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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Madrid

Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do with Travel + Leisure's Madrid travel guide.

Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Departures , TripSavvy , and other publications.

Best Hotels

Things to do, best shopping, best restaurants, best time to go, how to get there, neighborhoods to know, how to get around.

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

There's far more to Madrid than bullfighting, flamenco, and tapas, though you'll certainly find all three in the Spanish capital. Named one of the best cities to visit in Europe by Travel + Leisure readers and one of the best places to travel by T+L editors in 2023, there's a little something for everyone in this incredible city.

Art lovers can spend the day strolling around Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art, where three of the world's biggest museums meet. History buffs will love the city's gorgeous architecture and historic landmarks, including the oldest restaurant in the world and an Egyptian temple. (Yes, it's actually Egyptian.) And you can't go wrong with the booming food scene here — it's made Madrid one of Europe's best food cities.

Madrid offers so much to do that you may want to embrace the tradition of a midday siesta. The city's bars and clubs tend to hit their stride after midnight, so an afternoon nap in one of Madrid's top hotels may be just the fuel you need to transition from a day of sightseeing to a night of music and dance.

Rosewood Villa Magna

T+L readers voted the 154-room Rosewood Villa Magna the best hotel in Madrid in recent years, highlighting its central downtown location, modern elegance, and incredible wellness offerings. Each spa offering is individualized and combines ancient Iberian practices with newer innovation. For example, guests can sign up for the "El Retiro" Sense Journey, which starts with a guided power walk in the park and ends with a leg and foot massage.

Four Seasons Hotel Madrid

The Four Seasons Madrid , voted one of the best hotels in Madrid in 2023 by T+L readers, combines seven historic buildings to create a luxury enclave in the heart of the city. The hotel is the Four Seasons brand's first in Spain and sits just steps away from luxury shopping along the famous Gran Via. Plus, there's a rooftop terrace, a pool, and a four-level spa.

The Principal Madrid Hotel

This intimate boutique hotel boasts just 76 rooms, but its rooftop terrace offers some of the best views in the city. The property is located along the Gran Via, and its restaurant, Ático, is helmed by chef Ramón Freixa of the Michelin two-starred Ramón Freixa Madrid . "Guests can relax together in the cozy bar area or indulge in the spa when they need to unwind," T+L contributor Stacey Leasca previously reported.

Sleep'n Atocha

The centrally located Sleep'n Atocha isn't just good for your wallet, it's good for the environment. The hotel has been a carbon-neutral facility since 2019 and has committed to environmentally friendly practices like recycling, purchasing products with a low environmental impact, and using toxic-free cleaning products. Its whimsical design and excellent location make this affordable gem a must-stay in the capital city.

Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid

Located in a 19th-century palace, Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid combines modern design with classic Spanish-style architecture in a 45-room hotel. Guests can dine at the Younique Arts Club, where food and art intersect — both national and international artists host exhibitions in the space.

Puerta del Sol

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Located in the heart of Madrid, Puerta del Sol is one of the city's best-known and busiest public squares. It's home to the famous clock whose bells mark the beginning of the Spanish New Year. "Look for the marker in the middle of the plaza that marks Spain's Kilometer 0," Jamie Ditaranto, T+L contributor, recommended . "This is the starting point for all the major roads that leave Madrid and head toward all corners of the country."

Museo Nacional del Prado

The Museo Nacional de Prado is Spain's main national art museum. It "houses some of the most emblematic artworks of Spain, including Francisco de Goya’s 'Black Paintings' and Valásquez’s 'Las Meninas,'" Jamie Ditaranto previously reported .   Along with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Museo Reina Sofía, the Prado forms Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art. The museum was founded as a museum of paintings and sculptures in 1819 and includes works of art from Spain and beyond.

Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is among the largest and most opulent palaces in Europe, boasting more than 1.45 million square feet of space spread over 3,418 rooms. Guests can spot paintings by famous artists like Francisco Goya and Diego Velazquez in the opulent rooms. Stop in to see the world's only complete Stradivarius string quintet and, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, catch the changing of the Royal Guard.

Plaza de Cibeles

Plaza de Cibeles is the public square home to the iconic Cibeles Fountain, which was built in 1782. This spot is surrounded by four pieces of legendary Spanish architecture, including the former post office that now serves as Madrid City Hall.

Temple of Debod

An Egyptian temple may be the last thing you would expect to find in Madrid, but that's exactly what the Temple of Debod is. This Egyptian temple traces its history to the 2nd century B.C. It was given to Spain by the Egyptians and moved to Madrid, where it was rebuilt stone by stone and opened as a tourist site in 1972. If you're looking to soak in a gorgeous Madrid sunset, this is one of the best places to do it.

Read More: 30 Best Things to Do in Madrid, From Palace Tours to Flamenco Shows

Gran Via is a nearly mile-long retail paradise where shoppers can expect to find a mix of luxury boutiques and mainstream brands nestled among some of the city's architectural gems. Retailers along the Gran Via include H&M, the Real Madrid Official Store, the Atletico Madrid Official Store, and the largest Huawei store in Europe.

Operational since 1740, El Rastro is an open-air market that sells everything and anything — from knick-knacks and antiques to clothing and furniture. It's open every Sunday and on public holidays and is located on Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores. "The market can get very crowded," Stacey Leasca previously noted, "but if you're feeling overwhelmed, you can step off to one of the shops lining the street behind the stalls to find a little space."

Mercado San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel opened as a wholesale food market more than 100 years ago. Today, it's the place to sample everything from Iberian ham to fresh fish and tapas from more than 20 stands serving up delicious Spanish food.

Chocolateria San Gines

Chocolateria San Gines is a short walk from Puerta del Sol and is one of the most popular places in town to grab churros. The intimate cafe traces its history back to 1864 when it began developing its reputation as an after-theater dessert spot. It's tucked behind one of Madrid's oldest churches and serves up its signature dark hot chocolate and churros around the clock.

If you're looking for a memorable dinner, you'll want to reserve at DiverXo . The recipient of three Michelin stars , the restaurant is helmed by chef Dabix Muñoz. "The collision of ingredients sounded more like a word-association game than a recipe," Matt Goulding, a food journalist living in Spain, described in the July 2023 issue of T+L . "But [my] first bite left no room for doubt." A dinner ticket here starts at $380 per person. The restaurant is usually booked solid, but their website opens new reservation slots every day at midnight for the date 90 days in the future.

Casa Botin was founded in 1725 and is recognized by  Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating restaurant on Earth. Its signature dishes include suckling pig and roasted lamb, but its menu is full of chicken, veal, and seafood platters, too. Stop in for dinner, or take a tour of Casa Botin's dining rooms, cellar, and underground tunnels. The tour is about $87 and includes a set lunch or dinner menu.

Corral de la Morería

Corral de la Moreria is the place to experience flamenco in Madrid. This venue has been hosting live flamenco shows since 1956 and has performances every night of the week. And if it's dinner and a show you're after, there may be no better place. Coral de la Moreria has a Michelin-starred restaurant on-site. Guests over the years have included Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Che Guevara, and Demi Moore.

Madrid's food scene isn't a Spanish-only affair. Peruvian chef Roberto Martínez Foronda combines Peruvian and Southeast Asian ingredients and flavors at his restaurant, Tripea, which opened in 2017. “The fusion boom in Madrid created so much bad food,” Foronda told T+L in the July 2023 issue . “But we’ve cut through the fat, and what’s left is mostly excellent.” For a little more than $53, guests can try Foronda's eight-course tasting menu.

Read More: How Madrid Became One of Europe's Best Food Cities

Madrid is a city that sizzles during the summer, with temperatures that can soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Brave the heat for Madrid's take on Pride, which starts each year in late June and runs through early July. What used to be a small celebration in the late 1970s has since grown into one of the largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ pride in Europe.

For better weather, fewer crowds, and more affordable prices, try visiting during the fall or spring (we have some recommendations for what to pack ). The days are sunny, and you'll be able to celebrate events like the San Isidro Festival, held each year in May, and the  Autumn Festival  (or Feria del Otoño), held in October or November. "[The Autumn Festival draws] acts from all over the world, from opera and ballet to theater and indie music," Stacey Leasca, a T+L contributing editor, previously reported .

Read More : The Best Time to Visit Spain for Great Weather and Famous Festivals

Madrid-Barajas Airport is in northeast Madrid and services most major airlines. Passengers can fly directly to and from many major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

There are direct routes from Madrid Atocha Railway Station to Barcelona on both the Alta Velocidad Española and Ouigo train lines.

Las Austrias : Known as the heart of old Madrid, Las Austrias is home to palaces, churches, and monasteries built as early as the 16th century. It's where you'll find Plaza Mayor, as well as the Royal Palace and Corral de la Morería.

Las Letras : This lively neighborhood known as the Literary Quarter is a book lover's paradise. This is where you'll find the former homes of icons of the Spanish Golden Age, including Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. The streets here are narrow and car traffic is limited.

Chueca : This is the heart of Madrid's LGBTQ+ community. It's a lively area filled with bars, cafes, and shops — and at the center of Madrid's iconic Pride celebration each year

Malasana : One of the city's hippest neighborhoods, Malasana is known for vintage shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. This historic area is also where you'll find live music and clubs.

Trains: Madrid's metro system runs from the Madrid-Barajas Airport through downtown and to the suburbs. Fares are based on a zone system with prices determined by the distance traveled, and passengers will need a Public Transport Card  to travel. Transportation cards can hold 10 single tickets and two 10-journey tickets at a time. Download the Metro de Madrid app to see train maps, waiting times, and information on fares, passes, and more. The underground is currently working to improve accessibility at stations throughout the city and is working to make 84 percent of its stations accessible by 2028.

Buses: For anywhere Madrid's dozen or so metro and light rail lines can't take you, the city operates a fleet of more than 2,000 buses. Those buses run over 200 routes and serve more than 10,000 stops from 6 a.m to 11:30 p,m. (Note that some buses run on different schedules. Check run times before you leave your hotel.)

Taxis: Taxis are typically white with a diagonal red band on their front doors. They can be found at taxi stands throughout Madrid, hailed by raising an arm, or called through several ride-share apps.

Ride service: Uber is available in Madrid, as well as Cabify and Bolt.

Related Articles

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Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport

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Neighborhoods to Know

Best Madrid Hotels

Top Things to Do

Free Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

Madrid's Art Museums

Guide to Retiro Park

Shopping in Madrid

Day Trips From Madrid

Food to Try in Madrid

Madrid's Top Restaurants

Best Bars in Madrid

Best Time to Visit

The Best Time to Visit Madrid

TripSavvy / Paula Galindo Valle

For fewer crowds and great weather, the best time to visit Madrid is in the spring or fall. In addition to these perks, you'll also enjoy lower prices on accommodation during the low and shoulder seasons, making them budget-friendly options as well.

No matter what time of the year you decide to visit Madrid, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience. In this guide, we'll break down exactly what you can expect weather- and event-wise every month of the year, making your trip easier and more enjoyable all around.

Weather in Madrid

Madrid's deceptively high altitude ( 650 meters above sea level ) means that temperatures can vary quite a bit from season to season. By and large, you'll experience the best weather in the spring, when the average daytime temperature is in the low 60s Fahrenheit in March and April, and the high 60s by May.   Spring (particularly April) is one of the rainiest times of year, but the typical drizzles and light showers are nothing a compact umbrella can't fix.

Fall is also quite pleasant, with temperatures remaining in the 60s Fahrenheit throughout September and October. Winter is chilly, with an average daytime temperature of 48 degrees F in December, but the plentiful Spanish sunshine makes it more bearable.

Summers are scorching in Madrid. June is relatively mild, with temperatures in the 80s F, but that can soar up past 90 and even 100 degrees in July and August.

Crowds & Availability

As tourists pour into Madrid during July and August, locals flee the city and head for the shores. If you visit Madrid during the summer, keep in mind that lines at attractions such as the Royal Palace are likely to be long, and many local shops, restaurants and businesses — especially those that are family-owned — may close for a few weeks while their owners are on vacation.

More people means more money, which means that accommodation prices can soar in Madrid during the summer months. If budget is your biggest concern, visit during low season for better deals on lodging.

The first month of the year falls smack dab in the middle of low season in Madrid, and low crowds generally mean low prices on accommodation. Snow isn't common, but Madrid's high altitude will make it seem colder than it actually is with the wind chill. January also marks the start of the first of Madrid's two semi-annual sales periods ( rebajas ), making it prime shopping season.

Events to check out:

• The Three Kings Parade takes place every year on January 5. Here in Spain, the Wise Men of biblical lore bring presents to children during the holiday season on January 6, and when they arrive in Madrid the evening before, the streets line with eager spectators young and old alike.
• January 17 is the San Antón festival , during which pet owners parade their furry friends through the streets of Madrid to the San Antón Church for the ceremonial blessing of the animals.

Things slowly but surely start to warm up in February, with average daytime temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s F. Price-wise, accommodation deals remain plentiful, and rebajas season is still in full swing.

• February 2 is Candlemas , marked by colorful processions and makeshift bullfights (using a "bull" made out of wood — a lighthearted alternative for those who can't stomach the real thing) throughout the streets of Madrid.
• Most years, Carnival also falls during February. While not as famous as the celebrations in Tenerife or Cádiz , Madrid's carnival festivities feature plenty of costumes, music and dancing in addition to the emblematic parade.

Spring has sprung, and Madrid is thriving. You may still need a winter coat early in the month, but by mid-to-late March you'll be able to change it out for a light spring jacket. Crowds are also relatively thin during this month, so it's a great time to snag some accommodation deals.

• Depending on the year, Semana Santa (Holy Week) often falls in March, and some of the top Semana Santa destinations in Spain are easily within reach of Madrid (day trip, anyone?).

While you likely won't be able to avoid a light rain shower, April generally sees pleasant temperatures and relatively low tourist crowds. As the weather warms up, the atmosphere in Madrid becomes even more vibrant and lively than usual.

• The Festimad music festival is Madrid's biggest and best, hosting top-name acts from all over the world.
• Mulafest is the city's most unique and diverse urban festival, featuring everything from electronic music to tattoos to art exhibitions.

With summer just around the corner, Madrid is buzzing with activity. Terraces and plazas fill up with locals enjoying drinks al fresco in the sunny, warm weather (with temperatures averaging in the high 60s) As the tail end of shoulder season, May sees fewer tourists than the coming months.

• Madrid celebrates its patron saint during the San Isidro Festival , which includes drinking, dancing, music, and plenty of sweet treats.
• The region of Madrid itself is the star of the show on May 2 , a huge celebration that commemorates the city's triumph over Napoleon's armies in the early 19th century.

