
Madrid is a city with colorful nightlife, stunning architecture, and world-class shopping. The European metropolis is home to superb art, top-notch wine, mouthwatering tapas, and the kind of spontaneous street acts that last a lifetime. Madrid is much more than just tapas, flamenco, and bullfighting, but you can find all three in the Spanish capital. Madrid has so much to offer that you might wish to adopt the siesta philosophy. Here are the best attractions in Madrid that you must visit.
The top attractions in Madrid are an interesting mix of history, art and culture that guarantee to appeal to every kind of traveller. Find the best attractions in Madrid on your trip for an unforgettable experience!
The historical significance of this Madrid Palace is matched by its ornate furniture and stunning artwork. The Royal Palace's walls have been telling fascinating stories for many years, standing firm despite dynastic ups and downs, fires, and repair efforts. The majority of the Madrid Palace is now open to the public and serves as both the royal family's official residence and a location for a number of formal events.
Tip: While taking pictures at the Royal Palace of Madrid is allowed, using a tripod or flash is not. Avoid bringing these items as they might be seized.
Location: C. de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €13The family's private property, the magnificent Liria Palace, is brimming with precious works of art. Even though some families still live on the second level, the Liria Palace opened its doors to the public so that they might learn about Spanish history. In Spain, the Albas are considered to be a de facto monarchy. Taking images within the palace is strictly prohibited. You are welcome to take pictures or make a movie in the garden after your visit.
Why Visit: Due to its abundance of historical artifacts and antiques, it has been compared to the Royal Palace. Be among the first to see inside the palace because it has only recently welcomed visitors for this amazing collection of artifacts in 2019.
Location: C. de la Princesa, 20, 28008 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €15The next time you want to see a lot of football and feel the excitement firsthand, take a Santiago Bernabeu tour. Real Madrid FC, one of the greatest football teams in history, plays its home games in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, which has held games featuring players like Zidane, Ronaldo, Benzema, Ramos, and many others. Experience a unique audio-visual experience, gain first-hand knowledge of the stadium's past, and view a modernized version of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Tip: The best time to visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium is unquestionably during a live game to experience its electrifying atmosphere.
Location: Av. de Concha Espina, 1, 28036 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €15Visit the pitch of Wanda Metropolitano, the Atlético team's home ground and sacred space. Visit the important areas, such as the locker rooms, seating, press room, and mixed area where the coach and players congregate following each game. Relive the memories of the most significant moments in Atlético de Madrid's history at the museum's brand-new 1,400 square meter space. See the Vicente Calderón stadium thanks to a virtual reality demonstration.
Tip: For the best experience at this stunning venue, go during a La Liga match between August and May.
Location: Av. de Luis Aragonés, 4, 28022 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €24One of its most well-known attractions, the Atlantis Aquarium, was constructed with the goal of raising public awareness of sustainable development and marine life conservation. With their Atlantis Aquarium tickets, visitors can witness more than 10,000 aquatic animals from 150 different species dispersed throughout 10 distinct aquariums. Remember to carry your ticket with you at all times while you are there. Anytime you are asked to display it, you will be asked to leave the building if you don't.
Why Visit: This Madrid attraction should be on your list of things to do because it has grown in popularity over the years and now draws more than 35,000 visitors daily.
Location: C. Puerto de Navacerrada, 28939 Arroyomolinos, Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €15.90The intense heat of the Amazon rainforest and the freezing ice of Antarctica are both present in this popular tourist spot in Madrid. Because it is home to over 4,000 creatures from 700 different species and 1,000 distinct plant varieties, there is a lot to see and learn about here. Explore 15 different habitats at your leisure. The poles, the Amazon Jungle, the African Rainforest, the Mediterranean Woodlands, and the Amazon Jungle all have a thriving population of life.
Tip: Remarkable 3D films like Walking with Dinosaurs, in-person encounters with raptors and aquatic life, and these activities are the cherry on top of the perfect day out.
Location: Av. Comunidades, 28, 28032 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €29.95The mammal selection alone is rather incredible, from little pandas and otters to magnificent leopards and lions. View rare species like the ostrich and rainbow lorikeet at the 3000-meter-square aviary. Swift sharks, happy dolphins, and other wonderful creatures from ocean ecosystems are on display at the aquarium. There are numerous food options available to visitors to the Madrid Zoo Aquarium. If you want to have a hearty dinner in the park, Kibanda is a great choice for families.
Why Visit: The dolphin demonstration is among the most astounding illustrations of animal intelligence. Their coordinated swimming pattern almost hypnotizes spectators into rapt attention.
