Top 11 Must-Do Activities in Madrid for 2025

The Spanish capital serves as a cultural and social powerhouse that draws visitors globally, many of whom return for further exploration. Madrid presents a variety of experiences that entice every traveler, particularly its vibrant nightlife that keeps many dancing until dawn.

With architectural marvels, exceptional gastronomy, renowned art museums, and even an Egyptian temple within its boundaries, Madrid delivers attractions that cater to all. Below are 11 experiences not to be overlooked during your visit.

1. Visit the Golden Triangle of Art

Madrid’s “Golden Triangle of Art” comprises three internationally recognized museums: the Museo del Prado, the Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which collectively house some of the world’s most prestigious art collections. Even for those not typically inclined towards galleries, visiting one of these institutions is a vital Madrid experience.

The Prado displays numerous masterpieces by Spanish luminaries such as Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya, and Francisco Zurbarán. The most celebrated work that attracts crowds is Velázquez’s Las Meninas, an oil on canvas regarded as one of the seminal paintings in Western art.

The Reina Sofía is the national museum of Spain focused on 20th-century art, showcasing remarkable collections from Surrealist and Cubist masters including Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso, notably featuring Picasso’s monumental anti-war painting Guernica.

The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, formerly the private collection of Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza and his son Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, exhibits nearly 1,000 paintings by celebrated European and American artists spanning the 13th to the 20th centuries, providing a genuine delight for art enthusiasts.

2. Get a taste of Spain on a traditional tapas crawl

Engaging in tapas hopping, or ir de tapas, is a national pastime that provides a delightful precursor to dinner, which in Spain is typically served between 9 PM and midnight. A tapa is a small plate of food often accompanied by a glass of wine, caña (a small beer), or vermút, a popular Spanish aperitif.

Join locals any day of the week after work, moving from one tapas bar to another while sampling a variety of Iberian hams, charcuterie, and cheeses.

Planning tip: Sundays are particularly lively for visiting Cava Baja, a bustling street in the historic La Latina neighborhood where charming bars, taverns, and restaurants create an inviting atmosphere for a leisurely tapas crawl.

3. Shop at El Rastro flea market

Every Sunday and on public holidays, you can experience a 400-year-old shopping tradition at El Rastro flea market. Operated from 9 AM to 3 PM, El Rastro extends through the La Latina neighborhood’s Plaza de Cascorro, La Ribera de Curtidores, and Ronda de Toledo, featuring a maze of open-air stalls selling clothing, souvenirs, handicrafts, antiques, and countless other treasures.

Planning tip: Many vendors prefer efectivo (cash) transactions. Ensure to have sufficient cash before heading to the market to avoid searching for an elusive ATM.

4. Follow Hemingway’s footsteps

The phrase “Hemingway did not drink here” is a common jest seen on signs in various Madrid establishments. It is well-known that the American literary icon, affectionately dubbed “Don Ernesto,” was Madrid’s adopted hedonist, enjoying drinking, dining, writing, and observing bullfights while reporting on the Spanish Civil War as a foreign journalist.

Admirers of Hemingway can retrace his path and visit some of his favored spots, including the Restaurante Botín, recognized as the world’s oldest restaurant, featuring a 16th-century cellar filled with antiquated wine bottles.

Hemingway was also a regular at La Venencia, a dimly lit sherry bar reminiscent of bygone eras, characterized by large molasses-stained wooden barrels, an antiquated cash register, and fading sepia-toned posters.

Planning tip: Refrain from attempting to take photographs inside La Venencia, as photography remains strictly prohibited, much like during the 1930s when the bar was cautious of fascist spies.

5. Watch a flamenco show

While flamenco originated in Andalucía, southern Spain, one need not travel far from Madrid to experience live performances of this iconic dance. Dinner, tapas, and beverages are generally provided throughout the show, ensuring an entertaining evening.

Visitors can enjoy these dynamic performances in popular venues such as Cardamomo and Teatro Flamenco, or opt for smaller, intimate spaces like Las Tablas, which, despite their size, attract prominent flamenco artists.

