermut de grifo, the house vermouth on tap, served with an olive and orange slice. Sip slowly and pretend you do this every Sunday.0 Add to list
Buy Cookies From Invisible NunsFun Side QuestsFind the Monasterio del Corpus Christi (las Carboneras) just off Plaza Mayor, ring the bell, and order cookies through a wooden turntable. You hand over coins and receive sweets without ever seeing a single nun.0 Add to listBuy Cookies From Invisible NunsFun Side QuestsFind the Monasterio del Corpus Christi (las Carboneras) just off Plaza Mayor, ring the bell, and order cookies through a wooden turntable. You hand over coins and receive sweets without ever seeing a single nun.0 Add to list
Visit the Metro's Ghost StationFun Side QuestsChamberí is a Metro stop closed since the 1960s, preserved with original tiles and vintage adverts. You can visit as a free museum — check opening hours before you go, as it is not always open.0 Add to listVisit the Metro's Ghost StationFun Side QuestsChamberí is a Metro stop closed since the 1960s, preserved with original tiles and vintage adverts. You can visit as a free museum — check opening hours before you go, as it is not always open.0 Add to list
Find the Replica Olmec Head in VallecasFun Side QuestsA replica Olmec colossal head sitting on a small pyramid in the middle of a traffic circle in Vallecas. Completely unexplained, barely signposted, and worth the metro ride out for the photo.0 Add to listFind the Replica Olmec Head in VallecasFun Side QuestsA replica Olmec colossal head sitting on a small pyramid in the middle of a traffic circle in Vallecas. Completely unexplained, barely signposted, and worth the metro ride out for the photo.0 Add to list
Explore La Tabacalera Street-Art ComplexFun Side QuestsCheck AccessA former tobacco factory in Lavapiés, now a free self-managed arts center with murals floor-to-ceiling. Check what's on before you go — it is sometimes closed or event-only.0 Add to listExplore La Tabacalera Street-Art ComplexFun Side QuestsCheck AccessA former tobacco factory in Lavapiés, now a free self-managed arts center with murals floor-to-ceiling. Check what's on before you go — it is sometimes closed or event-only.0 Add to list
Eat Churros con Chocolate at Chocolatería San GinésLocal FoodLocal RitualsChocolatería San Ginés has been open 24 hours since 1894, right off Plaza Mayor. The churros with thick chocolate dipping sauce are best after midnight — the late-night queue is part of it.0 Add to listEat Churros con Chocolate at Chocolatería San GinésLocal FoodLocal RitualsChocolatería San Ginés has been open 24 hours since 1894, right off Plaza Mayor. The churros with thick chocolate dipping sauce are best after midnight — the late-night queue is part of it.0 Add to list
Picnic at Dehesa de la Villa With Mountain ViewsActiveA large park in northern Madrid with mountain views and almost no tourists. Good for a walk or a picnic when Retiro feels too crowded — easy to reach by metro.0 Add to listPicnic at Dehesa de la Villa With Mountain ViewsActiveA large park in northern Madrid with mountain views and almost no tourists. Good for a walk or a picnic when Retiro feels too crowded — easy to reach by metro.0 Add to list
Snack and Linger at Mercado de la CebadaLocal FoodLocal RitualsThe local market in La Latina, less polished than San Miguel but more genuine. Good for a cheap snack and a drink at the bar stalls — particularly lively on weekend mornings.0 Add to listSnack and Linger at Mercado de la CebadaLocal FoodLocal RitualsThe local market in La Latina, less polished than San Miguel but more genuine. Good for a cheap snack and a drink at the bar stalls — particularly lively on weekend mornings.0 Add to list
Explore Matadero Madrid Art CenterFun Side QuestsCheck AccessMadrid's former slaughterhouse complex, now a large arts and culture venue on the Manzanares river. Free to enter the main spaces; check the program online for what's on during your visit.0 Add to listExplore Matadero Madrid Art CenterFun Side QuestsCheck AccessMadrid's former slaughterhouse complex, now a large arts and culture venue on the Manzanares river. Free to enter the main spaces; check the program online for what's on during your visit.0 Add to list
Run the Manzanares at Madrid RioActiveLocal RitualsSummerA flat riverside path along the Manzanares, popular with Madrid runners early morning before the heat arrives. Around 10km round trip between Puente de Segovia and Legazpi — turn back whenever your legs say so.0 Add to listRun the Manzanares at Madrid RioActiveLocal RitualsSummerA flat riverside path along the Manzanares, popular with Madrid runners early morning before the heat arrives. Around 10km round trip between Puente de Segovia and Legazpi — turn back whenever your legs say so.0 Add to list
Run a Sunrise Lap of El RetiroActiveLocal RitualsEl Retiro opens at 6am and fills quickly with runners. A 4km loop of the park perimeter is easy, shaded, and done before the tourist crowds arrive — finish by the lake.0 Add to listRun a Sunrise Lap of El RetiroActiveLocal RitualsEl Retiro opens at 6am and fills quickly with runners. A 4km loop of the park perimeter is easy, shaded, and done before the tourist crowds arrive — finish by the lake.0 Add to list
Catch the Free Puppet Show in El RetiroFun Side QuestsWith KidsCheck AccessFree outdoor puppet shows run most weekends near the Puerta de Alcalá entrance in El Retiro. Grab a ticket online in advance — it fills up, and arriving early gets you a front row.0 Add to listCatch the Free Puppet Show in El RetiroFun Side QuestsWith KidsCheck AccessFree outdoor puppet shows run most weekends near the Puerta de Alcalá entrance in El Retiro. Grab a ticket online in advance — it fills up, and arriving early gets you a front row.0 Add to list
Row a Boat on the Estanque del RetiroActiveWith KidsYou can rent a rowing boat on El Retiro's lake for around €8 cash — about 45 minutes. Easy with kids; the Alfonso XII monument makes for a good backdrop photo.0 Add to listRow a Boat on the Estanque del RetiroActiveWith KidsYou can rent a rowing boat on El Retiro's lake for around €8 cash — about 45 minutes. Easy with kids; the Alfonso XII monument makes for a good backdrop photo.0 Add to list
Explore El Capricho's Hidden Maze and LakeFun Side QuestsWith KidsCheck AccessA free 18th-century park near the airport that only opens on weekends, with a lake, bandstand and a laurel maze. Almost no tourists, easy for kids to roam — note that food is not allowed inside.0 Add to listExplore El Capricho's Hidden Maze and LakeFun Side QuestsWith KidsCheck AccessA free 18th-century park near the airport that only opens on weekends, with a lake, bandstand and a laurel maze. Almost no tourists, easy for kids to roam — note that food is not allowed inside.0 Add to list
