https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/madrid/best-things-to-do/100000003688
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do in Madrid [2025]
Show All Photos
Royal Palace of Madrid
4.7
/5
1579 reviews
10
From £12.89
Based on 35,818 reviews
Austrias | 900m from downtown
Phone +34914548700
Address: Centro, 28071 Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1.5-2 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
See the Equestrian Portrait of Philip IV and the 3 gardens
Royal Palace holds Stradivarius violins
Saved by 740 users824 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It’s essential and convenient to purchase the ticket in advance in order to minimise the queuing time. It’s easy to use and just show the QR code for entry.
I think there is no need to come here after seeing Brussels. The palaces in Europe are almost the same. It takes about two and a half hours. There are about 29 rooms. Follow the voice prompts.
Show All Photos
Prado Museum
4.6
/5
1095 reviews
9.8
From £13.09
Based on 58,670 reviews
Triangulo del arte | 1 km from downtown
Phone +34913302800
Address: Retiro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Three-story pavilion with diverse art experiences
See works by Michelangelo & Raphael
Saved by 577 users680 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The salvation of the hot summer weather is to come to the exhibition. Anyway, people who understand art and those who don’t should be able to find their own aesthetics here.
Taking photos is not allowed, and there will be staff to remind you all the time
No need to queue, you can go straight in. You can enter early. It is recommended to enter before 11 o'clock. We walked around until the afternoon. The restaurant was closed. We went to the church and found that there was a sacrament, so we came out. If you want to see the church, you can go in the morning. Anyway, it is right opposite the entrance.
Show All Photos
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
4.6
/5
521 reviews
9.1
From £32.28
Based on 23,465 reviews
Financial District | 4.2 km from downtown
Phone +34913984300
Address: Av. de Concha Espina, 1, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Featured in 2025 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do
Highlights:
Experience the Thrill of Live Games This Season
Trophy room shows Real Madrid history
Saved by 322 users232 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The child's dream came true, and he finally saw the Bernabéu Stadium. Unfortunately, the grass was cleaned when we went there, so there was no beautiful grass. It was a bit regrettable. It would be so beautiful if we could watch a game.
Bought a ticket for a designated time, and go at most half an hour in advance, don't go too early.
It's still worth seeing, the Bernabeu dream comes true, not only football, Real Madrid basketball and other events also have exhibitions to see, but those well-known golden age players in childhood have no display area, only stay in the photos
I walked quite fast in the whole process, it took nearly two hours
If you don't want to take a virtual photo, just walk from the right, tell him that it's not necessary. Otherwise, you have to queue up for a photo and then charge for it to be washed
At the last exit, you can buy beer and snacks to sit in the audience to simulate the experience, making up for the regrets of the off-season
No.
4
Show All Photos
Las Ventas Bullring
4.4
/5
241 reviews
8.8
From £13.96
Based on 2,720 reviews
3.8 km from downtown
Phone +34913562200
Address: C. de Alcalá, 237, Salamanca, 28028 Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Real bullfighting in March & April
Real bullfights during festival
Saved by 272 users133 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
On May 30, 2025, we spent a thrilling and exciting night at the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid. Watching Marco Pe`rez a talented teenager born in 2007 1V6 bullfighting, this bullfighting known as the "old bull" is called a bullfighting that happens in 20 years, I have the opportunity to watch it on the spot (after learning the news this morning, through friends in Madrid, find a way to get the ticket, There is also a doctor who reads Spanish bullfighting art in Madrid, a Beijing brother's live guide and reconciliation) and admired a wonderful, ups and downs, twenty-year-old bullfighting, the whole venue is full, and also appreciates the Spaniard's fever, so lucky, Very happy and excited to have such an experience 🤩😎
Tickets were issued very quickly, in half a day. But in fact, you don't need to buy tickets in advance. You can go to the bullring one hour in advance on the day of the opening to queue up and buy tickets. It's much cheaper than this ticket.
