Drinks, tapas, and labyrinthine medieval streets are plentiful in La Latina, a charming neighborhood tucked into the center of Madrid. Once a blue-collar and artsy district, La Latina maintains a local culture that complements its bohemian vibes. Wander to quaint public squares, see remains of ancient city walls, and sip tinto de verano, the local tipple.
The neoclassical Sabatini Gardens (Jardines de Sabatini) provides the perfect place for a rest on a busy day exploring Madrid. The gardens feature an impressive sculpted hedge maze, as well as fountains, statues, and a pond. Sit on a bench beneath one of the leafy trees to nibble a jamón sandwich with views of the Royal Palace.
To take in the passion and emotion of flamenco dance is to discover an essential piece of Spanish culture. Experience an intimate, traditional performance on a small stage surrounded by vaulted brick at Essential Flamenco. Attend a show after strolling Puerta del Sol, or before a late taberna dinner.
Though visitors find a numerous gardens and parks in Madrid, the Royal Botanic Garden (Real Jardín Botánico) is a standout horticultural achievement. The garden features 6,000 diverse plant species, and covers about 20 acres (8.1 hectares). Conveniently-located near the Prado Museum, the garden is a perfect stop after a day in the galleries.
Plaza de Toros de las Ventas is one of Madrid’s largest public squares, dominated by the iconic Las Ventas bullfighting arena—the largest in the world and one of the city’s top attractions. Even those with no interest in bullfights can learn about the history and heritage of this deeply Spanish tradition.
Cybele Palace (Palacio de Cibeles) is a landmark building with a modest past—this turn-of-the-century architectural gem was once a central post office, and later a government building. Now open to the public, the palace is known for the art happenings at its cultural space—CentroCentro—and the city views from its 8th-floor terrace.
Standing between the Royal Palace and the opera house, the Plaza de Oriente is in the heart of historic Madrid. Lined with ornamental hedges, the plaza welcomes thousands of tourists a day on their way to visit the palace.
Lined with high-end shops, restaurants, and bars of all types, Gran Via cuts through the heart of Madrid. The bustling street comes alive at night, when locals eat, drink, and mingle into the wee hours. Gran Via is also known for its 20th-century architecture, including the Edificio Metrópolis, which boasts a magnificent rooftop statue of Winged Victory.
The Lope de Vega museum is the former home of one of Spain’s most celebrated writers, Félix Lope de Vega Carpio. A 16th-century playwright from Madrid, he is known as Spain’s answer to Shakespeare. The house has been carefully restored and preserved, giving a unique insight into life during the Spanish Baroque period.
Flanked by two of Madrid’s tallest skyscrapers—the Torre de Madrid and Edifico España— Plaza de España sits at the western terminus of Gran Vía in the heart of the city. A statue of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra stands at the center of the square, with smaller statues of Don Quixote de la Mancha and his sidekick, Sancho Panza, at his feet.
With one of the largest and most comprehensive art collections in Madrid, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza) is a veritable paradise for art lovers. The collection contains more than 1,000 works of mostly Western art and is part of the “Golden Triangle of Art” along with the Prado Museum and the Museo Reina Sofia.
Mardrid's Plaza de Colón is hard to miss. This public square nestled between Salamanca and Chamberí flies the largest Spanish flag in the world, and it's often busy with cars zipping around its traffic circle. The plaza is named for Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spanish, and there's a grand monument here to the famed explorer.
The grand Paseo de la Castellana runs for nearly 4 miles (6 km), from the Plaza de Colón to the outskirts of northern Madrid. The most important north-south thoroughfare in the city also takes visitors past some of the city’s most important landmarks and neighborhoods.
Commissioned by King Felipe II as a testament to Spain's devout Catholic faith, the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial—or just El Escorial—was built in the 16th century after the French were defeated in the Battle of Saint Quentin. The highlights of this immense UNESCO World Heritage Site—considered the most important monument of the Spanish Renaissance—include the elegant basilica; the marble Pantheon de los Reyes, where many kings and their relatives are buried; and the Patio de los Reyes, the entrance to the monument. The site is a must-visit for history buffs and architecture lovers.
Fronted by an imposing red-brick facade with glass and steel detailing, Madrid’s Atocha Train Station (Puerta de Atocha) is both an architectural landmark and a bustling commuter station. Before catching your train, grab a bite to eat on the sundrenched concourse, admire the lush Tropical Garden, and tour the permanent sculpture collection.
