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Madrid is a busy city that brings in countless tourists every year. The capital of Spain is a fun city with plenty to do. While people normally head to Barcelona and overlook Madrid, here you’ll find plenty of popular and cultural things to do. From the Royal Palace to the most famous chocolate and churro shop, Madrid is really a great place for a visit. Of course, we also have an itinerary with all our favorite activities in Madrid and places to see.
Touristy Things to Do in Madrid
Hit up Tourist Favorites
There are many different touristy spots in central Madrid. You’ll get to walk from one to the other pretty easily. From Puerta del Sol, which is at Plaza Mayor, you can walk along to explore different plazas. Each different plaza in Madrid brings its own energy and vibes. They are all different and fun to visit. The most popular and famous being Plaza Mayor and Plaza España. Plaza del Colon is also another famous plaza. Also check out Plaza Dos de Mayo, Plaza Tribunal, and Plaza de Oriente.
Plaza Ventas and the Ventas Bull Ring
Las Ventas is the most important bullring in Spain and probably the world. Its design, dimensions, and cultural importance place it as one of the main bullfighting monuments to visit and attend its bullfighting shows. You can visit the bullfighting ring to see a bullfight. Additionally, you’ll be able to tour this important ring. It is definitely a must-do thing in Madrid and truly one of the most unique.
Explore El Rastro Flea Market
Only open on Sundays, this flea market is extremely popular. It spans several streets and goes around several blocks. Head to El Rastro early to avoid the crowds. Once you’re there, you’ll find a wide variety of things for sale from local, artisanal goods to some more mass-produced souvenirs. Definitely head down the side streets and alleys to get some of the more artisanal goods. This is a great place to find some souvenirs to take home from Spain. Be careful of pickpockets here, as it will get VERY crowded.
The Royal Palace
A great place to learn about Spain’s monarchy and royal history. Here is where the current royal family conducts their governmental business. While Spain is not run by the monarchy, they are very important figures in Spain. Additionally, when the Monarchs are in Madrid, you can enjoy the formal changing of the guards at the Prince Gate on the side of the palace.
Catch a Flamenco Show
One of our favorite things to do when visiting a new place is to go to dinner and a show. This allows you to watch traditional, local dances while experiencing traditional, local food. While we couldn’t find flamenco with a dinner option, this Teatro Flamenco did have sangrias included with the show. We enjoyed a wonderful performance and then went to dinner. Highly recommend adding this bit of culture to your trip!
Museo del Prado
The national art museum of Spain is Museo del Prado. It is situated directly adjacent to the Royal Palace. So if you head over to the Royal Palace, watch the changing of the guards, then you can head to this museum. You’ll be able to see some of the great Spanish artists. Spain has many very famous artists who have produced lots of very famous artwork. If you are a lover of great art, this is the place for you; it has one of the largest art collections in the world.
Cibeles Palace
The closest thing to the Cibeles Palace we have in the US is a City Hall. This is the seat of the government of Madrid, as well as a variety of other governmental entities, including the post office. It overlooks the Cibeles Plaza, which is a large, pedestrian-only plaza that hosts many different events and fairs. While the plaza is lacking in shade and trees, in my opinion, it does give way to many local restaurants and stores. This is a bustling area. You can also enter the Cibeles Palace and go to the balcony that overlooks the plaza for a nice view.
History Museum of Madrid
Formerly the San Fernando Hospice, the History Museum offers an overview of the arts, industries, lifestyles, and customs of the people of Madrid (also known as Madrileños) from 1561 to the present. The collection comprises over 60,000 objects linked to the city’s history. You’ll find so many interesting things, like a scale model of Madrid from 1830, paintings by Francisco Goya and Luca Giordano, and a large collection of porcelain. This is truly a great museum for all who are curious about the history of Spain’s capital city.
Chocolatería San Ginés
We tried a lot of churros con chocolate while in Spain! San Ginés was by far one of the best. It makes sense that it’s such a large complex with a long line. Luckily, the line moves super fast, and you don’t even feel rushed. The chocolate is thick and extra chocolate-y. The churros are crispy and not overly sweet. They are truly perfect for dipping.