Summer is here, and while temperatures and crowds both start to increase in June, it's still a relatively laid-back month compared to the rest of the season.

• Madrid's Pride festival is one of Europe's largest, spreading love and acceptance throughout the city in late June and early July.
• The San Juan festival marks the unofficial start of summer. Madrileños head to Retiro Park for a night of bonfires, music and dancing until dawn.

The heat is on the rise in Madrid in July, which is typically the hottest month of the year in the city. Temperatures are typically in the 90s F, but low humidity makes the heat more bearable. High season also kicks into full swing, so expect larger crowds and higher hotel prices.

• Noches del Botánico is the can't-miss music event of the summer, with concerts taking place all month long in the Royal Botanical Gardens.
• Veranos de la Villa is another fantastic cultural festival, featuring awe-inspiring performances of the dramatic arts.

The scorching temperatures hang around in Madrid in August, but the locals don't. It's the most popular month of the year for Madrileños to pack up and head to the beach, so don't be surprised if many shops and restaurants are temporarily closed. It's also high season for tourists, which means attractions are more crowded.

• The three most authentic cultural events of the year — the San Cayetano, San Lorenzo, and La Paloma festivals — take place throughout three emblematic Madrid neighborhoods one after the other in August.

As summer fades away, things start to quiet down a bit in Madrid, setting the stage for a pleasantly mild fall. September is still relatively warm and sunny, but tourist crowds clear out and accommodation prices start their descent.

• DCODE is a massive one-day music festival taking place on the Complutense University campus.

The first full month of fall is one of the most pleasant times of the year to visit Madrid. Temperatures are in the 60s F and tourist crowds have all but disappeared.

• Spain's national day is October 12 , commemorated with military processions and street celebrations in Madrid.
• While not an exclusively Spanish holiday, locals are embracing Halloween more and more every year. Don't forget your costume.

As winter approaches, Madrid starts to get chillier, especially on November mornings and in the evening. This is low season at its best, so take advantage of the great prices and small crowds to really enjoy the city.

• Spaniards honor their deceased loved ones on November 1 ( All Saint's Day ) by visiting cemeteries to lay flowers and mementos on their graves.
• The Virgen de la Almudena Festival on November 9 is commemorated with flower offerings and religious processions.

A festive spirit takes over Madrid as the December winter holidays approach. While the weather is definitely chilly, precipitation is low, and it's a pleasant month to enjoy the magical atmosphere. Prices on accommodation tend to be lower during the beginning of December, rising near Christmas and New Year's .

• Christmas Eve ( Nochebuena ) is a bigger deal than December 25 itself in Spain. While many businesses are closed, there are plenty of restaurants that offer a special holiday dinner menu.
• On New Year's Eve ( Nochevieja ), Puerta del Sol gets packed with locals and visitors alike, waiting with bated breath to hear the first chimes of the new year at midnight and eat the traditional 12 grapes .

Spring or fall are the best seasons to visit Madrid, because prices tend to be lower and crowds of tourists are much thinner. The weather is also mild, not too warm or cold.

After the holiday season, airfare and hotel rates tend to go down during January and February.

July is typically the hottest month in Madrid with an average high temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius), but it can still get quite cool at night with an average low temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).

Weather Spark. "Average Weather in Madrid, Spain, Year Round." Retrieved February 3, 2021.

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How to Spend the Best 3 Days in Madrid

Are you planning 3 days in Madrid for your upcoming trip to Spain? Of course, you want to put together the best Madrid itinerary for an unforgettable visit!

In this guide, you’ll find:

• what to do in Madrid for 3 days, broken down day-by-day,
• how to get from the airport to the city center,
• where to stay in Madrid,
• the most popular day trips from Madrid,
• where to eat in Madrid, and
• how to position your time in Madrid within your larger Spain itinerary.

This Madrid itinerary in 3 days details exactly how to make the most of your time in Madrid. To clearly explain the logistics of how it worked for me, I checked out of my hotel on the morning of the 3rd day. The hotel stored my bag while I spent the full day in Madrid. In the early evening, I took a high-speed train to Barcelona and arrived just 2 1/2 hours later. 

Traveling in the evenings is a great schedule layout for your Spain itinerary if you’d rather not use chunks of your days transiting between cities.

How to get from the Airport to Madrid

Madrid’s Barajas Airport is about 12 miles from the city center of Madrid. The airport is well-connected with a variety of transfer options into the city depending on your travel style and budget.

If you’d like a private car transfer from the airport, I  pre-booked this car.  The experience was positive and smooth, with the driver waiting for me in the arrivals area and the company even tracking my flight arrival after it was delayed leaving New York.

Taxis are supposed to charge a fixed 30€ price for rides from the airport but can often come with unexpected or misunderstood fees. Add to this the challenge of a potential language barrier and the need for Euros because of an “out of order” credit card machine and you have a frustrating start to your trip.

Madrid Airport also has public transportation options, too. A 24-hour Airport Express Bus runs every day of the week and costs 5€. The bus stops at T1, T2, or T4 and you can purchase a ticket in cash once you board. The ride to Madrid takes about 40 minutes with the bus making 3 stops after leaving the airport, O’Donnell, Cibeles, and Atocha. From here, you’d transfer to the metro to reach your final destination. 

The bus only stops at Atocha during the day up until 11:30 p.m, but when it does, it has train connections and a taxi queue to connect you with where you need to go. The Airport Express bus runs every 15-20 minutes between 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. In between these hours, expect a bus every 35 minutes. 

Travelers can also take the Metro into Madrid. From T2 and T4 at the airport, Line 8 goes to the Nuevos Ministerios stop in the north section of Madrid. Metro Lines 6 & 10 connect with this station, which will give you access to additional transfer points depending on which station is closest to your hotel.

Taking the Metro from the airport is fast and cheap, at only 5€ for the 12-minute ride to Nuevos Ministerios. However, if your arrival is between 2 a.m. – 6 a.m, the Metro will be closed. Consider pre-booking a transfer or taking the Airport Express bus.

Where to Stay in Madrid

Most first-time visitors to Madrid stay in and around the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor areas. These popular squares are central to many top things to do in Madrid and within a 5-minute walking distance from one another. Puerta del Sol also has a metro station to access other areas of the city.

I stayed at the Petit Palace Opera , situated just steps from Puerta del Sol along the pedestrian street of Calle del Arenal. As luck would have it, the hotel is also in (dangerous) proximity to San Gines and their famous chocolate and churros.

The hotel had comfortable beds with white linens and towels. They easily accommodated 3 people with 3 twin beds in the room, which can be tricky to find in Europe with smaller room sizes.

The room had a safe and a mini-fridge, as well as back and front open-air ventilation via a window and a balcony door. The front balcony opened up to the street which was a bit noisy at first but settled down at a fairly reasonable hour for a weeknight. 

A full breakfast was included with the rate. There were eggs, meats, cheeses, cereals, fruits, and even green shots made from spinach and apples to give you a boost for the day. At the end of our stay, the hotel happily stored our luggage for the day while we explored more of Madrid and waited for our train later that evening.

I f you’re planning 3 days in Madrid: 

Check current hotel prices.  |  Book a Madrid hotel now.

Madrid itinerary in 3 days – getting oriented.

Puerta del Sol is the heart of the city, with Calle Mayor running alongside it on one side and the Gran Via in short walking distance on the other side. The large open plaza has a metro station and a taxi queue, along with a lot of people. If you’re staying in this area, it’ll feel like you’ve been dropped into a smaller version of Times Square, minus the neon lights.

You’re actually at kilometer 0, the most central square in Spain. This makes Puerta del Sol your north star in Madrid. Use it to orient yourself as you navigate to and from Madrid’s top sights.

Walk about 15 minutes or so to the east and you’ll find Retiro Park and the Paseo del Prado, home to Madrid’s 3 most famous museums. Or walk about the same time to the west out of Puerta del Sol and discover Mercado de San Miguel and the Palacio Real de Madrid, the city’s Royal Palace.

Before heading off to begin your three days in Madrid, use the energy of the square to shake off any jet lag you might be feeling. Get your first glimpses of Madrid’s classic architecture. Take stock of the many pedestrian-friendly streets and alleyways stemming off into a thicket of shops and cafes. 

Lastly, be sure to grab a photo next to the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree . It’s part of Madrid’s coat of arms and a symbol of the city.

Day 1: Best Museums in Madrid and Royal Gardens

Start your day by setting off from Puerta del Sol, eastward to the Museo Nacional del Prado , or the Prado Museum. The museum houses some of the world’s most famous classical European paintings from the 12th century onward. Works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Goya, Bosch, and Velequez steal the spotlight.

The Prado Museum is on several levels but it never felt overwhelming in the way a huge museum like the Louvre can. Still, as with any large art museum, all but the most diehard of art fans should plan to spend no more than a couple of hours seeing select paintings before fatigue sets in.

The best strategy is to choose some paintings you’d like to see beforehand and focus on these during your visit. A few of my favorites were Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, the Portrait of the Cardinal by Raphael, and the Clothed and Naked Maja paintings by Goya.

Plan to arrive when the museum first opens, both to avoid the largest crowds and while you’re still fresh in the day with the most energy.

I booked these skip-the-line tickets ahead of time. There was a small queue for those of us with tickets already, but we entered the museum quickly with our own dedicated security entrance versus those who had to first wait in line to buy tickets and then proceed through museum security.

Retiro Park

When you’re ready to stretch your legs and get out into the Madrid sunshine, walk just a few minutes to Retiro Park. All classic cities need green space to escape the crowds and commotion of the city streets. Madrid’s version offers wide-open walkways for casual strolls and a pond where visitors can paddle a rowboat out onto the water.

If your walk amongst the statues of former Kings has you feeling like one of Spain’s nobility, it’s because the park once belonged to Spain’s royal family. Before rejoining the current of Madrid, be sure to see the Crystal Palace tucked amongst larger-than-life evergreen trees and alongside a duck and turtle pond.

If you visit in the spring and summer, walk through the rose gardens, too, which are just a couple of minutes from the Crystal Palace. The park has public restrooms (although bring your own toilet paper ladies) and a few cafes if you’d rather grab a coffee and just people watch.

Madrid’s Triangle of Art

For the afternoon, and given your location in the city, it makes sense to choose from some of Madrid’s other popular museums. You can also explore the city’s architecture itself as a work of art if you prefer.

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia or the Reina Sofia Museum is Madrid’s museum for 20th-century art and contemporary art. The museum has collections by famous Spanish artists like Dali, Picasso, and Miro, to name a few, as well as numerous other works from non-Spanish artists. 

The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza completes the 3rd museum in Madrid’s triangle of art. The museum has hundreds of works from the 13th-century up through pop art of the late 20th-century. The collection was once owned by a single wealthy, art-loving family, which is remarkable considering the depth of the collection and how it has works of art spanning centuries of different periods of art.

If you’re an art lover looking for a quieter place than the Prado to enjoy Madrid’s art scene, the Thyssen-Bornemisza makes an excellent choice. If you’d like to visit all 3 of Madrid’s top museums, a combination ticket will help you save money and skip-the-line at each one.

Or if you’d rather be out in the Madrid sunshine, go in search of city’s classic architecture .

You’ll have already glimpsed some of Madrid’s style in Retiro Park but circle back if you missed it. The Plaza de Cibeles lies in one of the Paseo del Prado’s roundabouts with its Belle Epoque style palace. Just north of Retiro Park, wander along Calle Velazquez and the neighboring streets to discover some off-the-beaten-path Madrid architectural gems. 

On the way back toward the Puerta del Sol area, walk along the Gran Via which literally translates to “Great Way”  but would more appropriately be named the Great Way of one beautiful building after the next! Yes, there are shops, restaurants, and theaters, but the art deco and art nouveau style of the buildings will be what fills your camera’s memory card.

ProTip:  If you’d like to take a few birds-eye view photos of Madrid, make a stop at El Corte Ingles Gourmet Experience, just off the Gran Via. Take the elevator to the top floor for city views and gourmet souvenirs. Aside from the optional shopping, it’s one of the best free things to do in Madrid.

After a successful first day, are you wondering what things to do in Madrid at night? After all, Spain comes alive at night especially around delicious food and drink!

Where to Eat in Madrid

If you’re searching for the best tapas in Madrid, you’ll have no shortage of places to try. But, the Mercado San Miguel,  a food lover’s market open from 10 a.m.-12 a.m. (1 a.m. on weekends), is a great place to start. Expect it to be busy but well worth the time and extra Euros spent to enjoy the food and atmosphere.

If it’s your first time in Spain , Mercado San Miguel is a great place to try a sampling of foods and to get to know a little of the country’s tapas culture. The idea is to walk through the aisles as you taste small tapas bites and sip drinks from the vendors lining the market. Your list of what to see in Madrid in 3 days must include a stop at Mercado San Miguel.

Tables and stools are set up at the center of the market if you’re lucky enough to find a few empty seats. Remember, it’s as much about the vibe as it is the food! I tasted everything from cod croquettes to empanadas to olive skewers and burrata toasts and visited more than once during my time in Madrid.

ProTip: Food is such a huge part of the culture in Spain. So, any opportunity to meet and eat with a local sets up to be such an unforgettable experience, whether it’s part of a dinner party in a local’s home or during a class where you learn how to make paella and a delicious Spanish tortilla!

My friends and I did this years ago on our first trip to Barcelona and still talk about the amazing home-cooked meal we had!

Day 2: Day Trips from Madrid

When asking what to do in Madrid for 3 days, no itinerary would be complete without a day trip outside of the city. Just like Barcelona has Montserrat , Girona, and more the tough part comes when you have to choose between several top historic and cultural places!  Without a doubt, Toledo and Segovia are the two most popular Madrid day tours, although there are others, as well as possible combination trips.

Toledo, Spain dates back to Roman times and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Charles V, Emperor of the Roman Empire held court there. The city’s long history has influences dating back thousands of years including cultural landmarks from all three major religions.

In addition to its history and well-preserved sights, Toledo is an hour away from Madrid by bus and just 30 minutes by high-speed train . You can also book Toledo day trips that offer guides and hassle-free transportation. 

There’s enough to see and do in Toledo itself. I’d recommend dedicating the day here, rather than split your time among Toledo and another central Spain stop. However, I understand time is a premium on vacation and seeing both Toledo and Segovia is tempting!

Segovia has also been recognized by UNESCO. Its most famous landmark is a Roman Aqueduct likely built sometime between 1-50 A.D, after the Romans conquered what is now present-day Segovia. It’s one of the most popular places to visit near Madrid.

