I have a confession to make… I didn’t find all these spots alone! During my time in Madrid I was incredibly lucky to spend a whole day with Elena, a local who loves her city so much it was infectious!

15 of the Best Things To Do In Madrid

Planning your trip to Madrid…

I’ve provided the map below to help you plan your future trip to Madrid, and each of the 15 suggestions have been divided into three categories: Statues and Monuments, Parks and Gardens, and Important Buildings. The yellow icon also points out the hostel I stayed in and used as my base when exploring the city, Room007 Chueca.

1. Edificio España

I loved this building! Completed in 1953 according to the designs of architect Julián Otamendi, it held the title of the tallest building in Spain until 1957. In that year it had it’s title claimed by the Torre de Madrid, also designed by Otamendi but a building I didn’t think was worth photographing.

In comparison, the Edificio España is a beautiful representation of Spanish Baroque Revival architecture that towers over Plaza de España. It’s a shame therefore that it has remained unused for years now, no doubt due to cost and the Spanish real estate crash in 2008.

I will be waiting patiently until a use is found for the building and I get a chance to see if it is as useful from the inside as the out.

Address: Calle de la Princessa, opposite Plaza de España

Cost: Free.

Opening hours: Never! Hopefully this will change soon…!

2. Temple of Debod

If I remember correctly, this is my friend Elena’s favourite place in Madrid. And I have to admit it is stunning to see 2nd century Egyptian architecture in such great condition – although I missed the chance to visit at sunset when the temple becomes the number one setting for romantic dates.

One of the few examples of Ancient Egyptian architecture to be found outside of Egypt, the Temple of Debod was originally built in dedication to the deity Amun, King of the Gods. In danger of coming under harm with the development of a dam, the Temple was gifted to Spain as a thank you for their help in conserving other architectural sites in Egypt, and opened to the public of Madrid in 1972.

Address: Calle Ferraz, 128008

Cost: Free.

Opening hours: The gardens are open 24/7 – to enter the temple click here for detailed times.

3. Royal Palace of Madrid

Whether you’re a royalist or a republican, it has to be said that there is always an allure about a palace that stems from a long European history of being ruled over by splendour and riches. Palaces are  so grand, and yet so unattainable for any but the tiniest minority born into an almost ancient line of blood, that you can’t help but marvel at their opulence.

The largest palace in Europe, the Royal Palace of Madrid is beautiful. And yet there is also a sadness that surrounds it of history lost. The current palace was completed in 1755, after the original 9th-century Arabic Alcázar burned to the ground in 1734, and I can’t help but wonder more about the Arabic history of Spain and what a shame it is that this little piece has been lost.

For those who are also curious, I’ve heard that The Alhambra in Granada is the place to go for answers. In the meantime, I’m quite happy to admire the new palace for what it is, a very grand and spectacular house of Kings.

Address: Calle Bailén , s/n28013

Cost: €10, or free Monday to Friday, 4.00pm – 6.00pm (October – March) and 6.00pm to 8.00pm (April – September). Admission is free for EU citizens, residents and holders of work permits in the EU and Hispanic American citizens with certification of nationality or a residence or work permit.

Opening hours: October – March: 10.00am – 6.00pm; April – September: 10.00am – 8.00pm.

4. Jardine de Sabatini

The Royal Palace of Madrid is surrounded by beautful gardens, one of the most beautiful being the Jardine de Sabatini that was opened for free public use by King Juan Carlos I in 1978.

Open from 9am every day of the year, the gardens are dedicated to Francesco Sabatini, an architect who worked on the Royal Palace. With plenty of green areas to rest on, beautiful marble benches and a lake leading up to the North side of the Palace, it’s the perfect route to the Palace.

Address: Calle Bailén, 228013

Costs: Free.

Opening hours: October – April: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 9:00pm; May – September: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 10:00pm.

5. King Charles III of Spain Statue

One of the Kings who lived in the Royal Palace of Madrid was King Charles III. During his reign Spain first became recognised worldwide as a nation, rather than just a collection of territories under one King. His influence lead to the Marcha Real in 1761 (the Spanish National Anthem) and the origins of the Spanish Flag (in the one used for naval purposes since 1786).

Not surprisingly then, you can find a very imposing statue of King Charles III in the Jardine de Sabatini…

Address: At the bottom of the stepped entrance to the Sabatini Gardens from Calle Bailén, 1028013

Cost: Free.

Opening hours: October – April: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 9:00pm; May – September: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 10:00pm.

6. Catedral de la Almudena

My first view of this stunning Cathedral was from a hidden path to the left of the entrance, as you can see in the image below, and it definitely showed the city’s iconic place of worship in the best light.

As a direct neighbour to the Royal Palace, it’s hard to pick which is more beautiful, although their age difference is significant. Completed as recently as 1993(!) it appears that, despite the country’s strong Catholic heritage, the expansion of the Spanish Empire was deemed a higher priority than providing a Cathedral for their capital city.

So was the wait worth it? Well I would think so. The architecture reflects a combination of classical Gothic and Romanesque design, whilst the colours seem to fade in beautifully with those of the neighbouring Royal Palace.

Address: Calle Bailén, 1028013

Cost: Entrance to the Cathedral requires a €1 donation, whilst enrance to the museum inside costs €6.

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 09.00am – 8.30pm (except July & August: 10.00am – 9.00pm).

7. Kilometro Cero (Puerta del Sol)

I’m such a sucker for landmarks like this! And it seems like I’m not the only one – Kilometro Cero is a popular attraction in the already busy Puerta del Sol (Place of the ‘Gate of the Sun’) but don’t be shy and make sure to grab a picture as Km0 marks the very centre of the radial network of Spanish roads that emanate from Madrid.

