If you’re planning a visit to this fantastic city, get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with history, art, gastronomy, and nightlife.
To help guide you, I created this epic Madrid bucket list with 80 different places to go, things to try, and activities to do to help you have that authentic Madrid experience.
Madrid, which is obviously worth visiting, has something to cater to every traveler’s interests, making it an ideal destination for solo adventurers, couples, families, and friends.
This guide is designed to ensure that you make the most of your time in Madrid and includes activities that truly capture the city’s essence.
So get ready to explore the splendor of the city’s squares, experience traditional Madrid-style delicacies, revel in the passion of flamenco, dance until dawn, marvel at masterpieces, relax in enchanting parks, and lose yourself in the winding streets of charming neighborhoods.
Let’s embark on an extraordinary adventure through 80 of the best things and unforgettable must-do activities in Madrid.
1. Explore the Royal Palace of Madrid
Immerse yourself in opulence as you step back in time to admire the majestic architecture and luxurious interiors.
This is the Spanish royal family’s official residence, so keep an eye out for King Felipe and Queen Leticia! It’s also the largest in Western Europe.
2. Wander through Plaza Mayor
Lose yourself in the lively atmosphere of this historic square, surrounded by charming cafes and street performers, making it the perfect spot to people-watch and soak in the local vibes.
3. Eat a Calamari sandwich
The bocadillo de calamares is a traditional and beloved dish in Madrid. This simple yet delicious street food has become one of the city’s culinary icons.
4. Take a cable car
Get a bird’s eye view of Madrid from the city’s cable car, which connects Parque del Oeste and Casa del Campo.
5. Visit the Prado Museum
Get lost among the masterpieces of iconic Spanish artists like Goya, El Greco, and Velazquez at the Museo del Prado.
Save money by going when the entrance is free!
6. Experience the Reina Sofía Museum
Scratch your modern art itch with the thought-provoking contemporary art at this museum, including Picasso’s iconic “Guernica,” which will leave a lasting impression.
7. Rent a rowboat
Escape the hustle and bustle at Retiro park and rent a rowboat for a good upper body workout and a different perspective from the serene lake.
8. Indulge in traditional tapas
Savor Spain’s most well-known culinary delight. Order several raciones so you can try different flavors: Iberico ham, Padron peppers, patatas bravas, and garlic prawns should get you off to a good start.
If you want to try typical dishes in Madrid, order the grilled pig’s ear, garlic mushrooms, and huevos rotos.
9. Dance the night away in Chueca
Experience Madrid’s LGBTQ+ friendly nightlife scene, where the energy is infectious, everyone is welcome, and the party honestly goes on all night (and all day, and maybe all night again).
This was the first neighborhood I went out in when I arrived, and it was a total blast.
10. Eat dinner for free
Several locales in Madrid offer giant, filling tapas when you order a drink, essentially allowing you to eat for free!
Sidreria El Tigre, on Calle Hortaleza, is a great place for this, as is Bar-Restaurante Padrao, behind Gran Via.
11. Escape to Casa de Campo
Embrace nature at Madrid’s largest park where you can recharge your batteries with a bike ride or a picnic.
12. Explore the Malasaña neighborhood
Enjoy the area’s bohemian and hipster vibes, with its lively street art, trendy boutiques, vintage shops, and quirky cafes.
13. Eat a pig’s stomach
Callos is a traditional dish in Madrid, and before you try it, you should know that it’s pig tripe! Try it at Casa Labra, right in the heart of the Puerta del Sol.
I have been here 20+ years and I’ve only eaten it once, and that was by accident, but if you want to successfully complete this epic Madrid bucket list, you really should try it…
14. Take a bike tour of Madrid’s landmarks
Pedal your way through the capital city’s best spots on a bike. It’s definitely the coolest and most fun way to see iconic landmarks, beautiful architecture, secret spots, and everything in between.