Looking at the Aqueduct, it’s incredible to realize the Romans used no mortar or cement to hold the structure together! The stones and arches are perfectly balanced in such a way that has allowed for the Aqueduct to last thousands of years.

Segovia’s Gothic Cathedral and Alcazar are also noteworthy sights to see during your visit. The Alcazar was built in the Middle Ages and blends a variety of architectural styles. Similar to Toledo, wandering around Segovia’s old town reveals the influences of the Christians, Moors, and Jews who lived and worked together for hundreds of years.

Segovia is also just an hour from Madrid by bus and only 30 minutes by high-speed train . If you’ve rented a car or are part of a tour, it’s possible to combine Segovia with a stop in Avila by focusing on just the main sights in each town.

Avila is known for its medieval walls that surround the town. They were built in the 11th-century and are in remarkable shape considering the battles and elements they’ve weathered. There’s also a Cathedral that was built into the medieval walls.

After a day spent outside the city, return to Madrid and immerse yourself into Madrid’s nightlife with a flamenco show and afterward the tapas scene in Barrio La Latina.

Barrio La Latina is one of the oldest areas in the city and it’s known for its local vibe and buzzing nightlife. The tapas bars and restaurants on Calle Cava Bajas line the street serving authentic Spanish food from snacks to meals! A perfect way to end another unforgettable day in Madrid.

ProTip:  If your visit to Madrid coincides with a Sunday, El Rastro is a huge outdoor flea market held in Barrio La Latina. It’s THE place to browse, people watch, and maybe come away with that one-of-kind gift or souvenir.

Less than 2 hours by high-speed train, the ancient city of Cordoba sits as a gateway into southern Spain’s Andalucia region and boasts 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the breathtaking Mosque-Cathedral.

The city was first settled by the Romans and has the ruins to show for its past. The following centuries resulted in conquests by both the Moors and the Christians. The result is a blend of cultures that shows in Cordoba’s food, architecture, and culture. 

Wander the city’s Jewish Quarter. Visit the Mosque-Cathedral and Palace of the Christian Kings. And save time to spy some of Cordoba’s famed flower-pot lined patios and savor the local cuisine at one of the many restaurants in the old city before heading back north to Madrid.

Day 3: The Royal Palace of Madrid

Today, from the Puerta del Sol area head west along Calle Mayor, eventually turning left onto any number of side streets that’ll lead you to Plaza Mayor . This wide-open square, reminiscent of the kind found throughout many European cities, dates back to the 1400s when it was Madrid’s central market square. 

Throughout the years, fires have damaged the square creating the need for more than one rebuilding of the square. The buildings and design of the square you see today was constructed mainly in the 1800s.

Touristy cafes line the perimeter, hawkers sell trinkets, and a monument from the 1600s of King Philip III is the focal point at the center.  If you’re feeling hungry, resist the urge to sit in the square. 

Instead, grab a Bocadillos de Calamares (a calamari sandwich) from 1 of a few hidden gems around Plaza Mayor. Bar Postas and La Campana are both hiding in plain sight on side streets near Plaza Mayor serving up these delicious Madrid specialties.

Not to mention, the Mercado San Miguel and Sobrino de Botin, Madrid’s and the world’s oldest restaurant, are just steps away from Plaza Mayor, too!

Palacio Real de Madrid

Depending on the entry time reserved on your Royal Palace of Madrid tickets, you may want to bypass the Plaza Mayor area and return for lunch or dinner bites…or both! 

The Palacio Real de Madrid, or Royal Palace, is at the end of Calle Mayor and just a couple of minutes to the right. You’ll see the Almudena Cathedral on the corner, which is next door to the Palace.

Again, tickets bought in advance helped us skip the line and go right through security at our selected entry time. There are also different types of visits from early access to Royal Palace guided tours with expert guides.

Once inside the palace grounds, you can tour some of the Palace’s 3,100+ rooms(!) starting with the grand staircase leading upstairs to rooms adorned with silk embroidered walls, crystal chandeliers, frescoed ceilings, gold trim, and a grand banquet hall still used by the current King and Queen for State dinners.

The Palace also has a chapel, an armory room, and depending on when you visit, rotating exhibitions.

Cathedral Almudena 

Just in front of the Palace, sits the Cathedral Almudena. You can go inside the Cathedral which is complete with towering marble pillars, flying buttresses, and a magnificent pipe organ.

However, since the original Cathedral was destroyed by a fire and this one was rebuilt in the early 1900s, the decor does have a modern feel, especially if you’ve seen other cathedrals throughout Europe. The admission is free (donations accepted, however) so the Cathedral is certainly worth a look.

ProTip: The Cathedral’s open courtyard in front of the Palace’s wrought iron gate is the best spot to take a photo of the Royal Palace. Climb the side steps of the Cathedral for a direct look at the Palace facade.

Plaza de Oriente & Plaza de Espana

When you’re finished with the Royal Palace, walk to see the former monarch statues lining the gardens in the Plaza de Oriente and just beyond that the Plaza de Espana and the Temple of Debod. Along the way, you’ll also pass gardens that were once part of the grounds of the Royal Palace. 

Temple of Debod

The Temple of Debod is an actual Egyptian Temple given to Spain. which once sat in the south of Egypt.  Visitors can enter inside and walk through the arches out in front. Unfortunately, when I visited, it wasn’t as pretty as above because the water pools surrounding the Temple had not yet been filled.

Perched up higher than other parts of the city, the park in which the Temple of Debod sits also makes a great sunset location, especially when the pools of water reflect the fading light from the sky. You can also get photos that overlook the city back towards the Royal Palace.

After 3 days in Madrid, head back toward the city center and  reward yourself with   the treasure of San Gines,  located just off the Calle del Arenal near the Puerta del Sol. The chocolatier is the oldest in Madrid, dating back to 1894. Go for the famous churros dipped in a mug full of thick chocolate heaven.

San Gines is open 24 hours a day. So, whether you’re staying 1 last night in Madrid or need to catch a train to your next destination, there’s always a serving of churros and chocolate at the ready. 🙂

How many days in Madrid do you need?

How many days to spend in Madrid depends on what you’d like to do. As with any big city, it’s impossible to see everything in just a few days.

But a 3 day Madrid itinerary provides just the right amount of time to see the main sights and museums, while still leaving open the option of doing one of the popular Madrid day trips to places like Toledo or Segovia.

If Madrid is the first stop on your Spain itinerary, I recommend planning the transfer to your next destination in the evening. This way, you can enjoy your 3rd and final day in Madrid and then make your way to the train station or airport.

I took a 7:30 p.m. train to Barcelona and made it to my hotel with enough time to enjoy some tapas before going to bed.

Where to next on your Spain Itinerary?

Madrid to Barcelona or Madrid to Seville is just about 2 1/2 hours by high-speed train . Madrid’s Atocha Station makes it quick and effortless to transfer between Madrid and other cities in Spain. It’s less than 2 miles from Puerta del Sol or about 10-15 minutes (depending on traffic) by taxi to the station.

Even better than its location, Atocha station has a tropical green atrium with giant palms filling the open space of the center atrium. It’s actually a sight to see aside from any train travel. Just remember, you do have to pass through security to reach the train gates , so be sure to leave yourself enough time to see the station and get to your train on time.

Trains in Spain require an assigned coach and seat number. Popular routes and times, especially during peak seasons can sell out so buy your tickets ahead of time. Depending on the train, the schedule opens up 2-3 months before your travel dates.

I booked tickets online because all of the available trains are listed as on Spain’s train website, but the website is in English, allows you to print out your tickets ahead of time, and isn’t glitchy with credit cards. 

You can also fly from Madrid to other points in Spain. For example, a quick flight to Malaga can position you in southern Spain. You could even base yourself in Malaga and take day trips from there!

Is Madrid worth visiting?! Of course! It’s one of the most visited cities in Europe and adds charm and authenticity to your Spain itinerary. Not to mention you can fly from the U.S. to Madrid cheaply. For example, Tap Air Portugal offers plenty of deals to Madrid.

With three days in Madrid, you’re sure to fall in love with the city’s sights, food, and architecture. 

What would you like to see and do during your 3 days in Madrid?

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10 thoughts on “how to spend the best 3 days in madrid”.

This is Awesome, along with the Monserat guide. I plan to do this trip and follow this guide.

Thanks for reading, Royal! OMG, you’ll love Spain! Check out my new Barcelona guide, too. Just published! 🙂

Really enjoyed your blog . Am planning to visit Madrid and some other cultural towns in mid December 2019, your blog is a great help. Thanks.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy your trip to Spain. I’m about to make some updates to this article because I’m just back from Spain again. In Madrid, check out the restaurant El Sur. And if they’re too busy, try the other location Mas al Sur. Great local vibe and Tapas! Enjoy. 🙂

Love your blog. First time to Spain and first European trip for my teenagers. We have 3 days in Barcelona and Madrid. Love to find out about train tickets from Barcelona – Madrid on AVE. Been having issues with Renfe. An.y advice would help. Thanks!

Thanks for reading, Sue, and thank you for the kind words. You will love Spain! I used Omio to book my tickets. The price was the same as booking through Renfe and the site super easy to use with no translating needed. If you do use them, after your purchase, download the Omio app. You can add your tickets to the app and access them when offline. It was super easy to show at the station to board the train. Enjoy your trip! 🙂

Thank you Jackie! I’ve added a day while in Madrid in hopes to catch a RM game! We are huge fans of football. I am so excited!

Thanks for reading, Sue. That will be so much fun!! Have a great trip. 🙂

hey there – when booking tickets for Prado, which option did you choose – exhibition or collections?

Thanks for reading, Pal. I purchased the skip the line ticket I mentioned in the article. It doesn’t give a choice between exhibition or collection. However, you want access to the collection if you’re seeing it listed another way. Hope that helps! Have a great trip to Spain.

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The Best Things to do in Madrid: Explore the Lively Spanish Capital

Looking for the best things to do in Madrid? Don’t miss this handy guide – complete with the best places to visit, eat and soak up the culture of the Spanish capital.

Madrid is an enthralling city – lively, fun, outgoing and with no shortage of attractions for you to explore.

I’ve talked a lot (A LOT) about my love affair with this hectic city. There’s always been something that has kept me coming back time and time again since the very first time I rocked up here as a young (and incredibly broke) backpacker at the age of 17 to now, in my sage mid-thirties.

So you’re heading to the Spanish capital and wondering what to do in Madrid? I’ve got your back. 

This guide will walk you through the top things you shouldn’t miss, along with the best cultural attractions, places to eat and things to do at night in Madrid. Hold onto your hats, it’s going to be a whirlwind ride.

This really is an all-encompassing guide – if you’re short on time and just want to see the highlights, I’d suggest reading my One Day Madrid Itinerary instead.

PS: Looking for recommendations for a cool place to stay in Madrid? I loved the Axel Hotel Madrid – great location, a cool vibe and a nice rooftop bar with a pool.

5 Unmissable Things to do in Madrid

Spend some time exploring the prado museum.

I can’t write a piece about the best things to do in Madrid and not include The Prado. Fact.

In a city that is blessed with many museums, The Prado is the best-known and the one that most people would recommend you go to if you only have time to visit one museum during your time in the city.

I’m not sure if I’d entirely agree – the Thyssen Bornemisza is all kinds of spectacular, and more in line with my taste but hey – I’m not turning my nose up at a museum that features so many of the art world greats.

There’s the spectacular Pinturas Negras series by Goya, more than a couple of El Grecos, pieces by Fra Angelico, Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael – I’m not going to list them all because we would be here all day.

If there’s one thing you need to know before you go to The Prado, it’s that it is HUGE. 

You could easily dedicate a whole day to your visit if that’s what you want to do. By contrast, you can also see the highlights in the course of a few hours so don’t be daunted by its size.

Book Tickets for The Prado Book a Skip the Line Guided Tour of The Prado Museum

Amble Through Parque del Buen Retiro

Parque del Buen Retiro (Retiro Park for short) is one of the best places to visit in Madrid if you really want to see a slice of local life. 

This expansive park near the centre of the city is where Madrilenos go to hang out, have family picnics and even propose (I swear – this totally happened on my last trip there – I have the photos to prove it!).

It used to belong to the Spanish monarchy, which totally explains its gorgeous layout. 

There are rose gardens, pergolas, aquatic displays, there’s even the Palacio de Cristal – a Crystal Palace that’s now used to showcase artworks from the Reina Sofia museum.

Go with a picnic, have a mooch and enjoy discovering the different sections of the park.

Check Out Palacio Real

Madrid’s royal palace, the Palacio Real is a suitably striking affair. 

The imposing building in tones of white and grey with touches of gold, is enough to set your Insta alight… but just wait until you get inside. 

It’s like the designer’s brief was “this needs to channel ‘where gold and gilt went to die’ vibes but with extra drama – lots of extra drama”.

It’s a bit maximalist for me, but then again, I’m not royalty and I’m sure the Spanish royal family don’t give a toss about my opinions on their palace’s decor.

Catty comments aside, it’s very much worth a visit – because who doesn’t like to have a nose through a palace anyway. Book ahead and go as early in the day as possible. 

As the day progresses it gets very busy and the guards are pretty merciless about herding you around like the lowly cattle you are.

You can also buy a skip the line ticket with a guided tour here.

Marvel at Plaza Mayor

Every capital has its big central square, the hub of city life to which tourists flock in their droves – London has Trafalgar Square , New York has Times Square and Madrid has Plaza Mayor (it also has Plaza del Sol but it’s not quite as cool).

Plaza Mayor is one of the remaining vestiges of royal Madrid. It dates back to the 15th century but was remodelled in the 17th century to the fabulously OTT destination we find today.

Take some time to check out the decadent architecture, complete with the nine gates at various points in the plaza, as well as the bronze statue of King Philip III sitting proudly in the centre.

Eat, Shop and Stroll Through Mercado San Miguel

Madrid is a city that takes its food very seriously, so it’s no surprise that the city’s central food market is off-the-charts good. 

Yes, Mercado San Miguel is touristy, no it’s not as cheap as some of the other tapas spots in the city but you shouldn’t write it off as a crap tourist trap because it’s not.

In fact, I’m willing to lay down a pretty hefty bet that as you feast on the gourmet offerings from the many stallholders and sip your sweet vermouth from the Vermut Bar (be warned, these are more potent than they appear), you are going to be feeling pretty thankful that Mercado San Miguel wasn’t demolished like so many other similar markets in Madrid were in the nineties.

Best Things to do in Madrid for Culture Lovers

Discover madrid’s cool street art scene.

Madrid’s street art scene has come on leaps and bounds in the past decade – with a roster of national and international artists bringing various walls around the city to life.