Location: Casa de Campo, s/n, 28011 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €25.50Madrid's Parque de Atracciones, a pioneer in entertainment and pleasure, is always evolving to achieve greater and better goals. Everyone is welcome to use this park, which was designed to be fun and energetic. This growing theme park is the center of Casa de Campo and a well-known tourist attraction in the region. The Parque de Atracciones de Madrid is a state-of-the-art urban park that caters to many different visitors. To make it simpler to travel, the park is split into 4 distinct zones.
Tip: To avoid crowds, go on a weekday during the middle of the week rather than the park's busiest days of Monday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Location: Casa de Campo, s/n, 28011 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €36.90Parque Warner Madrid has rapidly gained popularity over the past 20 years. It's the ideal setting for an unforgettable getaway with your loved ones, partner, or friends. The perfect location for a movie shoot is Parque Warner Madrid, a location devoted to the universe of Warner Bros. movies. When purchasing your tickets, consider purchasing meal cards to save money at the Parque Warner Madrid restaurants.
Why Visit: Parque Warner Madrid has five themed zones that are entertaining for both adults and young explorers. Many of the famous Hollywood themes that Warner Bros. has used can be found in Parque Warner Madrid.
Location: A-4, salida 22, 28330 San Martín de la Vega, Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €67.90Picasso's Guernica, perhaps Spain's most well-known work of art, is housed in Madrid's premier modern art collection, the Centro de Arte Reina Sofa. Other notable attractions include works by Salvador Dali and Joan Miró in addition to countless Picasso masterpieces. The majority of the pieces in the collection date from the 20th century through the 1980s. The majority of the collection is solely made up of pieces from the peninsula, despite the presence of a few pieces by foreign artists.
Tip: Keep an eye out for Pablo Gargallo (1881–1934), a bronze artist whose works include a bust of Pablo Picasso.
Location: C. de Sta. Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €11.90The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is one of three places along the Paseo del Prado that make up Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art, along with the Museo del Prado and the Reina Sofa (Art Walk). The Thyssen contains a great collection of about 1,000 works of art by a few of the most well-known painters in the world. The Thyssen offers visitors with little time the amazing opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide array of artistic forms due to its comparatively small size.
Tip: It's a good idea to purchase tickets in advance, especially on weekends when the museum gets crowded.
Location: P.º del Prado, 8, 28014 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €13This wax museum is a very typical example of the genre with more than 450 characters. The Beatles, Bart Simpson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cervantes, Salvador Dali, and Pablo Picasso are just a few of the historical greats from Spain and beyond who are used as models. To take a simulated space flight, use the RV Simulator.
Why Visit: The Tren del Terror is not for the faint of heart; however, if you're drawn to life's darkest side, you can find both The Inquisition and Freddy Krueger there.
Location: Pl. de Colón, 1, 28001 Madrid, Spain Find on map
from €18The building, which was originally designed to house a house of science, finally became a gallery with royal paintings. The Holy Trinity and other well-known works of art were eventually added to the Prado Museum's collection. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the city, the Prado Museum Madrid receives a sizable influx of visitors every day. To avoid the line, show up at the museum as soon as it opens at 10:00 AM.
Why Visit: This area is home to some of the most sought-after Spanish works of art in the entire world, including fine paintings by renowned artists like Juan de Juanes and Bartolomé Bermejo.
Location: C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreLa Latina, Madrid's oldest neighborhood, is crowned by the Basilica de San Francisco el Grande, a work of art and architecture that functions as both a Catholic church and a temple dedicated to Spanish art. This treasured relic of Spanish culture can be traced back to the 13th century in its oldest known form. Its several chapels with marble and gold inlays and sacristy house an incredible collection of Spanish masterpieces, the most well-known of which is Francisco Goya's painting of St. Bernardino of Siena preaching to Alfonso V of Aragon.
Tip: A ticket is needed to visit the museum in the inner sacristy, but you can enter the main church area for free during morning Mass.
Location: C. San Buenaventura, 1, 28005 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreOver the course of its eight-decade life, the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas, one of Spain's most memorable locations, has hosted events ranging from motocross competitions to Beatles concerts. But bullfighting is what made the stadium famous when it was built. The celebration is known as Spain's "Bullfighting Cathedral" by its supporters. Behind the arena, in the "Patio de Caballos," lies the fascinating Bullfighting Museum, which is devoted to the history and culture of bullfighting.
Why Visit: The coliseum-like stadium, one of the biggest bullrings in the world and the biggest in Spain, has a little over 23,000 seats. Bullfights are regularly held here during the season.
