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10 Unforgettable things to do in Madrid in 2026
Explore the 10 best things to do in Madrid, including some insider tips and recommendations for a complete trip to the capital of Spain
Visiting Madrid means you get to spend some time in a city with a diverse culture, where you can breathe in football, tradition, delicious food, and a vibrant nightlife.
This guide explores the 10 best things to do in Madrid, plus some extra activities to really dive into the city’s diversity and unforgettable places.
Also, you’ll need internet while in Madrid. Whether it is for translation apps, finding the best metro line to your destination, or uploading Instagram stories in the Bernabeu, the Holafly eSIM will help you out.
Peace of mind before you fly
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1. Explore the Prado Museum
Home to masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, the Prado Museum houses one of the world’s finest art collections with artworks dating back to the sixteenth century.
Masterpieces like Las Meninas by Velázquez, Saint Barbara by Goya, or The Dead Christ Supported by Antonello da Messina are must-sees, but that’s just the beginning.
Depending on the date, the Prado Museum hosts special exhibitions featuring paintings and photographs in addition to its selected pieces. Keep an eye on the museum’s website so you’ll know about these exhibitions.
- How to get there: Metro Line 2 to Banco de España, Atocha, or Estación del Arte
- Ticket cost: €15 general admission, €24 general admission plus guide book, €32.90 Paseo del Arte Pass – Free entry from Monday to Saturday from 6 to 8 PM, and Sundays and Holidays from 5 to 7 PM.
- Time needed: 2-3 hours minimum (full day for art lovers)
- Best time: Weekday mornings or the last 2 hours for free entry
- Travel tip: Book timed tickets online in advance
2. Stroll through Retiro Park
Part of a combined UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 125-hectare site features gardens, monuments, open-air activities, and beautiful gardens, making it perfect for escaping the city buzz.
Here are some ideas to consider at Retiro Park: visit the Palacio de Cristal and enjoy the rotating exhibits; walk around the Rose Garden and watch the Fallen Angel statue; or rent a rowboat to relax on the lake. Or you can simply stay for a picnic.
But the Retiro Park offers more than this. From May to October, every Sunday, there are free concerts by the Banda Sinfónica de Madrid, the Annual Book Fair, and other cultural events throughout the year.
- How to get there: Metro to Retiro or Príncipe de Pía stations
- Entry fee: Free
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours (half day with picnic)
- Best time: Morning for peaceful walks, afternoon for people-watching, or nights for special events
- Travel tip: Visit the Palacio del Cristal or attend cultural events when available
3. Visit the Royal Palace
With over 1,4000,000 square feet, 3,400 rooms, and a mix of Baroque and Classicism, the Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the must-see things in Madrid.
You can visit the Throne Room, watch the changing of the Guard Ceremony, walk around the gardens, enjoy paintings from Caravaggio, Goya, and Velázquez, or see the world’s only complete Stradivarius string quintet.
Also, from time to time, the Royal Palace of Madrid houses concerts and cultural events, which you can check on the Patrimonio Nacional site.
- How to get there: Metro to Ópera station
- Ticket cost: €18 general admission (€9 reduced, free for some hours) – Other areas aren’t included in the general ticket price
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Best time: Early morning to avoid crowds
- Note: Closed during state ceremonies (Check calendar on the Patrimonio Nacional site)
4. Experience authentic tapas culture
Madrid’s tapas scene transforms eating into a social ritual, leading to bar-hopping, extensive conversations, and tasting delicious wine.
As our local Holaflyer, Ana Fernández, stated, one of the best tapas to try is jamón ibérico, and her recommendation is the Jamón Ibérico de bellota 100%, so keep that in mind when checking the menu.
Your best bet is to visit neighborhoods like La Latina, Malsaña, or Chueca to try local bars, patatas bravas, croquetas, jamón ibérico, or tortillas españolas before moving on. Just make sure you have enough space for all the delicious food.
Or you can choose a gourmet-like experience, making the Mercado de San Miguel your go-to spot to get some tapas.
- Best areas: La Latina (traditional), Malasaña (trendy), Mercado de San Miguel (tourist-friendly)
- Cost: €2-5 per tapa, €3-6 per drink
- Timing: Lunch 1-3 PM, tapas 7-10 PM, dinner 10 PM-midnight
- Local favorites: Casa Toni, Casa González, Juana La Loca
- Travel tip: Order “caña” (small beer) and “raciones” for larger portions
5. Wander Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol
If you want a mix of local life and centuries-old architecture, the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol are great spots to visit.
These spots are home to important statues like the Bear and Strawberry Tree, and Philip III, but are also ideal for watching street performers or sitting at outdoor terraces to eat some tapas or drink a coffee. You can also visit the Gran Vía, as it’s really close to both sites.
Also, if you decide to spend New Year’s Eve in the city, the New Year’s Celebration in the Puerta del Sol is one of the best things to do in Madrid.
- How to get there: Metro to Sol station (Puerta del Sol)
- Entry fee: Free (outdoor public squares)
- Time needed: 1-2 hours to explore both plazas, longer for visiting cafes and other stores
- Best time: Morning for fewer crowds, evening for atmosphere
- Travel tip: Plaza Mayor cafés are overpriced – drink elsewhere
6. Browse El Rastro flea market
As said by the Holaflyer Ana Fernández, El Rastro flea market is an institution in Madrid and the perfect plan for Sunday morning.
This flea market sprawls through La Latina and sells everything you can think of: art, food, crafts, souvenirs, even useless things, but everyone has something to buy there, and there’s always room for some bargaining.
Once you’re done, you can stay in La Latina neighborhood and go for some post-market tapas before heading back home.