If you love street art, I’d highly recommend setting aside an afternoon to go on my self-guided street art tour in Madrid , which largely focuses on the Lavapies and Embarcadero areas. 

But if you keep your eyes open, you will find cool walls dotted about everywhere.

Alternatively, you can book onto a guided Madrid street art tour.

Peek Inside Thyssen Bornemisza

The Thyssen Bornemisza is one of my favourite art galleries and hands down one of the best places to visit in Madrid.

It’s just across the road from The Prado but, while the collection spans pieces from the 13th to the 21st century, there’s a lot more work from the Impressionist periods onwards than The Prado. 

Keep your eyes open for pieces by Picasso, Dali, Lichtenstein, Sargeant, Van Gogh, Manet and Gaugain. In fact, just wander around – you are guaranteed to find something you love.

Another big plus for the Thyssen Bornemisza? 

It’s smaller and on a more manageable scale than The Prado, so you can take the time to appreciate the pieces without the overwhelm (I know, #firstworldproblems right).

Buy Tickets for the Thyssen Bornemisza  Book a Private Guided tour of the Thyssen Bornemisza

Fall in Love With the Museo Nacional del Romanticismo

I only discovered this cute little museum on my most recent trip to Madrid – upshot is that I totally fell in love with it and have been recommending the Museo Nacional del Romanticismo to anyone who’ll listen ever since.

It most certainly is not the biggest museum in Madrid – located in a former private residence, it’s actually quite small – but what it lacks in size it makes up in quality.

The Museum focuses on the Spanish Romantic period, giving visitors a glimpse into the life of the gentry of that period as you pass through the different rooms in the house.

Where so many museums give you a broad overview and nothing more, the Museo Nacional del Romanticismo gives an up-close-and-personal account of life in those days and the roles the arts played in that.

Look Up at La Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida

Not that many people talk about La Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida – something that completely baffles me as it is one of my favourite Madrid attractions.

Think of it as Madrid’s version of the Sistine Chapel – every inch of the ceilings covered by a series of breathtaking frescoes by Goya depicting the miracle of St Anthony.

The frescoes tell the story of St Anthony who brings a young man from the dead in order that the man can absolve his father, who has been accused of his murder (and there we were thinking the Game of Thrones plotlines were far out).

Goya is also buried in the chapel – though mysteriously, when they transferred his remains from France, they couldn’t find his head…

PS. There are confusingly two chapels that look pretty much identical where the Ermita is supposed to be. 

It’s the one on the right if you have your back to the road – the second was built as a replica so that churchgoers could go to church in peace without being disturbed by people like us gawping at the ceiling.

Visit the Temple of Debod

The Temple of Debod is, without a doubt, one of the stranger places to see in Madrid. 

I certainly wouldn’t expect to be able to visit a 2nd century BC Egyptian temple in the middle of Madrid, but that’s exactly what you can do at this rather odd monument.

The story behind it is equally fascinating – the temple was gifted to Spain by Egypt in the 1960s as a thank you for the Spanish’s role in saving the Abu Simbel Temples during the construction of the Aswan High Dam. 

The Temple of Debod was taken apart and then reconstructed, slab by slab, in Madrid’s Montaña Park, where it sits today.

Explore the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena

Madrid’s contemporary cathedral comes under a lot of (I’d say unjustified) fire for its unusual and eclectic appearance. 

I think it’s pretty interesting to see a cathedral that is so different to the norm – thanks largely to the fact that it was only completed in 1993.

Critics main annoyances seem to be that the art is a bit offbeat to say the least – but who needs to look at another badly-painted Renaissance saint anyway? 

Instead you’re confronted with geometric forms and some decidedly contemporary pieces. 

Like Marmite, the only way to decide if you love it or hate it is to go and see it.

Admire the Work Inside the Reina Sofia

The Reina Sofia is the third museum in Madrid’s so-called Museum Triangle (The Prado and Thyssen Bornemisza being the other two) and, in honesty, my least favourite of the three. 

The collection focuses on 20th century Spanish art and is one of the world’s largest contemporary art museums.

The big showstopper here is Picassso’s Guernica . Good luck trying to get close enough to it, for the crowds not to crush you to death or for the irritatingly pedantic museum staff to leave you alone long enough for you to actually get any sense of the piece.

Like the Mona Lisa, the art work is impressive, the drama of actually seeing it, not so much.

Away from Guernica, there’s an extensive collection of other Picasso pieces, along with some thought-provoking work from Dali and Miro.

I wouldn’t bother with some of the more out-there galleries, which somehow both bored me to death whilst also simultaneously making my brain hurt trying to figure out why they even existed. Not that I have strong opinions on the Reina Sofia or anything.

Book a Guided Tour of the Reina Sofia Here

Step Inside the CaixaForum Madrid

This rather amazing building is located near the centre of Madrid – just across from the Botanical Gardens (which I feature below). 

It was originally built as a power station for the city, with the architects drawing inspiration from Gaudi’s buildings. 

Today this site is an arts and culture centre with permanent exhibitions and temporary ones – past exhibitions have included Olga Picasso and the Magical Art of Escher.

Spot Torre de los Lujanes

The Torre de los Lujanes falls into the category of “nice to see points of interest in Madrid – but not an absolute must”. It’s one of the oldest buildings in Madrid and you can see traces of Arabic and Gothic features on the tower’s facade.

(Try to) Visit Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales

I’m going on hearsay here because if there are two things you need to know about the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales (The Convent of the Barefoot Nuns) it is that 1) It’s barely open 2) Tickets for tours sell out quickly everyday.

Upshot? Despite trying to go three freaking times on my last trip, we still didn’t get to see it.

Plan more wisely and you will find an old palace that was transformed into a convent and which still holds one of Madrid’s most extraordinary collections of art. 

The daughters and widows of many aristocratic families joined the convent, bringing with them gifts of pieces by Titian, Brueghel, Rubens and Van Cleve (as you do when you become a nun). 

The decor is supposedly equally impressive too.

Take a Tour at Matadero Madrid

This cultural centre is located in an old slaughterhouse near the Manzanares river.

Go to the Matadero Madrid to discover a wealth of activities. You can take one of the free tours that are available every day, or visit different kinds of exhibitions like contemporary art or culture and technology.

The terrace cafe is a great place to have a coffee or a drink while enjoying the wonderful views of Madrid. It’s a great place to relax after a day of sightseeing.

Cool Places to Visit in Madrid

Hop between madrid’s many tapas bars.

The food in Madrid is ridiculously good. 

There are so many hole-in-the-wall tapas spots, each specialising in one particular dish that they do spectacularly well, that doing a tapas food bar crawl is one of the absolute top things to do in Madrid. 

You can either construct your own or go on a guided tour like this one .

I’ll be writing a separate piece about finding amazing food in Madrid, but as a starter, I’d recommend heading to the following places.  

• Bar Cerveris for their amazing Spanish Tortilla
• La Campagna for the Bocadillo de Calamares
• Casa Toni for the Muecas (sweetbreads – don’t knock it until you’ve tried it)
• Casa Julio for the Croquetas
• Casa Revuelta for the battered Bacalao (OMG yum)

See the Centre of Spain, the Puerta del Sol

Madrid loves a town square – and while the Puerta del Sol might lack some of the good looks of the Plaza Mayor, it actually sits at the very heart of the city. 

In fact, it is the heart of Spain – all distances in the country are measured from its centre – surely that gives it a spot on your list of must-see Madrid attractions.

While there are many statues sprinkled all over the square, the most famous is the Oso y Madrono – the Bear and the Madrono tree, which represents the emblem of Madrid. 

Wander Through the Botanical Gardens

Tucked away just behind The Prado, Madrid’s Botanical Gardens date all the way back to the 18th century and are absolutely one of the best things to see in Madrid.

Time your visit for the right season and you will find a riot of colour and fragrance with more than enough quiet and shady spots to take refuge from the fierce sun. 

The gardens, which are organised into three main terraces, are pretty delightful and well worth a couple of hours of exploration.

Check Out the View From Faro de Moncloa

Want to get a bird’s-eye view of the city? Head to the ridiculously good value Faro de Moncloa in the north of the city. 

The observation deck towers 92 metres above the city, which you can access for a wallet-friendly €3 per adult.Once you’re up there, there are plenty of signs and maps to help you identify the landmarks on the 360-degree panorama spread out below.

Wander Past the Sociedad General de Autores y Editores

This is another spot that you don’t find on many guides to cool places to see in Madrid – but I loved it. 

The Sociedad General de Autores y Editores is all about architectural drama – here in the Modernisme style that Gaudi daubed so liberally all over Barcelona.

There aren’t many (scratch that, there aren’t any) other buildings like this in Madrid – it’s a nice contrast to the architecture you see in the rest of the city.

You’re not allowed inside, but the exterior is exuberant enough to justify the walk.

Take a Ride on Teleférico de Madrid Cable Car

Hop onto the Teleferico for another opportunity to see Madrid from above. 

The cable car whizzes you from Parque Oeste to Casa de Campo – Madrid’s semi-rural playground on the outskirts of the city – and back again. The journey takes 11 minutes each way.  

Dine at the Oldest Restaurant in the World

Fancy gorging on some of the best food in Madrid? I would be giving you heavy side-eye if you said no, to be honest.

Sobrino de Botin just so happens to be the oldest restaurant in the world – it opened in 1725 and has been going strong ever since, so it must be doing something right.

The specialty here is suckling pig, though the entire menu is a masterclass of Spanish cuisine. I recommend going at an offbeat time or trying to snag a reservation in advance – you will be queuing for a while otherwise.

Find the Tropical Garden in Atocha Station

It might seem a bit weird for me to tell you to go to a train station, but not many stations are like Atocha Station.

The largest railway station in Madrid, Atocha is distinguished by the fact that it is home to a 4,000 square metre tropical garden.

Yes, you read that right… there’s a tropical garden inside the station. It was created in 1992 to make use of the disused station concourse and contains over 7,000 plants from tropical and sub-tropical species.

Things to do in Madrid at Night

Madrid is one of the biggest party cities in Europe… unfortunately I’m too old and grizzled these days to truly take advantage of it – but here are a couple of ideas for things to do in Madrid at night.

Enjoy Dinner at La Sanabresa

It’s tough to pick a favourite restaurant in Madrid, but La Sanabresa is the place I come back to again and again on my trips. 

This is an old-school Spanish restaurant – no frills, no fancy, just amazing food at incredibly good prices.

The menu is huge – don’t be surprised if you spend a significant portion of the evening just deciding what you’re going to have. 

I wouldn’t worry about it too much anyway, because everything that comes out of La Sanabresa’s kitchen is pure Spanish gastronomic gold.

PS. The queues can get mad hectic between 10pm and 11pm.

Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop Bar

What could be better than watching the sunset, drink in hand on a rooftop bar? Answer = very few things.

Madrid has an obscene number of rooftop bars (probably down to the fact that they have great weather, unlike my hometown of London).

The most famous is at the Circulo de las Bellas Artes – which comes with the queues to match. 

My tip? Head around the corner to the Palacio de Cibeles at Centro Centro which also has amazing views but none of the queues.

Read More: The Best Rooftop Bars in Madrid

And… Places to Skip During Your Visit to Madrid

El Rastro features on every list of what to see in Madrid. Can I be honest (oh, go on then, I will) – I thought El Rastro was truly sh*t.

It was like the place where all the rubbish crap that no one wants or needs went to die. It was also packed. What a lovely combination!

Chocolateria San Gines

I feel like I ruffled so many feathers when I went to Chocolateria San Gines and posted on my Insta story that I didn’t like it. Well, less ruffled feathers and more unleashed a flood of messages ranging from ire to bafflement.

Truth is, the queues are long, the churros are really greasy, the chocolate isn’t as good as it is in other places in the city and I just didn’t get the fuss.

In the interests of transparency I should probably say that I don’t get that excited about chocolate overall, but I really did love the chocolate at El Riojano around the corner – and there are no queues. Just saying.

If you have a big shopping street in your home city, I can pretty much guarantee you’ve seen most of what Gran Via has to offer.

There are so many artisan shops, cool independent restaurants and offbeat spots in Madrid that it seems a shame to waste your time shopping in the same old shops you can find everywhere else.

Need to Know: Practical Information for Discovering Madrid’s Attractions

Getting to madrid.

You’re likely to start your whisk round of Madrid in a day with a flight to Madrid Barajas International Airport or a train into Madrid’s Atocha or Chamartin stations.

There are a lot of low-cost carrier flights to Madrid Barajas from all over the world.

Check flights to Madrid on Skyscanner.

Terminal 4 is much nicer than the older terminals but they’re all pretty well connected and it’s relatively easy to get into the city from them.

Obviously, catching a taxi or booking a transfer is going to be the least hassle – but that comes at a price.

Madrid’s efficient metro (tube) service runs to the airport, with one stop serving Terminals 1, 2 and 3 and the last serving Terminal 4.

You can buy a ticket at the well-signposted metro station (don’t forget to pick the special airport ticket, which costs a bit more) – the journey to Nuevo Ministerios takes around 25 minutes, from where you can pick up a connecting metro or overground train to pretty much every destination in the city.

Another alternative is to take one of the several airport buses from the airport to the city centre. This can be quicker or slower than taking the metro depending on your destination – I’d suggest checking Citymapper in advance to work out which one is going to be easier for you.

Getting Around Madrid

Madrid is a very walkable city, so for the most part, I would suggest getting a pair of comfortable walking shoes and doing most of your travel on foot.

If you are taking public transport, you can buy individual metro tickets (around €2 each) or pay a deposit for a rechargeable transport card.

Suggested Stay in Madrid: Axel Hotel Madrid

I mentioned this earlier on – I stayed in the Axel Hotel Madrid during my most recent stay and it’s fast become my favourite hotel in Madrid to date.

It’s a gay (but very hetero-friendly) hotel in the centre of the city – you’re within a 10 minute walk of Plaza Mayor and Plaza del Sol, the rooms are really stylish and there’s a rooftop bar and accompanying pool for you to hang out in as the sun sets. Highly recommended.

Check prices and availability

Also, check out this post on the best areas to stay in Madrid .

Suggested Tours of Madrid

Here are a couple of tours that will help you explore Madrid’s top attractions to the fullest during your time there. Don’t forget to check my one-day Madrid itinerary either !

• Secret Food Tour of Madrid
• Wine and Tapas Tour of Madrid
• Madrid Segway Tour

And if you have a little more time, you can also consider these day trips from Madrid .

• Day trip to Toledo from Madrid
• Day trip to Avila and Segovia from Madrid

How Many Days do you Need in Madrid?