15. Sample Spanish food at Mercado San Miguel
Treat your taste buds at this popular (re: tourist) market, showcasing the best of Spanish cuisine, and try any of its gourmet offerings.
16. Wander along Gran Vía
This iconic avenue is Madrid’s bustling main street, filled with store after store, a shopper’s paradise!
17. Watch the changing of the guards
Head over to the Royal Palace every Wednesday and Saturday between 11 and 2 pm.
If you’re there on the first Wednesday of the month (except in January, August, or September), the ceremony is extra special.
18. Hunt for treasures at El Rastro market
Madrid’s biggest flea market awaits! You never know what you’ll find, from vintage goodies to quirky souvenirs, and the best part? Bargaining with the friendly locals is an adventure in itself!
19. Enjoy La Latina on a Sunday
On Sunday afternoon, La Latina is the place to be. At least, that’s where all the locals head for canas, tapas, and conversation all afternoon and all evening long.
Check out the locales on Cava Baja and Plaza de la Paja.
20. Experience the passion of Real Madrid
If you’re into soccer (and even if you’re not), watching a game at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a very unique adventure. The energy and team spirit is absolutely electric, making for an unforgettable experience!
21. Take a tour of Santiago Bernabeu stadium
Take a guided tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium: Soccer fans, this is hallowed ground!
A tour of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will take you behind the scenes of Real Madrid’s legendary home, from the locker rooms to the field, where you can feel the roar of the crowd and the legacy of the team!
22. Head to a cutting-edge cultural hub
El Matadero, a slaughterhouse-cum-cultural center, is filled with cool exhibitions, experimental performances, and a lot of creativity! Have a bite to eat at its industrial cafe to refuel.
23. Eat an authentic Indian curry
The Lavapies neighborhood is where a lot of Madrid’s Indian immigrants are located, and it’s where many of its Indian restaurants are concentrated. Grab an outdoor table and dive right in!
24. See the sunset from an Egyptian temple
The Templo de Debod is a legit ancient Egyptian temple, right in the heart of Madrid, and it’s the perfect place to head when the sun goes down.
25. Visit the stunning Almudena Cathedral
This beautiful cathedral, which is considered the most important religious building in Madrid, is a stunning work of art and an important part of history.
26. See a flamenco show
Don’t leave Madrid without experiencing the fiery passion of flamenco. It really is an incredible experience to see it live.
There are many famous tablaos in Madrid where you can see a show, or find a smaller venue for a more intimate experience.
27. Learn to dance flamenco
Take a dance class or two and learn how to dance flamenco or sevillanas, another traditional Spanish dance, from the pros in Madrid.
28. Eat some churros with chocolate
Of course, eating authentic churros con chocolate made it onto my Madrid bucket list.
Skip the over-hyped and mediocre Chocolatería San Ginés and instead try a Mallorquina bakery (there are several throughout the city), or a Chocolate Valor outpost for the best churros (there’s one in Callao).
29. Shop Madrid’s trendy boutiques
To be honest, in recent years Calle Fuencarral has gone more mainstream. That being said, it’s still the perfect place for a retail therapy extravaganza and is home to some trendy boutiques, funky streetwear, and unique finds!
30. Eat Madrid-style chickpea stew
One of the city’s most iconic dishes is cocido, which is a chickpea stew with an assortment of meats. Casa Lhardy and La Bola are two of Madrid’s most famous restaurants to eat it.
Honestly, I’ve been to both and it’s not just the food, it’s a whole experience. Keep in mind also that it’s very filling and it’s not cheap!
31. Learn how to cook Spanish food
Take a cooking class and learn to cook different Spanish dishes, like tortilla, paella, and cocido.
32. Attend a theatrical performance
Get ready for a treat at the Teatro Real. Concerts, plays, puppet shows, dance—there’s something for everyone, adults and children alike.
