Explore Madrid as a Local with this Itinerary
The Spanish capital is one of Europe’s liveliest, friendliest and most engaging cities. Come for the show-stopping galleries, marvelous palaces and buzzing barrios (neighborhoods). Stay for the fabulous food, dynamic markets, revitalized green spaces and non-stop nightlife.
A taste of Madrid’s history, arts and culture
Sample a taste of Madrid by exploring its opulent palace and its grandest square. Shop your way through its unique boutiques and fuel up on goodies from the market before savoring one of Madrid’s favorite indulgences, chocolate con churros. Admire the city’s most beloved church and finish with a flamenco show paired with Michelin-starred food.
Palacio Real
With more than 3000 rooms, El Palacio Real is one of the largest palaces in the world. You’ll only see a fraction of these on your visit, but it’s more than enough to satisfy. From its swirling chinoiserie to its sky-blue ceilings populated by cherubs, eagles and subjects from around the globe, the experience is the visual equivalent of swallowing an entire Black Forest gateau at once.
Though the current royal family doesn’t live here, the presence of the Bourbons is keenly felt in royal portraits hung up on damask walls. The best canvas on display, however, is Caravaggio’s haunting Salome with the Head of John the Baptist, which can be found towards the end of the tour before you get to the magnificent throne room.
Madrid is the capital and the largest city of Spain. It spans across an area of over 600 square kilometres and is home to a population of over 3 million residents, with about 15% of the population comprising immigrants from other countries. The city is separated into 21 different districts that are further divided into a number of sub-wards, and each district is handled by a Junta Municipal de Distrito.
A typical Mediterranean climate is found in Madrid, with summers that are pleasantly warm and winters that are quite cold. Madrid also offers the most number of trees and greenery per inhabitant in Europe and is home to several parks, gardens and places of natural wonder. Museums and art centres are amongst the other popular tourist attractions in the city.
The city is located towards the North East of the Iberian Peninsula, over the Manzanares River. Most of the tourist-attractions are located within the city centre, with must-visit spots including the Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real and Plaza de Colón.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is the hub of Madrid’s most medieval quarter. It’s a place both to admire and to get your bearings, where so many explorations of the neighborhood (and city) begin. It’s at once the hub of local life and the topographical high point of the barrio (district).
Plaza Mayor was built in the 17th century during the reign of Philip III. The surrounding architecture is in a uniform Herrerian style, with slate spires, ochre apartments and 237 wrought-iron balconies. Over the centuries, the plaza has witnessed many historic events and public spectacles, like bullfights, executions and theatrical performances. During the Spanish Inquisition, heretics were condemned in autos-da-fé rituals, followed by public executions. More joyous events like royal weddings also took place in the plaza.
Now, locals and tourists alike gather here to dine at outdoor cafes, watch street performers, or attend concerts and festivals. Some highlights of Plaza Mayor include the frescoes of the Real Casa de la Panadería, with mythological figures against a backdrop of zodiac signs. The equestrian statue of Philip III in the center is a popular meeting point. Stop by Chocolatería de San Ginés, which is famous for serving chocolate con churros any time of day. Major landmarks near the plaza include the Mercado de San Miguel, the Royal Palace, the Cathedral of Almudena, the Muralla Árabe (Arab Wall) and Plaza de Oriente.
Mercado de San Miguel
Mercado de San Miguel is one of Madrid’s oldest markets and its most varied gastronomic hub. Behind its century-old glass-and-wrought-iron facade near Plaza Mayor, you’ll find an inviting space strewn with tables and a breathtaking array of food on display. This is a gourmand’s paradise. The market offers tapas, with a few stands providing more substantial plates. Begin with the fine fishy pintxos (Basque tapas) at La Casa de Bacalao (Stalls 16-17), follow it up with some jamón or other cured meats at Carrasco Guijuelo (Stall 18), cheeses at Stalls 20-21, all manner of pickled goodies at Stall 22, or the gourmet tapas of Lhardy (Stalls 61-62).
There are also plenty of places to buy wine, Asturian cider and the like. Mercado de San Miguel has become one of the coolest places to eat and mingle with locals in downtown Madrid.
Templo de Debod
Perched high above the city in a leafy setting, this ancient temple is an arresting sight. A gift to thank Spain for its help preserving the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt, this 2nd-century BCE temple is dedicated to the god Amun and the goddess Isis. Incredibly, the entire structure was taken from the Nile and reconstructed stone by stone in Cuartel de la Montaña Park before being opened to the public in 1972.
The interior is rather cramped, but entry is free and a visit won’t take any longer than 30 minutes. If you time it right, you’ll be able to catch the last rays of the sun turning the palace and cathedral a pretty pink from the nearby viewpoint.
Nearby Airports
The Madrid Barajas International Airport is amongst the largest airports in Europe and is located around 10 kilometres from the Madrid city centre. Established in 1928, it is one of the most prominent aviation centres in the continent and serves millions of passengers every year. Two other airports in Madrid are the Torrejón de Ardoz Airport – which mainly handles private aviation – and the Cuatro Vientos Airport which deals with flying schools and state services.
Halal Restaurants
Several Halal restaurants in Madrid are available for Muslim travellers, serving cuisine ranging from Middle Eastern to South Asian fare. Popular spots in the city include Cappadocia Kebap, Al Zahra and Bombay Palace. Another must-try spot is the Restaurante Farah Bagdad – one of the few certified Halal restaurants in Madrid – which is hidden on a small street near the El Carmen metro, serving delectable Middle Eastern food.
