As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may have Amazon and/or other affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Please read my Disclosure Policy for more information. Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!
Top Things to Do in Madrid Spain
If you are planning a trip to Madrid Spain and looking for the best things to do, see and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. Madrid is the Capital of Spain, the seat of government, and full of history. The city is known for its palace, gardens, plazas, fountains, tapas, and the best churros and chocolate in Spain, but there’s more! Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Madrid Spain bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Madrid Spain trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Complete Travel Guide to Spain, What You Need To Know
READ Best of Spain Travel Itinerary for First-Timers
Things to Do in and Around Madrid Spain
Check out the dome of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena
Enjoy the view from Circulo de Bellas Artes and Faro de Moncloa
Photograph Palacio de Cibeles and the Cibeles Fountain
Have a cocktail with a view at Terraza Cibeles rooftop bar
Check out the frescos on Casa de la Panaderia at Plaza Mayor
Have a cocktail at Torre del Oro and explore the Revenge of the Bulls memorabilia
Eat churros and chocolate at San Gines
Go tapas tasting at Mercado de San Miguel
Photograph the Monumento a Felipe IV in Plaza de Oriente Square
Tour the Royal Palace and watch the changing of the guards
Photograph the Bear and Strawberry Tree statue in Puerta del Sol
Watch the sunset from the Temple of Debod
Photograph the Fountain of the Fallen Angel and Palacio de Cristal
Enjoy an Arabian bath
Spend a Sunday afternoon browsing the El Rastro Flea Market
Explore the sculpture gallery at Museo Arte Publico
Learn the history of bullfighting at Museo Taurino
Spend a night out on Calle Cava Baja
Eat a Spanish omelet, Paella, and Gazpacho
See the works of Goya at Museo del Prado
See a performance at Teatro Compac Gran Via
Walk Gran Via from the Edificio Metropolis Building to the Plaza de Espana
Have lunch with a view at the Gourmet Experience of El Corte Ingles Shopping Center
Check out the city view from the top of Circulo de Bellas Artes
Learn how to make paella
See the frescos painted by Goya at the Royal Chapel of St Anthony of la Florida
Stop to smell the roses at Rosaleda Gardens in Parque del Oeste
Ride the teleferico cable car over the Manzanares River
Buy biscuits from the nuns at Corpus Christi’s Baked Goods
Explore the street art at Tabacalera in Lavapies or the Malasana District
Wander the gardens at the Real Jardin Botanico de Madrid
Rent a boat and row past the Monument to Alfonso XII on El Retiro’s pond
Watch a football game at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Watch a flamenco show
Eat at Sobrino de Botin, the oldest restaurant in the World
Take a tapas cooking class
Head to Plaza de Santa Ana for a night out
Wander the alleyways of Barrio de las Letras
See the tiled dome of the Church of Santa Teresa and San Jose
Ride the roller coaster at Parque de Atracciones de Madrid
See the indoor garden at the Atocha Train Station
Relax on a patio in Plaza de Olavide
See Picasso’s Guernica at Museo Reina Sofia
Get the best panoramic view of Madrid from Cerro del Tio Pio
Photograph the Puerto de Alcala Monument
Experience the daily life and customs of the high bourgeoisie at Museo Romantico
Browse the high-end boutiques on Calle del Conde Duque or Salamanca’s Golden Mile
Take a tapas and wine tasting tour
Walk across the Puente de Toledo
Watch an opera at the Royal Theater
Be sure to check the Madrid Spain Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Bookmark and Pin Things to Do in Madrid Spain
Plan Your Spain Itinerary
Spain Travel Guide
Pick up a Spain Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation in Madrid Spain Now
Spending the night? Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
Madrid Spain Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
Need a universal travel adaptor, power bank charger, or packing cubes? Save time at my Amazon shop and have travel essentials delivered to your home.
Have a great vacation!