33. Discover Madrid’s street art
Both Lavapies and Malasaña are great places to go for this. Both areas have vibrant street art adorning their walls, like a free outdoor art gallery waiting to be explored!
34. Get up close with science
Calling all science enthusiasts! Get ready for an adventure at the National Museum of Natural Sciences, where you’ll get up close and personal with dinosaurs, marvel at meteorites, and embark on a fascinating journey through the wonders of the natural world.
35. Attend a jazz concert
Café Central is a Madrid institution, so jazz lovers, listen up! This locale is the heart of the city’s jazz scene, offering soulful performances by talented musicians in an intimate and cozy setting.
36. Eat some gourmet street food
Foodies, this is your playground! Mercado de San Ildefonso is a hip and happening street food market, where you can savor gourmet bites, diverse cuisines, and unique flavors that’ll tantalize your taste buds!
37. Relax in El Capricho Park
This off-the-beaten-path park is definitely worth the trek. It’s not overrun with tourists at all, and it’s incredibly peaceful and beautifully manicured.
38. Visit a civil war bunker
Go inside a real bunker that was used during the Spanish civil war. It was built in 1937 and is 15 meters underground. Plan ahead because tickets sell out quickly!
39. Discover Madrid’s literary quarter
During the Spanish Golden Age (16th and 17th centuries), many famous writers and artists lived in this neighborhood, called Barrio de las Letras.
That included Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote Don Quixote, and playwright Lope de Vega.
The streets are lined with literary references, quotes, and statues of famous writers, creating a unique and artistic atmosphere.
40. Eat food from a Michelin-star chef
If you can’t handle the price tag for a 3-Michelin star restaurant, head to David Muñoz’s other dining options: StreetXO or RavioXO, at El Corte Inglés on Calle Serrano and in Nuevos Ministerios, respectively.
41. Visit the starting point for all of Madrid’s roads
Kilómetro Cero is the specific point from which all the major roads in Spain are measured. It’s considered the starting point for Spain’s national road network.
Find the plaque embedded in the ground at the Puerta del Sol square, one of the most central and iconic locations in Madrid.
42. Check out Madrid’s walk of fame
Though it’s not like Hollywood, Madrid does have a special place to celebrate actors.
Close to several movie theaters in Plaza de España, there is a street with 25 stars honoring major Spanish actors like Antonio Banderas, Javier Bardem, and Pedro Almodovar, among others.
43. See Madrid’s Muslum roots
Close to the Almudena Cathedral, in Emir Mohamed Park, are a set of 9th-century walls that were originally built by King Emir Muhammad I, who ruled Cordoba at that time, to fortify the Muslim citadel in Mayrit, which was what Madrid was called at that time.
44. See how Madrid was powered during the civil war
The Pacifico Engine Shed was built in the 1920s and provided electricity to the entire city of Madrid during the Spanish civil war.
It was eventually closed in the 1970s, and today you can book a free ticket to check it out!
45. Eat at the world’s oldest restaurant
Restaurante Botin is the oldest restaurant in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Although this is a major tourist attraction and is quite crowded, it’s still a cool fine dining experience, and the food and service are highly rated.
46. See a film at a historical movie theater
Cine Doré is a historical movie theater in a very beautiful 20th-century building.
While it seeks to preserve and promote Spain’s film heritage, it also shows a large number of foreign films from around the world. I have been many times and it’s a very cool experience if you like the cinema!
47. Enjoy a lush escape
Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, a green oasis in the heart of the city where rare plants, peaceful paths, and blooming flowers create a dreamy escape.
48. Have a glass of sangria
This is indubitably one of Spain’s most emblematic drinks, so don’t go home without trying it. Try a glass at Taberna La Camencita or any of the Lateral restaurants, as they also offer innovative versions of sangria.
49. Sample some of Madrid’s typical pastries
Head to a bakery for a mid-afternoon snack and order some typical Spanish pastries like rosquillas.
