11 Best Things To Do In Madrid: Illustrious Escapes

Madrid, Spain is illustrious. You will find out there are so many things to do in Madrid. This Spanish capital is blessed with elegant boulevards, perfectly-manicured parks, and rich repositories of European art, to name a few. It is the destination of choice for many travelers.

Often described as quiet compared with Barcelona, another Spanish city, Madrid has triumphantly mastered its own reinvention. Beyond city architectures and museums are barrios where locals let loose and set free. There are so much food and drinks to discover in these neighborhoods. There are bars that will keep you up all night and restaurants you’ll rave about to friends back home, for sure. Or, you may want to take a siesta in Madrid’s pristine parks or its urban beach. 

Whether it is toasting to cava and beer, or sipping a cup of chocolate, feel free to drink the city in – because the next time you visit, it has completely changed. Welcome to the guide to the best things to do in Madrid. 

Here Are The Best Things To Do In Madrid

Have you ever been to Madrid? If you haven’t, perfect! You are in the right place. We’ll present the best things to do in Madrid. Read on. 

1. Be Witness To The Magnificence Of The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace, known in Spanish as the Palacio Real de Madrid, is the official residence of Spanish kings, but not quite. Unlike the Buckingham Palace in London, the purpose of Spain’s Royal Palace is purely ceremonial. The royal family moved to the slightly more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela a few decades ago. 

Nevertheless, the royal family left behind important memorabilia, such as several armor suites and hundreds of ornate clocks. Tourists can see these items in the palace’s 50 rooms open to the public, though it has a whopping 2,800 rooms. To get the feel of the place and better enjoy the things to do in Madrid while you are here, arrive early to beat the crowd. 

2. Engage Your Eyes At Madrid’s Top Museums

If Madrid were a college student taking up classes, it would major in museums. With so many impressive places of this kind, it can be difficult to know where to begin. But here’s what’s good. Madrid identifies three must-visit museums as its “Golden Triangle of Art.” These include the Reina Sofía, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Museo del Prado. These museums display the works of Spanish art prodigies like Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso, alongside foreign artists like Pierre-Auguste Renoir, a French, and Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch. 

If you are lucky, you can find a tour that includes beer and tapas in the package. Lover of art? Then you must include visiting the “Golden Triangle of Art” in your things to do in Madrid itinerary.

For sure, you will enjoy the things to do in Madrid even more if you can make memories with photographs. Find out the best photography spots in Madrid in this article. 

3. Catch A Flamenco Performance

Flamenco is the traditional dance of Spain. The dance is characterized by the pride of posture, flirtatious movements by the female dancer, and bodily expression. Though flamenco’s origins lie in the southern Spanish regions of Andalusia and Murcia, Madrid has a grip into the best of this dance form. 

At Teatro Flamenco within the city, you can watch a superb cast of dancers, singers, and guitarists bringing light to the stage in this relatively moody, dark venue. And if you are willing to take it further, signing up for a flamenco class where you are taught everything about the dance is another of the most enjoyable things to do in Madrid.

4. Tour Madrid’s Famous Soccer Stadiums

Soccer is big in Brazil, as it is in Spain. It is an understatement to say that these teams meet at the championships of sporting events like the World Cup. If you are familiar with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Iker Casillas, and Sergio Ramos, to name a few, which of course you are, you get the picture of how Madrid’s people love soccer. 

Spain is a soccer powerhouse, with its men’s international team bagging wins not just in the World Cup but also in the European Championships. Plus, its regional teams are also proving dominant in European football. 

There are three major soccer teams in Madrid: Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, and Rayo Vallecano. You can schedule your travel according to the timeline of their games, but if you are unable to, you can at least enjoy a tour of the world-renowned stadiums which these teams compete at, such as the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu for Real Madrid and the Wanda Metropolitano for Atlético de Madrid.

Guided tours to the stadium’s museums take you to the teams’ trophies, jerseys throughout the years, and memorabilia that narrate their inspiring stories.

5. Cool Off At Madrid’s Urban Beach

It’s the summer season, and if you happen to be having fun with the things to do in Madrid, know that there is an urban beach you can visit here, despite the city being landlocked. Meet the Madrid Río Park.

Before this park came into fruition in 2005, the land it occupies was off-limits to pedestrians. Now, it is a six-mile stretch of refreshing space beside the Manzanares River where you can see people rollerblading and pine trees, as well as swans, silver herons and ducks enjoying the water. 

Its urban beach area is well-loved by kids and the young at heart who come here to cool off during hotter months like this.

If you are loving the activities and things to do in Madrid, you might want to stretch it out by also visiting Barcelona. Here’s a guide to the city. 

