Are you planning a trip to Madrid? The capital of Spain offers its visitors a diverse set of activities that you cannot miss. The city that never sleeps is perfect for exploring its streets, getting lost in the liveliest and most cultural neighbourhoods, visiting museums or relaxing in its green areas. If you want to know its main attractions, you need at least 3 days in the city.
Get to know the most characteristic places in Madrid with the Free Tours that we offer, and you can also book them for free.
You can also book a guided tour of the Almudena Cathedral or the Reina Sofía Museum, buy tickets to the Prado Museum, the Royal Palace or the Wax Museum in advance.
Madrid, thanks to its geographical position in the center of Spain, offers excursions of one, two and three days to Ávila, Cuenca, Segovia, Salamanca or Toledo.
Finally, live the art of flamenco in any of its Madrid Tablaos. Singers, guitarists and dancers will make you enjoy and don't forget one of the best shows.
These are our 10 essentials in Madrid:
We discover the 10 essentials of Madrid that you cannot miss:
1. Sun Gate
The main square of Madrid, where the well-known "Kilometro 0" of Spain is located. In it you can also find the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, the Tío Pepe poster, or the post office from where the chimes are given every New Year's Eve.
2. Main Square
Surrounded by arcades and three-storey brick buildings, it is the perfect place to enjoy a break in its bars and terraces. Also, if you visit the city at Christmas, you cannot miss the Christmas market.
3. Gran Via
It is the most famous street in Madrid due to its great theaters, musicals, clothing stores and large buildings such as Telefónica or the Metropolis Building.
4. Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral
The Royal Palace or Palacio de Oriente is one of the largest in the world, in Classicist Baroque style and is the official residence of the Head of State. Opposite the Patio de Armas is the Almudena Cathedral. Admission is free and its style mixes Neoclassical and Neogothic.
5. Temple of Debod
It is an Egyptian temple and this was a gift from Egypt to Spain in 1968. It is the ideal place to enjoy a wonderful sunset.
6. Retiro Park and Puerta de Alcalá
Nowadays it is a monumental gate, formerly it was one of the 5 access gates to the city of Madrid. At the foot of the Puerta de Alcalá begins the Retiro Park, recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lung of Madrid and park par excellence of Madrid, where you can take a boat ride on its lake, have a coffee on its terraces or see all its sculptures, monuments and buildings.
7. Malasana
The most alternative neighborhood in the city, where the most modern meets the underground of Madrid. This neighborhood is associated with the cultural movement of the 1980s, the "Movida Madrileña".
8. Chueca
The quintessential neighborhood of diversity, internationally known for its atmosphere and nightlife. It is one of the most fashionable areas due to its shops, bars and cultural offer.
9. Cibeles Square
It limits the districts of Centro, Retiro and Salamanca, in the center the Fuente de Cibeles. In this square is the Madrid City Hall, the Bank of Spain, the Buenavista Palace and the Casa de América.
10. Prado Museum
It is one of the most important museums in the world and also one of the most visited, it is the most important cultural institution in Spain. In it you can find works by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco among others.