Things to do in Madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain and one of the most lively, open and vibrant cities in the whole of Europe.

If you have decided to spend a few days in this amazing town, hosted in a luxury apartment, congratulations, we are going to provide you with a list of the best things to do in Madrid:

Prado Museum

The Prado Museum  (Museo del Prado), located in the center of Madrid, is the main national art museum in Spain, renowned for having one of the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century. Unmissable!

Retiro Park

It is one of the biggest parks in the city, covering over 125 hectares and comprising more than 15,000 trees. The park used to belong to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century when it became a public park. It is a green oasis in the heart of the city and you will find all kinds of interesting monuments and gardens in it.

Royal Palace

It is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family at the city of  Madrid, although now only used for state ceremonies. The palace contains 3,418 rooms and has 135,000 square metres (1,450,000 sq ft) of floor space. It is the largest functioning Royal Palace and the largest by floor area in Europe.

Puerta del Sol

One of the most emblematic squares in Madrid. The equestrian statue of King Carlos III, which faces the beautiful 18th-century post office building called the Casa de Correos, is right in the middle. Opposite on the pavement lies a stone slab marking Kilometer Zero, where Spain’s six National Roads begin. This square is also home to the ‘Oso y el Madroño’ statue, one of the preferred meeting points by locals and foreigners.

Gran Vía

This large and lively street is one of the city’s most important shopping areas. It also contains a large number of hotels and large movie theaters. But what makes this street so special it the architectural design of many of the large lavishly-decorated buildings.

Plaza Mayor

Located in the heart of Madrid, in the historic center, the perfectly rectangular square of Plaza Mayor is the city’s main square and the point of departure for any visitor willing to discover the wonderful Madrid Old Town. It is a major attraction whether you’re looking for history, culture, and impressive architecture, or just want to walk around and catch a glimpse of madrileños’ lifestyle.

Mercado de San Miguel

Originally constructed in 1916, located in the center of Madrid, Mercado de San Miguel is the most famous market in Madrid. In 2003 it was purchased by private investors who commenced a major, expensive restoration process. It reopened in 2009, retaining its historic iron structures. Far from being a traditional market, the present-day Mercado de San Miguel is a modern gourmet venue, with more than 30 unique vendors selling a wide variety of premium local produce.

El Rastro

There are not many things as traditional and typical of Madrid as going to El Rastro, an open-air flea market set up on Sundays and public holidays on Calle Ribera de Curtidores and adjacent streets. The stalls offer all kinds of stuff, rare objects, and antiques. In the taverns and bars on the neighboring streets, you can enjoy a glass of vermouth and with a few tapas.

Reina Sofía Museum

Madrid’s 18th century hospital was beautifully remodeled and converted into a museum in 1992, with two panoramic glass lifts standing out in the façade. In 2005 it added an extension designed by French architect Jean Nouvel and its highlight is the 20th century’s most famous painting, Picasso’s «Guernica».

Templo de Debod

This might come as a shock, but there is an Egyptian temple in downtown Madrid. The temple was saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser in southern Egypt when Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser built the Aswan High Dam. After 1968 it was sent block by block to Spain as a gesture of thanks to Spanish archaeologists in the Unesco team that worked to save the monuments that would otherwise have disappeared forever.

Sala Equis

Sala Equis, known for housing a former erotic cinema, is a new cultural and multipurpose space of 700 square meters – based smack in the center of Madrid. The place combines cinema, live music, gastronomy, and activity events. One of the most interesting aspects of Sala Equis is its location. It forms part of a historic building that has persisted through time.

Matadero

This art venue, a former slaughterhouse (matadero in Spanish) in the south of Madrid is fast earning a reputation as one of the most exciting in Europe, aided by creative programming and a fiercely contemporary setting that’s as chilling as it is beautiful.  Its activities extend to all areas of the arts.