Travel. Madrid. Spain. Western Europe.
12 Interesting Things to Do in Madrid, Spain
A bustling metropolitan city in central Spain.
Madrid is an impressive city. I arrived at midnight from Seville and got a taxi to my hostel in the city center.
It was a beautiful drive. I was impressed by the size of the city, and how clean and organized it was.
We passed by prominent buildings, monuments, and fountains on the way.
The driver could see I was obviously excited, so he proceeded to name all the places to me in Spanish. He was so kind.
It’s times like this that I wish I could speak 100 languages. My reply was, “Sí, Sí, beautiful.”
I feel terrible when I can’t speak the local language, but it’s something I’m working on.
I haven’t had much experience of Spain in my life apart from a few package holidays years ago.
Everything is easy at those holiday resorts as the staff at the bars and restaurants speak English, and the menus are in English too.
But in Seville, and now Madrid, there is little English spoken. It’s even hard to find an English menu. They don’t seem to encourage it.
The feeling I get here is that they want us to speak Spanish, or at least try. I can understand though. I am in their country, after all.
So before we dive in, if you come to Spain, or at least Madrid, learn some Spanish! :)
Madrid, Spain
Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million.
It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), surpassed only by Berlin in its administrative limits, and its monocentric metropolitian area is the second largest in the EU, surpassed only by Paris.The municipality covers a 604.3 km2 (233.3 sq mi) geographical area.
So, let’s get started — 12 Interesting Things To do in Madrid…
1. Take a walk around Puerta del Sol and the surrounding area
This grand square is a popular meeting spot and a good place for taking in the city’s atmosphere.
There are cafes, restaurants, and street entertainment in this area.
You get a real feel for the city by meandering through the numerous street off Puerta del Sol.
I always enjoy this when I arrive in a new place, as it helps me to get my bearings.
You can enjoy a coffee, ice cream, or light snack in one of the many beautiful cafes.
A walk through the city enjoying the beautiful architecture, fine parks, and fountains is a great way to spend a day in Madrid’s capital.
After a walk in the hot city, Spain invites you to take shade in one of their many beautiful gardens.
With a kiosk always at hand, selling ice cream or a cool drink, you will feel relaxed in no time.
They know our needs before we do!
Of course, you will pay a little extra for your cool refreshing drink or ice cream, but hey, who cares when it’s 36 degrees and you’re hot are tired!
There are many other beautiful gardens to see in Madrid, which brings me to our second point.
2. Sabatini Gardens/Jardines de Sabatini
The Jardínes de Sabatini is one of two green areas that surround Madrid’s Royal Palace. These classic-style gardens were built in the 1930s in the same Austrian style as the palace.
It is free to enter this park.
3. Placio De Cristal en Madrid/Crystal Palace in Madrid
The Crystal Palace is located in Retiro Park in the heart of Madrid, on the banks of a man-made lake.
The park is about 130 acres with a variety of more than 15,000 trees. It is also free to enter this park.
The nearest Metro stations are Retiro and Bank of Spain.
4. El Real Jardín Botanico de Madrid/The Botanital Gardens
The Botanical Gardens of Madrid are situated on the banks of the River Manzanares.
It’s located between the Prado museum and Retiro park. It was built beside the Prado because it is considered an extension of the museum and offers tours of the garden itself.
The garden is open nearly all year round, hosting different events throughout the winter months.
Entry to the garden costs €4.
5. Plaza de Cascorro/Plaza de Mayor
Once the place to see bullfights and carnivals, but today you will find some of Madrid’s best restaurants.
I took a short walk off the Plaza Mayor that led to a small market where they sold clothes, shoes, bags, and paintings by local artists.
6. Mercado de San Miguel/Market of San Miguel
San Miguel Market is very popular among visitors as it’s located in the center of Madrid close to Plaza Mayor.
At the market, you will find a wide variety of freshly prepared tapas, hams, cheese, and many other delicious European foods.
They also sell wine, champagne, and beer at the market.
7. Gran Via
Gran Via translates as “Great Way” in English and is known as the Broadway of Madrid where you can catch a show or simply enjoy a stroll along the Gran Via high-street.
