All the cool things to do in Madrid in one place ✨
Welcome to Madrid, Spain’s lively capital, where historic landmarks go hand-in-hand with trendy neighborhoods. There’s something for every kind of traveler in this cosmopolitan city.
Dive into a delicious culinary scene, go museum-hopping, or cycle past iconic landmarks. With so much to see and experience, we’ve curated this guide of cool things to do in Madrid so you can make the most of your time in the Spanish capital.
Food Trips & Cooking Classes 🧑🍳
One of the cool things to do in Madrid is to go on a gastronomic journey. You can enjoy Spanish tapas culture.
Tapas refers to flavourful snacks eaten throughout the day between big meals. You’ll find plenty of bars and taverns around the city that offer these alongside their alcoholic beverage menus.
The beauty of tapas culture is that you get to indulge in delicious food while in great company.
If you’d love an intimate tour through Madrid’s famous marketplaces and culinary districts, consider trying out this Tapas & Wine Tasting Tour. You’ll get to explore hidden gems with a local guide and cap off the day with delicious cocktails.
Craving something more than tapas? This Antón Martín Market Half-Day might be the one for you. You can savor the city’s culinary delights in just a few hours in this local market.
Now, if you’re a foodie who loves trying out new recipes, you might want to consider learning to cook your favorite tapas in this Tapas Cooking Class. You’ll even get to make a dessert and a glass of sangria to go with it!
Museums & Art Galleries 🏛️🖼️
If tasting Spanish cuisine has you hungry for more, spending a day in one of Madrid’s world-class museums is a sure way to fall deeper in love with the city.
Get a taste of history in the modern at Madrid’s Paseo del Arte.
When it comes to museums, you shouldn’t miss out on Madrid’s Paseo del Arte. Paseo del Arte is known as Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art and is home to three of the city’s major museums. If you book on Klook, you can skip the line and get entry to all three museums with a single pass!
Discover centuries of art at the Thyssen.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum is the first museum you should stop by at the Paseo del Arte. The Thyssen houses historic Italian art pieces, Impressionist and Expressionist paintings, and 20th-century American and European paintings. Marvel at the works of Munch, Monet, van Gogh, and more.
There are almost 1000 sculptures at the Prado Art Museum. | Wikimedia
The next museum at the Paseo del Arte is probably the most famous museum in the triangle: the Prado Art Museum. It's a massive space, home to the single best collection of Spanish art, as well as to paintings from famous masters like Goya, Velázquez, and Rembrandt.
A piece of Picasso’s Guernica is at the Reina Sofia.
End your Paseo del Arte trip with a visit to the Reina Sofia Art Gallery. The Reina Sofia is Madrid’s museum dedicated to Spanish Expressionist and Impressionist art. Be amazed at the works of Spain’s three greatest 20th-century masters: Dali, Miro, and Picasso.
Feel like royalty when you step into the Royal Palace. | Jack Cousin on Flickr
And finally, the list of cool things to do in Madrid won’t be complete without the Royal Palace of Madrid!
As the official residence of the Spanish royal family with over 3000 intricately decorated rooms, the sheer size and extravagance of the place are enough to wow visitors. Besides, who wouldn’t want to live like royalty for a day?
Klook Tip: Indoor attractions like the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace of Madrid may close for maintenance so make sure to check out their official websites before booking your tickets!
Parks & Outdoor Tours 🌳
Time to bask in the sun for some outdoor fun (and Vitamin D)!
At the heart of El Retiro, you can rent a boat to paddle, sunbathe, or just take in the sights.
First on the list is Madrid’s famous El Retiro Park. The sprawling El Retiro Park is home to designated UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Crystal Palace, known locally as the Palacio de Cristal. More than just a gorgeous place to snap photos, you can also find temporary art exhibits here, as it is owned by Reina Sofia!
You can go on this El Retiro Park guided walking tour if you want to make sure you see all that El Retiro Park has to offer.
Watch where you’re stepping - there might be famous literary quotes engraved there! | Wikimedia
Speaking of history, you shouldn’t miss out on Madrid’s historic literary quarter, Barrio de las Letras. This guided walking tour will take you through the house-turned-museum of renowned playwright and poet Lope de Vega.
Another nature park you shouldn’t miss is Faunia. This park and zoo lets you get up close with exotic animals and themed habitats for a fun, educational escape!
Looking to visit more tourist spots while saving money? Consider taking a highlights tour of Madrid!
You can take a panoramic tour of the city with a hop-on hop-off bus that takes you to see both the historical and modern sides of Madrid, making you experience the best of both worlds!
For a hands-on way to explore Madrid, hop on a bike tour from the city center to cruise past landmarks like the Royal Palace of Madrid, Almudena Cathedral, Plaza Mayor, and the lively Las Letras district.
Prefer to take it easy? A tuk-tuk tour lets you see the city up close while staying cool, or join a walking tour that strolls from Puerta del Sol to the Temple of Debod, blending history, culture, and local charm in every step.
Sports & Entertainment ⚽️🎥
Calling all football fans, this one’s for you!
Madrid’s football culture comes alive inside the Bernabeu Stadium!
You can now visit the Bernabéu Stadium, one of the most famous football venues in the world and the home stadium of Real Madrid FC.
Celebrate the triumphs of the world’s most famous football club through an interactive museum tour in the Bernabeu Stadium, where you can revisit the legacies of famous players and coaches. You can even find all of the club’s trophies there!
Klook Tip: If you’re going on a match day, you can purchase Real Madrid match tickets on Klook! No need to worry about getting those seats anymore. 😉
The Wax Museum has themed settings that make you feel like you’re part of the action.
If you’re a lover of pop culture, this Wax Museum tour lets you get up close and personal with Spain’s historical figures, movie stars, sports icons, and favorite fictional characters! Perfect for endless photo ops!
Experience your first flamenco in Madrid!
Looking for some upbeat tunes? Get to know more about Madrid’s music scene when you watch a flamenco show! If you’ve never heard of flamenco before and don’t know where to start, read this guide to know about the must-see flamenco shows in Madrid.
FAQs
What are some unique things to do in Madrid?
Catch sunset views from the rooftop of Círculo de Bellas Artes, wander the centuries-old stalls of El Rastro flea market, and savor tapas hopping through the historic lanes of La Latina.
What is Madrid best known for?
Madrid is best known for its royal heritage at Royal Palace of Madrid, world-class art at Museo del Prado, and its lively culture of late-night dining and tapas.
What is the hippest area of Madrid?
The hippest neighborhood in Madrid is widely considered Malasaña, a trendy district packed with indie boutiques, vintage shops, street art, and buzzing cafés.
What non-touristy things to do in Madrid?
For a more local side of Madrid, stroll through the green paths of Casa de Campo, browse neighborhood markets like Mercado de la Cebada, or relax with locals in Parque del Oeste.
Visit multiple attractions using a single pass with the Klook Pass Madrid 🌟
Skip the hassle of purchasing multiple tickets for different attractions using the Klook Pass Madrid! With one pass, you can get entry to 3 to 6 activities of your choice including the Prado Museum, the Bernabeu Stadium and Museum, and a tour of Toledo and Segovia.
Valid for 30 days, the pass lets you explore at your own pace while saving up to 52% compared to individual tickets. Fuss-free travel made easy! 😉
![[US] Madrid Public Transport](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_550,h_356/v1764343387/zjk0sr6gljldpohoxqyy.jpg)
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