Address: Plaza Puerta del Sol, s/n, 28013

Cost: Free!

Opening hours: 24/7!

8. El Oso y El Madroño – The Statue of the Bear and Strawberry Tree

One of Madrid’s stranger iconic monuments, the Statue of the Bear and Strawberry Tree is officially meant to represent Madrid’s original name, ‘Ursaria’, which means land of the bears.

An urban legend I prefer suggests that the bears in the area actually used to get slightly tipsy from the fruit of the Madroño tree, and the fact that he could be drinking from the tree represents the favourite activity of the locals… drinking!

Here’s a little tip… just don’t have a glass of wine before attempting to climb up and make friends with the bear as it can be a little tricky getting down!

Address: Plaza Puerta del Sol, s/n, 28013

Cost: Free.

Opening hours: 24/7!

9. Congreso de los Diputados

Known as the Congress of Deputies in English, the building was completed in 1850. You can’t help but be reminded of Greece when admiring it’s neoclassical columns, but the design at the top couldn’t be more Spanish.

Sculpted by Ponciano Ponzano, the central female figures in the scene represent the embracing of the constitution state by Spain.

Address: Calle Floridablanca, s/n, 28071

Cost: Not entirely sure! To find out more contact visitasguiadas@congreso.es

Opening hours: Guided Saturday tours September – July: 10.30am-12.30pm.

10. San Jerónimo el Real

Another one of Elena’s favourites… and now mine! Apparently the waiting list to get married in the San Jerónimo el Real is years long, and I can understand why. Let’s just take a moment to appreciate how beautiful this 16th century church is…

The only remaining structure of a Hieronymites monastery, the church has undergone many restorations, my favourite being the stepped entrance you can see carpeted in red above. It was requested for the wedding of King Alfonso XIII and constructed in 1906.

Address: Calle Moreto, 428014

Cost: Free.

Opening hours: Sunday -Monday: 10.00am – 1.00pm / 5.30pm – 8.00pm.

11. Buen Retiro Park

As I seem to be so much more in touch with my active side these days (see this month’s book recommendation) I’m appreciating inner city parks more and more. The translation from the Spanish name for this park literally means ‘pleasant retreat’ and I couldn’t agree more.

Similar to the Jardine de Sabatini, Buen Retiro Park was once owned by royalty but instead of being given by the royal family to the people of Madrid, the residents of the city claimed the park as their own during the Glorious Revolution of 1868.

Address: Parque del Buen Retiro, 28009

Cost: Free.

Opening hours: April to September: 6:00am – 12:00am; October to March: 6:00am – 10:00am.

12. Jacinto Benavente Monument

If you enter the park from the direction of San Jerónimo el Real then one of the first statues you will come across is the slightly creepy masked muse dedicated to Jacinto Benavente, Spain’s leading 20th century playwrite.

As a local to Madrid (he was born and died in the city) he wrote 172 plays and in 1922 won the Nobel Prize for Literature, making him the second of only six Spanish writers to win the esteemed prize.

Address: Parque del Buen Retiro, 28009 (at the entrance to the park – see the map above for more details)

Cost: Free.

Opening hours: April to September: 6:00am – 12:00am; October to March: 6:00am – 10:00am

13. Fuente del Ángel Caído

Despite calling the masked muse atop the Jacinto Benavente monument slightly creepy, it pales in comparison to the fact that Buen Retiro Park has been home to a statue dedicated to the devil (or ‘fallen angel’) since 1885.

Whilst it can’t be denied that the detail of expression attained by sculptor Ricardo Bellver is impressive, I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy at the fact that the statue stands at 666 metres above sea level. Not to mention that the day on which the statue was unveiled in the park is rumoured to be October 32rd, 105 years to the day that I was born.

Address: Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 (inside Buen Retiro Park)

Cost: Free.

Opening hours: April to September: 6:00am – 12:00am; October to March: 6:00am – 10:00am.

14. Palacio de Cibeles

Completed in 1909, the Palacio de Cibeles was renamed from Palacio de Comunicaciones in 2011, and today serves as the headquarters of Madrid’s City Council.

Originally intended as the headquarters of the Spanish Post Office (can you believe it? It looks like a palace!) the building has since served as the Postal and Telegraphic Museum before becoming the City Hall.

Address: Plazade la Cibeles, 128014

Cost: €2 per adult, or free on the first Wednesday of every month and 2 and 15 May, and 12 Oct.

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:30am – 1:30pm. / 4:00pm – 7:00pm

15. Teatro Real

Known locally as El Real, Madrid’s Opera House doesn’t just play a significant role in the artistic culture of Spain, but also of the whole world. The pet project of Queen Isabella II of Spain, her appreciation of the arts inspired the official opening of Teatro Real in 1850.

Today, the promise that the Opera House would provide for the people of Madrid continues by operating as an international stage for opera, music, and dance.

Best of all? Last minute tickets can be bought by anyone under 30 for as much as 60% – 90% less than the original price! All you have to do is turn up to the box office within 4 hours before the start of a show!

Address: Plazade Isabel II, s/n28013

Cost: See programme for show costs or take a tour from €8.

Opening hours: The box office is open from 9.15am – 8.00pm every weekday (except Saturdays & Sundays when there are no shows scheduled).

Pheewww… After writing this, I can’t believe we saw so much in one day! There was actually even more but these were my 15 best things to do in Madrid!

Elena also writes for local blog, Mad4Madrid so make sure to check out the website for even more things to do in Madrid!

Lots of love,