Less Well Known Things to do in Madrid
Wander Through Malasaña and Chueca
Malasaña and Chueca are two adjacent neighborhoods in Madrid. They each have a very specific vibe and flair. Malasaña is known for its bohemian, alternative, and youthful vibe. Here you’ll find vintage shops, street art, and trendy bars. Meanwhile, next door in Chueca, you’ll find upscale boutiques, tapas bars, and a bustling nightlife. It is known for being a lively and vibrant area. These are great neighborhoods to walk around, shop, and eat in order to get a good sense of the local life.
Walk Along Madrid Río Park
River Manzanares flows through Madrid. Naturally, that makes it a great place to have a park. It’s a lovely place for a little picnic or to eat at a local restaurant by the water. They even have a large Madrid sign to take your picture! Parks are a great place to meet locals and see what is going on in the city. A park as big as this one is full of different activities and festivals.
See a Real Madrid Game
Soccer is a big deal in Madrid. The rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid makes the entire soccer atmosphere so much fun. If you’re in Madrid during the football season, then I highly recommend getting tickets to the game. It is so much fun to go to the soccer games and fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere. You’ll find many intense fans, but enjoy the entire experience. At the stadium, there is also a Real Madrid museum to learn more about the team’s history.
Eat Traditional Spanish Food at a Market
One of our favorite things to do in Madrid is to explore the various markets and try the local cuisine. From tortillas to the jamón ibérico. I loved picking up a cone of ham and walking around, deciding what we needed. The markets are great places to pick up some fresh produce and food in order to make a little picnic. There are many different markets in Madrid, like Mercado de San Ildefonso, which are markets full of restaurants from around the world. Mercado San Anton is incredibly popular. Check out all the markets of Spain here.
Reina Sofia Museum
At one end of the Paseo del Arte (Art Walk), you’ll find this iconic museum. It is home to an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. The Reina Sofia Museum holds works by many different famous Spanish artists, as well as Pablo Picasso’s masterpiece, Guernica. If you are a big fan of the different Spanish artists or enjoy strolling through modern and contemporary art, then this is the museum for you!
Palacio de Cristal & Puerta de Alcalá
One of the most striking cast-iron architectures of Madrid is the Glass Palace in El Retiro Park. Built in 1887 as a greenhouse to showcase flora and fauna. Today, it is part of the Reina Sofia Museum and used year-round as a venue for hosting exhibitions. It is definitely a cool part of El Retiro Park to visit. We enjoyed going to the 100 Montaditos near the park, then enjoying a stroll and rest at El Retiro. It is such a large park that it is definitely worth visiting.
Shop at Gran Via
Gran Via, also known as the Great Way, is a central street in Madrid. It leads from Calle de Alcalá, close to the Plaza de Cibeles, all the way to Plaza de España. The street is sometimes referred to as the “Spanish Broadway.” It is one of the most important shopping areas with a large number of hotels, movie theaters, and shopping centers. This street showcases early 20th-century revival architecture from the Vienna Secession style, Plateresque, Neo-Mudéjar, to Art Deco. It is a great place to do some shopping as well as getting to see some of the amazing architecture.
Explore La Latina
Barrio La Latina is located in the heart of Madrid. La Latina is full of narrow and winding streets in this irregularly laid-out area. The neighborhood is full of different plazas. As a Medieval walled village, the streets all go towards the different squares. Plaza de la Cebada (Barley Square), Plaza de los Carros (Carriage Square), Plaza de la Paja (Straw Square), or even El Rastro (the city’s best-known flea market). If you’re going to explore El Rastro, then make a morning of it while enjoying a stroll through different streets to different plazas.
Final Thoughts About Things To Do In Madrid
There are truly so many things to do in Madrid. While Barcelona usually gets all the tourists because it is on the water, don’t skip out on Madrid. It is the beautiful and busy capital of Spain. Plus, it is a quick train ride from Barcelona, and then you can take the train elsewhere after a couple of days in Madrid. With so many things to do in Madrid, you can easily spend 2-3 days exploring.
