The Spanish capital is a city of millions, the 6th biggest one in Europe. Hence it has the entertainment factor to match it and finding things to see and do in madrid can be overwhelming. Madrid became the capital of Spain in 1561. However it has been intricately involved in the rich history of Spain even way before. A lot of this history can still be felt and even seen throughout the city. In later times, Madrid has modernized along with its country, becoming the modern metropolis it is these days. Although it has managed to so while always respecting its legacy.

This makes the city enormously rich in activities and sites to see. I’ve lived in this city for almost 2 years now. But there are still so many things I need to explore. I can only imagine how hard it must be to try and capture the essence of the city in only a few days or even a short weekend. So I have tried to make life easier on you by providing my selection of sites and activities. This list will probably grow over time, while I continue to explore new possibilities. So stay tuned and enjoy my list of things to do and see in Madrid.

Introduction

The list below is not ordered according to a certain preference. Since every person has his/her own way to explore a city. Some prefer exploring its history and legacy by roaming around musea, while others rather walk around its streets. Some savour a city through its culinary history and traditions or explore the modern version of it. If food and drinks is what you prefer, I would suggest also browsing through my other posts about Creative and Classic Tapas places in Madrid. You can also consult the Google Custom Map to immediately add all the food and drinks inspiration to your Google Maps. A similar one is available for sightseeing here.

The List

1. Explore Hipster Town

Madrid has many vibrant neighborhoods but Malasaña is without a doubt the most hipster one. Located just above Gran Via and squeezed between the student neighborhood of Argüelles to the West and the LGBTQ paradise of Chueca, Malasaña is the place for young people to hang out. Over the past years tons of cool alternative shops, bars and restaurants have popped up in its narrow almost car-free streets.

It’s the perfect place to find a creative lunch address and explore the many alternative and second-hand clothing shops. However at night the area’s most famous square, Plaza Dos de Mayo, turns into the place for people to gather and drink, before diving into the streets to explore the many small but vibrant clubs around. Below you can find some of the highlights of this area. For more inspiration see the map below.

Restaurants: Ojalá, Mercado San Ildefonso, Maricastaña, Ochenta Grados
Bars: The Passenger, Café de la Luz, Picnic
Clubs: Vía Láctea, Maderfaker Funk Club, Barco

2. Roam around in the Rainbow Neighborhood

Right next to the hipster the LGBTQ (and some more letters) community has nestled itself in the small but cosy neighborhood of Chueca. You’ll notice you’ve reached your destination when the posters on the walls change from concert promotion for Maluma to poster with rather scarcely dressed men promoting some dance show.

Aside from the obviously many clubs and bars oriented towards this fun community the place is also packed with cool restaurants and bars. You can gorge on the cheap but huge plates of tapas in one of the El Tigre Sidrerías. You can enjoy a sophisticated dinner at the Tasca de Celso Y Manolo or grab a yummy lunch at Le Cocó. After you can go out in the funky Bogui Jazz Club. If you’re lucky the beating heart of the area, Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, will be hosting its very own botellon.

3. Go all Artsy Fartsy (for free!)

There are plenty of cosy neighborhoods to explore but sometimes you feel that itch and you just need to up the culture level. In that case Madrid can entertain you with some of the most valuable and complete art collections in the world.

The most famous one, and probably the best collection of classical art in the country is the Museo del Prado. A huge museum where you can enjoy a vast permanent collection and marvellous temporary one. Check the website to see what is on display when you are in town. General admission: € 15.

If you are more into modern art, you should definitely pay a visit to the Museo de Reina Sofía. It houses works by Picasso, Miro, Dali and many other incredible artists. It’s prized possession however, and reason why most tourists visit, is the huge Guernica painting by Pablo Picasso. Check the website for other temporary exhibitions. General admission: € 10.

Another famous collection many art lovers will appreciate is that of the Thyssen-Bornemisza family. The collection turned museum is known for its varied permanent display but also it’s surprisingly creative temporary exhibitions. Again you can check their website for more information about what is on display. General admission: € 12.