Situated in Madrid’s Rosas neighborhood, the Wanda Metropolitano soccer stadium has been home to Atletico Madrid since the 2017-2018 season. Wanda Metropolitano has a capacity of nearly 68,000, a small museum, and guided tour opportunities, which make it an essential stop in Madrid for soccer fans.
Perhaps best known for its high-end real estate and designer shops, Madrid's Barrio de Salamanca is home to the city's elite. It's dreamy and chic, which is no surprise, since it was developed as a district for the upper echelons in the mid-1800s. Visit to shop, dine at high-end eateries, and stroll the tree-lined Paseo de la Castellana.
Drawing inspiration from London’s similarly named Crystal Palace, the sometimes contemporary art-filled Palacio de Cristal in Madrid was constructed in 1887 based on a wrought-iron and glass-dominated design by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco. A marvel of architecture, art, and engineering, which plays up its natural light, the Palacio de Cristal is a stand-out attraction conveniently situated in the heart of Retiro Park.
Built into the mountains north of Madrid, Spain's Valley of Cuelgamuros (Valley of the Fallen) is a memorial to those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Erected by Nationalist leader Francisco Franco, the sight has been steeped in controversy. The somber attraction is known for its ziggurat-like facade, vaulted crypt, and granite cross.
A former royal residence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Palace of Aranjuez (Palacio Real de Aranjuez) is one of the grandest palaces in the Madrid region. With origins dating to the 16th century, the palace housed generations of the Spanish monarchy. Today, its opulent looks and grounds make it a popular tourist destination.
Housed in a 1919 building designed by Antonio Palacios, this private, nonprofit cultural center offers all sorts of events for the artistically minded. The art exhibitions and independent films screened here are a big draw, but there's also an elegant on-site restaurant that's open to all.
From the Catholic monarchs and Spanish Armada to the voyages of Columbus, Spanish naval history reverberates through the ages. You can learn about the country’s maritime legacy at the Madrid Naval Museum (Museo Naval de Madrid), located in the contemporary Spanish Navy’s headquarters in the center of Madrid.
Dedicated to France’s Saint Genesius of Arles, the Church of San Ginés (Iglesia de San Ginés) is noteworthy as one of the oldest churches in Madrid. Although the current facade only dates back to 1870, much of the original church was built in the first half of the 17th century.
Thousands of plant and animal specimens make the National Museum of Natural Sciences (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales) one of Madrid’s most engaging destinations. Visitors of all ages appreciate this well-curated museum for how its vast collections of dinosaur casts, fossils, and stuffed animals help to tell the story of life on Earth.
CaixaForum is an art gallery and event space housed in a former electricity power plant that's distinguished by its angular exterior and exterior living plant wall. Given its changing roster of big-name shows, it’s no surprise that it's one of the most popular museums in Madrid.
What was once an unremarkable stretch of the Manzanares River is now the Madrid Rio, a 2,220 acre (820 hectare) riverfront park boasting numerous attractions, from bike paths and urban beach to kids' play areas. Whether you dine at a parkside restaurant, or cross one of the 33 bridges for a photo, plan to visit the park on your next Madrid trip.
Located in Madrid’s upscale Salamanca district, the Museum of Public Art (Museo Arte Público Madrid) is the city’s most unusual ode to art. This open-air collection of Spanish 20th-century abstract sculptures sits beneath a traffic flyover, providing a fitting urban setting for striking pieces by artists like Joan Miró and Eusebio Sempere.
The arts and creativity are celebrated at La Casa Encendida, a multiuse building established by Fundacion Montemadrid. Here, you can check out art exhibits and plays, watch a film screening, take advantage of onsite libraries and media labs, or just hang out at one of two cafes.
Since Madrid is a city known for museums like the Prado and the Reina Sofia, which draw art lovers from around the world, it's all too easy to miss the Lázaro Galdiano Museum (Museo Lázaro Galdiano. This tiny institution was once a private collection, and includes work from big name artists like Zurbarán, Murillo, El Greco, and others.
Casa de Campo is Madrid’s 4,250-acre (1,722-hectare green lung, an urban park that originated as hunting grounds for the Spanish Royal Family and is now a favorite weekend picnic destination for Madrileño families. Centered on a vast boating lake, this sprawling green oasis is a haven for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and skaters.
