Discover Madrid (Spain)

Madrid may not have the status of Rome or Paris in terms of sights, but the Spanish capital is a pleasure to explore.

From historic jewels and world-class art to an amazing gastronomic scene and picturesque parks, let’s take a look at Madrid’s main attractions to visit.

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Visit the museums: Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza; Reina Sofia and Sorolla

Madrid has many beautiful art museums, famous all over the world for its majestic architecture and its imposing permanent collections.

Some of the best are the Museo del Prado, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo Reina Sofia and Museo Sorolla.

Each of them has different styles of art, ranging from classic to contemporary and often have temporary exhibitions.

Be sure to check your websites for more information.

Rent a boat in Parque El Retiro

It can be impressive to see all day in such a bustling city, so if you’re tired of all the excitement, go to the most beautiful park in Madrid, El Retiro, and relax.

Lie on the grass, have a picnic or rent one of the boats and cross the lake from the park.

This is something that locals also do; Everyone needs a moment to relax and breathe in this amazing city, and go to El Retiro is one of the best things to do in Madrid.

Eat a squid bread as you stroll through Plaza Maior

Squid rolls are one of the most typical dishes in Madrid, and many restaurants and bars sell them by the Plaza Maior area.

One of the best things to do in Madrid is to buy one and eat while you discover the most famous square in town.

You can enjoy the flavour, atmosphere and views of the Spanish capital at once for an authentic experience.

 

Visit the Temple of Debod

This is an Egyptian temple that was endowed for Spain in 1968, located at the top of a hill by Casa del Campo.

Temple of Debod has an incredible view of the royal palace and the Cathedral of Almudena on one side, and the House del Campo and the mountains of the other, especially during the sunset and at night.

Go here for a relaxing picnic or a stroll and take some amazing photos of the city.

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The Royal palace

The Royal Palace is, of course, one of the mandatory points when you are in Madrid.

It is the official residence of the Spanish royal family (although they actually reside in the Palacio de la Zarzuela, on the outskirts of the capital), but who knows, if you are lucky, you can just stumble on a real that is standing behind a closed door.

Enjoy the vast collection of art and the beautiful Stradivarius that are housed in this majestic palace.

Atocha railway station

This train station has a very unique “jungle” inside: where you least expect you will find tropical trees, a beautiful turtle pond and listen to the singing birds.

The architecture is unique and the interior is really unique.

Take a train or the subway to another part of Madrid, or even to one of the many cities worth visiting in the surrounding area, such as Alcala de Henares (hometown of Cervantes) or El Escorial (the site of a beautiful monastery and a city where Spanish royalty used to To live).

Stroll through the Puerta do Sol area

Puerta del Sol is right in the centre of Madrid, and is definitely one of the best places to visit when you are in the capital.

This is the place where the locals come to celebrate New Year’s Eve, among other things, and is an iconic landmark of the city (and possibly the most famous square in Spain).

Stroll through the area and discover all the excellent restaurants, bars and shops while enjoying the local culture and the Spanish rhythm of life.