Location: C. de Alcalá, 237, 28028 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreStefano Bardini (1836–1922), a 19th–century antiquarian art collector, is credited for acquiring the 17th–century mansion in 1913 and restoring its lovely medieval garden. The villa and garden bear his name. It contains marble statues, fountains, artificial grottoes, an orangery, and other elements typical of a traditional Tuscan garden. The Fallen Angel, the only officially commissioned Lucifer statue in the world, and Monument to Alfonso XII, a sizable colonnade facing a central lake, are two significant buildings that may be located on the grounds.
Tip: Many Madrilenos spend the day here relaxing on the grass or taking in an outdoor café, away from the bustle of the city, true to its name, which translates to "retirement" or "rest."
Location: Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreFew people would ever think to hunt for a 2200-year-old Egyptian temple in the center of Madrid. The Templo de Debod is not at all a Vegas-style imitation of an Egyptian edifice, despite its roots being in the 2nd century BCE in the ancient city of Mero on the east bank of the Nile. Come here at dusk for a particularly dramatic view of this structure as the glowing temple walls are mirrored in the nearby waters, which are visible from the nearby Plaza de Espana.
Why Visit: The Augustus Vestibule, the Adijalamani Chapel, and the Naos Vestibule are just a few of the temple's many rooms that you must visit to get the full experience.
Location: C. de Ferraz, 1, 28008 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreThis enormous early 20th century Italianate stone palace was subtly set back from the street, owned by Don José Lázaro Galdiano, a successful businessman and devoted patron of the arts. The lower floor, which has hundreds of items on display from all over the world, principally depicts the social setting in which Galdiano resided. 13,000 works of art and decorative items make up a fifth of Galdiano's incredible private collection, which he donated to the city as part of his will following his passing.
Tip: The museum has excellent labeling in both English and Spanish, and it is backed up by pictures of each chamber taken at the height of Galdiano's influence.
Location: C. de Serrano, 122, 28006 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreMadrid's large central square, one of the most beautiful public spaces in Spain, is a rare but immense opening amid the busy streets of the city's center. It combines impressive architecture with grotesque historical tales, opulent stores, and vibrant street life. In addition to being aesthetically appealing in and of itself and acting as a focal point for so many Madrid days, Plaza Mayor also houses the main tourist information office for the city, a Christmas market in December, and arches leading to laneways leading into the labyrinth.
Why Visit: The majesty of the plaza is enhanced by the 237 wrought iron balconies, 237 uniformly ochre-colored apartments, and the exquisite 17th-century murals of the Real Casa de la Panadera.
Location: Pl. Mayor, 28012 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreMadrid's grand avenue, Gran Va, which rises through the city's center from Plaza de Espaa before dropping to Calle de Alcalá, is a tough thing to imagine without. It wasn't actually constructed until 1910, though, after being plowed through a labyrinth of ages-old passageways. Gran Via, Madrid's main thoroughfare, is home to approximately twice as many businesses as there are homes for them; over 13,000 people work there, and up to 60,000 vehicles pass through it every day.
Tip: Make sure to stop by this location at least once while you are in Madrid because it offers tourists every urban amenity and necessity they could possibly need.
Location: C/ Gran Vía, 28014 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Real Academia de Bellas Artes, Madrid's "other" art gallery, has long been a vital part of the city's cultural scene. In keeping with the royal proclivity to entice the greatest modern international artists into their domain, it has fostered local talent as the royal fine arts academy. This gallery would be a great attraction in any other city, but in Madrid, the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, or Reina Sofa are typically preferred. You must go to the museum.
Why Visit: The academy's current collection is incredibly diverse, and its list of former alumni reads like a who's who of Spanish artists.
Location: C. de Alcalá, 13, 28014 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreThis charming square, one of central Madrid's most appealing, is home to a royal palace that once aspired to be the Spanish Versailles, upscale cafes guarded by apartments that cost the equivalent of a royal salary, and the Teatro Real, Madrid's opera house and one of Spain's temples to high culture. The square that the palace looks out onto is in the center of a statue of Felipe IV riding a horse. Velázquez designed it, and it's the best place to do so because there are amazing views wherever you look.
Tip: Because it is lively all year long and doesn't get overly crowded, this is one of the best areas in Madrid to visit if you want to experience the city's vibe.
Location: 28013 Madrid, Spain Find on map
The frescoed ceilings of Madrid's rebuilt Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida are one of the city's most perplexing mysteries. The frescoes on the dome show the miracle of St. Anthony, who is begging a young man to emerge from the tomb and free his father, who was falsely convicted of killing him. A typical Madrid gang surrounds them. Try to visit the museum on weekends in the middle of the day because the guided tour only happens if there are enough visitors.
Why Visit: The southern of the two tiny chapels, which Goya painted in 1798 at Carlos IV's request, is one of the few places to see his art in its original setting. Simply put, it's breathtaking.