I would suggest three days in Madrid. This is enough time to allow you to visit many of the city’s major sights without having to rush around at an uncomfortable pace.

If you do have more time to explore, even better as you can see some of the more offbeat Madrid attractions and take the time to discover the city at a leisurely pace.

What to Pack for Madrid

• Light clothes if you are travelling in the summer months. Madrid in the summer can sometimes feel like the hottest place on the earth. That’s why all the locals tend to leave during the summer months, though this is starting to change.
• Suncream It can be easy to forget how strong the sun can be when you are exploring a city.
• Winters can be surprisingly cold so you should wrap up warm.
• Lonely Planet Madrid Guide
• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals – check out my guides to the best travel shoes for women and men .
• A hat to provide protection from the sun.
• Universal travel adapter.
• Google Translate or a Spanish Phrasebook

Check out this Madrid Packing Guide for an in-depth look at what to bring.

Map of The Best Things to do in Madrid

Looking for more Madrid and Spain tips and guides? Check these out…

• Madrid in a Day – A Step by Step Itinerary
• Cool Street Art in Madrid
• The Best Rooftop Bars in Madrid
• Brilliant Day Trips from Madrid
• Gorgeous Airbnbs in Madrid
• Cool Things to do in Spain 
• Spanish Landmarks You Shouldn’t Miss 
• The Perfect Spain Itinerary

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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36 Hours in Madrid

By Andrew Ferren Updated Feb. 16, 2023

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Madrid has little to prove as a premier art destination. Its central “golden triangle of art”(anchored by the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums) makes for a dazzling art lovers’ pilgrimage, and the city is bolstered by cutting-edge cultural foundations like Espacio Solo and Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary . In 2023, Madrid is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s death and the 100th anniversary of Joaquín Sorolla’s with a series of exhibitions dedicated to each artist. Also, few cities have seen such a flurry of hotel openings since the pandemic’s onset — including the Edition, the Four Seasons, the Mandarin Oriental and the Hard Rock. One thing that hasn’t changed is the city’s warm embrace of anyone wanting to join the fun. Since so few Madrileños are actually from Madrid, everyone is welcome.

Recommendations

• Corral de la Morería is a traditional flamenco tablao with one untraditional factor — an eight-seat Michelin-starred restaurant.
• Museo Sorolla is the former home and studio of the artist Joaquín Sorolla.
• Reina Sofía is Spain’s national museum of modern and contemporary art.
• Ecoalf is a fashion label and a store that upcycles plastic bottles and fishing nets to make luxury garments.
• Golda is a cheery cafe with Middle Eastern-accented breakfast fare.
• Frida offers family-friendly breakfast options and outdoor seating.
• The Omar is a brunch spot with the air of a classic European coffeehouse.
• El Jardín de Arzábal is a restaurant in the Reina Sofía Museum with a lush, jungly terrace.
• Kappo serves traditional omakase at a 12-seat counter or in a six-table dining room.
• Urso Hotel sets the vibe with live piano music in its lobby cocktail bar.
• La Vaquería Montañesa has a candlelit ambience and simple yet superb dishes in the Chamberí neighborhood.
• Jack’s Library pours craft cocktails from a hidden spot behind what appears to be a flower shop.
• Lula Club is a nightspot where you can dance, and maybe spot a celebrity.
• Kluster beckons with pulsating music and a dance floor full of shirtless men.
• Plaza de España , which underwent a major renovation, now has tree-shaded promenades and pedestrian paths linking it to Madrid’s biggest attractions.
• The Royal Palace , among Europe’s grandest, is still in use today for state events.
• Santa Bárbara is a grand Baroque church in the Salesas neighborhood.
• Monastery of the Royal Barefoot Nuns offers guided tours to see its treasures, including famous tapestries.
• Museo Geominero offers four stories of mineral and fossil exhibits to delight both children and adults.
• Travesía Cuatro is a commercial art gallery featuring international contemporary artists with an emphasis on Latin American art.
• Alzueta Gallery is a contemporary space with outposts in Barcelona and Madrid.
• Albarrán Bourdais is a commercial art gallery featuring contemporary artists from Spain, Mexico, France and beyond.
• Oteyza sells exquisitely tailored men’s clothing, from handmade sneakers to bespoke suits.
• La Duquesita is a beautiful Art Nouveau pastry shop that is more than a century old.
• Real Fábrica and Cocol are two stores in the historic city center selling regional crafts like mohair blankets and ceramics.
• WOW Concept is a store artfully showcasing international design and fashion.
• Rosewood Villa Magna , newly renovated, is among the city’s most luxurious addresses and near the major art museums and high-end shops of the upscale Barrio de Salamanca. Its three roaring fireplaces in the lobby and bar make it ideal for a cozy winter stay. Doubles from €850, or $908.
• CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha , in an 1850s palace in the historic city center, has some of the most spacious rooms in Madrid, not to mention top-floor suites with large decks and hot tubs. Doubles from about €250.
• Bastardo , a hipster hostel in trendy Chueca, has a buzzing lobby and a variety of room options — from singles to shared rooms to family rooms that sleep six. Doubles from about €90.
• For short-term rentals , the pretty Almagro neighborhood offers quiet streets lined with boutiques, galleries and small restaurants, all within walking distance of many major museums and attractions.
• Madrid is a very walkable city, and streets are surprisingly safe, even in the early hours of the morning. In addition to the city’s fleet of white taxis , ride-hailing apps like Uber , Bolt and Cabify are popular. The city’s metro and buses are reliable, clean and air-conditioned.

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A metro via Nuevos Ministerios and Plaza De España are the easiest ways to travel from Madrid Airport (MAD) to Royal Palace of Madrid, with the journey lasting 42min. Another option is the Empresa Municipal de Transportes which runs a bus from Aeropuerto T4 to Cibeles at a 5min interval.

Are there any services for passengers with limited mobility at the MAD upon their arrival?

Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) offers services to persons with disabilities. To enjoy this service, you need to contact the airport directly, at least 48h before your arrival.  A dedicated staff will meet you at your seat for debarkation and will assist you with your hand luggage.

Are there currency exchange bureaus at MAD?

If you’ve just landed in Madrid and want to change your dollars into euros, you’ll get plenty of options at your disposal. Global Exchange is a reputable service provider at this facility, and they’re located in Terminal 4.

Are there lounges at MAD?

There are several lounges at MAD, including Neptuno Lounge in Terminal 4, and Sala VIP Cibeles in Terminal 1 between Gates B26 and B29. If you’re an economy class traveler, you can access these lounges if you purchase a day pass.

What are some good hotels near Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport?

The Tach Hotel Madrid Airport is a stylish, 4-star choice that is only a 4-minute drive from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport and offers a free shuttle service for guests. The TRYP Madrid Diana Hotel is a standard option that is a 6-minute drive from the airport and a 20-minute drive from the popular Museo del Prado.

What is the best way to travel from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport to downtown Madrid?

If you would like to travel from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport to downtown Madrid as easily and quickly as possible, it is best to take a rental car or taxi, as the drive will only take you 20 minutes without any additional traffic. It is also possible to use public transportation, such as the local bus or metro system, which will take you approximately 30 minutes.

Does Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport have a prayer room?

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport has both an on-site Mosque and a Multi-Confessional Chapel. Both prayer rooms are open during standard business hours and are available for all travelers. The Mosque contains separate prayer areas for men and women.

What is the best airport to fly from in New York?

When flying from New York, there are three different airports that you can choose from. If you are located in Manhattan or New Jersey, it is easiest to fly from either John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport. If you are flying from Queens or Long Island, it is easiest to fly from LaGuardia Airport.

What is the cheapest flight from New York to Madrid?

In the last 3 days, the lowest price for a flight from New York to Madrid was $193 for a one-way ticket and $305 for a round-trip.

Do I need a passport to fly between New York and Madrid?

A passport is required to fly from New York to Madrid.

Which airports will I be using when flying from New York to Madrid?

When flying out of New York you will be using one of these airports: Newark, New York John F Kennedy Intl, or New York LaGuardia. You will be landing at Madrid Barajas.

Which airlines offer Wi-Fi service onboard planes from New York to Madrid?

All the following airlines offer inflight Wi-Fi service on the New York to Madrid flight route: Delta, Air France, Iberia, KLM, Finnair, British Airways, Air Europa, and American Airlines.

Which aircraft models fly most regularly from New York to Madrid?

The Boeing 767-400 is the aircraft model that flies most regularly on the New York to Madrid flight route.

Which airline alliances offer flights from New York to Madrid?

oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance are the airline alliances operating flights between New York and Madrid, with oneworld being the most commonly used for this route.

On which days can I fly direct from New York to Madrid?

There are nonstop flights from New York to Madrid on a daily basis.

Which is the best airline for flights from New York to Madrid, Delta or Finnair?

The two airlines most popular with KAYAK users for flights from New York to Madrid are Delta and Finnair. With an average price for the route of $817 and an overall rating of 8.0, Delta is the most popular choice. Finnair is also a great choice for the route, with an average price of $734 and an overall rating of 7.7.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights from New York to Madrid?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from New York to Madrid.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from New York to Madrid?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Madrid from New York is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from New York to Madrid?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Madrid with an airline and back to New York with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from New York to Madrid?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Madrid from New York up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding a cheap flight from New York to Madrid

• Looking for a cheap flight? 25% of our users found flights on this route for $567 or less one-way and $610 or less round-trip.
• If you’ll be departing through John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), know that the establishment has around 24 lounges. Passengers holding single-entry passes can access 8 of the lounges. Travelers with Priority Pass membership can access 7 lounges, including Primeclass and Wingtip. In addition, the lounges are accessible to any passenger at a reduced cost, irrespective of the airline they're flying.
• New York’s second busiest airport, the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), has three terminals labeled A, B, and C.  To facilitate easy and convenient transfer between one terminal to the other, AirTrain and Shuttle buses (Star Alliance Connections) make regular runs between them, at an interval of 5-15min. However, if you feel you’re fit enough to connect on foot, there are walkways at your disposal.
• Several hotels lie within easy reach of New York’s airports, with most of them offering courtesy vehicles to and from the airport. Those with early morning departures from New York via John F. Kennedy International (JFK) should secure a room at the Fairfield Inn By Marriott Jfk Airport. You’ll have an easy time commuting to the airport.
• New York airports offer more than just departure and arrivals. Plan to arrive early and explore the various attractions that dot these facilities. If you’ll be departing through Newark Liberty International (EWR), stop at Terminal C and experience the several boutiques that characterize this space. Those who’re weary or fatigued and are seeking self-indulgence should locate a salon in Terminal C for some therapy.
• American Airlines departing from JFK to Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD) permits travelers to board with their pets in the cabin. The most common pets allowed on board include dogs, household birds and cats. Remember that besides an entry permit to Spain, the pets must have vaccination certificates and valid health licenses.
• If you are looking at flights from New York to Madrid, there are two airports that you can fly into. Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is known for being the region’s largest and busiest airport, while Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport is a smaller choice that is famous for being the oldest airport in Spain.
• For those who would like their flight from New York to Madrid to be direct, there are several different airlines you can choose from. American, United, and Iberia Airlines are all known for providing many amenities, such as complimentary food and drinks, while British Airways is popular for their comfortable seating.
• Are you traveling to Madrid with your family? If so, stop by one of the children’s play areas that are located in every terminal of Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. These play areas are open 24 hours a day, are free for all travelers, and are equipped with games and activities that are meant to allow kids to burn off some steam.
• To grab a bite to eat after your flight lands at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, visit one of the airport’s several dining options. 100 Montaditos is located in Terminal 2 and serves a variety of tapas and open sandwiches, while Eat&Fly is in Terminal 1 and offers a variety of to-go products.
• If you are traveling from New York to Madrid for business, make sure to take advantage of the many amenities at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. In addition to several state-of-the-art airport meeting rooms, there is also a center for photocopying and printing as well as several private work areas that have high-speed Wi-Fi.

Prefer to fly non-stop from New York to Madrid?

Find which airlines fly direct from New York to Barajas, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Nonstop departures

New York to Madrid Barajas

Air Europa, Air France, Alaska Airlines, +8 more

Air Europa, Air France, +9 more

Air Europa, Air France, Alaska Airlines, +10 more

Air Europa, Air France, +11 more

Nonstop returns

Madrid Barajas to New York

Top 5 airlines serving from new york to madrid.

Arriving at Heathrow was a complete disaster because air bridge broke down and it took ages to find spare stairs! Something that I'd kick Heathrow in the shins for, not Finnair - who were great.

Not great. Flight attendants were aloof, food was mediocre, seats that I paid $150 were given to someone else without any concession. I will probably never use kayak again. Terrible experience from start to finish.

All good- I love BA and the professionalism of the crew and pilots.

Great flight- smooth, nice crew, nice clean aircraft, departed a little late but arrived 10 early.

It was listed on my ticket as Finnair but there was no indication that the flight was Finnair. In fact the number was even different. There were no employees there until exactly 2 hours before so we had to wait in line at Iberia and hope

Sorting on line would have been appreciated Onward information on flights missed No ability to get seating arranged before we got to gate Very unfriendly at gate

The flight was Finnair but there was no indications anywhere that the checkin was for Finnair also. There was no one to ask. I think at a minimum they should list the code shares so people don’t stand in the wrong line for an hour.

I booked the flight with Finnair, which made the arrangements for downloading a boarding pass unnecessarily complicated. I wouldn't do that again. Instead I'd book direct with AA.

Flight ok, but me and other two passengers didn’t have connection with the entertainment in our seats. So, no movies, no games, no music… for 9 hours. The crew just told us that there’s nothing they can do but I noticed during the flight that there were empty seats, so they could have offered to us to change seats. Customer service could be better.

Had a nice flight to London on BA will fly with them again in the future

It was a tiny plane. There was a very heavy, very sweaty man in my seat. When he got up, sweat was dripping down the back of f the seat from the headrest. I couldn’t lean back the whole flight. It was very hot in the plane until we took off. Then as we flew low hoping to land, but were delayed for over 30 minutes, the plane got very hot again. On takeoff, the pilot started accelerating hard around the corner, something I’ve never experienced in a plane. Landing was fairly rough as well and we had to brake hard.

Iberia was great. American airlines was late for no reason ans with no explanatiom or apologies. We were on the runway for at least 40 minutes before taking off once we finally boarded

The preferred seats where awful. Impossible to use them again

Delayed multiple times. Boarding was ok but getting off the aircraft was a mess. So disorganized with staff trying to help the elderly but completely blocking path for anyone else to move. Bathroom was disgusting, probably caused by one of the customers but staff couldn't care less to help clean it. No one wanted to use it since the floor was completely soaked so everyone just lined up the other restroom while the staff just chit chat with each other while looking at us.

