15 Best Things to Do in Madrid

1. 1
   

   El Retiro Park

   Park & natureFree entry

   El Retiro Park is Madrid's most beloved green space, a vast 125-hectare park that offers a peaceful escape from the city's hustle.

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2. 2
   

   Plaza Mayor

   LandmarkFree entry

   Plaza Mayor is Madrid's most iconic square, a vast and elegant space that has been the city's focal point for centuries.

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3. 3
   

   Museo Nacional del Prado

   MuseumFree entry

   The Museo Nacional del Prado is a must-visit for art lovers in Madrid.

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4. 4
   

   Museo del Prado

   Museum

   The Museo Nacional del Prado is Spain's principal national art museum, located in central Madrid on the Paseo del Prado.

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5. 5
   

   Parque del Buen Retiro, Madrid

   Park & nature

   El Retiro is a 1.4-square-kilometre public park at the edge of central Madrid, close to the Alcalá Gate and the Museo del Prado.

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6. 6
   

   Cibeles Fountain

   LandmarkFree entry

   Cibeles Fountain, officially known as Fuente de Cibeles, sits majestically at the center of Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid.

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7. 7
   

   Parque de Atracciones de Madrid

   Entertainment

   Parque de Atracciones de Madrid is a major amusement park located within the sprawling Casa de Campo park, just west of the city center.

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8. 8
   

   Royal Palace of Madrid

   Landmark

   The Royal Palace of Madrid is a monumental symbol of Spanish history and culture, located on the site of a former 9th-century Moorish fortress.

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9. 9
   

   Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena

   Religious siteFree entry

   Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena is Madrid's principal cathedral, located opposite the Royal Palace.

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10. 10
    

    Parque del Oeste

    Park & natureFree entry

    Parque del Oeste is a sprawling green space in the Moncloa district of Madrid, stretching from the Plaza de España to the Ciudad Universitaria.

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11. 11
    

    Plaza Mayor, Madrid

    Landmark

    Plaza Mayor is a monumental square in central Madrid, surrounded by uniform three-story residential buildings with 237 balconies overlooking the cobblestone plaza.

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12. 12
    

    Toledo Gate

    LandmarkFree entry

    The Toledo Gate (Puerta de Toledo) is one of Madrid's most iconic landmarks, standing as a grand neoclassical arch that once served as a formal entrance to the city.

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13. 13
    

    Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

    Museum

    The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is one of Madrid's premier art institutions, forming part of the city's Golden Triangle of Art alongside the Prado and Reina Sofía.

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14. 14
    

    Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

    Museum

    The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Madrid's premier museum for modern and contemporary art, housed in a former general hospital that was renovated and expanded.

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15. 15
    

    Market of San Miguel

    Market

    Mercado de San Miguel is a beautifully restored iron-and-glass market located in the heart of Madrid, just steps from Plaza Mayor.

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That covers the heavyweights. Browse by category for the rest.