The whole process takes about 2-2.5 hours, and 6-7 bulls fight. Whether it's good or not depends largely on the bullfighters of the day. Some people just go to work as a routine, and some are very passionate and very good. Anyway, you can come and watch a show if you have nothing to do. You're here.
If it's not very sunny on the day, you don't need to buy the shady side. The sunny side is good and cheap.
You can rent a cushion at the venue for 1.5 euros. It is recommended to rent one, otherwise your butt will hurt.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
4.6
/5
365 reviews
8.5
From £9.60
Based on 16,890 reviews
Madrid City Center | 1.3 km from downtown
Phone +34917741000
Address: C. de Sta. Isabel, 52, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Spanish expressionism & impressionism
1500+ multimedia art explanations
Saved by 249 users225 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
La verdad que el museo tiene obras espectaculares! El recinto invita a vivir una buena experiencia sobre todo es ideal por la tarde después de comer. Cien por cien recomendado!
This place is amazing! I couldn’t recommend it more, for art lovers! The only bad thing is that I booked tickets on this app before learning that Spain has free hours for their national tourist attractions - and the time I went (unwittingly) ended up being free! What a dork - but also a bit cheeky to not mention this on the ticket page. 🤷🏻♀️
No.
6
Show All Photos
Teatro Flamenco Madrid
4.6
/5
19 reviews
7.4
From £34.02
Based on 937 reviews
Malasana | 719m from downtown
Address: Calle del Pez 10, 28004 Madrid Spain
No. 2 of Night Attractions in Madrid
Highlights:
Experience the Artistic Charm of Flamenco
Flamenco Interactive Workshop Experience
Verified user reviews
It was really great! Although it was only an hour, I could still feel the passion of the dancers, every light and heavy step~ and the performances of the guitarists and singers were very good! The atmosphere was also very good, and I still have to experience it if I have the chance~ The front row seats with drinks are really great~
It's an exotic experience. Although I don't understand it, I should experience it when I get to the local area. The dancers are very passionate and perform very hard and seriously. I feel that they are very attentive. The service staff are also warm and sincere. The theater is not big. We sat in the first row and saw it clearly. The drinks were also delicious.
No.
7
Show All Photos
Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum
4.4
/5
105 reviews
7.3
From £10.39
Based on 17,019 reviews
Madrid City Center | 755m from downtown
Phone +34917911370
Address: P.º del Prado, 8, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
See works by Picasso & Miró
Key part of Madrid's Art Triangle
37% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The museum is a private collection of German industrialists and collectors, and was later sold to the Spanish government and opened to the public. After visiting the Prado and Sofia Queen Art Center, I came here again and felt that the collector's extraordinary vision and strength were too powerful. Their collections span not only centuries, but also have a wide range of styles and artists involved. Just like super rich investors, investors have invested in each track, and they have included artworks of various periods and styles. For visitors, the museum is extremely diverse in style, with a strong lineup of painters and artworks of different eras and genres. Coming here is equivalent to a one-off visit to dozens of galleries, from ancient art, baroque, rococo, to 19th century and modern art.
Compared with the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia Art Center in Madrid, the Thyssen Museum has fewer visitors, and its exhibits are mainly works by famous painters from various periods collected by Thyssen.
No.
8
Show All Photos
Plaza Mayor
4.5
/5
578 reviews
7.3
Based on 27,288 reviews
Austrias | 336m from downtown
Address: Pl. Mayor, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No. 3 of Night Attractions in Madrid
Highlights:
Colorful street performances, art vibe
Spanish style plaza with nine arches
Saved by 307 users235 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Stay near the Majorelle Gardens. After visiting several gardens and museums, walk from this pleasant and exquisite area to several attractions on the Djemaa El Fna Square. Visit the city's large bazaar in the old town of Marrakech. There are all kinds of people, streets, and horse-drawn carriages. After sunset, the market in the square becomes a group of food stalls. You can experience it and eat barbecue. The Moroccan breakfast is colorful and you can try it.