I was in business class. There was an excellent headset. But half an hour before arrival they collected them! The rest of the trip I had to use a cheap earphone. There must be a better way to protect the headphones.

WiFi connected but only let you go to the AA website, not even text messaging worked.

I think the seats on some of their planes are uncomfortable. You can be ok on a short flight of two hours but no more than that. The delays, and also the refreshments on the plane were not enough.

Awful customer service on the phone. No phone number on the website to call a real person. Website says changes are no charge but this is a lie. I had a cheaper ticket through Kayak therefore Finnair wouldn’t change it unless I would pay the entire fare again. I begged but their agents at the airport were rude and the online chat person cut off the call with no help. Super disappointed. Wont fly this airline again and will tell everyone I meet how bad it is. Crew on the flight was nice but otherwise huge disappointment.

The flight was excellent, provided that we had inclement weather. We departed earlier than scheduled and arrived early. There was a little turbulence, but nothing to be worried about.

It was less than what is expected for a business class ticket I thought that the staff actively ignored me because I either looked Indian or Hispanic to them and I guess I did not deserve their attention. The food which included a beef entree was not available so not enough food was ordered for number of seats available. I will say experience in Greenwich lounge was very good and the staff there at the airport were very nice. May be your crew needs to learn about racial equity so that everyone gets either the same aweful treatment or hopefully the best treatment which is what we expect I recommend you take a flight with Singapore airlines that I have taken and the crew remember your last names and use it to address each person, food never finishes if you are at the back of business class and crew anticipate your need even before you articulate. Same price and 100 times better service than American Airlines

Probably will never use this air line again. Rude miserable staff. Uncomfortable seats.

i paid accidently for a second bag instead of a golf bag (Eur 40 instead of 50) they would give me credit when i tried to change the second bag from a regular suitcase to a golfbag. The comment was "you made a mistake, your problem"

It was NO entertainment, the screens were not working for anyone. The food was bad in taste, my chicken was hard. The seat in my case didn’t recline. A long and endless flight

Very BAD crew service They ignore at all any call for service . Very rude from the check in process to all the tripularion members in the fight .

The flight, the staff and the airplane were all fantastic. I highly recommend.

Terrible app. Working off paper stickies for seat reservations doesn’t work anymore.

Impossible to check in via the App. Kept on getting emails offering upgrade. When followed through not available. Wasn't any food anyway.

I like Air Europa in the way you make passengers feel important, well attended the whole trip.!It was first time in your company and hope I can repeat this experience many more times!

Place above head to place the rucksack in is smaller than in other planes, so it needed to be located under the front seat.

Great experience, I just wish airline seats were more comfortable in general.

No air, volume on my screen was jumping all over the place

Again. Diabetic menu not for diabetic. I asked for an alternative that was refused. I am Pregnant. I did ask for help to put my carry on on the compartemt , they asked me tomwait and never came back until I asked another passenger. I ended up not eating for more than 9h. I had just a tea. And 0 Empathy from the crew.

When our first flight was late, meaning we missed our flight to Madrid that day, American rescheduled us for the next flight the next day, gave vouchers for meals and hotel, and lounge access.

Our flight was at 12:30 but we couldn’t check in till 10:30 because there was no staff working. When they finally arrived, there was a long line of people waiting to check in. They definitely need to be prepared at least a few hours ahead of the flight to be able to check people in. We’ve been there since nine in the morning. After we were checked in and went up to the gate, the staff was very nice. We were supposed to leave at 12:30 but we didn’t leave until later. When we arrived at Madrid, we had to run to our gate so we wouldn’t miss our connecting flight. The time that we got to our gate, they were calling last call for the flight. We were all out of breath from running and the lady that was taken our boarding pass and passport to scan before entering the plane was very rude. She told me to stop breathing on her and that she understood it was from running, but it’s a hygiene issue. I was embarrassed and felt degraded. All I could do was look at my husband. He couldn’t believe that she said that, the reason we were breathing hard in the first place was because of her airline that she worked for was late, which caused us almost missed our connecting flight. I was trying to catch my breath from running I couldn’t just stop! The staff on the plane were very polite. We got the premium economy and even though are seats had more room it didn’t look much different from economy. Besides our meals and snacks if we asked for any drinks, we had to pay for extra drinks. We got the same meals as economy. We had to still walk all the way to the back to use the lavatory because we were not allowed to use the one near us because that was for business class. I honestly don’t think it’s worth paying for a premium economy with Iberia. I wanted to do the tax receipt in Madrid from all the purchases we made in Spain and Portugal, but since we had a run our gate, we didn’t have time to do that. I did like that the flight had different meals for my three year old. We probably won’t travel with Iberia again.

The main improvement would be better food, although this flight had better food than outgoing flight from JFK to Bilbao.

My flight was cancelled after a 7 hour delay. I am awaiting a refund.

Disappointing. Had to pay 70 euros for one checked bag. Transatlantic flight was cramped, not very comfortable

Pretty fair for the price of the plane ticket. Food was poorly, but overall was a ok experience for a super long flight.

Good. Madrid to SFO was way better than ARN to Madrid. Mercifully, the seats to Madrid didn't recline. So although there was no leg room, your knees didn't get crushed

Overall was good except for the seat which, for an 8 hour intercontinental flight, was uncorfortable. For that kind of flight seats should have more space, even for economy seats.

Horrible. Never again. Wouldn’t let us use the lounge. We had to pay for another lounge to have access.

The flight was delayed for several hours. After many hours of waiting, they said it was delayed until the next day. This is completely understandable, as the staff had to wait on Boeing to approve the plane. However, the staff said hotel and meal vouchers would be issued via email (they never were). An hour after leaving the airport, our flight was cancelled.

I always regard BA as a distress purchase. It is rock bottom in terms of service.

We were on flight for 7 hrs and there was no WiFi. Not really easy to use any of our electronics. Def not ideal

Plane had a navigation problem which took 2 hours to try and fix. Didn’t work so then they said they didn’t need it. Could have saved 2 hours

They canceled the flight and would not rebook us within several days

Flight delayed for 3 hours, seats were tight for international flight, broken trays and horrible service

Every single flight on my last trip was delayed and We were downgraded from our purchased seat choices. We also had specific requirements for the meals which were reduced to standard choice!

They could do everything better!! From the rickety plane to the flight attendants, when American Airlines is operated by British Airways, their standards are lowered! It’s like Macy’s, operated by Walmart!!

Quick boarding process, slight delays on the tarmac prior to takeoff and a late arrival due to an emergency on the landing runway. Not the fault of the airline at all! Cabin crew was very friendly and the Captain kept the passengers well informed about what was going on

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Madrid Rivals Miami as a Haven for Latin Americans and Their Money

Turmoil and a political swing to the left have brought an influx of prominent and affluent exiles from the region to the Spanish capital in recent years.

By Raphael Minder

MADRID — Antonio Ledezma, a former mayor of Caracas, jokes that he sometimes forgets that Madrid is not the capital of Venezuela, from where he escaped five years ago.

“Whenever I walk around or take a bus, I probably bump into two or three other Venezuelans,” he said of the Spanish capital. “It’s a bit strange, but this sometimes feels to me just like Sabana Grande,” he added, referring to one of the main boulevards of Caracas.

While people from Latin America have long sought work in Spain — often in low-wage jobs as cleaners, waiters or on construction sites — turmoil in the region in recent years has brought an influx of prominent and affluent exiles. Now, the Spanish capital is rivaling Miami as a haven for Latin Americans — and often for their money, too, according to the new arrivals and others catering to them.

Mr. Ledezma and several other high-profile opposition politicians from Venezuela have landed in Madrid after fleeing the repressive government of President Nicolás Maduro . Other wealthy Latin Americans have also begun shifting their money out of countries where voters have recently elected left-wing presidents , including Mexico in 2018, Peru last year and most recently Chile, where Gabriel Boric took office in March as the country’s youngest president. Mr. Boric has pledged to make Chilean society more egalitarian.

The response in Spain seems to have been to roll out the red carpet. When Mr. Ledezma arrived in Madrid in November 2017, he was welcomed by the prime minister of Spain at the time, Mariano Rajoy, who immediately offered him Spanish citizenship. Mr. Ledezma turned down the offer, but many other Latin Americans, particularly the rich, are applying for or have received Spanish citizenship. Some received a so-called golden visa that Spain has been granting in return for spending at least 500,000 euros, or about $550,000, on a property.

Spain allows Latin Americans to apply for citizenship after two years of legal residency, which is shorter than the normal 10-year residency requirement for other nationalities, or the five years for refugees.

“Spain has really been very generous with Venezuelans, opening its doors wide open and giving them plenty of ways to get a legal residency here,” said Jorge Neri, a Venezuelan who has a media company in Madrid.

For wealthy Latin Americans, he noted, Madrid has also recently offered better investment opportunities than Miami. “I think Madrid has been consolidating itself above Miami, also because the prices in Miami have just been skyrocketing,” he said.

Gilberto Carrasquero, a Venezuelan business consultant, is one of many Latin Americans who have sold a property in Miami and bought one in Madrid — in his case, an apartment in the Salamanca neighborhood, where Venezuelan and Mexican property developers have snapped up and refurbished entire buildings.

“When Venezuela plunged into crisis and we started to leave, it seemed that the natural place to flock to was Miami, which is exactly what I did, but in truth Madrid now feels a lot more like home to me,” said Mr. Carrasquero, who is applying for Spanish citizenship.

There are now about 200,000 Venezuelans officially registered in Spain, but experts say that the real number is significantly higher because Spain’s national statistics do not include those who are not officially domiciled or who entered the country illegally. About a quarter of Latin American migration to Spain is illegal, according to a study published in 2020.

Venezuelans have become the main new settlers in Spain, with their number again rising more than 50 percent in 2020, despite a tight pandemic travel lockdown, according to the Spanish government .

But Mr. Neri said that he was also now seeing more people from other Latin American countries, many worried about “leftist politics” sweeping the region. Colombia could become the latest to swing in that direction, with a presidential election in May in which the front-runner is Gustavo Petro, a leftist former mayor of the capital, Bogotá. Mr. Petro has a clear message for the rich: Pay more tax.

Bruna Denegri Iglesias, a Peruvian real estate agent who has lived in Madrid for 18 years, said that her Peruvian clientele had increased more than fivefold since July, when the left-winger Pedro Castillo was elected president.

“There are people who see Madrid as an emergency landing, so they want to buy a €1 million apartment immediately, get residency and then possibly move into something better and bigger if they end up really spending most of their time here,” she said. Peruvians now account for at least 80 percent of her customers, she said, while in the past, “there were months when I would not get a single call from Peru.”

The pandemic significantly limited mobility, but the recent removal of travel restrictions has allowed many privileged Latin Americans to return to a multiple-home lifestyle, with Madrid among their staging posts.

Dani Levinas , an Argentine who chairs the board of the Phillips Collection, a Washington art museum, splits his time between the American capital, Miami and Madrid, where he bought an apartment six years ago.

Mr. Levinas said that he first considered living in Madrid after attending Arco, an art fair that gathers many Latin American artists and collectors. “Personally, the lifestyle and culture of Madrid make me now feel a lot more comfortable than in Miami,” he said. “In Madrid, I live near eight theaters, so I can see a different performance every week without taking a single taxi — and this kind of opportunity just doesn’t exist in Miami.”

Latin Americans have also quickly expanded their business footprint in Madrid. They have bought commercial real estate and hotels, including the five-star Rosewood Villa Magna, which reopened last October after an overhaul financed by its Mexican owners . Some entrepreneurs are also bringing their own Latin American staff to Madrid.

Even though Spain has struggled with high joblessness, its government has also acknowledged that hundreds of thousands of new migrants are needed every year to offset the country’s aging population and avoid labor shortages in some key sectors.

In January, César Figari opened his third Peruvian restaurant in the Spanish capital. He employs 45 people — all from Latin America. More than half are fellow Peruvians, including nine for whom Mr. Figari rents an apartment, after sponsoring their Spanish work visas. Increasingly, he said, his clientele also comes from Latin America.

“I wanted to make more people in Madrid discover Peruvian cuisine, but I’m now also instead serving many people who need no introduction to our gastronomy,” he said.

In March 2021, Milagros Visintin, 27, and her partner left Buenos Aires for Madrid, where she found a job with the Spanish subsidiary of Metro, a German retailer, having previously worked for Walmart in Argentina.

Over the past year, eight friends from her university graduation year have also moved to Madrid. The financial problems of Argentina, including the falling value of its currency , have meant that “the numbers no longer add up if you want a corporate career” there, Ms. Visintin said. She also welcomes Madrid’s comparatively low crime rate. “As a woman, I would now never take public transport at night in Buenos Aires,” she said.

Mr. Ledezma, the former Caracas mayor, said that he was still determined to help oust Mr. Maduro, the Venezuelan president, but that he was also now eager to help less-privileged Venezuelans settle in Madrid.

“Of course, I’ve felt very welcomed in Madrid, but the issue is whether the Venezuelans who ride bikes to deliver food here are also doing just fine,” he said. “As long as I’m here, I also want to show solidarity toward those for whom this migration has really been a huge struggle.”

Raphael Minder  covers Spain and Portugal, based in Madrid. He previously worked for Bloomberg News in Switzerland and for the Financial Times in Paris, Brussels, Sydney and finally Hong Kong. More about Raphael Minder

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The ARTnews Culture Lover’s Guide to Madrid

By Sarah Belmont

Sarah Belmont

With 3.4 million inhabitants, Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union, and with about 45 museums, it is one of Europe’s most robust cultural centers. Landmarks in Spain’s capital city include Plaza Mayor, the Royal Plalace, the National Library, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Prado Museum, one of the most-visited museums in the world. If you want to see the best that Madrid has to offer, consult our list of 20 must-see landmarks and cultural destinations below.

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol (“Gateway of the Sun”) is to Madrileños what Times Square is to New Yorkers and what St. Mark’s Square is to Venetians. Partly closed to traffic, it is the city’s main plaza, the center (kilometer 0) of a network of Spanish roads. Dubbed “Spain’s belly button,” it was actually named after a 15th-century gate ( puerta ) that featured a rising sun ( sol ) on its front. This popular spot has been a pivotal meeting point throughout the city’s history and a magnet for New Year’s revelers. It is also a gathering point for political demonstrations, such as protests against the Iraq War in 2003.

