What to do in Madrid? Go totally prepared on your city break!
Madrid is a city of contrasts: a huge city with impressive avenues and imposing skyscrapers and at the same time a human city, very warm and welcoming, with people from all corners of the world “we are all foreigners, we are all from here”. And its districts give you the “village feeling”, where everyone immediately knows you, greet you by name at the bar and helping the older neighbours is a habit that they didn’t lose yet. Today you’ll receive our list with what to do in Madrid, are you ready for your next city break?
Are you ready to go to Madrid? You will be in one of our charming holiday homes!
The capital of Spain is elegant and stately, a must for all those who like to admire monuments, buildings, streets, squares and gardens that were the scene of some of the most decisive moments in the history of the country. Travelling to Madrid also gives you the opportunity to travel – thanks to its countless restaurants of regional cuisine – throughout the Spanish geography: from simple (and delicious) cachopos washed down with cider in any Asturian centre, to the best meats of the Basque Country, passing by a strong Galician pot (with its dessert pancakes) or a rich Andalusian frying in the restaurants of the Salamanca district.
It’s true that Madrid has a lot to discover and if you do not want to miss any of those things, keep on reading this little guide.
Cultural visits in Madrid
Madrid is a city where you can discover many cultural places of interest. Whether you are one of those who doesn’t want to leave the museum without having seen everything, or one of those who drop by the exhibition just quickly: pay attention because we recommend you the following cultural sights.
Padro Museum
One of the most important galleries of the world and one of the most visited in Spain. This gallery has works from the medieval period (sacred paintings) to works from the most famous artists of the 19th century, such as Fortuny and Sorolla; the flamenco art from El Bosco, Dürer and Rubens; the Italian Renaissance art framed in the works of Rafael, Tiziano or Tintoretto; and the great Spanish masters: Velazquez, Murillo and El Greco. Alfonso Pérez, the former director of the museum, said that for the eyes of the world he represents “the most significant of our culture and the most brilliant and enduring of our history“.
Reina Sofía
Only 10 minutes walking from the Prado museum you will find the second most important public museum of the city: Reina Sofía. This museum is dedicated to 20th century. Its most representative work is Picasso’s Guernica, every year it receives hundreds of thousands of visitors who are attracted by the idea of being able to observe in that large canvas, black on white, of more than 25 square meters in which reflects, as nowhere else, the horror and arbitrariness of war. But “la Reina” is not only the injustice of Guernica, but also the surrealism of Dali’s Watches, the minimalism of Miró and the genius and textures of Tapies. In short, the Reina Sofía is a pleasant walk through history, stories and brushstrokes of the most brilliant Spanish artists of the twentieth century.
Slaughterhouse Madrid
In the traditional Legazpi district, a few years ago one of the most ambitious rehabilitation projects was completed: the restoration and re-conversion of the old slaughterhouse and livestock market in Madrid. A huge industrial style space built at the beginning of the 20th century that is being reused as a centre of avant-garde art today: expositions, theatres, projection and concert halls. If you like to be up to date of the latest cultural trends, try to visit this place during your holidays in Madrid.
Teatro Real (the Opera of Madrid)
In front of the Royal Palace, on the Plaza de Oriente (you enter it through the Opera Square) we find the main theatre of Madrid. Practically all cultural events in the city have an impact on the theatre’s programming. In its billboard we find spanish classics such as Mme Butterfly, La Bohème or Aída but there is also room for works and contemporary dramatists like El Pintor de Colomer and Boadella (now in theaters).
The essentials
Strolling through Madrid means discovering something new at every step. Overflowing art in all its streets and hundreds of places in the capital that deserve your visit. We have selected some of the most symbolic points so you can create your own list with visits for your city trip in Madrid.
The temple of Debod and the Royal Palace
This more than 2200 years old Egyptian temple has a beautiful history: it was a gift from the African country to Spain in 1968, as gratitude for the help received to save the temples of Nubia, in danger for the construction of the dam of Aswan. It is located west of the Plaza de España, next to the Paseo del Pintor Rosales. If we continue walking along the Calle de Ferraz we will arrive at the Plaza de España, with its monument of Cervantes. Calle Ferraz ends at Calle de Bailen, which gives access to old centre of Madrid, Calle Mayor, the Royal Palace and Plaza de Oriente.
Gran Vía
Huge and always brimming with activity, it is the best known avenue in the city. You will find here the most relevant cinemas and theatres. It begins in Calle de Alcalá and ends at the Plaza de España. Also many streets can be found here.
Retiro Park
Also known as Parque del Buen Retiro or, simply, El Retiro. It is a historic garden and the most famous park in the city. Within its walls you can discover the Monument of Alfonso XII, the Puerta de Felipe IV, the Royal Astronomical Observatory, the Cristal Palace, the Estanque Grande, the Parterre, the fountain of the Artichoke and the Romanesque hermitage of San Pelayo and San Isidoro. Enough to spend a whole day here!
This is just a small guide to give you a first look on how your trip to Madrid will be, the rest of the trip is up to you. Of course, keep in mind that your trip to Madrid can be just as you want it to be and visited the things you think are the most interested: do you prefer a cultural or gastronomic city break? Or why not a little of both?
Family holiday to Madrid
Despite how big the city may seem, moving around Madrid is very comfortable and easy, its metro system is one of the best in the world. Madrid also has a number of attractions that make it an ideal city to travel as a family, such as:
Museo de cera
Paseo de Recoletos, 41, 28004 Madrid
Have you ever visited the Madame Tussaud’s museum in Amsterdam? Well, then you will definitely love to visit the Museo de Cera in Madrid. Here you will find representations of all kinds of different famous people such as Cristiano Ronaldo or Spider man. Bring your camera because it’s time to make hundreds of selfies!
Tour Bernabéu
Av. de Concha Espina, 1, 28036 Madrid
Do your kids love soccer? Then they do not want to miss a visit to the Real Madrid stadium! There are several tours to choose from, the cheapest tickets cost 18€. You can see the changing rooms, the press room, the tunnel, the benches, the pitch… It’s a stadium worth seeing.
Parque Warner
M-506, 28330 San Martín de la Vega, Madrid
Of course, we cannot forget this amusement park, one of the best known in the country. The entire family can enjoy a wonderful day in this park with attractions that have many different themes. In addition, in summer you will also be able to enjoy its water park full of huge slides and fun swings. You can buy tickets from 26€.