- When: Sundays only, 9 AM-3 PM
- Where: Ribera de Curtidores street, La Latina neighborhood
- Entry fee: Free to browse
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Pickpocket alert: Keep valuables secure in crowded areas
- Travel tip: Arrive early (before 11 AM) for the best selection
7. Explore the Reina Sofía Museum
Dedicated to 20th-century works, the Reina Sofía Museum houses Picasso’s haunting Guernica, his anti-war masterpiece, and it’s part of the Golden Triangle of Art that includes the Prado Museum and Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum.
But this isn’t the only masterpiece in the museum; Dalí and Miró collections are also shown, and contemporary Spanish art exhibitions are also a key part of the Reina Sofía collections.
- How to get there: Metro to Atocha station
- Ticket cost: €12 general (free on Mondays and Wednesdays to Saturdays from 7 to 9 PM, Sundays from 1:30 to 7 PM), €32.90 Paseo del Arte Pass – Closed on Tuesdays
- Time needed: 2-3 hours
- Best time: Free evening hours or weekday mornings
- Travel tip: Photographs are not allowed in the Guernica room
8. Watch sunset at Templo de Debod
The Templo de Dedob, an over 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple, is one of the things visitors must see in Madrid, and it was taken there in its, practically, original position.
This temple was gifted in 1968 and offers sunset views over the Casa de Campo park, with the west-facing location being perfect for sunset photography.
People can also visit the temple’s interior, but must follow strict rules to preserve it.
- How to get there: Metro to Plaza de España, 10-minute walk
- Entry fee: Free (exterior always accessible, interior limited hours)
- Time needed: 30 minutes-1 hour
- Best time: 30 minutes before sunset year-round
- Travel tip: Bring a camera for golden hour reflection shots, but pay attention to where you can’t use flash
9. Visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Visiting the Real Madrid Football Stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu, is by far one of the top things to do in Madrid, especially if you support the team.
When visiting the stadium, you have two choices: take a guided tour to the Real Madrid Museum, the locker rooms, benches, and the Real Madrid Games zone if you buy the premium ticket. Or you can watch a game at the Bernabeu to enjoy the magic of the football Kings of Europe.
Plus, you can visit the Bernabeu store and buy official merchandise to get the perfect gift for a Madrid fan, or yourself.
- How to get there: Metro Line 10 to the Santiago Bernabéu station or EMT buses
- Ticket cost: €35 to €57 online, €38 to €60 on ticket booths – €75 onward for official matches
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours for the museum, 3-4 hours for a football match
10. Experience Madrid’s nightlife
Madrid’s nightlife is wild and comes alive after midnight, with parties lasting until dawn across buzzing neighborhoods, bars, and rooftop terraces for all types of travelers.
Chueca and Malasaña are your best options, as these are considered nightlife districts. Other places like Círculo de Bellas Artes, Casa Patas, Corral de la Morería, and RIU Plaza España are worth considering for a great night out.
Keep in mind that the Madrid dinner usually starts at 10 PM, so the party never starts before then.
- Best areas: Malasaña for alternative travelers, Chueca for LGBTQ+-friendly, and Huertas for bars
- Rooftop bars: RIU 360° (free but long waits), Círculo de Bellas Artes (€4)
- Flamenco shows: €25-50 with drink – book ahead
- Timing: Pre-drinks 10-11 PM, clubs midnight-6 AM
- Dress Code: Smart casual (avoid sneakers/flip-flops at upscale venues)
Bonus experiences for a complete trip to Madrid
If you’re spending some extra days in Madrid and you don’t know what to add or where to go, here you have some ideas:
- Go shopping in the Gran Vía and end your day in a music theater
- Explore Malasaña’s hipster culture by visiting cafés and vintage shops
- Take a day trip to Toledo to enjoy the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures
- Explore the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum to complete a visit to the Golden Triangle of Art
- Visit the Chocolatería San Ginés to eat the delicious churros con chocolate
Stay connected in Madrid with Holafly
Visiting Madrid means using the metro, booking museum entries, translating Spanish words, or finding that 5-star tapas bar to end your day.
That said, you’ll need mobile internet for all of that, and using public WiFi or buying local SIM cards might be challenging at first.
That makes the Holafly eSIM for Spain your best travel ally. Prices start at $3.90 per day and go as low as $1.55 per day with unlimited data, instant activation, 5G data speeds, hotspot sharing, and 24/7 customer support. You’ll enjoy your trip to Madrid without missing a thing.
And, if you plan to visit other European capitals, you can choose the eSIM for Europe instead; it has the same benefits, but you’ll get coverage in over 30 destinations.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days to spend in Madrid depends on what you want to visit. For visiting the Prado Museum, Royal Palace, and eating tapas in a neighborhood, 3 days will do. 5 days is better for deeper exploration, and a week is the best for exploring Madrid like a local.
Compared to other European capitals, it has moderate costs. You can spend around €80 for budget travel, €150 for mid-range travel, and €200 for luxury travel.
March-May or September-November are the best times to visit Madrid, offering mild weather, fewer tourists, and lower prices. July to August is really hot, and some restaurants are closed. December is a good option for Christmas markets, but pack properly for the cold.
Basic Spanish helps a lot. Touristy areas have English speakers, but it isn’t as common as in Barcelona. A tip? Learn phrases like por favor, gracias, and have your phone charged to use the translator when needed.
For eating tapas, La Latina is your best option. Sol and Gran Vía are ideal for a central spot with good transit to tourist areas, and Malasaña for a hipster adventure. All in all, find a place close to the Metro that suits your needs.
The Madrid public transportation is awesome, with the metro system being your best option, with pricing ranging from €1.50 to €2 for a ride, or €12.20 for a 10-trip ticket. The bus system is also extensive, and many touristy areas are worth walking.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
