A Guide to Madrid:
No trip to Spain is complete without exploring or just visiting Madrid, the Spanish capital. It’s a lively city, equally as popular as Barcelona full of culture and history. Discover what the locals know and love about their city–their delicious food, lush parks and gardens, vibrant rooftops & plazas and spirited people.
We’ll walk you through our top recommendations so that you will be ready for a trip of a lifetime!
Read up on Madrid. You will have a better experience if you have a a guide book that will provide maps, itineraries and suggestions to local spots for dining purposes and otherwise. If and when your phone dies or have a bad internet connection you don’t have to worry.
When it comes to exploring Madird, wear the proper shoes! You’ll be doing a LOT of walking since there is just so much to see at every turn. We would recommend the tennis shoes shown here. They also look good in dresses and jeans!
Carrying a small Spanish dictionary and phrasebook would also be a good idea since Spanish is the official language in Madrid.
A travel adaptor is a must in Europe to plug into the outlets so you’ll need to purchase yours ahead of time to take with you. This one also includes USB ports to plug into the converter.
Top 10 Sights To See and Places To Go While Visiting Madrid!
What To Expect While Visiting Madrid
Day 1
1. Plaza Mayor
2. Puerta del Sol - The Gateway of The Sun
Just a 5 minute walk from Plaza Mayor, located just in the true center of Madrid, is Puerta del Sol is filled with fountains, restaurants, shops and people. It’s crowded and lively with people passing on their way in and out of the Madrid’s bars and nightclubs. If you’re not interested in seeing any of Madrid’s hottest nightclubs or bars you could still experience Madrid’s vibrant lifestyle by going out to dinner and walking by the street performers.
3. The Royal Palace - Palacio Real
Then it’s just another 10 minute walk to get to the Royal Palace. The Palace housed the kings of Spain from the mid-1700s to the 1900s. Even though it’s still considered to be their official residence it’s now a museum where you can learn about the luxurious lives of the Spanish royals. It’s very impressive from the outside and inside is equally glamorous, a must while visiting Madrid.
- We would recommend buying your tickets ahead of time since the lines are long on the day you wish to enter. Click here to buy online for 10 euros/day
- You can also buy a skip the line ticket and guided tour here.
4. The Cathedral of Madrid
visiting madrid
5. Retiro Park
Retiro Park is one of the city’s main attractions full of monuments, sculptures and formal gardens. It’s also one of the most photographed places for locals and tourists visiting Madrid. It’s compared to New York City’s Central Park. There isn’t an entrance fee to enter either.
The Park has plenty of places you can stop to have a drink, a snack, or ice cream. The kids will have plenty of space to run around and you can even rent bikes.
Day 2
6. The Prado Museum - Museum Del Prado
The Prada Museum is One of Madrid’s most famous museums, it opened in 1819 containing 8,600 paintings and more than 700 sculptures. The museum features some of the most famous works of art so you’ll get your fill of Goya, Diego, Velazquez, and other renowned Spanish, Italian Flemish styles of art.
visiting madrid
7. Mercado San Miguel
Mercado San Miguel is one of our favorites and best food markets while visiting Madrid! The food is great making it a popular spot so be prepared for crowds. It’s near the Plaza Mayor and used to be a large market before being bought by a foodie who turned into a trendy area. It’s not pricey considering its location in downtown and stays open until midnight.
8. Casa De Campo
9. Grand Via
Gran Via is at the heart of the city. You can explore the grand architecture of the shopping and tourist destination. Packed with shops and restaurants. At Círculo de Bella, if you pay 4 euros you’ll be able to get to the top where you’ll get the sweeping rooftop views you often notice in photos which includes the famous Metropolis Building.
Day 3
10. A Trip To Toledo
If you have one more day to spare we’d suggest you take a trip to Toledo! It’s just 30-minutes away from Madrid, you can spend an entire day admiring the city from the banks of Tagus River, below the hilltop on which this city sits. This ancient roman city was once thought to be one of the holiest places in Spain. It was always a city of many cultures, and known as “The City of Three Cultures” for the prominent participation of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths in the making of modern Toledo.
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I love Madrird! Your guide is perfect with some great tips here! We didn’t go to Casa de Campo or Toledo so I’m saving this for our next trip!
I spent a school year near Madrid 20+ years ago and visited all these places (many multiple times). Toledo is amazing in particular. I still think about Spain frequently and would love to go back and take my kids to experience my old stomping grounds.
I am hoping to visit in the next year! This is perfect!
Your photos are absolutely beautiful! They make me feel almost as if I’ve been to Madrid already!
Your pictures are fabulous. I grew up in Spain and have been to Madrid more times than I can count, but I’ve honestly never been to Casa de Campo! Thanks for the tip – I will definitely check it out next time.
Looks like a beautiful city! I have to add this to my bucket list! Thanks for the great info. and photos!
Your itinerary looks amazing! Would love to see all these places when I visit Madrid!
Wow, your photos are amazing! Great guide! We usually check out cities for 3 days when we travel so this guide is perfect!
These are all great spots in Madrid! If I ever go back, I’ll have to take a day trip to Toledo. It looks gorgeous!
I lived in Madrid for a year and a half, and Retiro Park was one of my favorite places to go! It’s so pretty no matter the weather!
I would have loved to stay that long. Tt’s a beautiful city and Retiro Park was one of my favorites places too!