If you are more the opportunistic art lover and you can satisfy your art-itch by quickly roaming around and seeing the highlights, I have good new for you. All musea have certain hours during which admission is free. You can find the hours below. Also note that kids under 18 get in for free and in Prado and Reina Sofía that courtesy is extended to students (with a valid student card) up to the age of 25.

Prado: Mo – Sa 6-9pm, Su 5-7pm
Reina Sofía: Mo 7-9pm, We-Sa 7-9pm, Su 1:30-7pm
Thyssen-Bornemisza: Mo 12-4pm

4. Shopping Spree

Hold on men, don’t skip this section just yet. What if you could safely send your better half to go shopping (preferably without your credit card) while you hit some bars with the gents? Madrid is the place to do it. Yes girls, Madrid is a shopping paradise, so better start asking for that credit card (sorry guys…). Many spanish fashion brands have their flagship stores in the capital and many international brands have at least a branch here in Madrid. The question on where to go shopping depends on your budget.

High End

If you have cash to burn or a very exquisite taste or just want to gasp at things you can never afford, hop onto line 4 to Serano. The Calle de Serrano, Calle de Ortega y Gasset and the whole area around it form the heart of the Salamanca neighbourhood. This is where Madrid’s rich and famous come to settle in a spacious apartment. Hence this is also where all the high-end fashion brands have put up their branches. To name a few: Louis Vuitton, Abercrombie & Fitch, Prada, Armani, Gucci, Yves Saint-Laurent, Cartier, Dior, Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Louboutin, Max Mara, Zadig & Voltaire and many many more. Just stop drooling and go girls!

My End

If you are not looking to find your next high-end dress but rather want some cool new shoes or a nice new outfit, I’ve got just your thing. There is a huge amount of stores lined up along the Calle de Fuencarral from the crossing with Hernán Cortés down to Gran Via. At Gran Via you can take a right towards Callao and find yourself the flagship stores of brands like H&M, Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear, Springfield, Vans,… but also more sporty brands like Nike and Adidas. There is something for everyone!

From Callao you can take any of the parallel streets that lead to Sol (Carmen or Preciados) and if you still have energy and money left you can take Calle del Arenal all the way down to Opera. You can rest in the Plaza de Oriente or even the Sabatini Gardens and celebrate the results.

The Other End

Now you might be one of those people who are into vintage and second-hand shops. If this is your thing, dive into the above mentioned neighbourhoods of Malasaña or Chueca and roam around in its hipster and vintage shops.

5. Be Active

Madrid is not only a city of monuments and museums. It is a very lively and bustling city of millions with loads of activities for everyone. You can rent out a bike or roller skates from Rent & Roll and explore the nearby park of Retiro on wheels. You can also enjoy a walk around one of the many green areas of the city like Parque del Oeste, Parque El Capricho, Quinta de los Molinos. If you rent a mountain bike you can go and enjoy the many trails in the vast Casa de Campo area just to the west of the city.

Not feeling very sporty but don’t wanna sit still either? Explore Casa de Campo from above in the Teleférico de Madrid or even explore outer space in the entertaining Planetario. Madrid also has its own amusement park called simply Parque de Atracciones. Right next to it you can find the Zoo and Aquarium as well.

Or if you feel really lazy go catch a movie at one of the many movie theatres in the city. Be careful though since most only play Spanish versions. Some exceptions are the Yelmo Cines, Cinesa Manoteras, Cinesa Proyecciones and Cines Princesa. Be sure to look out for the VOSE indication on the programs (Version Original Subtitulado Española).

6. Cool down

If you’re visiting Madrid in the summer, things might get very heated. The city is known for its dry and hot climate and rain is rather an exception. Unlike other popular cities like Valencia, Barcelona or Bilbao, Madrid does not offer access to the ocean or sea. However this does not mean that the only way to cool of is to hog one of the ventilator/sprinklers you’ll find on the terraces everywhere.

