Top things to do in Madrid
Attractions, tours, and activities in Madrid
Recommended museums in Madrid
Where to find art and culture in Madrid
Madrid: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Madrid
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Madrid City Center
In downtown
Start your adventure at Madrid’s crown jewel, Palacio Real de Madrid, the royal palace and the adjacent Sabatini Gardens. Madrid’s oldest district includes the popular landmarks of Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía and Plaza Cibeles, or the popular area of Lavapies in Embajadores.
Places to stay from $5 a night
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Retiro
1.4 miles from downtown
This historic district can’t be missed. Loop around Retiro Park – once the royal family’s private garden, it’s full of lavish monuments and tree-lined avenues. People-watch on Paseo del Prado boulevard, filled with joggers, street vendors and locals, then spend a few hours exploring El Prado Museum’s important collection of paintings.
Places to stay from $40 a night
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Salamanca
1.6 miles from downtown
Serrano and José Ortega y Gasset (in Lista) are great for shopping and are lined with luxury and designer shops. The residential neighborhoods of Recoletos, Lista, Goya and Castellana feature some of Europe’s most expensive real estate, and the area itself is one of Madrid’s most important commercial zones.
Places to stay from $32 a night
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Chamberi
1.2 miles from downtown
This small, historic residential district is becoming gentrified as young professionals move to the area. Spread over 6 neighborhoods, it’s a lively district to visit for some local flavor and has a village-like atmosphere. Filled with Modernist, Gothic and neo-Mudejar architecture, its streets are best explored by foot.
Places to stay from $22 a night
About Madrid
Including tips for the best time to visit Madrid
Madrid is all bustling plazas, lively tapa bars, and a rich variety of museums showcasing Spain’s most celebrated artists. The world-famous Prado Museum features the work of Goya and Velázquez. The Prado forms the "golden triangle" with the Reina Sofía Museum—home to Picasso’s "Guernica"—and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, an enormous private collection highlighting a wide array of artistic styles.
Madrid’s medieval architecture holds centuries of history, like the intricate portico arches of Plaza Mayor, as well as the baroque Royal Palace, where state ceremonies are held to this day. And visiting top attractions like these is easy thanks to the city’s efficient and high-speed Metro system.
Spain's sprawling capital is a city that lives and breathes soccer. If you’re a fan, catch a game at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium—home to Real Madrid—and roar with the rest of the crowd as the "Galácticos" take the field.
Madrid’s weather is pleasant year-round, with perfectly comfortable temperatures on either side of summer. Even a winter vacation practically guarantees clear blue skies – making for a beautiful sight when flying into the airport during the day.
Tonight
From $10,685 per night
This weekend
From $372 per night
Next weekend
From $245 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.05 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Average weekend price | $108 per night |
| Average weekday price | $110 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Madrid
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Madrid
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Gran Via
0.2 miles from downtown
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Puerta del Sol
In downtown
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Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
2.5 miles from downtown
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Paseo de la Castellana
3.1 miles from downtown
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Plaza Mayor
0.2 miles from downtown
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Lope de Vega Theatre
0.4 miles from downtown
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Bridge of Alcalá
0.8 miles from downtown
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Puerta de Toledo
0.8 miles from downtown
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Paseo del Prado
0.6 miles from downtown
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Palacio De Cristal
1.1 miles from downtown
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Madrid reviews
What other travelers say about Madrid
Madrid is a lovely city to visit for a 4 to 5 night getaway.
October 3, 2023
Madrid is a lovely city to visit for a 4 to 5 night getaway. It is clean, safe and has a relaxed vibe. There are some wonderful buildings and parks to visit, such as the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, the old station buildings, El Retiro Parque, the Botanical Gardens to name but a few, as well as countless museums and galleries to spend time in. The choice of restaurants is virtually unlimited, especially if you stay somewhere central such as the excellent NH Collection Madrid Suecia like we did. Central Madrid is actually quite small, so you can cover a lot of ground on foot and at your own pace, but taxis, buses and the metra are all plentiful and easy to use should the need arise.
Madrid captivates with its radiant weather, rich culture,...
October 3, 2023
Madrid captivates with its radiant weather, rich culture, stunning architecture, and a culinary scene that's nothing short of amazing. Its LGBTQ+ inclusive atmosphere adds an extra layer of welcoming charm. A city of endless possibilities!
Madrid is an amazing city filled with a mix of history and...
October 3, 2023
Madrid is an amazing city filled with a mix of history and modern architecture. So many great restaurants and sites. Day trip to Toledo (40 minutes on train)to experience the most beautiful Cathedral I have ever seen. The Spanish people are lovely.
Modern city, comfort street for the traveller who bring the...
October 2, 2023
Modern city, comfort street for the traveller who bring the luggage. Safe place & the most inportant thing : Most people in travel industry (staff hotel, taxi driver, restaurant's staff, transportation's staff) can speak English. In the big station they have many staff helping you buying tickets in the vending machine
The sites we saw were largely religion related.
October 1, 2023
The sites we saw were largely religion related. Not my thing. The nightlife is amazing. Many many outdoor cafes that are open late night. We found it difficult to find a table between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. The food and drink were very good for the price. Lots and lots of taxis to get you where you need to be. We arrived at the train station from Barcelona at 9:30 and had no problem whatsoever getting a cab. By the way, train was just great.
Madrid is one of the most vibrant European capitals.
September 30, 2023
Madrid is one of the most vibrant European capitals. Wandering through its streets is entering into history. Madrid, in addition, offers one of the best cuisines and the variety and quantity of restaurants and bars will not leave its visitors the time to satisfy themselves completely, there is always something else to try. There are very popular places that are really recommended, such as the Sobrino de Botin Restaurant (the oldest in the world), the La Campana Bar or the elderly King of Wines. Madrid is one of my favorite destinations that I have already visited six times and I would return if it were possible.
Popular places to stay in Madrid
Stay in some of the best accommodations Madrid has to offer
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ARTIEM Madrid Ciudad Lineal, Madrid
From $95 per night
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Plaza de España Skyline Moncloa-Aravaca, Madrid
From $188 per night
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Hotel Regina Madrid City Center, Madrid
From $280 per night
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Woohoo Rooms Fuencarral Madrid City Center, Madrid
From $167 per night
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Woohoo Rooms Hortaleza Madrid City Center, Madrid
From $145 per night
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Other accommodations in Madrid
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Madrid
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Apartments
From $18 per night
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Villas
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Cabins
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Cottages
From $157 per night
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Glamping
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Serviced Apartments
From $41 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $157 per night
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Guest houses
From $5 per night
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Hostels
From $11 per night
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B&Bs
From $31 per night
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Homestays
From $47 per night
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Campgrounds
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Luxury Tents
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $23 per night
