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 $20 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 $34 per night
This weekend
From $210 per night
Next weekend
From $314 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 | $123 per night |
| Average weekday price | $131 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
Latest articles featuring Madrid
Inspiration and insider tips for things to do in Madrid
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4 stylish self-catering apartments around Madrid’s grandest square.
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5 homely apartments around Madrid’s historic square.
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4 homely apartments within walking distance of one of Madrid’s busiest streets.
Madrid reviews
What other travelers say about Madrid
Clean streets, felt safe walking around, beautiful...
June 26, 2022
Clean streets, felt safe walking around, beautiful architecture and parks, love the long summer nights and being in a city full of late risers/night people (sunset was at like 10pm at the end of June and when we were on the streets again at 6am to go to the airport - many looked like they had not gone to bed yet and were exploring the streets).
Best part is the nightlife and restaurants, so many...
June 25, 2022
Best part is the nightlife and restaurants, so many neighborhoods to pick from, a lot of greenery and parks. Gran Via area is a bit of a concrete jungle and many things are in renovation right now (June 2022) like Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Puerta del Sol square but the rest great. Try some traditional local food like Botín, Casa Ciriaco, and wine places like Casa Gonzalez. Neighbourhoods like Callao, La Latina for bars.
I love Madrid.
June 24, 2022
I love Madrid. It is like Manhattan but people are incomparably friendly. The area is relatively clean. Taxi service is excellent. You tell the driver where you will be going and there is already a set fee to pay. no haggling needed. we did not use Hop on Hop of. Rather, we used the Madrid City Tour because it is better. Prado Museum and the Plaza Mayor are places not to miss. Shop at El Cortes Ingles Mall and eat on the 6th floor before sunset. Window view is spectacular.
A beautiful and largely underrated city.
June 24, 2022
A beautiful and largely underrated city. Madrid is lively, friendly and pulsating with energy. It has some of Europe's best museums, and it is more affordable than other major European cities. It has great history, impressive architecture, fantastic parks and great markets to sample Spain's rich culinary diversity. It is perfectly suitable for walks about town to explore the city's different neighbourhoods and day trips to surrounding historical places like Segovia, Toledo and El Escorial. A perfect place to explore culture, history, grand parks and plazas and sip beer and coffee and enjoy tapas while you are at it. One of my favourite cities.
Beautiful city with many attractions for tourists.
June 23, 2022
Beautiful city with many attractions for tourists. Great place for tapas with so many restaurants and tabernas to choose from. Very clean city and felt very safe. Not hassled by people to get you to spend your money.
I've been to 21 countries, most of the European capitals...
June 21, 2022
I've been to 21 countries, most of the European capitals, and Madrid is the most magical and romantic city I have visited yet. I was there for 8 days, just enough time to see all of the major attractions, but 2 weeks would have been better. I can't speak highly enough of the city. Just be aware: LOTS of tourists and really quite hot during the summer months.
Popular places to stay in Madrid
Stay in some of the best accommodations Madrid has to offer
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VP Plaza España Design Madrid City Center, Madrid
From $388 per night
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ARTIEM Madrid Ciudad Lineal, Madrid
From $86 per night
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Room Mate Alba Madrid City Center, Madrid
From $160 per night
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Woohoo Rooms Fuencarral Madrid City Center, Madrid
From $78 per night
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Apartosuites Jardines de Sabatini Moncloa-Aravaca, Madrid
From $99 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 $16 per night
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Villas
From per night
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Cabins
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Serviced Apartments
From $42 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $158 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 $32 per night
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Homestays
From $13 per night
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $16 per night