To make sure it’s millions of inhabitants don’t melt Madrid has a large offering of public pools. Often there are big outside pool area including other facilities like, beach volleyball fields, large grass area to chill and lots of shade from trees and sombrillas. You can either pick one of the many open air pools on the city, or, if you have a car, you can head out to the Sierra to enjoy a natural pool. Below are the ones I have visited and recommend. However there are more options you can check out, here a list and map provided by Madrid itself.

City

• Piscina Municipal Francos Rodríguez: A personal favorite since it’s close to my place. Never too crowded, a nice 50m pool if you wanna swim laps or just chill in the undeep side. Has plenty of places to chill out alongside the pool of in the grass. Also features a kiddie pool, a cafeteria and a beach volleyball field.
• Piscina Lago: one of the bigger ones also featuring plenty of food and drink options. It gets crowded in the afternoons but you will always find a spot to chill. Very accessible with line 10 and right next to the enormous nature area Casa de Campo.
• Polideportivo Vicente Del Bosque: a huge pool with plenty of space, however a bit less accessible. All the way up north in the city near the Cuatro Torres, offers a great view of them and gets less crowded.
• Piscina Puerta de Hierro: a bit outside the center but a huge area to chill and a big pool! Definitely worth taking a cab if you’re planning on chilling there the whole afternoon.

Outskirts

• Riosequillo Recreation Area: you’ll need a car to get to this one. However it is totally worth it! It has a great view of the mountains and the river below. It has a huge pool and enormous space to chill in the grass under the trees. Families often go here to spend the whole day, sometimes combined with a visit and/or dinner to/in the nearby picturesque town of Buitrago de Lozoya.
• Piscina Natural De Cercedilla: this one’s way up in the mountains. You can get close by bus but will still need to hike about 30 min to get there. It’s a natural pool with spring water from the mountains and the area around features many activities including a tree top trail.

7. Explore the modern city

Although it hasn’t always been the capital, the city is old, and as you can see in the other chapters, this brings great advantages. However Madrid is also a modern metropolis. The essence of this can be spotted and amdired in some key areas of the city. Most are marvels of modern architecture and a savvy way of turning the old into something new and fresh.

An example of the latter is the vast Matadero area in the South of the city near the river. This old slaughterhouses have been converted into co-working spaces, exposition and concert halls, cultural and social meeting spots and so on. From there you can also stroll straight on into the long Madrid Rio park. A wonderful green area around the banks of the Manzanares River, perfectly modernized with a taste for green and social activities for the whole family.

Other impressive buildings in the city, which are definitely worth checking out are:

• Puerta de Atocha: this railway station houses a true jungly in its vast glass covered hall.
• Puerta de Europa: two identical buildings, known as the Bankia Towers, lean towards each other, their right bottom corner lining up with the upper left one.
• The Cuatro Torres: these 4, and only, skyscrapers dominate the Madrid skyline as a pinnacle of the cities modern vibe.
• Estadio Santiago Bernabeu: the famous stadium of the successful football team Real Madrid

8. Admire spectacular churches and monasteries

For better or worse the history of Spain has always been intertwined with the catholic church. Although it’s influence, like in many western European countries is starting to wane, you can still feel and see it’s presence.

Churches

The best example of state and church being intertwined is the fact that the Almudena Cathedral can be found directly across the Plaza de La Armeria from the Palacio Real. After moving the capital from Toledo to Madrid is took a long time deciding and longer even building the new Cathedral. Finished only in 1993 you can see it’s a relatively modern building. Although some people might enjoy this, I’m not a fan of the modern and more simplistic decoration of the interior. However the crypts underneath are a truly amazing place, going in through a separate entrance around the corner, you walk into a low space with 558 pillars. Beautifully lit, this oldest part of the cathedral is, at least for me, the most breathtaking one.

Besides the cathedral, many other beautiful churches are spread all over the capital. My favorite one is not that far from the cathedral and is called the Basílica de San Francisco el Grande. The church and monastery is only visited by guided tour (as far as I know only in Spanish). However whether or not you understand all of the explanation, the place is spectacular and the artwork inside it even more so. Opening hours are: 10:30-12:30 / 16:00- 18:00 h.