Rastro Market 

With some 3,000 open-air stalls, El Rastro is one of Europe’s most popular flea markets. Every Sunday since 1740, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Ribera de Curtidores area, located between the Calle Embajadores (Ambassador’s Street) and the Ronda de Toledo, has teemed with street vendors selling everything from fake Prada shoes to rosaries and religious relics to handmade accessories and antiques. It’s impossible to see everything in one visit, but you can set out from the Plaza de Cascorro, where stands a bronze statue dedicated to Eloy Gonzalo, a Cuban war hero, and where locals catch up once a week over midmorning vermouths and tapas. Indeed, food is an essential part of the Rastro experience. Make sure to check out Bar Santurce for a glass of sherry and a plate of spit-roasted sardines before moving on.

Puerta de Alcalá 

Erected in 1778 by Italian architect Francesco Sabatini, this triumphal arch served for years as the main entrance to Madrid. King Charles III commissioned it as a replacement for a gate that had left him unimpressed when he first arrived in the city in 1759. The neoclassical monument, located next to Parque del Retiro in the middle of Plaza de la Independencia, is a junction point for three of Madrid’s best-known streets—Calle de Alcalá, the city’s longest road; Calle de Alfonso XII, which leads to the Atocha train station; and Calle de Serrano, with its luxury flagship stores. Puerta de Alcalá, made of Colmenar limestone, was named after the road that used to lead to the nearby town of Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of writer Miguel de Cervantes. The four children featured along the top of the arch are an allegory of the cardinal virtues: fortitude, justice, temperance, and prudence.

Templo de Debod 

The history of this temple dates back to the second century BC when the Meroë King Adijalamani had a chapel built in Nubia for the god Amun and the goddess Isis. His successors in the Ptolemaic dynasty had new rooms added around the original structure, and emperors Augustus and Tiberius, and perhaps Hadrian as well, finished the construction and decoration of the site. The temple was sealed and abandoned in the sixth century AD, until the Egyptian government decided to gift it to Spain in 1968. It was transferred to Madrid and reconstructed brick by brick between 1970 and 1972 in the city’s Quartel de la Montaña Park.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía 

The Reina Sofía is located within walking distance of Madrid’s other two major museums, the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. It is housed in a former neoclassical hospital (Hospital San Carlos) built in the 16th century, extended in the 18th century at Charles III’s request by architects José de Hermosilla and Francisco Sabatini, and expanded again between 2001 and 2005 by French architect Jean Nouvel. The 25,000-piece permanent collection, which focuses on contemporary art from the 1980s to the present day, was officially inaugurated in 1992.  In 2021 it underwent a reorganization designed, according to former director Manuel Borja-Villel, to make the museum not only a place to visit but a place to experience, and to engage with contemporary issues such as climate change and gender fluidity.

Plaza Mayor 

In the middle of this grand central square, situated in one of the oldest parts of Madrid, stands an equestrian statue of King Philip III, begun by Flemish sculptor Giambologna and completed by his student Pietro Tacca in 1616. Plaza Mayor was constructed on top of Plaza del Arrabal, the site of Madrid’s busiest market until the late 16th century. This majestic open space, initially used to host coronations and bullfights, among other events, is home to Madrid’s Christmas market and Easter drum parade. If you visit, don’t miss Casa de la Panadería. Built around 1590, this former bakery, successively turned into royal chambers, the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and the Academy of History, now houses the Plaza Mayor Tourist Information Center as well as the Tienda Casa de la Panadería, a shop that specializes in local craftsmanship. Make sure to look at the façade covered with mythological frescoes created in 1992 by artist Carlos Franco.

Catedral de la Almudena 

The construction of Madrid’s cathedral has a long and torturous history. Before turning into the glorious monument that it is today, it was designed in 1879 by Francisco de Cubas as a church devoted to the late Queen Maria de la Mercedes. When Pope Leo XIII created the Madrid-Alcalá bishopric in 1885, a grander building was called for, and Cubas changed his plans, drawing inspiration from the French 18th-century Gothic cathedrals of Reims and Chartres. Several architects took over after he died, but the project was plagued by sporadic donations, restricted budgets, and delays. In 1939, after countless setbacks, plans for the cathedral changed again because the Gothic aesthetic was no longer in style. In 1950, construction resumed under the aegis of architects Fernando Chueca Goitia and Carlos Sidro. The cloister and the façade were finished in 1955 and 1960, respectively, but the cathedral was not completed until 1993. It now doubles as a museum housing statues of the city’s patron saints—the Virgin Mary of la Almudena and San Isidro Labrador—as well as a permanent exhibition about the cathedral’s fraught history.

El Retiro Park, or Buen Retiro Park, is one of the city’s most attractive green spaces, the property of the Spanish monarchy until becoming a public place in 1869. This UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with 15,000 trees and is home to various monuments, such as the Velasquez Palace and the cast-iron Glass Palace, as well as a variety of gardens. There is also Parterre Francés, which holds what is believed to be Madrid’s oldest tree—a 400-year-old Mexican conifer. At the northern entrance is the Estanque del Retiro, a large artificial pond around which Madrileños enjoy strolling; you can also rent a rowboat there.

Palacio Real 

Construction on Madrid’s Royal Palace began in 1738 at the request of Philip V, four years after a fire razed the Palace of Los Austrias. It was the residence of the kings of Spain from Charles III to Alfonso XIII. Inspired by Bernini sketches for Paris’s Louvre, the palace features 3,000 rooms, including a 70-step main staircase, a hall of mirrors, a throne hall with a ceiling painted by Tiepolo, a royal chapel holding string instruments made by Antonio Stradivari, and the royal armory housing weapons and armor dating back as far as the 13th century. Don’t miss the painting gallery, which holds masterpieces such as Luis de Morales’s  Virgin with Child , Juan de Flandes’s  Isabella the Catholic , Caravaggio’s  Salome with the Head of John the Baptist, and works by Velázquez, Goya, and Sorolla. There is also a changing of the guard ceremony on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Museum del Prado

Originally conceived as a house of science, the Prado Museum opened in 1819 during the reign of King Ferdinand VII to showcase the royal collection of art. Today the museum’s holdings comprise approximately 34,000 items in total (including 8,000 paintings, 1,000 sculptures, 9,000 drawings, 3,600 decorative works, and 6,000 etchings), dating back to the 11th century. Highlights include works from the Spanish Gothic period with paintings by Bartolomé Bermejo, Pedro Berruguete, Juan de Juanes, and Luis de Morales, and galleries devoted to El Greco, Goya, Ribera, Zurbarán, Murillo, Sorolla, and Velázquez. The Prado also features Italian masters from Fra Angelico and Mategna to Botticelli, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese; representatives of Flemish art from Van der Weyden to Bosch to Rubens and the Bruegel family; and French, German, and Dutch painters including Dürer, Le Lorrain, Rembrandt, and Watteau. If you have time, swing by the extension by Rafael Moneo, which houses temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, and a restaurant.

CaixaForum Madrid

This 21,500-square-foot cultural center featuring art, music, poetry, and more is situated near the three world-class museums of the Paseo del Arte (Art Walk)—the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofía. It used to house the Mediodía electric power station. Renovated by Prizker Prize winners Herzog & de Meuron, this spectacular building with a Patrick Blanc–designed vertical garden is now home to a 322-seat auditorium, multiple conference rooms, exhibition halls, a bookstore, a café, and a restaurant.

Museo Sorolla 

Paseo del General Martinez Campos 37 was the home of Valencia-born painter Joaquín Sorolla from 1911 to his death in 1923. The artist’s widow, Clotilde García del Castillo, bequeathed the home and all it contained to the Spanish government, under the condition that it be maintained in its original state and opened as such to the public. The house-museum was officially inaugurated in 1932. Inside, you will find the largest collection of Sorolla’s works, which amounts to some 1,200 paintings and drawings, along with Sorolla’s belongings, including personal items, sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry.

More than 100 years old, a mile long, and punctuated with some of the most popular retail shops in the city, Gran Via is one of the busiest streets in Madrid, attracting some 10 million people every year. Sometimes called “Spanish Broadway” because of its many theaters, it has recently been refurbished with added greenery and more places to sit, making it highly pedestrian friendly. Gran Vía is divided into three sections: from Calle Alcalà to Red de San Luis, with the most interesting architecture; from Red de San Luis to Callao, lined with repurposed buildings (Gran Vía, 28; Gran Vía, 32); and from Callao to Plaza de España, marked by the Capitole building with its Schweppes neon sign.

Museo de Historia de Madrid 

Housed in the former San Fernando Hospice, a Baroque building designed by Pedro de Ribera, the Museo de Historia provides a deep insight into the arts, industries, lifestyles, and customs of Madrileños going back to 1561, the year Madrid became the capital of Spain. After a thorough revamp, the museum reopened its doors in 2014. The collection, which is divided into three sections, consists of 60,000 objects including paintings, prints, maps, drawings, photographs, sculptures, silver work, fans, and furniture. Among the highlights: an 1830 scale model of the city by León Gil de Palacio, the paintings  Allegory of the City of Madrid by Francisco de Goya and  Virgin with Saint Ferdinand by Luca Giordano, a group of 18th-century sculptures, and pieces from the studio of Spanish engraver José Gutiérrez Solana.

Museo Cerralbo 

This classical-style palace, with neo-baroque and rococo elements, was built both as a museum and as the home of the 17th Marquess of Cerralbo. From the start, the Marquess was intent on donating his property to the Spanish people so that his treasures could stay “together and be studied by science and art lovers alike.” Today the institution holds some 50,000 objects (paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glassware, tapestry, furniture, coins, medals, drawings, stamps, clocks, weapons, archaeological pieces, and more). But be warned: None of the items have been formally captioned, at least for now.

Estacion de Atocha

Inaugurated in 1851, Atocha is Madrid’s first railway station. It was expanded in 1865 and rebuilt in 1892, after a devastating fire, by Alberto de Palacio Elissagne, who collaborated with Gustave Eiffel and Henry Saint James. Between 1984 and 1992, Spanish architect Rafael Moneo helped expand the Atocha complex, which now comprises two stations. The new part is home to the terminal for the AVE high-speed network, long-distance trains, and local Cercanías services. Renfe, the state-owned company operating freight and passenger trains, has set up its offices in the old section, which also houses a tropical garden planted with more than 100 species, including 70 palm trees. Catch the Cervantes Train if you can; in only 40 minutes, it will take you to Alcalá, the hometown of Don Quixote ’s author.

Naval Museum of Madrid 

This museum’s mission is to conserve, acquire, research, communicate, and exhibit all kinds of pieces and collections related to Spain’s naval history from the Middle Ages to the present day. Run by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, it was inaugurated in 1843. The museum moved into its current location, on Paseo del Arte, in 1932. Fifty years later an extension was added, doubling its exhibition space. The last modernization took place in 2020. The 12,000-piece collection, presented chronologically, includes model vessels; astronomical, scientific, and navigation instruments; decorative arts; weapons; flags; uniforms; medals; seafarers’ supplies; and personal belongings of illustrious sailors, not to mention a map made by Juan de la Cosa, the earliest known representation of the New World.

National Library of Spain

It is the largest library in Spain, as well as one of the largest libraries in the world. Founded in 1711 by King Philip V under the name of Real Biblioteca (Royal Library), it has copies of every book ever published in Spain, as well as an exceptional collection of incunables, manuscripts, prints, drawings, photographs, maps, sound recordings, scores, and more. The library helped preserve more than 500,000 books that were confiscated from churches, palaces, and private residences during the Spanish Civil War. The Library’s exhibition space, open to the public, is called “El Infierno y la Maravillas” (“Hell and Wonders”), referring to the secret place where libraries used to conceal their forbidden books and treasures.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum 

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, aka the Thyssen, was named after its founder, Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. It is located on the Art Walk along with the Prado and the Reina Sofía. With some 1,600 paintings, it is the second-largest private art collection in the world, trailing only the British royal collection. While the baron focused on Old Masters, including Ghirlandaio’s Portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni and Carpaccio’s Knight , his son Baron Hans Thyssen-Bornemisza added 19th- and 20th-century works. In a sense, the institution fills in some of the gaps in the collections of the Reina Sofía, which focuses on Impressionism and Expressionism, and the Prado, which, highlights Italian primitives and the English, Dutch, and German schools.

National Archaeological Museum 

The National Archaeological Museum (MAN) is home to one of the most important antiquity collections in the world. Reopened in 2014 after a six-year renovation, its galleries hold works from prehistory to the 19th century, including Greek ceramics, Visigoth votive crowns, and Spanish Islamic ivories, a collection that has been growing since 1897. Highlights include the Lady of Elche, a limestone bust discovered in Spain; the Treasure of Guarrazar, an incredible example of Visigoth goldsmithing; and an ivory pot from Zamora. In October 1964, a replica of a UNESCO World Heritage site—the Altamira Cave located near the historic town of Santillana Del Mar in Cantabria—was inaugurated in the gardens of MAN. The recreation of the cave, in an underground chamber designed by architects Fernando Aguirre and Rafael Mérida, is as impressive as it is precise.

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We've Been To Madrid 10 Times: Here Are The 27 Unmissable Hidden Gems

If you want to visit the Spanish capital like a local and experience the best-hidden gems in Madrid so you don’t waste your time doing too much “touristy” stuff, you’re in the right place!

While Madrid has tons of famous “tourist” sites – Royal Palace and Cathedral, we’re looking at you – Caleb and I love that there are so many cool things to do in Madrid that you wouldn’t know about without visiting the city in-depth. Lucky for you, we’ve been there almost 10 times, so we’ve had lots of time to do the exploring for you!

In this guide, we’re sharing the stuff that we think is worth your time (we’re not going to recommend 5 tiny museums since, if you’re a couple like us, you’re not into that.) Some of our favorite non touristy things to do in Madrid are a popup seafood party, wine at Casa Gonzalez, and eating cookies from cloistered nuns!

In this guide, we’ll tell you why and share 24 more options…so let’s get into it!

From the author: we’ve compiled all our favorite, unique experiences from visiting the city almost 10 times in this post! If you have questions about any of them, leave a comment and we’ll get back to you quickly!

1.Temple of Debod

An Egyptian temple in Madrid? Yeah, it’s pretty weird, but it’s also one of Caleb’s and my favorite places to watch the sunset. You’ll find this ancient temple in Parque del Oeste, a gift from Egypt as a “thanks” for helping them save another temple from flooding.

We think that it’s a pretty romantic spot to watch the sunset despite all the people because of the combo of Spanish surroundings with the Egyptian design! Just a heads up: policemen were getting on people for walking ON the temple platform when we were there.

We found the best viewpoint (and photo spot) is sitting alongside the rim of the temple anyway, so don’t get yourself in trouble with the law, okay? We did that once when we flew a drone in Spain, and it was horrible.

