Madrid Sightseeing: The Best Things to Do, Eat & See

My Travel Listicle Recommendations

Things to Do

• Estadio Santiago Bernabéu – Real Madrid’s home soccer stadium. If you happen to be in Madrid between August and May, try to catch a game! It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, but if there are no games, the stadium also offers tours so you can grab a picture with the Champions League trophy!
• Retiro – Madrid’s Central Park. Here you can find the Crystal Palace, a free art museum, and plenty of green space. You can also rent row boats for a truly unique and romantic experience.
  • Inside Retiro, check out the Crystal Glass houses for free art exhibits and great pictures.
• Museo del Prado – If you love art, this museum is a must. It’s the best collection of Spanish art, with works ranging from El Greco to Velázquez. All museums in Spain are required to offer free hours; the Prado has free admission every evening until close, as well as on Sundays.
  • If you are more into modern art, check out the Reina Sofía.
  • The Prado is located on the Paseo del Prado, which is a great place to find local art, souvenirs, and other museums and monuments.
• Must visit Plazas:
  • Plaza Mayor
  • Plaza Sol
  • Plaza de España
• Mercado de San Miguel
  • A food market located in the heart of Madrid. Here you can try all of Madrid’s delicacies and get a crisp copa (beer), all under one roof. Great place to get lunch!
• Templo de Debod
  • An actual Egyptian temple gifted to Spain from Egypt, located in Parque Oeste. During park hours, you can enter the temple for free to learn about Spain and Egypt’s history.
    • Near the Templo, in Parque Oeste, there is a Teleférico that takes you to an overlook with a bar and a small theme park.
• Palacio de Cibeles
  • Great view of the city from the rooftop!

Food

• Restaurante Colosimo – One of the best Tortilla Españolas
• El Tigre – Fun bar with large tapas portions
• El Sobrino de Botin – The oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness World Record, also mentioned in a Hemingway novel
• Museo de Jamón – for Jamón Ibérico at a reasonable price. You can find one on every corner, and it’s 100% worth the experience.

Shopping

• Casa de Diego – Handmade Spanish fans right in the heart of Plaza Sol

Continuing on to Spain’s coast? Check out my Valencia Sightseeing guide, or read my Spain Travel Tips for advice on tapas culture, transportation, and free museum hours.