Discover Madrid’s 200 best spots for your trip

Plaza Mayor

★ 4.6 · 205,108 reviews

Wander into Plaza Mayor, the arcaded square at the heart of old Madrid. Walk beneath the arches, take in the Philip III statue and linger at a terrace in one of the city's defining public spaces.

Parque del Oeste

★ 4.5 · 30,737 reviews

Wander through Parque del Oeste, Madrid's tree-lined escape in Moncloa-Aravaca. Follow the shaded paths to the rose garden, then continue on to the Egyptian temple and the city views beyond.

Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

★ 4.7 · 48,468 reviews

Discover the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, where 700 years of European art unfold in one central Madrid building. Move room by room from Old Masters and Dutch painting through to modern art and Pop Art.

Royal Palace of Madrid

★ 4.7 · 134,456 reviews

Step inside the Royal Palace of Madrid, the ceremonial heart of the Spanish monarchy. Wander through opulent state rooms filled with art and antiques, either on your own or with a guide.

Mercado de San Miguel

★ 4.4 · 165,633 reviews

Step inside Mercado de San Miguel, a 1916 wrought-iron market hall in central Madrid. Graze across stalls of local delicacies and drinks, soaking up the elegant atmosphere even when the aisles are packed.

Museo Nacional del Prado

★ 4.7 · 157,363 reviews

Plan around the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid's great temple of Spanish painting beside Retiro. Spend a few hours in front of masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco, moving through centuries of European art.

Retiro

Stroll into Retiro, Madrid's beloved park just east of the centre. Wander shaded avenues to the lake, watch rowing boats drift past the monument, and pause at the glass Palacio de Cristal.

El Retiro Park

★ 4.8 · 216,670 reviews

Spend a slow morning in El Retiro, Madrid's former royal park at the heart of the city. Stroll tree-lined avenues, circle the boating lake and pause among fountains, statues and the rose garden.

Puerta del Sol

Pass through Puerta del Sol, the busy square at the centre of Madrid. Take in the statues and historic buildings and spot the clock famous for ringing in the New Year.

Gran Vía

★ 4.8 · 11,021 reviews

Stroll Gran Vía, the avenue that defines central Madrid. Look up at the early-1900s facades, dip into the shops and bars, and watch the street change as the lights come on.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

★ 4.5 · 72,263 reviews

Spend an afternoon at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid's home of modern Spanish art. Walk its multi-floor galleries past Picasso, Dalí and Miró, and follow the movements that shaped the 20th century.

Cibeles Fountain

★ 4.7 · 57,583 reviews

Pause at the Cibeles Fountain, the white marble centrepiece of one of Madrid's grandest intersections. Take in the sculpted Cybele and her lion-drawn chariot, then photograph it beside the neighbouring Palacio de las Comunicaciones.

Chocolatería San Ginés

★ 4.3 · 73,503 reviews

Visit Chocolatería San Ginés, a Madrid institution serving churros and chocolate since 1894. Dunk your churros into thick hot chocolate inside its traditional dining room, at almost any hour of the day or night.

Restaurant La Campana

★ 4.5 · 20,516 reviews

Join the line at La Campana, the no-frills Centro tavern behind Madrid's famous calamari sandwich. Order it with a sangria or a tapa and judge whether the hype is deserved.

Tablao Flamenco Corral de la Morería

★ 4.4 · 4,538 reviews

Reserve an evening at Tablao Flamenco Corral de la Morería, a well-known Madrid restaurant with nightly flamenco. Dine on inventive Spanish dishes, then watch dancers, a singer and a guitarist perform up close.

Metropolis Building

★ 4.7 · 6,373 reviews

Admire the Metropolis Building, the ornate landmark marking the start of Gran Vía. Study the golden dome and winged statue from the street, then continue along the avenue.

Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena

★ 4.6 · 33,357 reviews

Visit the Almudena Cathedral, Madrid's grand church beside the Royal Palace. Wander its colourful chapels, then descend to the Romanesque crypt and the museum.

Puerta de Alcalá

★ 4.7 · 63,954 reviews

See the Puerta de Alcalá, Madrid's neoclassical triumphal arch beside Retiro Park. Circle the arch to study its carved stone and sculptures, then continue into the park.

Casa Labra

★ 4.3 · 15,903 reviews

Drop into Casa Labra, the old-school Centro bar that has made fried cod a Madrid ritual. Queue briefly, then enjoy golden fritters, croquettes and a glass of vermouth straight from the tap.

Sabatini Garden

★ 4.6 · 10,272 reviews

Step into Sabatini Garden, the formal neoclassical terraces beside Madrid's Royal Palace. Walk among fountains and statues, then pause on a bench for views of the palace facade.

DiverXO

★ 4.4 · 3,329 reviews

Discover DiverXO, the Chamartín restaurant where chef Dabiz Muñoz rewrites the rules of fine dining. Work through a changing run of inventive courses on theatrical dishware, each one introduced by the service team.

Kapital

★ 3.7 · 10,105 reviews

Discover Kapital, Madrid's seven-storey nightclub packed with bars, a rooftop and music on every level. Move between floors, from the dance floor to karaoke, and keep the night going until morning.

Real Jardín Botánico

★ 4.4 · 37,274 reviews

Slip into the Real Jardín Botánico, a calm walled garden next to the Prado and Retiro. Stroll shaded terraces and greenhouses, breathe in the herb and flower scents, and linger over the bonsai collection.

Coque

★ 4.7 · 1,707 reviews

Experience Coque, the Chamberí restaurant that turns dinner into a journey through several rooms. Follow the staff from space to space, tasting contemporary dishes and visiting the wine cellar before the final table.

LA BOLA

★ 4.2 · 8,041 reviews

Step into La Bola, a historic wood-paneled dining room in central Madrid. Settle in for a traditional cocido madrileño, accompanied by vermouth, olives, wine and dessert on the set menu.

StreetXO Madrid

★ 4.4 · 9,455 reviews

Dive into StreetXO, the Salamanca address known for loud, inventive fusion cooking. Share the Korean lasagna and creative seafood plates, then linger over cocktails in a room that stays lively into the small hours.

Casa Revuelta

★ 4.4 · 6,746 reviews

Stop by Casa Revuelta, the classic Centro tapas bar known for its fried cod. Squeeze in at the bar for a golden tajada de bacalao, a gilda and a cold drink alongside Madrid regulars.

Frutas Prohibidas – Brunch y Café de Especialidad en Madrid

★ 4.8 · 12,507 reviews

Book a table at Frutas Prohibidas, the Centro brunch address that made plant-based eggs Benedict a talking point. Sit down to a vegan brunch with specialty coffee and see how convincing the poached eggs are.

Casa Alberto

★ 4.4 · 5,378 reviews

Step into Casa Alberto, the Centro tavern that has been pouring drinks and serving tapas since 1827. Settle beneath old paintings with house vermouth, garlic langoustines and classic Madrid plates.

La Casa del Abuelo

★ 3.9 · 6,689 reviews

Pull up at La Casa del Abuelo, a Madrid tapas institution in the centre. Dip bread into sizzling gambas al ajillo and sip sangria or small glasses of local wine at the crowded bar.