These are similar to doughnuts but a little bit firmer and are typically eaten around San Isidro, when the city celebrates its patron saint, although you can get them year-round.
50. Celebrate the city’s patron saint
There’s nothing quite like the San Isidro celebration, which is held on May 15th. If you happen to be in Madrid, this is a great way to take part in an important part of Spanish culture.
The locals dress up in traditional clothing, there’s dancing in the streets, and there’s a particularly large celebration in the Pradera de San Isidro.
50. Learn about Madrid’s railways
Discover the history of Spain’s railways, see vintage locomotives, and maybe even pretend you’re a train conductor for a day at Madrid’s Railway Museum.
If you’re there on the second weekend of the month (except in August), the Mercado de Motores will be on, with cool gifts, food stalls, and live music right at the museum.
51. Explore the Lavapiés neighborhood
Lavapiés is a diverse, artsy neighborhood filled with cool cafes, graffiti, and an edgy atmosphere. Grab a drink on a terrace on Calle Argumosa or wander into the wide range of ethnic stores.
52. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city
Circulo de Bellas Artes has a quite magical rooftop bar with breathtaking panoramic views of Madrid’s skyline. You can unwind, sip a cocktail, and watch the city come alive as the sun sets.
53. Experience Pride in Madrid
Honestly, there’s nothing quite like the Gay Pride celebration in Madrid in the summer. It takes over the entire Chueca neighborhood and beyond in a massive party and demand for equality.
People come from all over the world to experience it, and in 2023 there were an estimated 1.5 million in attendance.
54. Watch a women’s or men’s soccer game
Wanda Metropolitano is Madrid’s other stadium. Soccer fan or not, this is an epic experience where you will feel the passion for the game!
55. Learn all about Madrid’s history
History buffs, this one’s for you! The Museo de Historia de Madrid will take you on a journey through the city’s rich past, filled with intriguing stories and precious artifacts.
56. Have some cañas or a tino de verano on a terrace
Nothing is quite so Madrileño like a bit of terraceo—sitting outside a cafe or bar and enjoying a drink like cañas (beer) or a refreshing tinto de verano (red wine with soda).
57. Stay out until dawn
Another very Madrileño thing to do: stay out until the sun comes up. There are a ton of nightlife options, depending on what you like to do.
Stay out and catch the first metro back to your hotel or Airbnb in the morning. Don’t forget to check this off your Madrid bucket list before you fall into a deep sleep!
58. Go to a wine tasting
Attend a wine tasting and learn about Spanish wines, its wine regions, and the winemaking process, and uncover the art of pairing wine with delicious tapas!
59. Visit Cristopher Columbus’ statue
Plaza Colon is named after Columbus and features a monumental statue of the explorer at its center, and it was built in 1885 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his first voyage to the Americas. The statue is an important landmark and a popular meeting point.
60. See a Zarzuela
Attend an opera at Teatro de la Zarzuela, the perfect activity for music and theater enthusiasts. The performances are world-class, so you won’t regret the experience!
61. Hang out where Hemingway did
Rumor has it that the famous author used to go to a 1904 beer hall called Cercecería Alemana, in Santa Ana square, quite often. Drop in and grab a drink, just like Hemingway!
62. Head to Madrid’s best observation tower
The Faro de Moncloa offers epic views of Madrid from the top. You can see all the famous landmarks, soak in the skyline, and get some killer Instagram shots.
63. Go to a concert like the locals
Check out the schedule at Madrid’s top concert venue, WiZink Center. It hosts both national and international stars, so enjoy an epic performance when you’re in Madrid.
64. Visit a former tobacco factory
This old factory, known as the Tabacalera, is now a hub for contemporary art and culture, hosting a variety of exhibitions, workshops, performances, and events that showcase the work of emerging artists and cultural initiatives.
65. Buy a unique tapestry
Head to Madrid’s Royal Tapestry Factory, which was founded in 1720 by King Philip V and has since been producing exceptional tapestries and textiles for the Spanish royal family and other clients.