Location: GTA. San Antonio de la Florida, 5, 28008 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreSpending a Sunday morning at El Rastro, the biggest flea market in Europe is a tradition in Madrid. The bustling Sunday flea market was primarily a meat market in the 17th and 18th centuries. Due to the fact that everyone in Madrid is here searching for a deal on Sunday mornings, it is the place to be. Making your way down the hill and through the maze of streets might easily take the entire morning. The main products are cheap apparel, luggage, flamenco albums from the past, and old pictures of Madrid.
Tip: An additional major draw is antiques, which can be found in abundance in Nuevas Galeras and Galeras Piquer. Monday through Saturday, the majority of the shops are open from 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Location: Pl. de Cascorro, 13, 28005 Madrid, Spain Find on map
In Parque del Buen Retiro, which is located south of the lake, the Palacio de Cristal lies nestled away amid the trees. It was built in 1887 and is the most beautiful architectural feature in El Retiro. It is a beautiful metal and glass structure. Here, there have on occasion been art and photo exhibits. When you visit this location, be sure to have your cameras ready because the natural lighting makes the structure seem extremely mysterious.
Why Visit: If you want to treat yourself to a visual beauty without having to contend with a lot of crowds, Palacio de Cristal is the place to be.
Location: P.º de Cuba, 4, 28009 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreThe area that extends down the hill east of Plaza de Santa Ana is renowned as the Barrio de las Letras because writers lived here during Spain's golden period of the 16th and 17th centuries. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the author of Don Quijote, was born and died on Calle de Cervantes 2 in Madrid and spent the majority of his adult life there. The convent, where nuns continue to live in isolation and are still housed there, is off-limits to visitors; forensic archaeologists finally found Cervantes' remains in 2015.
Tip: Reserving a day for Barrio de las Letras is recommended because it is one of the most significant areas to see while in Madrid.
Location: Madrid, Spain Find on map
This modern arts facility is located south of the center inside a stunning multipurpose structure. Modern theater, musical, and dance performances are presented at the 148,300 square meters Matadero Madrid, which is housed in the reconstructed buildings of the former Arganzuela animal market and slaughterhouse. There are also exhibitions on architecture, fashion, literature, and film. It's a lively setting that provides a less touristy option for touring in Madrid.
Tip: The best way to experience Matadero is to attend a performance, so if you can, make inquiries beforehand and go to the location.
Location: Pl. de Legazpi, 8, 28045 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreThe geographical center of Spain is an attractive, bustling hemisphere of elaborate facades. The fact that everyone here is always heading someplace by bus, metro, or foot makes it a crossroads above all else. Although it's hard to fathom now, the Puerta del Sol once served as Madrid's eastern entryway. Several bus and metro lines converge here, making it difficult for anyone utilizing a form of public transportation to avoid visiting this square.
Why Visit: This is one of the best places in Madrid to go during celebrations because both locals and tourists congregate here to mark almost every occasion.
Location: Madrid, Spain Find on map
The majestic and newly restored baroque entrance to the outstanding Museo de Historia, formerly the Museo Municipal, was built in 1721 by Pedro de Ribera. Behind this front, the collection is dominated by pieces of art and other objects that illustrate the evolution of Madrid over time. A large-scale model of Madrid in 1830, caricatures of Napoleon and the French occupation of Madrid in the early 19th century, and Goya's Allegory of the City of Madrid are some of the highlights.
Tip: If you love history, this is one of the best places to be in Madrid because there are rarely many people there and the collection is no less famous.
Location: Calle de Fuencarral, 78, 28004 Madrid, Spain Find on map
Know moreOut of all the enormous roundabouts that border the Paseo del Prado, the Plaza de la Cibeles is the one that most evokes the majesty of imperial Madrid. The exquisite Cybele fountain in the midst of the plaza is one of Madrid's most beautiful fountains. Since Ventura Rodriguez constructed the fountain in 1780, it has become a popular attraction in Madrid. The Puerta de Alcalá and, even better, the Edificio Metrópolis can both be seen from Plaza de la Cibeles.
Why Visit: The spectacular Palacio de Comunicaciones is the pinnacle of achievement. Other well-known buildings that surround the plaza include the Palacio de Linares, the national Banco de Espaa, and the Palacio Buenavista.
Location: Madrid, Spain Find on map
Prado Museum is the most-visited attraction in Madrid, attracting well over two million visitors yearly.
Buying tickets online is the best way to get discounts in Madrid.
Yes. Attractions in Madrid are accessible to everyone, including children and senior citizens. Individuals with mobility issues and other forms of disabilities can also visit attractions in Madrid comfortably.