Compared with the bustling Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor adds a sense of laziness. When I walked into this square "courtyard" from the ancient neighborhood of Madrid, I immediately felt a unique atmosphere! There are 9 arches in the square connecting the surrounding streets and alleys.
No.
9
Show All Photos
Puerta del Sol
4.6
/5
593 reviews
7.1
Based on 10,995 reviews
Madrid City Center | 29m from downtown
Phone +34915326490
Address: Centro, Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 hour
No. 4 of Night Attractions in Madrid
Highlights:
Night plaza for street performer shows
Explore red & white old post office
Saved by 345 users187 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Puerta del Sol was originally built on the wall of Madrid in the 15th century, facing east. The gate tower was decorated with a rising sun pattern, hence the name; in the continuous expansion of the city, the gate was demolished in 1570.
The square that was built retained the name of "Puerta del Sol" and gradually became the center of the city.
From a bird's eye view, with the 12,000 square meters of semicircular square as the center, 10 streets and alleys spread out radially, like the rising sun, shining brightly.
In the center of the square, the oval fountains on the east and west sides are surrounded by the statue of Carlos III sitting in the center. This king who presided over the construction of a large number of Madrid's infrastructure and was highly respected by the people of Madrid, rode a tall horse, smiled and watched the square and the city's changes.
On the south side is the most classic building in the square-the Security Bureau Building. The building was built between 1766 and 1768 (the bell tower was added in 1867). Its simple and bright style and red and white facade convey the mood of neoclassical palace-style architecture.
The building was originally the central post office of Madrid, and later the headquarters of the Ministry of National Security during the Franco period. It is now the office building of the Madrid government.
For a long time, the Spanish people loved the big clock on the roof of the Security Bureau building, regarded the time of this big clock as the Spanish standard time, and regarded it as an honor to come here to check the clock. To this day, every time when the old year is about to end and the new year is about to begin, people still gather in the square to listen to the ringing of the New Year's bell in the building.
On the north side, four slightly arc-shaped buildings are lined up along the way, with fashionable facades and crystal white; on the roof in the middle is a "TIO PEPE" (Tio Pepe, the world's number one brand of sherry wine) advertisement, which is exaggerated and elegant, and cute.
On the ground of the street in front of the main entrance of the Security Bureau building, there is a sign of the zero kilometer of the highway. The semicircular sign is inlaid with a map of Spain and the Iberian Peninsula and the words "0 km, starting point of the road". The mileage of Spanish roads is calculated from this point, and the street numbers in Madrid are compiled from this point.
If you don't leave a photo, it's like your shoes have never set foot in Madrid.
When you visit Madrid, stop at the numerous city squares, stroll through the crisscrossing streets and alleys, you will always meet all kinds of street performers...
Some are classic, some are absurd, some are singing and dancing, some are dazed and fooling around, and the beautiful scenery lines have broadened the horizons of many tourists.
No.
10
Show All Photos
Mercado de San Miguel
4.6
/5
171 reviews
6.9
Austrias | 465m from downtown
Phone +34915424936
Address: Pl. de San Miguel, s/n, Centro, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No. 5 of Night Attractions in Madrid
Highlights:
Over 30 Spanish snack stalls
See 18th-century Baroque architecture
Saved by 279 users110 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I highly recommend going there, but be sure to leave some space in your stomach before going. The market is not big, but the food is very rich and tempting. I want to try every kind, but I regret that my stomach is not big enough. The taste is good, which subverts my perception of the monotonous diet in Europe. I recommend that travelers who go to Madrid check in, half of them took photos.
Even if you’re not looking for food, walking through is a fun way to overview Madrid’s general culinary scene. The whole market is huge, and you’ll have to walk through a couple loops if you want to get a good idea of all the options (which I recommend doing anyways).
1
2
3
4
