Top 10 things to do in Madrid

Are you planning a trip to Madrid soon? Wondering what to visit at the weekend? To make things easier for you, we’ve put together our top 10 things to do in Madrid. Because it’s not just about the monuments, there’s also a whole culture to discover. You can’t just visit Madrid, you have to experience it!

1- A walk in Retiro Park

It’s the perfect place to relax in Madrid. It’s more than just a must-see when it comes to things to do in Madrid. Retiro Park is a place of culture and relaxation. The Palacio de Cristal inside the park is a building not to be missed. It is magnificent and regularly houses temporary exhibitions.

For other exhibitions, you can also visit the Palacio de Velazquez, also in the Retiro Park. Both are extensions of the Reina Sofia Museum.

If you’re looking for a romantic activity, we highly recommend a boat trip on the water.

Admission is free.

Find out more about Retiro Park.

2- Eating a real Spanish breakfast

As a prelude to a good day’s sightseeing, we obviously recommend that you eat well before you leave. To do this, head to one of Madrid’s small cafés for a typical breakfast: a ‘cafe con leche’ with ‘pan con tomate’ (coffee with milk and crushed tomato, garlic and oil on slices of bread). If you don’t like café au lait, you’ll need to specify a ‘solo’ coffee. The more adventurous can opt for a slice of tortilla. And those with a sweet tooth can have a ‘chocolate con churros’.

For late risers, don’t worry, breakfasts are often served until midday. The brunch option is also a good compromise for late risers 🙂

3- A drink on a rooftop

Madrid is known as the rooftop capital of Europe. So it’s obviously a must when you’re in Madrid. There are plenty of addresses to choose from, and something to suit every taste: chic, relaxed, with 360° views, with a swimming pool… The best known is the Circulo de Bellas Artes near Cibeles, but the trendiest at the moment is the 360° Rooftop at the Riu Palza on the Plaza de España.

4- See a musical

If you go down Gran Via, you’ll notice all the theatres that line this main avenue and the shows that are currently on show with their illuminated signs. Gran Via used to be the street of theatres, and it still has some of them. The Lion King or Anastasia. The choice is vast.

5- Dancing salsa / batchata in a bar

Partying in Madrid is easy and relaxed. We’ve never been hassled on any of our nights out with our girlfriends. You can go salsa dancing at La Fontena de Oro, La Negra Tomasa near Puerta del Sol or Café Berlin.

6- See a flamenco show

Even if flamenco is historically more Andalusian, it seems unthinkable to go to Madrid without seeing a flamenco show. There are a few good places to go, which we shared in the article dedicated to Flamenco. However, we’d like to point out that we recommend tablaos, i.e. small venues, rather than the big shows. The atmosphere in tablaos is much more intimate.

7- Going to the Rastro market

In the top list of things to do in Madrid, the Rastro is a must! Madrid’s best-known flea market is the Rastro, held every Sunday morning in the heart of the city, in the famous Latina district. To avoid the crowds, go early in the morning, open from 9am to 3pm. You’ll find all kinds of objects, from the most common to the most unusual. Not to be missed on your visit to Madrid.

8- Visit one of Madrid’s emblematic museums

Madrid has its fair share of museums. From the most classical to the most modern, you’re sure to find one that speaks to you. In the meantime, the Prado museum remains the best known, as it houses the most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings in Spain. El Paseo del Arte is part of the cultural itinerary not to be missed.

You can visit it in English with a guide or buy your ticket online.

9- Top 10 things to do in Madrid: Eating in a Madrid mercado

We often talk about the Mercado San Miguel, but did you know that there are many gastronomic markets to discover in Madrid? A visit to a mercado is undoubtedly one of our top 10 things to do in Madrid. Away from the tourists and closer to the locals, discover the mercado de San Idelfonso in the Malasaña district, a vibrant hipster spot. Or the mercado San Anton in the Chueca district. The latter also has stalls where you can buy products. The upper floors are devoted to restaurants, and there’s also a rooftop for a summer break in the shade. Discover the 6 best gastronomic markets in Madrid.

10- Discover the world of the Malasaña district

To tell you the truth, it’s one of our favourite neighbourhoods. Malasaña is located behind the Telefonica building. It’s a young, dynamic neighbourhood. You’ll find vintage shops, cafés and street art. It’s a real party place, where families and students mingle on the terraces. For a relaxed, local atmosphere, head for the Plaza de 2 de Mayo.

> To find accommodation during your stay, here are our addresses by district.

We hope you enjoy this selection. Our top 10 things to do in Madrid is a selection based on our experience as expatriates and what we like to show our friends and family when they visit the Spanish capital.

Emilie