Explore Madrid

Madrid is a city full of life and it can seem quite daunting to see and do all the city has to offer: impressive museums, amazing architecture, relaxing parks, tapas bars, busy squares, outdoor markets and many more. The good news is that most of Madrid’s main attractions are within walking distance from one another, so you can manage to see them all in just a few days. To make things easier, we have listed the 5 things you won’t want to miss on your next trip to the sunny capital.

1. Do a walking tour around the city center

Walk down the Calle Mayor and enjoy the architecture along the way. You will pass the Plaza Mayor, a square full of restaurants and street performers and the Puerta del Sol, a beautiful square where locals gather. Keep going until you reach Cibeles square, where there is the Palacio de Cibeles -also popularly known as Palacio de Correos- which currently functions as the city hall. 

2. Visit the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral

The Royal Palace is the largest palace in Western Europe and it is one of the main attractions of the city. At the moment it is only used for official functions and events. The palace is surrounded by the Campo del Moro gardens, a beautiful place to go for a walk after you have visited the Palace on the inside. Next to the palace is the Almudena Cathedral, which is also a must! 

3. Enjoy nature in the middle of the city

Despite the fact that Madrid doesn’t have a beach, it has great parks to offer for you to enjoy the sun. The Retiro Park is the green heart of the city and it is an amazing place. You can go there for a peaceful walk, to enjoy a coffee, to discover its beautiful sculptures and galleries, and you will probably find many performers near the pond. You can spend a few hours messing about in hired rowing boats on the lake with your loved ones! 

4. Visit the art museums 

The city’s art museums are one of its main attractions. Although the Prado Museum is the most popular one and it hosts one of the largest and most prestigious painting collections- particularly interesting for Velázquez and Goya’s collections, there are several other important museums that art lovers should visit. For instance, the Reina Sofía Museum or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum which houses one of the largest private art collections. 

 
5.  Discover it’s nightlife! 

Just as vibrant as the city during daytime, Madrid’s nightlife never stops. You can go out from Monday to Sunday until the early hours of the morning and end up eating churros with chocolate in any café. Whether you fancy chic cocktails, a pub crawl, or dancing the night away, Madrid has places to suit all tastes. And remember, in Spain, if you’re back before 3 am is not considered partying but having a drink or dining 😉