Is Madrid, Spain in your forecast? This is one of my favorite cities in one of my favorite countries. I spent a summer as an au pair here (video below) and explored this amazing city every day. Madrid never slows down. Experience world class nightlife, museums, sports, food, and culture as you wander these Spanish streets.
Here’s your ultimate travel guide to Madrid, Spain.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Madrid, or the Palacio Royal, is located on the west edge of Madrid. This is one of Europe’s most impressive palaces and completely worth the visit. I personally think it’s enough to see this palace from the outside if you’re in a time crunch, but if you have time to explore the inside, do it. The palace is in such a beautiful and bustling spot that also serves as a great launchpad for exploring the rest of the city.
Almudena Cathedral
When looking at the palace from the angle depicted above, the Almudena Cathedral will be standing tall right behind you. This cathedral is magnificent in person and even more beautiful when it’s lit up at night. Enter for free and see the stunning interior of the largest cathedral in Madrid.
Plaza Mayor
Walk along Calle Mayor for a few blocks from the Royal Palace and turn right. You’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by red in Plaza Mayor. This plaza was originally constructed in the early 17th century during the reign of King Phillip III. The bronze statue in the center (photographed below) was gifted by the Duke of Florence in 1616. Plaza Mayor was once used for bull fights, royal ceremonies, markets, and even the Spanish Inquisition trials. Now, visitors can enjoy tapas and sangrias from the restaurants along the interior border.
Puerta del Sol
Once you’re done soaking up Plaza Mayor, head over to the other main plaza in Madrid, Puerta del Sol. Walk back out to Calle Mayor and go further east to reach this plaza. This plaza is widely considered to be the central hub of Madrid due to its central location. Depending on when you visit Madrid, you might see some political protests or religious ceremonies taking place in Puerta del Sol.
If you walk south from Puerta del Sol, you’ll stumble into some fantastic local bars and restaurants.
Temple of Debod
Did you know there’s an Ancient Egyptian temple located in the heart of Madrid? Well, now you do! The Temple of Debod is situated high on a hill just north of the Royal Palace in a beautiful park. The views of the sunset here are out of this world. This is my favorite place in all of Madrid to watch the sun go down. Just when you think it can’t get any better, there are almost always people playing live music to add to the ambiance. Stroll over to the Temple of Debod after dinner or bring a book to unplug & unwind.
Here’s a video from one of my favorite sunset moments in Madrid. It’s very easy to walk back to the main areas of the city from this spot.
Gran Vía
This is the main shopping street in Madrid and runs through the center of the city. Many of the famous images of Madrid are taken on this street! Spend a few hours popping in and out of some of the most impressive flagship stores and venture into the side streets to see some other great local shops and restaurants.
Looking for a great view of Madrid? Perhaps from a rooftop bar? Check out Circulo de Bellas Artes, marked on the map above. The building itself is a non-profit cultural center, but its rooftop bar is an absolute must when visiting Madrid. The cover is 5.50 Euro.
Retiro Park
This is the best place to be on a sunny afternoon. Once belonging to the Spanish Royal Family, the expansive gardens of Retiro Park are beautiful, relaxing, and filled with restaurants and little plazas. This park is free to enter and is usually open from 6am to midnight. There is a little lake in the center of the park where visitors can hire rowing boats. If you have time, this is a must when in Madrid!
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
If you’re a sports fan or traveling with a football/soccer fan, this stadium is so much fun to visit. This one is a bit out of the way to the north of the city. I’d carve out at least a half day for commuting and for a tour. The guided tour is great because visitors are able to see the museum section of the stadium while also being able to walk around the field, see the locker rooms, and hear interesting facts about the stadium and the players.
Mercado de San Miguel
This unique food market is located just outside of Plaza Mayor. I love finding food markets like this in new cities so that I can try a variety of local dishes in one place. Spend some time wandering through this market to see local delicacies and try tapas, wine, desserts, and more.
Big Three Museums – Madrid
Last but not least, Madrid is home to Thyssen-Bornemiszathree world famous museums that are located near the Atocha Train Station and Retiro Park. Here you can find the Prado Museum, The Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Many travelers call this The Golden Triangle of Art”.
Prado Museum
Of the three museums, the Prado Museum is considered to be the most famous. This museum houses world famous works of art by Renoir, Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, and more.
Reina Sofía
When I was au pairing in Madrid, I visited this museum and loved seeing the unique Spanish art that lined the walls. The most famous piece in this museum is the Guernica by Pablo Picasso. Honestly, this isn’t my favorite museum, since a lot of it is very modern and it feels very industrial, but it’s worth seeing once!
Thyssen-Bornemisza
This art museum is absolutely beautiful! Walk through seven centuries of European paintings as you explore this museum. See paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, O’Keefe, and more. This museum reminds me of some of the art museums in Italy and I love spending time in this one.
Travel Guide to Madrid, Spain
That’s all for this guide to Madrid! This list covers all of the sights that I recommend and schedule for my friends, network, and family when they visit Madrid. This is truly one of the best cities to visit and it’s extremely walkable, safe, and lively. I hope you enjoy this magical city.