Monasteries

Another religious place definitely worth a visit is the Convento de Las Descalzas Reales. The place is amazing and the guided tours are available in both english en Spanish. Make sure to book up front since catching an English one might be difficult otherwise. Check their opening hours on their website and even book your spots online.

The last but maybe most important spot of Religion and Royalty intertwining is El Escorial. This colossal site houses many important building but most important is the Royal Monastery itself. The building was designed to be a representation of the Spanish Kingdom as the center of the Christian world. Over the years the buildings functioned as monastery, basilica, royal palace, pantheon, library, museum, university, school and hospital. All of these functions have left their mark on the site. It is also the burial site of almost all of the Spanish royals over the last centuries. For more information about a (half) day trip to El Escorial see: Day trips from Madrid.

9. Travel back in time

Madrid does not only contain traces of the country’s religious history. A trip along the following sites will guide you through the deep history of the city.

• Templo de Debod: A real Egyptian Temple in the middle of the city. A gift from Egypt as thanks for Spain’s contribution to the salvation of important monument during the construction of the Aswan Dam on the Nile.
• Las Ventas: Madrid’s bull ring. Although recent controversy comes and goes concerning Spain’s bloody bullfights, the tradition remains very much alive and can perhaps best be felt at this immens building. Pro or con, educating yourself about the topic is best done here with a audio guide visit.
• Puerta de Alcalá: Once a part of the city walls of Philip IV, this immens gate is considered the first post-Roman triumphal arch in Europe, a perfect stop on your way into Parque del Retiro.
• The Sabatini Gardens: this green garden next to the palace looks like a miniature version of the ones in Versailles.
• Palacio Real: experience the royal history of the country inside the glamorous rooms of the palace. It’s a glimpse into a time where the royal family was still very much in control of everything.
• El Estanque Grande: take a boat onto the big water tank and admire the monument to Alfonso XII in all it’s glory.
• Puente de Toledo: admire the Manzanares River from the old bridge which is beautifully lit at night and forms a great harmony with the modern park all around it.
• Palacio Real de Aranjuez: take a cercanía train into Aranjuez and admire this royal residence. Both the magnificent interior and the huge gardens surrounding it are worth a visit.
• Fountains of the Gods: Admire the vibrant statues in the fountains of Cibeles, Apolo and Neptuno while you walk under the trees along the grand Paseo del Prado.

10. Explore the city’s most vibrant squares

One of the many reasons why I love Madrid is that the city never sleeps. It seems a NY thing, but trust me, it’s not exclusive. Spanish people like to live outside, have a caña and a tapa on a terrace and enjoy the sun. This is why the beating heart of the city are the squares, where both young and old gather to enjoy the city and life in general. You can feel the pulse of the Vida Madrileña in these places. You’ll catch yourself walking from square to square, as they form the natural places to stop and enjoy your surroundings.

• Plaza de Colón: Named after Columbus whose statue is posted on a pilar in the middle of the square. This is the perfect place to start your high end shopping trip into Salamanca or dive into the Archeological Museum right next to it.
• Plaza Dos de Mayo: Located in the middle of Malasana, dozens of youngsters flock to this square at night to have some beers and spread out into the vibrant streets surrounding it afterwards.
• Plaza de España: With a huge fountain and a monument to Spain’s most famous writer, Cervantes, this square forms the Northern end of Gran Via. The iconic Edificio Espana looms over it, currently under renovation by Riu Hotels.
• Plaza de Cibeles: Located on the North-South Axis of the city this square houses the impressive Palacio de Comunicaciones, once a Postal Office, now the seat of the Madrid city council.
• Plaza Puerta del Sol: This is where your cursor lands if you google Madrid. For good reason, this square is km 0 of the Radial network of Spanish roads, the centerpoint of the country.
• Plaza Mayor: The iconic city square is famous for its uniform buildings surrounding the entire square. It also served as execution spot for the Spanish Inquisition.
• Plaza del Callao: The center point of Gran Via, the ideal place to start all your shopping sprees.
• Plaza Tirso de Molina: A cozy little square from which you can dive south into La Latina or Lavapiés. Also the ideal place to start your sunday exploration of El Rastro, the huge outdoor market.
• Plaza Oriente: A green space at the side of the Palacio Real. It’s an ideal place to enjoy the architecture of the city and start your trip into the Royal History of the palace and it’s gardens.
• Plaza de Isabel II: Most commonly known as Opera, since it houses the Teatro Real, Madrid’s very own spectacular Opera building.

