10 Things to do in Madrid, Spain
Madrid is the capital of Spain and is filled with a variety of things to do. It is home to the Royal Palace of Madrid which is the largest functioning palace in Europe. Madrid reminds me of a European New York City with a multitude of food types, large parks, and famous boulevards. The welcoming people, delicious foods, and easy transportation make this one of the top places to visit in Spain.
1. Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is one stunning building that is a must-see during your visit to Madrid. The Spanish royal family currently lives in the palace making this the largest functioning palace in Europe. The outside is just as grand as the inside. Take a walk around the building and head towards the look-off to enjoy stunning views overlooking the city. To tour the inside, it will run you €12.00 (check their website to see if you qualify for reduced rates) you can purchase tickets online or at the ticket office just outside the palace.
2. Chocolatería San Ginés
One of the best bites during our entire Europe trip was the cup of warm chocolate and hot churros in Madrid. The churros were served fresh hot out of the fryer. The warm chocolate was the star of the show with a velvety texture and rich chocolate flavor served in a cup. Its the Spanish’s way of hot chocolate and I am a BIG fan. We ordered ours from the one and only Chocolatería San Ginés.
3. San Miguel Market
San Miguel Market is the perfect place to grab a small bite to eat and a fun drink for an afternoon out with friends. This indoor market is popular with trendy food stations serving delicious food. The all-cheese station was one of my favorites with fresh burrata on toast! This can be a busy place during peak hours of the day, the market is open from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM Fridays and Saturdays.
4. Rick Steves Walking Tour
We spent one entire day touring the city with the Rick Steve Madrid City Walking Tour. Save money and download the FREE Rick Steves audio guides. Rick Steves is a legend and offers great insight on the many landmarks located throughout Europe. His audio guides were made quite some time ago but the information is still up to date and provides a wealth of knowledge about the area.
Tip: Don’t forget to charge your phone and to bring your headphones!
5. Sushi at Sakale
Sakale is a fun and inventive Japanese restaurant with a tropical theme. Walking into Sakale you are taken to a beach oasis with palm leaves, wood tables, and an open bar. The Kraken Maki Roll is an absolute must-order! Sakale is located in the center of Spain’s bustling capital of Madrid. This hidden gem is a few blocks from the city’s most popular Sol Square. You cannot miss this trendy one-of-a-kind restaurant with its bright turquoise colors and wafting smells of fresh sushi.
Read my Full Sakale Restaurant Review Here
6. El Retiro Park
El Retiro is one of the largest parks in Madrid. It used to be reserved by the Spanish royalty but since the 19th-century it is a public park for anyone and everyone to enjoy. Mixed within the lush trees and green grass are some must-see landmarks including El Retiro Lake, Monument to Alfonso XII, and Palacio de Cristal. Rent a rowboat at El Retiro Lake for only €5.80 – €7.50 depending on the day. There are small cafes and food stands throughout the park for an afternoon pick me up. My favorite part of the park is the stunning Palacio de Cristal. There is a FREE art exhibit inside!
7. Puerta del Sol
Sol Square is one of the most popular areas in Madrid, you will find yourself here quite often whether it is for some fun shopping or to catch the metro! Take in the bustling square from the middle then walk over to the Real Casa de Correos (the nice red building with a guard standing outside). This once was a post office, today it is a government building. Right in front of the building is the Kilometre Zero, a piece of granite marking the start of six national highways! Stop by La Mallorquina for their famous sweet treat, the napolitana pastry.
8. Plaza de Cibeles
The Plaza de Cibeles is one of the most pictured symbols of Madrid. It is a group of buildings built in the early 1900s with a neoclassical design. There are stunning fountains surrounding the area creating the perfect backdrop for some photos. The Plaza de Cibeles is now the Madrid City Hall. You can tour certain areas of the palace for FREE!
9. Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is another historic spot to visit, tall red buildings surround the area with shops and restaurants. This used to be the center of Old Madrid. This is the meeting spot for most walking tours and is home to the seasonal Christmas Market.
10. Stroll down Gran Via
Gran Via is the most famous street in Madrid with famous shops, large businesses, elite hotels, and delicious restaurants. It is known for “the street that never sleeps”. Every time we walked down this grand street it was like we were in the center of Times Square New York City; people everywhere, traffic honking, and taxis stopping and going. It is popular at night with some of the best restaurants and bars!
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