Madrid was the first international city I ever traveled to totally alone. I’ll never forget the feeling as I ascended the stairs from the metro station to Puerta del Sol; the square was nearly deserted in the faint 7-a.m.-on-a-Sunday light. I had finally made it, and Madrid will always be a special place for me. While I didn’t have too much time there — at least not compared to years later, when I would call Madrid home — there are plenty of things to do in Madrid, even if you only have a little time.

Here are my top 5 recommendations on things to do in Madrid.

1. Visit the Art Museums

Madrid is home to two internationally-acclaimed art museums: Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofia. Each has something different to offer, depending on your tastes.

El Prado is perhaps more famous; it is one of the most-visited sites in the world and is home to a more classic collection. It boasts paintings and sculptures from the likes of Francisco de Goya, El Greco, and Diego Velasquez. When I was there, I tried to focus on seeing just the Spanish art, but after 4+ hours I had probably only covered 1/8 of the museum. There’s so much to see.

Museo Reina Sofia has a more contemporary collection, with art from the 20th century. It’s also much easier to get through in a single day. By far, the most famous painting at the Reina Sofia is Guernica, by Pablo Picasso. Picasso painted this mural to reflect the horrors of the bombing by Francisco Franco’s German allies in the Spanish town of Guernica. The mural is huge, and the mood is somber as visitors take it all in.

2. Explore Retiro Park

When you need a break from the city streets, head on over to one of Madrid’s largest parks, El Retiro. This is undoubtedly one of the most popular things do to in Madrid. You’ll find families relaxing and tourists wandering the paths, along with (interestingly) a large population of feral cats. I love cats though, so I didn’t mind!

A couple main points of interest: Palacio de Cristal is a spectacular glass building, sitting on the edge of a lake. Originally used as a greenhouse to display plants from the Philippines, these days it’s a sight to behold as the sun reflects off its windows. In the center of the park, you can find another lake and the Monumento a Alfonso XII. You can even rent or hire a boat to take you out on the water for a leisurely paddle.

3. Marvel at the City’s Architecture

One of the most exciting things to do in Madrid doesn’t even cost any money: wandering through the streets and marveling at Madrid’s gorgeous architecture. Almost anywhere you look in Madrid, you’re going to find some sort of beautiful building and spend a lot of time taking photos.

There’s the Plaza Cibeles (pictured at the top of this article) and the Metropolis building on Gran Via. The Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral right across the way. And who could forget Plaza Mayor and Atocha Train Station? The list goes on. I think Madrid is such a beautiful city. 🥹

4. Comer!

Food is one of my favorite things to experience anywhere I travel, and Spain did not disappoint. In the mornings, order a cafe con leche and pan de chocolate in a bakery. In the afternoons, ask restaurants for the “menu del dia” — for a set price, you can get a soup or salad, main course, side dish, and dessert all for about 12€. In the evenings, grab tapas (small plates) bebidas with friends.

My time in Spain earned me a nickname which I am very proud of: Churro Queen. I had always thought that these fried-dough delicacies were Mexican, but I soon uncovered the truth. My hostel served free churros every morning, and there was a churro shop two blocks away that I visited almost every night. Don’t you know? Calories don’t count when you travel.

5. Take a Day Trip

While there are plenty of things to do in Madrid that will undoubtedly keep you busy, big city life isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. And if you’re interested in experiencing a smaller Spanish city during your visit to Spain, Madrid is the perfect jumping-off point for so many amazing day trips.

One of the most popular day trips from Madrid is to the medieval city of Toledo. Visitors like it because Toledo is a gorgeous city with so much history, and it can take as little as 30 minutes each way to reach it. My personal favorite day trip from Madrid, though, is to Segovia — a town that is famous for its huge Roman aqueduct. Be sure to check out my post about the 9 best day trips from Madrid.

 

Looking for more things to do in Madrid? Here’s my list of 7 places you must visit in Madrid, and the 5 best places for scenic views of Madrid.

What questions do you have? Where will you visit first? Or what are your favorite things to do in Madrid? Let me know in the comments!

-Cathy

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