Join us for our Madrid Travel Guide as we cover the top 25 things to do in Madrid, Spain. We were beyond excited to come and visit Madrid, after all this is a city renowned for its arts, cuisine, and nightlife. With 10 days to spare, we decided to hit up some of the best sights and attractions and film a guide highlighting "25 things to do in Madrid". In this video you can expect everything from lively markets and world renowned museums, to beautiful gardens and Spanish dishes. Now let's find out what the Spanish capital is all about!
25 Things to do in Madrid (Complete List):
1) Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid - Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid
2) Palacio Real de Madrid - Royal Palace of Madrid
3) Changing of the Guard at Madrid's Palacio Real
4) Jardines de Sabatini - The Sabatini Gardens
5) Teleférico de Madrid - Madrid's Cable Car
6) Rosaleda del parque del Oeste - Rosaleda Garden
7) Gazpacho - Cold Spanish tomato soup
8) Museo del Prado (Museo Nacional del Prado) - Prado Museum
9) El Retiro (Parque del Buen Retiro) - The Buen Retiro Park
10) Palacio de Cristal - Crystal Palace
11) Palacio de Velázquez (Palacio de Exposiciones) - Velázquez Palace
12) Feria de libros cuesta de moyano - book fair
13) Paella - Spain's national dish (a Valencian rice dish)
14) Templo de Debod - Temple of Debod Egyptian Temple
15) Estadio Santiago Bernabéu - Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Home of Real Madrid Club de Fútbol - Real Madrid C.F.)
16) Enjoying Madrid's nightlife
17) Mercado de San Miguel - Market of San Miguel
18) Plaza Mayor de Madrid - Plaza Mayor of Madrid
19) Churros - Eating a Spanish Dougnut (Spanish fried-dough pastry)
20) Puerta del Sol - Gate of the Sun
21) Santa María la Real de La Almudena - Almudena Cathedral
22) Plaza de Oriente - Orient Plaza
23) Tortilla Española (Tortilla de patatas) - Spanish Omelette
24) Museo Reina Sofía (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía) - Queen Sofía Museum
25) Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
🇪🇸 25 Best Things to Do in Madrid | Food, Art, Parks & Nightlife | Ultimate Travel Guide 2024 🎥
🌳 Royal Botanical Gardens & City Parks
Kick off your Madrid adventure at the Real Jardín Botánico, a massive, shaded oasis with countless gardens and plant varieties from around the world—perfect for a tranquil stroll. Don’t miss Jardines de Sabatini, a hidden gem behind the Royal Palace with surprisingly few tourists, and the stunning La Rosaleda, Madrid’s famed rose garden that hosts an annual beauty contest every May.
👑 Palacio Real de Madrid & The Changing of the Guard
Tour one of Europe’s largest palaces, the Royal Palace of Madrid—the official, though not current, residence of the Spanish Royal Family.
🖼️ Madrid’s World-Class Museums: Prado, Reina Sofía & Thyssen-Bornemisza
Art lovers rejoice! The Prado Museum boasts masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco. Visit for free two hours before closing, though you’ll want several days to truly experience its collection. The Reina Sofía Museum focuses on 20th-century art (think Picasso’s Guernica), while the Thyssen-Bornemisza offers what was once the world’s second-largest private collection.
🌳 Parque del Buen Retiro & The Crystal Palace
Escape the city heat in Parque del Buen Retiro, one of Madrid’s largest green spaces, complete with tree-lined boulevards, shaded plazas, a picturesque pond with rowboats, and the magical glass Crystal Palace, occasionally home to contemporary art exhibitions.
🍲 Spanish Food Experiences: Gazpacho & Paella
Taste Madrid’s culinary icons:
Paella—Spain’s national dish, loaded with chicken, shrimp, seafood, peas, and a rich, flavorful sauce. You can find it everywhere, from gourmet restaurants to casual cafes, and at all price points.
🏛️ Temple of Debod: An Ancient Egyptian Gift
Visit the striking Temple of Debod, a 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple relocated to Madrid as a gift from Egypt. It’s a favorite sunset spot with crowds gathering for the nightly display.
🌙 Madrid Nightlife: Sangria, Tinto de Verano & Late Nights
Experience Madrid’s legendary nightlife, where the fun starts after midnight and keeps going until dawn. Sample Tinto de Verano and Sangria at bars, and don’t be surprised if you’re out till 5 a.m.!
☕ Plaza Mayor & Puerta del Sol: Coffee, Shopping & People Watching
The bustling Plaza Mayor is lined with cafes and restaurants—perfect for people watching, though you’ll pay tourist prices.
🍩 Breakfast in Madrid: Churros, Porras & Tortilla
Start your mornings with a classic Spanish breakfast:
Churros and Porras (thick, deep-fried dough) dipped in the thickest, richest hot chocolate imaginable.
⛪ La Almudena Cathedral & Oriental Plaza
Visit the striking La Almudena Cathedral—donations encouraged—and explore the serene Oriental Plaza right next door, featuring diverse plant life and scenic walks.
25 Best Things to Do in Madrid 🇪🇸 | Art, Food, Parks & Nightlife | Ultimate 2024 Guide
Music in this video courtesy of Audio Network