Mosques
Madrid offers a few mosques for Muslim travellers. Amongst the most prominent is the Madrid Central Mosque – also known as the Abu-Bakr Mosque – which is located in the vicinity of the Cuatro Caminos neighbourhood, as well as the Islamic Cultural Center of Madrid which is one of the largest mosques in Europe and offers various facilities to visitors.
Things to Do and See in Madrid
- Palacio Real
- Plaza Mayor
- Prado Museum
- Retiro Park
- Gran Via
- Puerta del Sol
- Plaza de Cibeles
- Temple of Debod
- Museo Reina Sofia
Top: Puerta del Sol © Valery Bareta. Bottom left: Metropolis building. Bottom right: Royal Palace © Álvaro López. Destination Madrid
1. Puerta del Sol
Flanked by the Real Casa, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree and the giant Tío Pepe sign. A classic? Taking a picture of your feet on the Kilometre Zero plaque, the starting point of all distances on Spanish roads.
2. Gran Vía
A vibrant city thoroughfare and a hub for the theatre scene, day and night. The “Broadway” of Madrid.
3. Plaza de España.
Here you have to look for the imposing building of Torre de Madrid and the monument to Cervantes.
4. Plaza de Oriente
Several interesting sights are here: the Royal Palace, the Sabatini Gardens, the Teatro Real opera house, and the Cathedral of La Almudena.
5. Plaza Mayor square
Be sure to see the Casa de la Panadería (the baker’s), the Casa de la Carnicería (the butcher’s) and the terraces where you can try the legendary “calamari sandwich”.
6. Plaza de Santa Ana
A good area for tapas, usually served with “una caña bien tirada”, which is how you should ask for a small glass of beer. By the way: Serving beer is an art form in the bars of Madrid!
7. El Retiro park
A city garden full of idyllic spots. The must-sees: The Palacio de Cristal and the boating pond. Together with the Paseo del Prado and the surrounding area, it has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
8. Plaza de Cibeles
Cibeles Palace (Madrid City Hall) and Círculo de Bellas Artes.
Both with rooftops for a magnificent view of the city from above.
9. Temple of Debod
A gift from Egypt to Spain and a magical place to enjoy the sunset.
Top: Temple of Debod. Bottom left: Plaza de Cibeles and City Hall. Bottom right: Crystal Palace in Buen Retiro Park
10. Barrio de las Letras
Another option is to lose track of time and have a wander around the streets. Iconic bars, vintage signs, urban art, unique shops, shopping around Callao, Fuencarral or Barrio de las Letras, and seeing how the locals live. The streets are the best museum in Madrid and walking through them is the best way to capture its essence.
You can also take the opportunity to see the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, or visit the Museo del Prado with important works such as Las Meninas or The Garden of Earthly Delights.
88A day in Madrid in 10 essential visits
First, can Madrid be visited in one day? It’s obvious that the capital has much more to give. But if you only have one day, we’ve come up with a selection of must-sees.Ready for that?
Top: Puerta del Sol © Valery Bareta. Bottom left: Metropolis building. Bottom right: Royal Palace © Álvaro López. Destination Madrid
1. Puerta del Sol
Flanked by the Real Casa, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree and the giant Tío Pepe sign. A classic? Taking a picture of your feet on the Kilometre Zero plaque, the starting point of all distances on Spanish roads.
2. Gran Vía
A vibrant city thoroughfare and a hub for the theatre scene, day and night. The “Broadway” of Madrid.
3. Plaza de España.
Here you have to look for the imposing building of Torre de Madrid and the monument to Cervantes.
4. Plaza de Oriente
Several interesting sights are here: the Royal Palace, the Sabatini Gardens, the Teatro Real opera house, and the Cathedral of La Almudena.
5. Plaza Mayor square
Be sure to see the Casa de la Panadería (the baker’s), the Casa de la Carnicería (the butcher’s) and the terraces where you can try the legendary “calamari sandwich”.
6. Plaza de Santa Ana
A good area for tapas, usually served with “una caña bien tirada”, which is how you should ask for a small glass of beer. By the way: Serving beer is an art form in the bars of Madrid!
7. El Retiro park
A city garden full of idyllic spots. The must-sees: The Palacio de Cristal and the boating pond. Together with the Paseo del Prado and the surrounding area, it has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status.
8. Plaza de Cibeles
Cibeles Palace (Madrid City Hall) and Círculo de Bellas Artes.
Both with rooftops for a magnificent view of the city from above.
9. Temple of Debod
A gift from Egypt to Spain and a magical place to enjoy the sunset.
Top: Temple of Debod. Bottom left: Plaza de Cibeles and City Hall. Bottom right: Crystal Palace in Buen Retiro Park
10. Barrio de las Letras
Another option is to lose track of time and have a wander around the streets. Iconic bars, vintage signs, urban art, unique shops, shopping around Callao, Fuencarral or Barrio de las Letras, and seeing how the locals live. The streets are the best museum in Madrid and walking through them is the best way to capture its essence.
You can also take the opportunity to see the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, or visit the Museo del Prado with important works such as Las Meninas or The Garden of Earthly Delights.