Must-see
The 12 must-see places in Madrid
In Madrid, don't miss Prado Museum Madrid, Royal Palace of Madrid, Retiro Park Madrid and Reina Sofía Museum Madrid: here are the 12 must-sees, ranked, with the time to allow, the price and a tip for each.
See all 12 on the map-
MuseumPrado Museum Madrid
Velázquez, Goya, El Greco and Bosch: the great Spanish royal painting collection, housed in a neoclassical palace.
Book a timed slot online: you enter by the Jerónimos door, skipping the ticket desks.
≈ 3 h See the page → -
MonumentRoyal Palace of Madrid
The Spanish king's official residence, built on the old Alcázar: state rooms, frescoes and the royal armoury.
Buy your ticket online, as visitor numbers are limited; arrive at 10am on a weekday before the groups.
≈ 2 h See the page → -
Park & GardenRetiro Park Madrid
Madrid's great park: rowing boats on the lake, the Crystal Palace and a rose garden, steps from the Prado.
Book your rowing boat with the Madrid Móvil app to skip the weekend queue.
≈ 2 h 30 See the page → -
MuseumReina Sofía Museum Madrid
Picasso's Guernica and 20th-century Spanish art, with Dalí and Miró, inside a former hospital.
Go at 10am on a weekday to see Guernica with fewer people; closed Tuesdays, and from 2:30pm on Sundays.
≈ 2 h 30 See the page → -
MuseumThyssen-Bornemisza Museum Madrid
Eight centuries of painting, from Italian primitives to pop art, filling the gaps left by the Prado and Reina Sofía.
The museum says 2pm to 4pm is the quietest slot; photos without flash are allowed.
≈ 2 h See the page → -
MonumentPlaza Mayor, Madrid
The 17th-century arcaded square at the heart of Habsburg Madrid, with the frescoed Casa de la Panadería.
Free to enter; terraces under the arcades cost more than nearby bars, and watch out for pickpockets.
≈ 45 min See the page → -
MonumentPuerta del Sol, Madrid
Kilometre zero of Spain's roads, the New Year's clock and the bear and strawberry tree statue, in central Madrid.
Come on a weekday morning to photograph kilometre zero without the crowd; keep your bag closed.
≈ 30 min See the page → -
CastleToledo day trip from Madrid
The city of three cultures on a bend of the Tagus: Gothic cathedral, Alcázar and medieval lanes.
Buy train tickets in advance, especially at weekends; arrive before 10am for the cathedral.
≈ 7 h See the page → -
ShoppingMercado de San Miguel, Madrid
A 1916 iron market hall turned into counters of tapas, seafood and vermouth, next to the Plaza Mayor.
Walk past all the stalls before ordering: prices vary and run above a regular tapas bar.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
MonumentTemple of Debod, Madrid
A genuine Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC, gifted to Spain, with sunsets over the Casa de Campo.
Free entry but limited capacity: book a slot with the city council; closed Mondays.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
MonumentGran Vía, Madrid
The avenue of Belle Époque and Art Deco facades, theatres and neon signs, from the Metrópolis to Plaza de España.
A free stroll: look up at the domes and rooftops, and mind your belongings around Callao.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
ShoppingEl Rastro
The historic Sunday flea market, with hundreds of stalls along the streets of La Latina.
Go on Sunday between 9 and 10:30am, before the midday crowd; bring cash and keep your bag in front.
≈ 2 h 30 See the page →
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CastleSegovia Day Trip from Madrid
A Roman aqueduct, the fairytale Alcázar castle and a Gothic cathedral, a half-day trip from Madrid.
Book the Alcázar online, especially at weekends; try the roast suckling pig, the local speciality.
≈ 7 h See the page → -
CastleEl Escorial Monastery
Philip II's monastery-palace: basilica, library, royal pantheon and picture galleries, in the sierra.
Arrive at 10am on a weekday for the pantheon and library; closed on Mondays.
≈ 4 h See the page → -
MonumentDescalzas Reales Monastery
A 16th-century royal convent left intact behind a plain facade, with a frescoed staircase and Rubens tapestries.
Guided visits only: book online; the free afternoon tickets are collected at the ticket desk.
≈ 1 h 15 See the page → -
MonumentAlmudena Cathedral, Madrid
Madrid's cathedral, facing the Royal Palace: neoclassical outside, neo-Gothic inside, with a dome and a crypt.
The museum and dome open mornings Monday to Saturday: visit before 2:30pm, then the Royal Palace.
≈ 1 h See the page → -
MonumentSan Antonio de la Florida Chapel
Goya's 1798 frescoes on the dome, in the small chapel where he is buried.
Free entry with no booking for individual visitors; closed Mondays.
≈ 45 min See the page → -
MonumentSantiago Bernabéu Stadium
Real Madrid's renovated stadium: trophies, dressing rooms, dugouts and a retractable pitch.
Go on a weekday morning at opening, avoiding match days, to see the dressing rooms and dugouts.
≈ 2 h See the page → -
MonumentLas Ventas Bullring
Spain's largest bullring, a neo-Mudéjar landmark, with a tour of the ring and the bullfighting museum.
The audioguide tour comes in 11 languages including English; go in the morning, outside bullfight days.
≈ 1 h 15 See the page → -
MonumentCibeles Palace Madrid
The former post office palace turned city hall, with a panoramic viewpoint over Madrid's rooftops.
Buy the viewpoint ticket online or on arrival: slots are limited; closed on Mondays.
≈ 1 h 15 See the page → -
NeighborhoodLa Latina
The tapas district: Cava Baja, plaza de la Paja and packed Sunday bars after the Rastro.
On Sundays, do the Rastro then Cava Baja around noon; standing at the bar is the custom.
≈ 2 h See the page → -
Park & GardenRoyal Botanic Garden Madrid
An 18th-century garden opposite the Prado, with greenhouses, collections and terraced blooms.
Come on Tuesday morning before 1:30pm for free entry; no picnics allowed.
≈ 1 h 15 See the page → -
Park & GardenMadrid Río
The Manzanares riverbanks turned into parks, bridges and an urban beach, with the Royal Palace as backdrop.
The park is great by bike thanks to BiciMAD stations; the Matadero complex is free to wander.
≈ 2 h See the page →
