Editor's picks
A local's shortlist — the places worth your time first, each with a tip.
Parque del Retiro
Nature · Retiro
Madrid's grand royal park with a boating lake, rose garden and the glass Palacio de Cristal.
Local tip: Sunday afternoons fill with drummers and picnics by the lake; the Crystal Palace hosts free contemporary art.
Museo del Prado
Culture · Paseo del Arte
One of the world's greatest art museums — Velázquez, Goya and the Spanish masters.
Local tip: Entry is free the last two hours each day; go then but queue early, and pair it with the nearby Reina Sofía for Guernica.
La Latina & El Rastro
Food · La Latina
The tapas heartland, and on Sundays the sprawling El Rastro flea market.
Local tip: Skip the touristy Mercado de San Miguel for the bars on Cava Baja; Sunday is tapas-and-vermouth day after El Rastro.
Malasaña
Nightlife · Malasaña
The bohemian, hip district of indie bars, vintage shops and the spirit of la movida.
Local tip: It doesn't get going until midnight — start with a rooftop drink and follow the crowd from there.
Gran Vía & Plaza Mayor
Landmark · Centro
The grand early-1900s avenue and the historic arcaded main square at the city's heart.
Local tip: Walk Gran Vía at dusk when the facades light up, then get churros con chocolate at the century-old San Ginés.
Templo de Debod
Hidden gemCulture · Parque del Oeste
A genuine ancient Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain and reassembled on a hill west of the centre.
Local tip: It's Madrid's best free sunset spot — arrive 30 minutes early, the crowds and the light are worth it.
Explore 103 places across Madrid
Museums, landmarks, monuments, heritage sites and parks — mapped, with photos. The most notable spots first.
Loading street map…
Museums & galleries
(33)
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
MuseumRoyal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
Spanish art school, museum and gallery in Madrid, Spain
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
Museum
MuseumMuseo Casa de la Moneda
Goya
Museum in Goya.
Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid
Delicias
Museum in Delicias.
Andén Cero - Estación de Chamberí
Museum.
Landmarks & architecture
(16)
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
Landmark
LandmarkPalacio de Buenavista
Landmark in Madrid.
Landmark
LandmarkMonuments & memorials
(23)
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
MonumentPalacio de Cibeles
Palace, Headquarters of the Municipality of Madrid and cultural property, Spain
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
Monument
MonumentSelfieWallFiction
Public artwork.
San Francisco Javier
Public artwork by Pablo Serrano.
Homenaje a las víctimas españolas que murieron en el campo de concentración nazi de Mauthausen-Gusen
Memorial.
Nuestra Señora de Valverde
Historic monument.
Places of worship
(14)
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
Religious
ReligiousParroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Place of worship.
Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Place of worship.
Iglesia de San Lorenzo
Place of worship.
Iglesia de Dios (Verbo de Dios)
Place of worship.
Heritage & archaeology
(4)Ruinas del Ábside de la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena
Historic ruins.
Puente
Historic ruins.
La Casa de Vacas
Historic ruins.
Ruinas de la Fuente del Príncipe
Historic ruins.
Parks & nature
(10)
Park
Park
Park
Park
Park
Park
Park
ParkDehesa de la Villa Park
Park in Spain
ParkPark of Saint Isidore
San Isidro park (Madrid, Spain)
ParkMore to explore
(3)Mirador de Tierno Galván
Viewpoint.
Mirador Este Parque Enrique Tierno Galván
Viewpoint.
Castillos de los Marqueses de Valderas
Visitor attraction.
Data from Wikidata (CC0) & OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Images via Wikimedia Commons — see each credit. Listings are community-maintained and may be incomplete or out of date — verify hours and access before visiting.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.