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What to see and do in Madrid

In its neighborhoods Madrid vibrates and from its rooftops it dazzles; the city that never sleeps offers endless activities for every taste.

The capital of Spain is a city full of contrasts, a destination where anything is possible and everyone has their place. In Madrid you can do all sorts of things, from experiencing its glorious past in the streets of Madrid of the Habsburgs to enjoying a musical on Gran Via, choosing between hundreds of cultural activities including photography exhibitions, museums or live performances. The capital of Spain also stands out thanks to its green areas, like the majestic Jardines de Sabatini, the spectacular Parque del Retiro and the Jardín Botánico, a unique place next to the Museo del Prado where the littlest ones can discover the most characteristic flora of the Iberian peninsula. 

Tour through “Madrid of the Habsburgs”

Walking through the neighborhoods of Madrid is the best way to discover the architectural riches of this history-filled city. Most of the buildings and venues in this neighborhood, like Plaza Mayor, were built under the reign of the house of Austria. In the surrounding areas, some bars and stores conserve that flavor from a different era. Others, like Mercado de San Miguel, are open to new food options with gourmet sandwich shops for every taste. Walking down its cobblestone streets, you will enjoy the splendor of Plaza de Oriente, with Teatro Real, Catedral de la Almudena, Palacio Real and the beautiful Jardines de Sabatini: full of elegant trees and white marble sculptures. 

plaza mayor madrid

Visit to Parque del Retiro

retiro

It is considered one of the green lungs of the city with its 118 hectares of land and almost 20,000 trees. It was built in 1630 as a leisure garden for Philip IV and his court. The Great Pond is perfect for a pleasant boat ride any time of year. It also has many fountains, including the Galápagos fountain, which commemorates the birth of Isabel II; the Fallen Angel, one of the few in the world representing the devil; the Artichoke, by Ventura Rodríguez; and the Egyptian fountain, next to the pond. El Retiro also holds contemporary art exhibitions at the Palacio de Cristal and Palacio de Velázquez, exhibition sites connected to Museo Reina Sofía, as well as concerts performed by the Municipal Symphony of Madrid every Sunday in the Music Pavilion. 

Tapas in Malasaña

To one side of Gran Via is one of the trendiest neighborhoods at the moment, home to La Movida madrileña in the eighties, the neighborhood of Malasaña. Its name originates from Manuela Malasaña, an icon of the uprising on May 2, 1808 against the French troops. In this neighborhood, tradition meets innovation: vintage clothing stores intermingle with the latest trends, modern barber shops mix with classic cafés, while street markets mix with exclusive galleries… But the most characteristic feature is the wide variety of taverns where you can enjoy Madrid’s super-tasty tapas. In this neighborhood, these are usually paired with a refreshing beer. There are spots to suit every taste! 

tapa madrid

Guided tour of the Barrio de Las Letras

Between Paseo del Prado, Atocha street, Carrera de San Jerónimo and Carretas is the incredible Barrio de Las Letras, where Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Quevedo lived. Literary quotes from the authors decorate the sidewalk in golden letters. The neighborhood is also home to Plaza de Santa Ana with its many terraces, design stores, art galleries, emblematic buildings, such as the Teatro Español and the Chamber of Deputies, and statues like that of distinguished poet and playwright Federico García Lorca. On the first and third Saturday of the month Mercado de las Ranas is held: businesses bring their stands out onto the streets, turning the neighborhood into an immense outdoor market. To visit it, consider staying at the nearby Only YOU Hotel Atocha.

Cocktails or brunch on Madrid’s finest terraces

Another way to get to know Madrid is from its terraces and rooftops. There are numerous great viewpoints, at street level or above, located in historic buildings where you can admire the extraordinary view of the roofs of the historical center, the urban architecture or the Sierra de Guadarrama. Many of them offer brunch, that caffeine and vitamin cocktail with no defined timeframe. The most emblematic are that of the Palacio de Cibeles, the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes and that of Casa Suecia. 

cocktail madrid

Museo del Prado

A true temple of art and one of the greatest historical jewels of the city of Madrid, Museo del Prado is considered one of the most important art galleries in the world. Founded in 1819, it holds more than 700 sculptures and works by artists including Velázquez, el Greco, Goya, Tiziano, Rubens, El Bosco, Rafael and Tintoretto. Next door, you can visit the amazing Jardín Botánico, an authentic garden with hundreds of plant species to enjoy with the littlest ones. 

museo del prado

Go to a musical on Gran Via

Madrid is full of entertainment! With more than three million tickets sold every year, the capital of Spain is the top destination in the world for seeing musicals in Spanish. Gran Via is the center of these kind of shows. On the stretch between Callao and Plaza de España, the lights and marquees of the theaters announce the big shows on the billboard as if it were New York, London or Hamburg. Audiences appreciate the spectacular artistic and technical level of the productions of Madrid. In fact, some of them come directly from Broadway. 

gran via

Excursion to the Monastery of El Escorial

San Lorenzo de El Escorial is one of the most interesting municipalities around Madrid for tourism. Its main attraction is the Monastery and Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, declared a World Heritage site, which began construction in 1563 under orders from Philip II. The best option is the guided tour including the Palace of the Habsburgs and its gardens; the Pantheon of the Kings, where Habsburgs and Bourbons are buried; the Basilica and the Royal Library. 

El Escorial. View of Royal Palace in autumn. Spain

Egyptian temple of Debod and viewpoint

At one end of the Parque del Oeste is this jewel of Ancient Egypt, more than 2,000 years old. It was donated to Spain in 1968 by the Egyptian government, in gratitude for its help in salvaging the temples of Abu Simbel, due to the construction of the Aswan dam. Enjoying the sunset from the viewpoint after taking a lovely walk through its gardens is something you shouldn’t miss if you visit Madrid. 

Debod temple in Madrid Spain