Madrid travel guide: sights, food and transport
Spain’s energetic capital of grand art museums, open squares, late dining and lively neighbourhoods.
Summers are very hot and dry, winters cool; spring and autumn are best balanced for walking.
- Lunch and dinner are later than in many countries.
- Do not squeeze the three major Golden Triangle museums into one day.
- The centre is walkable; use Metro for outer sights.
- Centro: First visits and walking.
- Malasaña: Cafés and nightlife.
- Chueca: Design, dining and lively streets.
- Retiro: Quieter and close to the park.
- Tapas
- Calamari sandwich
- Cocido madrileño
- Churros con chocolate
- Spanish omelette
- San Isidro — May
- Madrid Pride — June/July
- Veranos de la Villa — July/August
- Hispanidad — October
- Three Kings Parade — January
Royal Palace of Madrid
One of Europe’s largest palace complexes, with royal rooms, an armoury and a vast courtyard.
Prado Museum
An essential art museum housing masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and other European masters.
El Retiro Park
A large green escape in the city centre, with the Crystal Palace, a lake and tree-lined paths.
Plaza Mayor
Historic Madrid’s ceremonial square, framed by arcaded passages and red façades.
Puerta del Sol
The city’s lively centre, home to the kilometre-zero marker and famous clock tower.
Gran Vía
An iconic boulevard of theatres, Art Deco buildings and rooftop views.
Reina Sofía Museum
A home for modern Spanish art, most famously Picasso’s Guernica.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Completes the art triangle with a collection ranging from the old masters to pop art.
Mercado de San Miguel
A stop for tapas and Spanish flavours inside a historic iron market hall.
Almudena Cathedral
Notable for its colourful modern ceiling and position opposite the royal palace.
Temple of Debod
An ancient temple brought from Egypt, with a popular sunset viewpoint.
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Real Madrid’s renovated stadium and football museum.
Malasaña
A creative neighbourhood of independent shops, cafés and nightlife.
Chueca
A lively district known for design, dining and inclusive nightlife.
El Rastro
A sprawling Sunday flea market surrounded by antique shops.
Cibeles Palace
A postcard Madrid landmark, with a sculpted fountain nearby and a viewing terrace.
Puerta de Alcalá
An eighteenth-century monumental gateway beside the entrance to Retiro.
Las Ventas
The city’s historic bullring, distinguished by its Neo-Mudéjar architecture.
Sorolla Museum
Joaquín Sorolla’s house museum is temporarily closed for renovation. Check the official museum website for reopening announcements.
Casa de Campo
A vast urban park with a lake and walking trails. The cable car is closed for renovation; check its reopening status.
Metro, EMT buses and Cercanías trains form the network; use a Multi card or tourist pass.