Madrid

Tapas bars, sunny plazas & late-night marcha

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Madrid is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Museo del Prado, Reina Sofia and Royal Palace of Madrid. Food lovers should not miss Sidreria El Tigre and Casa Lucio. Below you will find 44 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Madrid at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Museo del Prado and Reina Sofia
Where to stay: Centro and Lavapies
Local picks: 44 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Madrid

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tips7 Best Streets in Madrid for Strolling and ShoppingSeven of Madrids best streets for walking, shopping and people-watching, from Gran Via to the Sunday market at El Rastro.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Madrid: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Madrid? A local guide to the best neighbourhoods, from central Sol and tapas-filled La Latina to…

Local tips3 Days in Madrid: The Perfect ItineraryA local's perfect 3-day Madrid itinerary: the Habsburg centre and Royal Palace, the Prado and Reina Sofia, tapas in La…

Local tipsBest Things to Do in Madrid: A Local’s GuideThe best things to do in Madrid, chosen by locals: top sights, where to eat, where to stay and the…

Where to stay in Madrid

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La Latina

Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour

A guided evening crawl through the old town’s best tabernas – tortilla, jamon, croquetas and vermouth – with a local unpacking the ritual of the Spanish tapeo. The tastiest way to meet Madrid.

★ 4.8

Malasana

The city’s coolest barrio – birthplace of the 80s Movida, now a warren of vintage shops, indie cafes, vermouth bars and buzzing nightlife around Plaza del Dos de Mayo. Madrid’s creative, youthful heart.

★ 4.6

Centro

Mandarin Oriental Ritz

Madrid’s palatial grande dame beside the Prado, reborn under Mandarin Oriental after a lavish restoration. Belle-epoque splendour, a gorgeous garden terrace and impeccable service. The definitive Madrid splurge.

★ 4.8

$$$

Centro

Mercado de San Miguel

A gorgeous wrought-iron market hall by Plaza Mayor, now a buzzy (and touristy) gourmet food court of tapas, jamon, oysters and vermouth. Pricey but pretty – grab a few bites and a glass and soak up the atmosphere.

★ 4.3

Centro

Museo del Prado

One of the world’s greatest art museums – Velazquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s black paintings, Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and centuries of Spanish and European masters. Free in the last two hours, but give it much longer.

★ 4.8

Chamberi

Museo Sorolla

The former home and studio of painter Joaquin Sorolla, kept as he left it – sun-drenched Valencian beach scenes hung amid his own furniture and a gorgeous Andalusian garden. An intimate, joyful little museum.

★ 4.7

Retiro

Only YOU Hotel Atocha

A stylish, sociable design hotel near Atocha and the museum mile, with handsome rooms, a buzzy lobby-bar and a rooftop. Comfortable, contemporary and well placed for the art triangle.

★ 4.6

Centro

Plaza Mayor

Madrid’s grand arcaded central square, ringed by frescoed facades and cafe terraces (skip the pricey ones). Once host to markets, bullfights and the Inquisition; now the postcard heart of old Madrid.

★ 4.5

Centro

Prado Museum Guided Tour

Make sense of the vast Prado in a focused couple of hours – a guide walks you to Las Meninas, Goya’s masterpieces and the Bosch triptych with the stories behind them, skipping the ticket queue.

★ 4.7

Centro

Puerta del Sol

The busy, semicircular square that is the symbolic centre of Spain (the “Km 0” marker), home to the bear-and-strawberry-tree statue and the clock that rings in the New Year. Always buzzing.

★ 4.3

Centro

Reina Sofia

Spain’s national museum of 20th-century art, built around Picasso’s monumental Guernica, with major Dali and Miro. Free on some evenings and Sunday afternoons – check ahead.

★ 4.7

Retiro

Retiro & Literary Quarter Walk

A gentle guided walk through the Retiro park and the Barrio de las Letras – the old literary quarter where Cervantes and Lope de Vega lived – with the stories of Spain’s golden age of writing underfoot.

★ 4.6

Retiro

Retiro Park

Madrid’s glorious central park – a boating lake with a grand colonnade, the glass Crystal Palace, rose gardens and buskers. Where the whole city strolls, rows and picnics on weekends. A UNESCO-listed green heart.

★ 4.8

Centro

Room Mate Alba

A cheerful, colourful design hotel from the Room Mate group, moments from Puerta del Sol and the tapas of Huertas. Friendly, well priced and bang in the centre.

★ 4.5

Centro

Royal Botanical Garden

A tranquil 18th-century botanical garden right beside the Prado – terraces of herbs, roses and towering trees, a lovely green escape from the museum crowds for a small fee.

★ 4.6

Centro

Royal Palace of Madrid

The vast, opulent official residence of the Spanish crown (used for ceremonies) – gilded throne rooms, frescoed ceilings and an armoury, with the cathedral and gardens alongside. Book ahead to skip the queue.

★ 4.7

Centro

Royal Palace Skip-the-Line Tour

Skip the queue and tour the opulent Royal Palace with a guide – the throne room, the royal armoury and the frescoed halls – with the centuries of Spanish royal history that fill them.

★ 4.6

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Madrid travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Madrid?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Madrid at a relaxed pace. See our Madrid itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Madrid?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Madrid guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Madrid?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay. Or read our best things to do in Madrid guide.

What is the best time to visit Madrid?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Madrid is worth visiting year-round.