66. Food shop like the locals
Visit the Mercado de la Paz for local food delights. This market is not a tourist attraction and has many mouthwatering treats, tons of local produce, and the freshest ingredients in the city!
67. Rent a bike in Madrid Rio
Rent a bike or a kart and follow the winding Manzanares River throughout the park.
Find a great spot for a picnic under a shady tree, let your kids play at the many unique parks, and check out the architecturally interesting bridges that connect the two sides of the park.
It has several splash pads, which are great for kids in summer.
68. Head to the Sabatini Gardens
These Neoclassical-style gardens right next to the Royal Palace are an ideal place for a leisurely stroll. Enjoy the symmetrical patterns, fountains, and perfectly trimmed hedges.
69. Check out El Corte Inglés
Spain’s biggest and most well-known department store has everything you could need under one roof. Check out the stores in Sol, Callao, or Nuevos Ministerios metro stops.
Even better, head to their Gourmet Experience departments to have a snack or buy a souvenir.
70. Explore an underground labyrinth
Take a tour of the Ghost Station, as it’s called, in Chamberí. This metro station that’s no longer in use but it’s accessible to curious people. Step back in time and experience the history of the Madrid Metro.
71. Drink some vermouth
La hora del vermut, loosely translated as “the time to drink vermouth,” is a tradition in Spain, and especially in Madrid.
People gather with friends or family to socialize, enjoy some tapas, and savor the rich and aromatic flavors of vermouth.
Check out Bodega La Ardosa or Casa Camacho for the perfect vermouth!
72. Enjoy lamb and goat intestines
If you’re not really into eating offal, I hear you! I was also reluctant to try gallinejas and entresijos, which are two traditional foods that are also considered local delicacies.
73. Visit the Crystal Palace
This beautiful glass palace, in the heart of Retiro, was built in 1887. Today it hosts art exhibitions organized by the Reina Sofia Museum and is a lovely stop as you stroll around the park.
74. Eat some snails
Another culinary tradition is Madrid-style snails, which have been enjoyed by locals for generations. The best places to experience this authentic local dish is at Casa Amadeo, Casa Labra, or the popular bar, El Brillante.
75. Check out Madrid’s artifacts and treasures
Visit the city’s National Archaeological Museum and explore its ancient artifacts and relics that’ll transport you through time.
76. Visit two picturesque squares
The Plaza de Cibeles and the Plaza de Neptuno are two beautiful squares right in the city center that are within walking distance from each other.
They’re both adorned with fountains to represent the earth and the sea, respectively.
77. Admire the artwork at the Thyssen
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or not, the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum is a world-famous museum that houses an impressive collection of masterpieces and is definitely worth a visit.
78. Explore an offbeat art space
The quirky Espacio Fundación Telefónica is a different art space where you can discover unique exhibitions, cutting-edge installations, and a lot of cool contemporary art.
79. Enjoy the beauty of the almond trees
Quinta de los Molinos is the park that Madrileños (and everyone, really) head to towards the end of February through the middle of March to see the countless almond trees in bloom.
The natural scenery is quite beautiful, and it’s a great place for a picnic.
80. Enjoy a Michelin-star chef’s ice cream
The Roca brothers are famous around the world for their Michelin-star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, in Girona. A few years ago they created a line of ice creams, infused with the same creativity and innovation as the food they serve.
Get your hands on one at Rocambolesc, in the Mercado de San Miguel.
So, are you ready to explore Madrid through this bucket list of must-do activities?
Let this Madrid bucket list be your roadmap to the city’s treasures and go on a memorable journey through its history, culture, and gastronomy.
Get ready to fall in love with Madrid’s warmth, hospitality, and infectious spirit, just like I did 20+ years ago.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a foodie, a history buff, a hedonist, or somewhere in between, Madrid has many, many amazing things to offer you.