Planning tip: For a truly exclusive experience, visit the Corral de la Moreria, known for its intimate ambiance and Michelin-starred restaurant.

6. Explore Retiro Park

Parque del Buen Retiro, Madrid’s most iconic park, spans an extensive 118 hectares (292 acres) and was historically reserved for Spanish royalty and aristocracy until its public opening in the late 19th century. Known simply as “El Retiro,” it features ornate fountains, statues commemorating Spanish writers and heroes, gazebos, and outdoor cafés.

The park boasts various landscaping styles, from French-inspired manicured gardens to rugged, tree-lined paths, along with the enchanting La Rosaleda rose garden, home to over 4,000 roses that reach full bloom in May and June.

Several landmarks within the park include the grand Monument to Alfonso XII, depicting the former king atop his horse, the “Fallen Angel” statue (noted as one of the world’s few public statues of Lucifer), and Madrid’s oldest tree, planted in 1633.

Planning tip: Don’t overlook the Palacio de Cristal, an architectural wonder of iron and glass, which occasionally hosts events and beautifully reflects on the surrounding lake.

7. Stand in the center of Spain

Puerta del Sol, meaning “Gate of the Sun,” is Madrid’s bustling central square and a pivotal junction. A prominent clock adorns the principal building of the plaza, the historic Casa de Correos—now the headquarters for the Madrid regional government—where thousands gather every New Year’s Eve to consume the traditional 12 grapes just before midnight strikes.

All passages (quite literally) lead to Sol, marking it as the symbolic heart of Spain, indicated by the Kilometer Zero plaque at the foot of Casa de Correos. At the center of the plaza stands the equestrian statue of King Charles III, though overshadowed by a more famous figure located to the east—the Bear by the Madroño tree sculpture, which symbolizes Madrid’s coat of arms.

8. Tour Madrid’s iconic soccer stadiums

Spain is recognized as a soccer powerhouse, with its national teams clinching both the World Cup and European Championships while its regional clubs dominate European football.

Madrid boasts two prominent clubs, inviting soccer aficionados to tour the globally renowned stadiums—the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu for Real Madrid and the Wanda Metropolitano for Atlético de Madrid. Guided tours of the museums exhibit the teams’ trophies, jerseys through the ages, and memorabilia that narrate their illustrious histories.

9. Pull up a chair in Plaza Mayor

Located in the core of old Madrid, the stunning and expansive Plaza Mayor has historically served as the venue for various significant events, including royal ceremonies, soccer matches, outdoor markets, bullfights, and public executions during the Spanish Inquisition.

Currently, 237 balconies overlook the plaza from a three-story residential complex. While the buskers may be captivating, taking a moment to relax at one of the vibrant (if slightly expensive) cafés to admire the magnificent frescoes painted around the balconies is well worth it.

Planning tip: The plaza is also home to the city’s long-standing annual Christmas market, which has been held since 1860.

10. Wander through an Egyptian temple

Few are aware that Madrid is the site of a 2nd-century BCE Egyptian temple. Dedicated to goddess Isis and god Amun, Templo de Debod was a gesture of gratitude from the Egyptian government to Spain for its assistance in restoring the Abu Simbel temples in southern Egypt. The temple was meticulously transported and reconstructed stone by stone, opening to the public in 1972 within Madrid’s Cuartel de la Montaña Park, close to Plaza España.

Planning tip: The temple offers some of the finest panoramic views of western Madrid, especially at sunset when the walls reflect beautifully on the surrounding waters, creating spectacular photo opportunities.

11. See the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace of Madrid

Although the Spanish king and queen no longer reside at Palacio Real, it remains the official seat of the Spanish monarchy. Modeled after the Italian sculptor Bernini’s designs for the Louvre in Paris, the palace features a grand central courtyard and comprises 3,418 rooms, making it the largest active royal palace in Europe.

The biweekly changing of the guard occurs every Wednesday and Saturday; however, the more extravagant Solemn Changing of the Guard happens on the first Wednesday of each month, showcasing a parade of horses and the Spanish Royal Guard, reminiscent of the ceremonies during King Alfonso XII’s reign.