11. Enjoy a bird’s eye view (with a drink)

After exploring the city from the ground, it might be worthwhile seeing it from a different perspective. Madrid has many nice viewpoints from which you can admire the city from above. A lot of these places are rooftops bars, often part of a hotel. Some require paying entrance others are just happy if you consume one of their drinks. Below you can find a short overview of some of the best spots in the city. If you find any other cool ones, do let me know!

• Gourmet Experience Gran Via: the top floor of the Corte Ingles at Callao. Anyone can go up for free and enjoy a fantastic view over central Gran Via from the terrace of this food shop. Buy yourself something delicious and take it all in!
• Palacio de Cibeles: there are two options here at the wonderful post-office-turned-city-hall Palacio de Cibeles. The first is a rooftop bar and restaurant called Terraza Cibeles where you can spontaneously go enjoy a drink with a view or reserve to have lunch/dinner. The other option, the observation deck of CentroCentro, is without food or drinks, however you go up all the way to the tower and enjoy the best possible view over the big Paseo’s and beyond for only € 3.
• Azotea del Circulo: this rooftop bar is known for its amazing views over the lower part of Gran Via and the Metropolis building. The terrace has a lounge area, some tables for drinking and a smaller area to have something to eat. Going up will cost you € 4, a beer around € 6 and a cocktail between € 12-15.
• Faro de Moncloa: this old transmission tower has an observation deck from which you can admire the Ciudad Universitaria and way beyond. It’s elevators will take you to the 92m high viewpoint for € 3. Tickets are sold for specific times either online or at the tower itself for a 30 min visit. So plan your visit well and consider buying upfront online through the website.
• Parque del Cerro del Tío Pío: also know a the Park of the 7 Boobies (Parque de las Siete Tetas). This park consists of grassy hills next to the city and provides a perfect view of the sunset over the entire Madrid area. On a clear day you can see for miles, all across the city to the Sierra beyond. Bring some drinks and snacks, pick your boobie, and enjoy!
• The Hat: this hotel/hostel near Plaza Mayor recently renovated its rooftop area to host a nice bar/restaurant. It won’t give you the most spectacular sweeping views but it will provide a cozy atmosphere to enjoy a drink or lunch/dinner with friends.
• Mercado de San Anton: this local market has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy a drink in the bar area and a great lunch or dinner on its very nicely decorated terrace. For dinner you might want to reserve up front. At lunch time you should always be able to find a table. It location near Gran Via in the Chueca neighborhood makes it a great stop for a drink. Check out all the different options on their website.
• RADIO ME Madrid Rooftop Bar: This very trendy rooftop bar gets busy at night, but there is good reason for that. Often featuring a nice DJ in the background, enjoying a cocktail in its nicely decorated bar area is great! For a table you’ll have to pay extra and you might want to reserve. It might be worth if you spend to chill there with a group all night. Additionally it offers a great view of the super cozy Plaza Santa Ana.
• Gymage: this super hip gym in Malasaña has one of the coolest rooftop lounge area, including an infinity pool. There is sun all day long and you can have lunch and dinner if you have reservation. To have access to the lounge you can buy an entrance for the whole day (€ 12) or the afternoon (€ 6). During the weekends this price goes up to € 19 for the day. The price includes water and a Desperados/Soda/Cider. Check out their website for opening hours and reservations.

The Map