Museums~€15
Prado Museum
Paseo del Prado
One of the world’s greatest collections of European painting, with Velázquez and Goya at its heart.
- Suggested time: 2h 30m
- Booking recommended
Daily, roughly 10:00–20:00; shorter hours on Sundays and holidays
Things to do in Madrid
11 places, 5 of them free. World-class art, grand boulevards and a city that stays up late.
Must SeeFree
Retiro Park
Retiro
Madrid’s green heart, with a boating lake, rose garden and a glass Crystal Palace.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
Daily, roughly 6:00–midnight (earlier closing in winter)
Must See€13–€14
Royal Palace of Madrid
Palacio
A vast, opulent palace with over a thousand rooms, of which the grandest are open to visitors.
- Suggested time: 1h 30m
- Booking recommended
Daily, roughly 10:00–18:00 (to 19:00 in summer); check for closures
Museums~€12
Reina Sofía Museum
Atocha
Modern and contemporary art, and home to Picasso’s Guernica.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- Booking recommended
Most days, roughly 10:00–21:00; closed Tuesdays (check the calendar)
MarketsFree
Mercado de San Miguel
Centro
A glass-and-iron market hall turned tapas playground near Plaza Mayor.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
Daily, roughly 10:00–midnight
ViewpointsFree
Templo de Debod at Sunset
Parque del Oeste
An authentic Egyptian temple rebuilt in a Madrid park, glowing at golden hour.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
Open-air park; temple interior open limited days, typically closed Mondays
MarketsFree
El Rastro Flea Market
La Latina
Madrid’s sprawling Sunday street market, full of antiques, vintage finds and bar-hopping locals.
- Suggested time: 2 hrs
- No booking needed
Sundays and public holidays, roughly 9:00–15:00
Day Trips~€25
Toledo Day Trip
Toledo (about 70 km)
A hilltop medieval city of cathedral, synagogues and mosques, 30 minutes by fast train.
- Suggested time: Full day
- Booking recommended
Most monuments open daily, roughly 10:00–18:00
NightlifeFree
Malasaña After Dark
Malasaña
Madrid’s alternative neighbourhood of vintage shops, indie bars and late-night dancing.
- Suggested time: 3 hrs
- No booking needed
Bars typically open from late afternoon until early morning
Viewpoints~€5
Círculo de Bellas Artes Rooftop
Centro
A rooftop terrace with a sweeping city panorama, ideal for a sunset drink.
- Suggested time: 1 hr
- No booking needed
Daily, roughly 10:00–late; rooftop access limited by weather
Food & Drink€6–€12
Churros con Chocolate at San Ginés
Centro
The classic Madrid treat: crisp churros and thick hot chocolate, served nearly around the clock.
- Suggested time: 45 min
- No booking needed
Open long hours daily, including late night; check the website
Planning Madrid?