35 Best things to see & do in Madrid

Madrid’s most renowned museum, home to the single best collection of Spanish art and arguably the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.

Home to the three of the world’s greatest art museums and a whole slew of masterpieces, Madrid justifies its rank as one of the world’s greatest art cities.

Spain’s National Museum of 20th-century art is the third of Madrid’s world-class art museums. Reina most famously contains Picasso’s Guernica, and outstanding collections of Spain’s two greatest 20th-century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.

The biggest stars, the greatest shows. Madrid is the epicentre of this flamboyant, uplifting traditional Andalusian dance. Unmissable.

Explore the opulent heritage of the Spanish royals, with a tour of their extraordinary 18th-century palace in Madrid.

One of the world’s greatest art museums, home to an outstanding collection of art, from 13th-century Italian Gothic paintings to 20th-century Pop Art.

Our summary of the typical food ingredients and flavours, cooking styles, dining scene and best foodie experiences in Madrid.

A fascinating insight into one of Madrid’s greatest sporting and cultural institutions – even for non-football fans.

Vast, UNESCO-listed palace and monastery complex offering a fascinating insight into the Habsburg dynasty and centuries of Spanish history. The octagonal pantheon contains the tombs of nearly every Spanish monarch.

A beguiling costume museum, with over 150,000 garments, illustrating the evolution of fashion through history, from the Middle Ages until today.

Join the locals to celebrate the city’s patron saint with a week of street parties, concerts, processions and bullfights, culminating in fireworks over the lake in Retiro Park.

Madrid’s foodie hotspot: a gourmet hub housing 33 shops and street stalls, selling the highest-quality local produce – including more than 100 varieties of cheese. A Madrid institution, the market buzzes from morning until late at night.

Opposite the Royal Palace and the seat of Madrid’s Catholic Archbishop. Building started in 1880 and only officially finished in 1993, when it was subsequently consecrated by Pope John Paul II. Inside, it surprises with contemporary chapels, cupolas, statues and décor. Worth a stop if churches are your thing.

Madrid’s big, Baroque main square, completed in 1619, is enclosed by stately symmetrical buildings and porticoed walks. For centuries it was the theatre of city life – witnessing coronations, bullfights, jousts, football matches, beatifications, and executions. Today, it’s Madrid’s beating heart, packed with cafés and restaurants.

A grand museum showcasing the history of Spain, from prehistoric times to the modern era. It houses over a million objects including art, sculpture, and artifacts from various periods, such as Roman, Visigoth, and Moorish. LKook out for the beautiful prehistoric bust of the Lady of Elche, Roman weapons and glittering Visigothic gold.

Grab your camera for Europe’s largest photography festival, with events at museums, galleries and bookshops all over the city.

Founded in 1858. Spain has long been one of the greatest producers of abanicos – traditional hand fans. This small studio upholds that tradition. The highest quality hand-made fans – with handles made from wood, ebony or bone – are made on site. Each one is a unique, gorgeous work of art.

Built in the 18th century, this imposing Neoclassical basilica is an architectural masterpiece, home to the fourth biggest dome in Europe. Inside are intricate decorations, an ornate altarpiece and paintings by Goya and Zurbaran.

Grab the best views of the city from this cable car, which runs from Paseo del Pintor Rosales to the Casa de Campo park and zoo. It’s a 2.5km ride and takes around 11 minutes.

Once the gardens of a royal palace, the city’s main park stretches across 350 acres of glorious green space in the heart of the capital.

This renowned institution has been producing exquisite tapestries and textiles for centuries. You can take a tour of this ‘living museum’, founded in 1721, where expert weavers continue Spain’s illustrious tapestry and textile traditions.

Young chef David Munoz is at the helm of Madrid’s acclaimed three Michelin-starred restaurant, creating unique food ‘pictures’ in a Cirque du Soleil ‘Dream World’ atmosphere: there’s nothing quite like it.

With two weeks in May and June of foodie events from tapas crawls to cooking workshops, this internationally-renowned food festival features 450 participating establishments offering over 550 food-related activities.

The Marques de Cerralbo’s horde of artworks and curio includes El Greco’s Ecstasy of St Francis and fantastic Japanese armour.

A world-renowned annual contemporary art fair featuring painting, sculpture, photography, and digital art from both national and international galleries and artists. It takes place over four days in February, in the majestic setting of the Palacio de Cibeles.

Madrid’s lively Sunday morning flea market sells everything from ceramics to fabrics, handmade shoes and antiques. It has been held in the La Latina district for over 400 years.

If you need some time out from the hectic delights of this vibrant city, head to this excellent hammam, a modern-day version of the traditional Andalusian bathhouse experience, to soak in the hot spa baths. Traditional treatments include steamy massage, hot stones and kessa gloves.

A fantastic private collection of over 12,000 ceramics, jewellery, small bonzes, coins, carvings, manuscripts and other fascinating artefacts from the nineteenth century back to the prehistoric period. It’s housed in a historic Madrid, with original baroque painted ceilings.

Founded in 1818, the enormous, wedding-cake Teatro Real hosts world-class opera, dance and flamenco concerts.

A quirky zoological and botanical park home to over 4,000 animals from 500 different species, including giant pandas, penguins, and crocodiles. There are themed ‘ecosystems’ – such as the polar ecosystem, the Amazon rainforest, and the African jungle.

This royal convent was founded by the daughter of Emperor Charles V in 1559 – it’s now packed full of Golden Age art, priceless masterpieces and valuable religious relics, all paid for by the dowries of former nuns accumulated over the centuries.

The Madrid home of early 20th-century artist Joaquin Sorolla, known as ‘the master of light’, is now filled with his neo-Impressionist works.

Away from the tourist crowds between the Chueca and Malasana districts, this street market is designed for socialising. It covers three floors, with two terraces and 20 wildly diverse stands and bars; it frequently hosts events.

Spain’s oldest cocktail bar, founded in 1931; along with bucketloads of atmosphere is a wall of photos of the movie stars (Sinatra, Grace Kelley etc.) who once sipped drinks here. Go for Sunday afternoon brunch with a DJ.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Botin which first opened its doors in 1725 – and has always been renowned for its suckling pig and roast lamb – is the oldest restaurant in the world.