Madrid

Prado Museum Madrid

Spain’s leading art museum tops many visitor lists. This immense neo-classical building is part of Madrid’s world heritage site – the Golden Triangle of Art – along with Reina Sofia National Art Centre and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Opened in 1819, it has expanded to showcase vast collections of European works including Spanish masters Velazquez, El Greco and Goya, as well as Rembrandt, Bosch and more. Bonus: it’s free to visit in the evenings!

Madrid’s grand squares

In the heart of old Madrid sits the symbolic centre of Spain, marked by the Kilometer Zero plaque in the elegant Puerta del Sol square. The name translates as ‘Gate of the Sun’, as this busy crossroads used to be the eastern entrance to the city. It’s surrounded by imposing facades and an 18th century belltower atop a former post office, now the local government HQ.

Walk a few minutes’ west to reach the iconic Plaza Mayor, usually humming with tourists, shoppers and performers. In the past, this grand space hosted events from coronations to bullfights. Now you’re more likely to see outdoor markets, street musicians or concerts when you stop to watch the world go by.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Regularly used for official receptions and ceremonies, this 18th century palace was commissioned by Philip V in a mix of Baroque and Neo-classical style. It’s bordered by stunning gardens and inside you’ll find 3000 rooms (including a glitzy Versailles-style Hall of Mirrors) plus works by celebrated European artists. Visit on the first Wednesday of the month to watch the changing of the Royal Guard at noon.

Reina Sofia National Art Centre

Not far from the Prado this imposing museum houses an extensive collection of 20th century mainly Spanish art, including famous masters Salvador Dali, Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso. You can see the latter’s famous anti-war painting Guernica, expressing his anguish after the Basque town was bombed during the Spanish Civil War.

Parque del Buen Retiro

A royal park since the 1600s, then gifted to the public in 1868, this 292-acre space is a relaxing leafy haven where both locals (Madrileños) and visitors seek a breather in the heart of the hectic city. It’s filled with creatively landscaped sections featuring rustic pathways, manicured rose gardens, dramatic statues and fountains, as well as cafés to unwind in.

Gran Via

Along its 1.3 km length, this famously elegant street is lined with shops of all kinds, from niche boutiques to department stores. The perfect place to head when you fancy a ramble with some browsing and eating thrown in.

Templo de Debod

This stunning ancient temple was gifted to Spain by Egypt and UNESCO, brought over and reassembled piece by piece in Madrid as a thank you for Spain’s help in saving the Abu Simbel temples. It’s a monument to honour the gods Isis and Amun and is especially breathtaking at sunset.

Local specialities

As expected for a capital city – and thanks to Spain’s varied cultural history – there’s a wide range of traditional cuisines on offer in the form of stews, seafood and paellas. Local favourites to try include huevos rotos (‘broken’ fried eggs over potatoes and ham), bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich) or the iconic long-cooked cocido madrileño stew served in three parts. Wash it all down with some refreshing tinto de verano (local sangria) or a little glass of local draft beer.

Food markets

You’ll find markets in every Madrid neighbourhood. The famous central Mercado de San Miguel has an upmarket feel and attracts lots of tourists, while the less fancy Mercado de San Fernando in the Lavapiés area offers a huge variety of Spanish food and drink – ideal for a tapas crawl with friends. If you visit the Salamanca district, drop into Mercado de la Paz (established 1882) for fresher-than-fresh tortilla and seasonal fruits, then grab some gourmet titbits to take home.

Churros

If you happen to be a churro fan (if not, why not?) you have to try these deep-fried dough sticks made the Spanish way. Best eaten freshly fried, crispy and sprinkled in cinnamon sugar, they’re served in cafes across the city alongside thick hot chocolate for dipping. Head to San Gines or Los Artesanos 1902 for some of the tastiest examples.

Madrid Open TennisApr - May

This annual two-week tournament brings the best professional players from across the world to contend for victory on its clay courts. Established in 2002, this Masters event has become one of the biggest dates on the pro tennis calendar.

Madrid PrideJuly

Book early if you’d like to join this exuberant celebration, one of Europe’s most popular Pride weeks. Thousands of visitors come to party in the Chueca district and march for equality as part of the huge State Pride parade through some of Madrid’s main streets.