Best Things to Do in Madrid in Spring
Home · Madrid · Spring
From the classic Retiro and Embarcadero de El Retiro, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
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.
★ 4.1 · 622 reviews
Take a rowboat out from the Embarcadero de El Retiro, the classic way to enjoy Madrid's best-loved park from the water. Paddle across the lake beneath the Alfonso XII monument at an unhurried pace.
★ 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.
★ 4.1 · 26,048 reviews
Spend a day at Faunia, Madrid's habitat-based zoo in Vicálvaro. Wander through polar and jungle zones, step into the lemur enclosure, and catch the animal activities along the way.
★ 4.7 · 3,401 reviews
Visit the Monument to Alfonso XII, the grand colonnade beside Retiro Park's lake. Photograph it from the steps, or take a rowing boat out for the view from the water.
★ 4.9 · 953 reviews
Glide through Retiro Park on a guided Segway tour that starts with a quick training session. Roll past the Crystal Palace, the lake and the rose garden while your guide shares the park's story and takes your photos.
★ 4.7 · 22,478 reviews
Discover Jardín del Capricho, an elegant eighteenth-century landscape garden tucked in Barajas. Follow its paths past sculptures, a swan pond and quiet lakes, then find the Civil War bunker hidden in the grounds.
★ 4.7 · 4,068 reviews
Wander the Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste, Madrid's formal rose garden in Moncloa. Follow paved paths past ponds and fountains, and take in the rows of rose varieties in an easy half-hour loop.
★ 4.5 · 16,130 reviews
Discover Parque de la Quinta de los Molinos, a former estate famous for its blooming almond trees. Walk beneath the pink blossom in late winter, or settle on the grass with a book or picnic.
★ 4.4 · 4,535 reviews
Step into the Palacio de Velázquez, a free neoclassical pavilion tucked inside Retiro Park. Browse the current contemporary art exhibition, admire the red-brick architecture and cool off indoors before returning to the park's paths.
★ 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.
★ 4.6 · 9,316 reviews
Slip into Campo del Moro, the terraced royal gardens spread beneath the Royal Palace. Follow shaded paths past monumental fountains, hedge mazes and rose beds, pausing for views up toward the palace facade.
★ 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.
Lose yourself in La Latina, one of Madrid's oldest quarters. Weave through medieval lanes, hop between tapas bars on Cava Baja, and browse the Sunday market that spills through the streets.
★ 4.2 · 42,114 reviews
Spend a day at Zoo Aquarium de Madrid, a sprawling park in the Moncloa-Aravaca area. Walk through habitats of pandas, big cats and rhinos, then visit the shark tank and dolphinarium.
★ 4.8 · 721 reviews
Explore Madrid on a private Segway tour built around your interests. Pick the historic centre, Retiro Park or a mix, and ride past the Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol after a short training session.
★ 4.6 · 9,397 reviews
Find the Fountain of the Fallen Angel in Retiro Park, a sculpture of Lucifer falling from heaven. Study the angel's expression and the gargoyles below, then continue your stroll through the park.
★ 4.8 · 4,190 reviews
Tour Madrid's historic centre in a private electric tuk-tuk with your own driver-guide. Pass the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Retiro, with photo stops and local tips along the way.
★ 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.
★ 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.
★ 4.7 · 70 reviews
Wander Calle Claudio Moyano, a leafy Retiro street of secondhand booksellers. Browse shelves of old and used books beneath the trees, then continue into the neighbouring botanical garden.
★ 4.9 · 1,233 reviews
Pedal around Madrid on a vintage-style bicycle and see its great squares and gardens. Stop for stories and, if you like, finish with tapas.
★ 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.
★ 4.9 · 1,865 reviews
Ride through the heart of Madrid on a guided three-hour bike tour with optional tapas. You will pass the Royal Palace, San Miguel Market, the Prado, Retiro and Puerta del Sol, stopping for photos and stories.
Walk the Barrio de las Letras, the Madrid quarter where Spain's Golden Age writers lived. Follow the literary quotations underfoot along Calle de las Huertas, then settle into a tapas bar around Plaza de Santa Ana.
★ 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.
★ 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.
★ 4.5 · 2,180 reviews
Discover Vi Cool, an industrial-chic Centro restaurant with garden tables and a menu built around creative small plates. Share a tasting menu of cold dishes, hot dishes and dessert, with classic tapas like patatas bravas alongside.
★ 4.9 · 2,332 reviews
Start your Madrid stay with a guided old-town walk from the Fountain of Orpheus near Plaza Mayor. Hear stories of the city's history and food traditions, snap viewpoint photos, and finish by the Royal Palace.
★ 4.7 · 393 reviews
Explore Madrid's historic heart on foot with a local guide. You will start at the Temple of Debod, pass the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, and finish at Plaza Mayor.
Madrid · 🚶 Neighborhoods
Retiro
1h30
Madrid · ⚽ Sport
Embarcadero de El Retiro
45 min
Madrid · 🌳 Nature
El Retiro Park
2h
Madrid · 🎭 Entertainment
Faunia
4h
Madrid · 🏛️ Landmark
Monument to Alfonso XII
30 min
Madrid · 🧭 Tours
Iconic Retiro Park Segway Tour
1h
Jardín del Capricho
Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste
Parque de la Quinta de los Molinos
1h15
Madrid · 🎨 Museum
Velázquez Palace
Plaza Mayor
Campo del Moro
Parque del Oeste
La Latina
Zoo Aquarium de Madrid
Madrid Private Segway tour: Retiro Park anc Centro Historico
Fountain of the Fallen Angel
15 min
Private City Tour by Eco Tuk Tuk
Tablao Flamenco Corral de la Morería
Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum
Madrid · 🛍️ Shopping
Calle Claudio Moyano
Vintage Bike Highlights Tour with Tapas
3h
Real Jardín Botánico
3 Hours Guided Highlights Bike Tour with Tapas
Barrio de las Letras
Sabatini Garden
Gran Vía
Madrid · 🍽️ Food
Vi Cool
Madrid Guided Walking Tour
2h30
City Highlights Guided Walking Tour