If you stick around for sunset, DO NOT watch it at the main lookout as it gets super “people-y” and not romantic. Walk a smidge down the path, where we got photos like this:

Epic views. Less humans. You’re welcome.

2. Hemingway Bar

If you’re a fan of speakeasy bars, you’re in the right corner of the internet because Caleb and I are, too! Not many people know about the hidden bar in the NH Suecia Hotel (where Hemingway allegedly stayed) because you have to use a door in the bathrooms to get in!

When you enter, you will both be like, “Did we travel back in time?” because the whole vibe is totally prohibition with the animal print carpet, vintage mirrors, and velvet everything. It’s not super bumping, which we like because a. We’re not 21, b.it makes it more romantic, and c. you can actually talk to each other.

If you wanna go, just Google Maps “Clandestino Cocktail bar.” We love that they do custom cocktails based on your preferences, which is our favorite. But we want you to know what to expect, so this “uniqueness” makes them more expensive than other bars around.

Word of advice: If you’re just looking for a simple cocktail (think: gin and tonic, mojito, glass of wine, etc), save your money and go elsewhere.

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3. El Rastro

This flea market claims to be one of the biggest and best in ALL of Europe. It’s a pretty bold claim, don’t you guys think? Either way, if you want to find some unique souvenirs from Spain at a bargain, then check out this massive outdoor flea market in our favorite La Latina neighborhood on Sunday mornings.

After that, do what we like to do: head over to nearby Calle Cava Baja and use the money you saved on your bargain-hunting extravaganza to share a cozy lunch at a tapas bar. 

We recommend Taberna Tempranillo, on of our fave tapas bars in Madrid. As you expect, the wine list is extensive – Caleb had the best tempranillo of his life – and we both still dream of the calamari toast we shared.

4. Mercado de La Cebada Seafood Party

When you’re looking at other hidden gems in Madrid, you probably see little-known museums like the Sorolla Museum or the Museum of Romanticism, but you know we’re a couple who aren’t “museum” people.

The best way to experience the culture of a country is by eating and drinking it, duh!

Since you’re a foodie couple like we are, you guys literally CANNOT miss the Saturday “seafood” party at Mercado de La Cebada! On Saturdays from 12-2:30pm (ishhhh), you’ll find all the fishmongers on the first floor start selling all their catches by weight, along with your choice of beer or wine.

Then, everyone just kinda stands around with their seafood and drinks. Caleb and I were a little overwhelmed with the craziness of it when we went but in a fun way? We recommend getting the octopus and washing it down with a glass of cheap white wine.

Just don’t expect much from the wine, okay? It’s cheap, and we didn’t think it was very good, but it’s part of the whole experience!

5. Ojalas Beach Bar

It wouldn’t be a weekend in Madrid without getting our favorite Iberico and tomato toast at Ojala Cafe in Malasana…but did you know they also have a BEACH BAR in the basement? Probably not… that’s why it’s one of your hidden gems in Madrid!

The “beach” downstairs has a sand floor and “tropical” cocktails.

Our only gripe here is that the tables and chairs are basically on the ground. Caleb and I aren’t getting any younger, so getting up and sitting down was a little challenging…., especially after a couple cocktails, you know?

Insider tip: don’t miss the bathrooms. They’re very…unique?

6. Wine at Casa Gonazalez 

This wine shop is advertised as a deli, so you would have no idea it was there. There’s a small bar in the back where Caleb and I had the BEST plate of Spanish cheese and meat here!

It also used to be a meeting point for Madrid’s anti-fascist rebels back in the day!

Don’t worry, if you don’t know which wine to buy, just tell the waiter what you like, and they’ll select some wine for you. They nailed the choices for both Caleb and me!

7. Have a Cocktail At One of The World’s Best Bars

We’re always looking for the best cocktail bars, and Salmon Guru makes it onto t he list of 50 best cocktail bars in the world every year!

The cups are pretty insane – like the dragon-shaped cup or this crazy flower/hand cup, and the flavors are pretty original.

It’s pretty wild and loud inside, so it’s not the palace to go to if you’re looking for a chill, romantic night, but we love it for a fun night out!

Just make a reservation, or getting it might be tough!

8. Mercado De San Anton Martin

Oh man, we love this Market SO much more than the overly touristy Mercado de San Miguel. It’s in the Lavapies area, the international area, so you’ll find so many different little restaurants on the ground floor. 

We saw everything from Peruvian to Sushi, and our favorite was La Consentida De Dore, which serves the freshest gilda (a skewer of olives, pickled pepper, and some kind of cured fish, meat, or cheese) with about a million flavors. Get some to go and then wander around the Market, making sure to go upstairs for the fresh goods.

Insider tip: if you get lost, just look UP – there are little flags on the ceiling with pictures of what section of the Market you’re in (seafood, meat, restaurant area, etc.)

9. El Botin

While El Botin isn’t particularly “hidden,” you might not know that it holds the record for the oldest  continuously running restaurant in the entire world!

It’s been open since 1725, and famous people like Hemingway have visited. If you get a chance to get in, try the house-speciality suckling pig.

But, don’t expect to get in if you don’t make a reso A LONG time in advance. Here’s the link to make a reservation. We don’t want you to miss out!

If you are a “museum couple” and plan to hit the Prado, we recommend getting this tour of the Prado with a Botin lunch. This way you see the best of the Prado and ensure you don’t miss out on getting into Botin!

10. People watch at Gilda Haus.

There’s a grandma dancing with a blonde-haired man dressed like a Viking on a dance floor with a DJ at 1pm on Wednesday – welcome to Gilda House! We can’t make this up, folks, Caleb and I saw that actually happen, and it wasn’t Vermouth Goggles.

This makes our list of hidden gems in Madrid because there isn’t even a sign outside – just on the window. This entirely-orange room is literally one of the weirdest experiences we’ve ever had, so we have to recommend it just in case you want something to laugh about together after you leave Madrid, too.

11. Visit Casa Camacho for a Yayo

Casa Camacho has been an establishment in Madrid since the dawn of time (a slight exaggeration) )and their house-special drink, “the Yayo,” is made with vermouth, gin, and sweet soda .

It’s so popular that the bartender just asked, “How many Yayos” when I walked to the bar. I really liked it, but Caleb prefers plain vermouth. 

Go try both, and then tell us which you prefer!

Insider tip: make sure to go UNDER the bar to use the bathroom. It’s an experience itself!

12.Visit Casa De Campo

If you think Retiro is big, just wait until you guys see Casa De Campo – it’s 5 times the size of Central Park in NYC! It’s right in the center of Madrid, but Caleb and I somehow didn’t stumble on it until our 5th time in the city!

It has a pretty lake in the middle with a nice walking path and a lake with cute little cafes where you guys can grab lunch or a glass of wine. The vibe felt really chill, and we saw mostly locals hanging out.

We also explored a lot of hiking paths, and there’s an amusement park and an AWESOME ZOO where you can get close to zebras and giraffes!!

We spent almost an entire day here -there’s a lot to do and see! In the summer, you can even go for a swim!

13. Eat a Porra at San Gines

Chocolateria San Gines is also not a “hidden gem” – it IS the most famous place to get churros and chocolate in Madrid! 

However, let us tell you a secret: everyone goes there for churros, but no one orders Porras! Porras are like churros but wider and doughier. We find them a little greasier because the thickness absorbs more oil, and we love it.

We find the churros at San Gines to not be all that great, either. Perhaps it’s because we’re used to our American churros with cinnamon and sugar, and the churros here are just plain? 

You can order Porras at San Gines by two, so they’re also perfect for sharing as a couple!

14. Explore the World of Vermouth at Madrid & Darracott

While you probably think of wine when you think of Spain, we’re HUGE fans of the vermouth! If you’re not sure where to start your entry into the world of vermouth, we 10/10 recommend doing a tasting at Madrid and Darracott!

We got to try 4 unique vermouth flavors that were each very different and so good we brought two bottles home.

This was one of our favorite hidden gems in Madrid! Just make sure you eat before – we didn’t eat enough, and they don’t provide food other than crackers.

15. Hidden Nun Cookies

Why no other sites are telling you to do this, we don’t know because it’s one of the most unique things to do in Madrid!

Head over to the Monasterio Del Corpus Christi (it’s right by the Mercado San Miguel) and look for the big, wooden door with the “Ventas de Dulces” sign and ring the buzzer that says “Monjas.”

You’ll then be let into the monastery and be able to buy COOKIES from the cloistered nuns . You don’t see them – just talk to them.

We bought a box of the Sherry flavored cookies (the irony) and ate the whole ½ kg box in 3 days, they’re that good. Definitely add this one to your list of Madrid hidden gems!

16. Plaza de la Paja

This cute little plaza is in the La Latina district and is known to host a lot of local festivals and cultural events during the year. We recommend taking a quick stop during your La Latina tapas bar crawl or after El Rastro to see if there is anything going on!

Don’t miss the corner garden – it’s easy to miss behind the brick wall! One of Spain’s princes used to wander around here, and it’s a super peaceful area to go for a walk together if you need a break from the busyness of Madrid!

17. Cafe Ziryab

Please trust us when we tell you to avoid all the people giving out little cards to try to get you into a big Flamenco theatre downtown. Those Flamenco shows are truly for tourists, and you’ll miss out on the passion that traditional Flamenco has.

We visited this tiny Flamenco restaurant, cafe Ziryab, on the outskirts of Madrid, and we loved it. Caleb and I sat in the front row, and we could feel the passion of the dancers – both male and female. 

The inside is also candlelit and pretty, making the experience pretty romantic. Oh lala!

18. Visit Salon De Fleurs

You can have tea, coffee, a smoothie, and the best dessert at the most beautiful cafe you’ll ever go to -Caleb and I thought it was prettier than any, even in Paris.

The inside feels like an old Victorian garden, and their desserts are huge and delicious – I still dream of the lemon pie with shortbread crust we had. We recommend this spot for breakfast because you’re on vacay and it’s okay to have pie for breakfast.

Pro tip: make a reservation, or you WILL NOT get in. We got lucky, and someone didn’t show up for their spot, so we got in by default.

19. Royal Botanical Garden

While we love Retiro Park, it sure as heck ain’t hidden, so we’re giving it a miss on this list. How-EV-er, very close to Retiro, you’ll find some botanical gardens, one of the prettiest hidden gems in Madrid. Caleb and I always take a stroll to see what’s new when we visit.

There are over 5000 species of plants here and some really cool greenhouses that all have different themes. I personally was a huge fan of the exotic plants section, although it is pretty hot and humid inside!

20. Tapas Crawl on Calle Ponzano

Since you’re reading this post, we imagine you want the most authentic foodie experiences, which means a Ponzano tapas crawl is a must on your bucket list in Madrid.

Some locals that we met told us that this street, in the Chamberi district, is where the locals go, so you know we had to. It did NOT disappoint!

Warning: this is TRULY a local experience, and we did not find much English spoken or any English menus. Embrace it; that’s what’ll make it a memorable experience that you guys will talk about for years.

Our must-visit spots are Arima, 4 Latas, and La Sistreria

21. El Caprichio Park and Rose Garden

If you need to walk off some of the tapas, head to the outskirts of Madrid and wander around El Caprichio Park! While Caleb and I LOVE Retiro Park, there isn’t anything very “hidden-gemy” about it since everyone and their dog (literally) visits.

We think Parque El Caprichio feels much more local! Since it’s outside the city center, tourists don’t usually make it out that far, and you can walk through the rose garden hand-in-hand cause #romance and stuff, you know?

While the park is *always* beautiful, we’ll give you this insider tip: try to visit in the spring , the best time to visit the city , when the almond trees are blooming!

22. Palacio de Cristal 

This one is famous but also hidden at the same time. The Crystal Palace used to be a greenhouse for the royals, and you’ll find it in the middle of El Retiro Park.  

The entire sides are made of glass, and they used to display art inside – however, the last time Caleb and I saw this was in 2018. Every year we’ve visited since, the inside is empty and locked.

It’s easy to miss if you stick to the outskirts of the park, so make sure to venture in!

23. Visit the oldest plaza in Madrid.

In the city center, you’ll find Plaza de la Villa, which is a  beautiful historical square  that still has some of the oldest buildings in Madrid.

You don’t need to wait long to see it, but make sure you walk around the side streets in the area, as they are some of my personal favorite streets.

And we recommend visiting at dusk. When the lights go on, the square is really pretty and quiet!

24. La Tabacalera and La Latina/ Lavapies street art

This abandoned tobacco factory is now a trendy cultural center for alternative art, allowing local artists to display their stuff. The walls are covered in street art, which is pretty cool!

Caleb and I also love walking around Lavapies and La Latina (they kind of blend together, honestly) and seeing the street art everywhere.

25. Atocha Station Tropical Garden

I know, I know – a train station sounds boring. But the Atocha train station isn’t what you would expect from other train stations!

Inside, you will find a tropical garden with a little habitat where you can find small turtles! 

26. Secreto Rooftop Bar 

Instead of going to the overly touristy rooftop on Circulare de Belles Artes, we think you should go to the Secret Rooftop Garden!

It’s hard to find because you have to go THROUGH the store called “Salvador Bachiller” and then go up ALL the escalators to the rooftop and walk THROUGH the restaurant. You would never have known it was there if we hadn’t told you!

It’s decked out like a gorgeous tropical and has a fun, lively vibe. 

PRO TIP: skip the cocktails here: they are expensive and super sugary. It’s a spot to go for a glass of wine or cider in a fun, unique atmosphere.

27. Sunset on El Corte Ingles

Take the elevator to the top of the Corte Ingles shopping mall and walk through the “Gourmet experience” section and you’ll come across a rooftop bar that is mostly frequented by locals! You can order some gourmet products to try, get a glass of wine, and watch the sunset from an off-the-beaten path Madrid location.

It was SUPER busy when we were there on a Saturday night, so get there nice and early!

Let’s Wrap This Up: Hidden Gems in Madrid

While Madrid is known for the Royal Palace or the Cathedral, those are only a small part of the best things to see in the Spanish capital. Spending some more time in Madrid will allow you guys to have some of these off-the-beaten-path adventures and authentic Spanish experiences that make Madrid worth visiting.

These are some of the hidden gems in Madrid that made Caleb and I fall in love with the capital, so much so that we keep coming back and plan to move there someday!

If you’re not sure how to put some of these things together for your trip to Madrid, we can fix that! We’ve been together a 4-day itinerary for Madrid to save you the time of planning your trip yourself!

Which of these hidden gems do you want to do first?

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• Is Madrid Walkable?
• Do You Need a Car in Madrid? The Ultimate Guide to Getting Around
• Does it Snow in Madrid?