Discover Madrid’s 200 best Smart Adventurer spots for your trip

Palacio nuevo de la Finca de Vista Alegre

★ 4.4 · 388 reviews

Seek out the Palacio nuevo de la Finca de Vista Alegre, a nineteenth-century royal palace in Carabanchel off the usual tourist route. Admire its grand portico and domed lobby, then wander the surrounding park.

Museo Tiflológico de la ONCE

★ 4.7 · 1,159 reviews

Discover the Museo Tiflológico de la ONCE, a free hands-on museum in Tetuán built around touch. Feel detailed models of famous buildings, run your fingers over sculptures and try out braille technology.

Museo La Neomudéjar

★ 4.4 · 1,149 reviews

Head to Museo La Neomudéjar, a free contemporary art space inside an old factory in Retiro. Take in video art and experimental installations, then step out onto the terrace.

AMORRO • Vinos y Más

★ 4.9 · 66 reviews

Discover AMORRO, a local-feeling wine bar in Chamartín that rewards those who venture beyond the centre. Pour a glass from the wide selection, share some tapas and enjoy the easygoing atmosphere.

Ran Ran Tei

★ 4.7 · 942 reviews

Stop at Ran Ran Tei, a lunch-only ramen spot in Tetuán with a local following. Slurp a fast, honest bowl in an unfussy room that feels distinctly Japanese.

Garden of the Prince of Anglona

★ 4.3 · 2,797 reviews

Duck into the Garden of the Prince of Anglona, a walled hideaway beside Plaza de la Paja. Sit among boxwood hedges and roses for a quiet pause in the middle of La Latina.

Parque Forestal de Entrevías

★ 4.5 · 1,967 reviews

Escape the centre at Parque Forestal de Entrevías, a quiet pine forest in Puente de Vallecas. Follow the shaded trails on foot or by bike along a stretch of the Anillo Verde.

Scratch

★ 4.6 · 158 reviews

Discover Scratch, a tiny owner-run cocktail bar in Centro that many visitors stumble on by chance. Sit at the bar, admire the liquor shelves, and enjoy thoughtful cocktails served with real passion.

Quinta de la Fuente del Berro Park

★ 4.7 · 4,242 reviews

Find Quinta de la Fuente del Berro, a hidden green pocket in Salamanca. Walk past its ponds and waterfall, and watch turtles at the little lake.

Cerro del Tío Pío Park

★ 4.7 · 5,643 reviews

Head up Cerro del Tío Pío, the hillside park where Madrileños go to watch the sun go down. Climb the grassy slopes for sweeping panoramic views over the city, far from the usual tourist crowds.

ssspresso

★ 4.8 · 80 reviews

Discover ssspresso, a late-night Madrid bar with a playful, personal atmosphere. Order inventive cocktails or mocktails and pick the soundtrack yourself by queuing songs from the request book.

Local Flamenco Show at El Cortijo with Tapas

★ 4.6 · 1,029 reviews

Head to El Cortijo, a Vallecas tablao where Madrid locals come for flamenco. Take a seat for an up-close performance by singers, guitarists and dancers, with the option of a drink or a Spanish dinner.

NATO Robata&tapas bar

★ 4.6 · 483 reviews

Discover NATO, a robata and tapas bar tucked away in Usera, far from the usual tourist trail. Share grilled plates and unusual small dishes with natural wine in a warm, informal room.

Manzanares River Linear Park

★ 4.6 · 7,675 reviews

Walk the Manzanares River Linear Park in Puente de Vallecas, where a giant sculpture tops a terraced hill. Climb for city and river views, then settle on the grass in a quiet, mostly local setting.

Cerralbo Museum

★ 4.5 · 9,684 reviews

Slip into the Cerralbo Museum, a nineteenth-century mansion in Moncloa that still feels like a collector's home. Walk through ornate rooms of Old Master paintings, furniture and antiques, finishing among the medieval armour.

Morueco Cerámicas

★ 4.7 · 95 reviews

Step inside Morueco Cerámicas, a small family-run ceramics shop in central Madrid. Browse colourful handmade wall pieces, ceramic fish, vases and water jugs, and chat with the friendly owner.

Contemporánea Condeduque

★ 4.5 · 1,792 reviews

Step into Contemporánea Condeduque, a converted 18th-century barracks turned cultural centre in central Madrid. Move through free contemporary art exhibitions in its atmospheric courtyards, and see if a theatre performance fits your schedule.

Carabanchel

Head south to Carabanchel, a large residential district well off Madrid's tourist trail. Wander its everyday streets, pop into neighbourhood bars and markets, and get a feel for the city as locals live it.

Royal Observatory of Madrid

★ 4.7 · 876 reviews

Slip away from the Retiro crowds to the Royal Observatory of Madrid, one of the city's best-kept secrets. Join a guided tour through astronomy exhibits and a historic telescope replica, learning how stars guided navigation and mapmaking.

Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson

★ 4.8 · 1,960 reviews

Visit Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson, a free gallery in Chamberí with a standout collection of Spanish twentieth-century art. Follow the works from Picasso to Barceló, then see the separate urban art gallery.

Parque Forestal de Valdebebas - Felipe VI

★ 4.5 · 9,465 reviews

Stretch your legs at Parque Forestal de Valdebebas, one of Madrid's biggest green spaces. Walk or cycle past lagoons and the river, and let the kids loose in the playgrounds and maze.

Ermita de Santa María la Antigua

★ 4.5 · 485 reviews

Seek out Ermita de Santa María la Antigua, a small old chapel in Carabanchel far from the usual tourist trail. Read the on-site marker and take a short look at one of Madrid's oldest religious sites.

Stillroom

★ 5.0 · 121 reviews

Discover Stillroom, a stylish Retiro cocktail bar open from late morning until the small hours. Cool off in its comfortable interior and sip handcrafted twists on classic drinks.

OSA

★ 4.7 · 262 reviews

Make the short trip out to OSA, a Michelin-starred hidden gem in Moncloa-Aravaca. Watch the open kitchen at work, then settle into an intimate dining room for a long, paired tasting meal.

Parque Norte

★ 4.4 · 2,733 reviews

Take a breather at Parque Norte, a wooded local park beside Madrid's business towers. Jog the footpaths, try the outdoor exercise bars, or simply find a shady bench.

Dehesa de la Villa

★ 4.7 · 9,117 reviews

Wander into Dehesa de la Villa, a hilly woodland park where Madrid locals jog, cycle and picnic under tall pines. Follow the dirt trails to the lookout point for views over the rooftops.

Convento de San Plácido

★ 4.5 · 104 reviews

Slip into Convento de San Plácido, a small convent church tucked into central Madrid. Follow the included audioguide through the interior and its high altar, and use the same ticket to visit San Antonio de los Alemanes.

La Alameda's Castle

★ 4.3 · 1,030 reviews

Seek out La Alameda's Castle, a restored fortification in Madrid's quieter Barajas district. Walk the grounds, read the on-site information, and look for the nearby Civil War bunker.

Taberna Bodegas Ricla

★ 4.2 · 1,060 reviews

Discover Taberna Bodegas Ricla, a family-run tavern in Centro pouring vermouth straight from the tap. Squeeze in at the counter and share home-cooked tapas in a no-frills, authentically Madrileño setting.

Bárcena Joyas

★ 4.9 · 18 reviews

Discover Bárcena Joyas, a Salamanca jeweller filled with antique and vintage treasures. Admire pieces from different periods, including bridal tiaras, and get friendly advice if you fancy a ring to bring home.