It’s Madrid’s shopping area and cultural center. It reminds me of London’s Oxford Street or Bond Street.
It’s the place to shop by day and enjoy a cultural evening at night. It is also one of Madrid’s popular nightclub areas.
8. Palacio Real de Madrid/The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is the official home to the Spanish Royal Family, but they choose not to live there now.
Instead, they live outside the city in the Palacio de la Zarzuela, which is why it is used for state ceremonies now.
It’s one of the largest palaces in Western Europe (bigger than Buckingham Palace). It is also known as the Palacio de Oriente, due to its location in the Plaza de Oriente.
If you get there at 11 am, you can see the changing of the guard.
At the other end of the square is the Teatro Real, facing the palace.
9. Teatro Real/The Opera House
Teatro Real (Royal Theatre) is the name of the opera house in Madrid. This is also a nice area for taking a walk with its fabulous cafes and restaurants.
10. Catedral de la Almudena/Almudena Cathedral
It’s free of charge to go inside the cathedral, but a donation is appreciated for the upkeep of the building.
“When the capital of Spain was transferred from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, the seat of the Church in Spain remained in Toledo and the new capital had no cathedral. Plans to build a cathedral in Madrid dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena were discussed as early as the 16th century but even though Spain built more than 40 cities in the new world during that century, plenty of cathedrals and fortresses, the cost of expanding and keeping the Empire came first and the construction of Madrid’s cathedral was postponed. Making the cathedral the largest that the world had ever seen was then a priority. All other main Spanish cities had centuries-old cathedrals, and Madrid also has old churches, but the construction of Almudena only began in 1879.”
— Wikipedia
The walls and ceiling inside the cathedral are spectacular.
You can visit the Crypt-Chapel, Cripta de la Catedral which is only 50 meters around the corner. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy church history and architecture as I do.
11. Museo del Prado — The Prado Musuem
The Prado, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is the main Spanish national art museum. This museum exhibits the world’s most extensive collection of Spanish art from the 12th to 19th centuries.
You will find works by Francisco Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, and Diego Velázquez in this collection.
The artist with most works hanging at the Prado is the Spanish Romantic Goya with 14 black paintings.
12. Plaza De Espàna
“Plaza de España (Spanish for 'Spain Square’) is a large square and popular tourist destination located in central Madrid, at the western end of the Gran Vía.
It features a monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra and is adjacent to two of Madrid’s most prominent skyscrapers.”
The metro station of the same name takes you to the Plaza de España.
Other Options
If you are a lover of football (soccer), then you might want to visit Real Madrid’s Football Club.
Soccer fans can tour the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, walk the pitch, visit the dressing rooms, and take photos at the club’s impressive trophy cabinet.
You won’t be bored in Madrid. There’s so much to do and even if you’re on a budget, it’s still possible to enjoy the city.
Many of the museums are free in the evening or on certain days of the week. And, most of the parks are free.
Food prices vary — you can get great tapas from €7 up to €20 or more.
If you have a lot of money to spend, then there’s no end to the choices you have as there are excellent restaurants and hotels all over the city.
Spanish cuisine is popular with its many dishes, so if you are looking for ideas about what to order when in Madrid, see these Top 20 Must-Try Typical Foods in Madrid.
As a cafe lover, I’m in heaven when I’m in Spain, Portugal, France, or Italy.
And Madrid does not fail to deliver in the coffee and pastry department.
Overall Impression
My overall impression of Madrid is it's a high-energy, fast-paced city.
I don’t know if I would want to live in Madrid, but I would like to go back to visit the museums, art galleries, opera house, gardens, and restaurants.
Four days is not long enough for such a big city.
For art lovers, this is the place to go, but do give yourself enough time to take it in, as it’s a city that needs to be appreciated and enjoyed.
I didn’t fall in love with Madrid, but it’s a city I am curious about.
After completing this article, I can see how much more there is to discover in Madrid, and now I really want to go back!
I would highly recommend Madrid as a top city to visit in Europe. You won’t be disappointed.
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