6. Enroll In A Paella Cooking Class With Bottomless Wine Pairing

If you are looking to enjoy the things to do in Madrid with sumptuous food, you are in for a treat. There’s a paella cooking class you can sign up for while you are here in this city. Paella is a world-famous Spanish rice dish made with rice, vegetables, saffron, seafood, and chicken, and cooked and served in a single pan.

In this class, you will learn how to cook paella from scratch. It is a hands-on class that isn’t just about cooking, but will also let you try the food, not just paella, but also Spanish cheese and charcuterie, traditional gazpacho, and classic desserts. Plus, you will also be provided with bottomless wine. Yum!

7. Join A Tapas Tour, And Indulge In Tasty Churros

Continue your food discoveries and gastronomic things to do in Madrid with a taste of more Spanish recipes like tapas and churros. There are several tapas tours offered in the city, facilitated by a knowledgeable local escorting you to some of Madrid’s best bars and restaurants. Here, you will get the chance to sample traditional dishes and learn more about this distinctively Iberian way of eating.

Then, you can head to Chocolatería San Ginés, an eatery that first opened in 1894, for some tasty churros, Spain’s favorite sweet snack. Indulge!

8. Sit Back And Relax With This Hop On Hop Off Tour

Is it your first-time to enjoy the best things to do in Madrid? One of the most highly recommended sightseeing tours for you is a hop on hop off tour. Here, you will climb aboard a double-decker bus that will introduce you to the highlights of the city. There’s also onboard audio commentary to keep you guided and learning. 

Some of the places you will pass by are Plaza de Cibeles, Museo Arte Público, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Puerta del Sol, Naval Museum, and Torre Picasso, among many others.

Spain will keep on offering something special for your heart and soul. After having fun with the best things to do in Madrid, you can fly to Ibiza and experience this renowned party capital of the world. 

9. Unravel An Egyptian Temple – Yes, In Madrid!

Now here’s one of the most unique things to do in Madrid. Madrid is located miles and miles away from Egypt, but would you believe that there’s an Egyptian ruin here? You read that right. 

The city is the last place you might expect to find such a place, but the Templo de Debod can’t get any realer here. Spanish archaeologists helped save this from the rising waters of Lake Nasser during the construction of the Aswan High Dam during the 1960s. In return for this kindness, it was set block-by-block to Spain. 

The temple with its 2200 BC-era bricks does not sit on the Nubian desert, but on Madrid’s Cuartel de la Montaña Park. The bricks were reconstructed in detail in their original design and now are surrounded by shimmering artificial pools that’s such a fantastic sight to behold in early morning and late evening night.

10. Hang Out With The Hipsters

Or, you might want to bond with Madrid’s hipsters. The new kid on the block of the city’s art scene, Matadero pertains to a contemporary cultural hub that was formerly a slaughterhouse and livestock market. 

Located south of the city center, sprawling a hundred thousand square meters, and free to explore, Matadero occasionally hosts edge dance, music, and drama performances, as well as provides a space for creative young minds to unleash their crafts and abilities. 

It is perfect here during a sunny summer day as the courtyard of its cantina – filled with brickwork and greenery – gets busy with locals enjoying a beer or cocktail before they watch the evening show.

11. Swim In A Rooftop Pool

You can notice that many of the things to do in Madrid are rather rugged compared to other cities in Spain. Adding to this personality of the city are its rooftop pools. Go ahead and plunge in.

One of the best places for rooftop pool swimming in the city is at Hotel Emperador. It’s wonderful here, but if you think this is a bit pricey for your budget, another option is to head to Room Mate Oscar. It’s got a transparent sun roof that makes it still perfect for off-season swims, and a bar where you can sneak some 360-degree views of the surrounding areas and where some of the city’s most extensive cocktail lists are. There’s so much things to do in Madrid!

Can’t get enough of the things to do in Madrid? We’ve also listed Barcelona, another Spanish city, as one of the best places to visit in September. Take a look at the story here.

Stay At The Best Hotels As You Enjoy The Things To Do In Madrid

As you end the day exploring the best things to do in Madrid, you will need to take some rest. Why don’t you make the most out of these activities by checking in a great hotel in the city? Here are your choices. 

• The Madrid EDITION
• JW Marriott Hotel Madrid
• Westin Palace Madrid
• Santo Mauro
• Rosewood Villa Magna
• Relais & Chateaux Hotel Orfila
• Thompson Madrid

Hola, Madrid!

Madrid is a city with such a rich history that you will be spoiled by the activities here. With architectural wonders, famed art museums, world-class gastronomy, and even an Egyptian temple, this capital of Spain offers sights and attractions that will fill your imagination with joy. 

As you wrap up everything about the things to do in Madrid, one thing will become clear – this city is more than a destination. It is an experience that will linger in every traveler’s soul.