Madrid is a melting pot of experiences. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning traveler, there are always many things to do in this city! To help you make an itinerary, we’ve made a list of the top sights in Madrid you should see at least once. Though it won’t be surprising if you’ll find yourself wanting to come back to them!
1. Plaza Mayor
Watch Plaza Mayor come to life | Photo by Sebastian Dubiel on Wikimedia Commons
Your first stop is in the heart of Madrid de los Austrias, the oldest part of the city. The historic Plaza Mayor has seen it all, from royal ceremonies to public festivals. It’s one of the top sights in Madrid that continues to draw in crowds, local and foreign, with everything it has to offer.
The plaza is bordered by magnificent Castilian-style buildings with grand arched entrances. You don’t need to be an architect to appreciate them! And inside are restaurants, bakeries, and whatnot that’ll serve you local specialties. Grab a table, enjoy some tapas, and people-watch from your seat.
If you want to know more of the plaza’s history, we recommend booking the Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace of Madrid walking tour, where you can learn from an expert guide. And don’t worry, the Royal Palace is just a few minutes away by foot so it won’t be a hassle at all.
For a deeper dive into Plaza Mayor, check out this article:
2. The Golden Triangle of Art
The world-class Reina Sofia filled with 20th-century art | Photo by Wojtek Gurak on Flickr
Next is one of the most interesting Madrid sights to see: the Golden Triangle of Art! As the name suggests it’s a trio of world-renowned art museums that each have an impressive curation of works. The buildings’ designs are also worth admiring.
And the best part? They’re all walking distance from each other! If you want to immerse yourself in Madrid’s collection of Spanish and international art while getting easy steps in, this is for you.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
“Guernica” by Pablo Picasso | Photo from Wikimedia Commons
The Reina Sofía Museum dedicates its halls to 20th-century art. Take a look at Pablo Picasso’s anti-war masterpiece Guernica in all its glory! There’s also Salvador Dalí’s surrealist oil painting The Great Masturbator and Joan Miró’s nostalgic House with Palm Tree. These works will certainly leave an impression on you.
But wait, the best part of this museum is that its library has more than 100,000 resources and is FREE access to all!
Museo Nacional del Prado
Admire well-curated collections at the Prado | Photo by losmininos on Flickr
The Prado Museum is known to be a museum of painters. It features a huge collection of works from Spanish masters such as Saturn Devouring His Son by Francisco Goya and Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. You can also find The Garden of Earthly Delights by Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch. If you gasped after reading that, so did we.
Fun Fact: In some cases, there are more than a hundred works from each artist displayed in the museum.
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
“Woman with a Parasol in a Garden” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir | Photo by Sailko on Wikimedia Commons
Once the private collection of a baron,the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum now houses over 1,000 paintings at the beautiful Palacio de Villahermosa. Its collection spans 700 years, from Europe to the Americas.
Admire works such as Caravaggio’s compelling Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s gorgeous Woman with a Parasol in a Garden, and André Derain’s mesmerizing Waterloo Bridge, among many others.
As one, well, three of the top sights of Madrid, visiting these museums will be a cultural treat! Even if it isn’t your first time, they showcase seasonal exhibits, so there’s always something to look forward to.
3. El Retiro Park
Discover the wonders of Madrid’s largest park | Photo by Jo Kassis on Pexels
Once exclusive to the aristocracy, El Retiro Park is one of Madrid’s best sightseeing places, stretching over 292 acres.
People from all over come here to take strolls and admire the landscape. Walk through rose gardens and French-style lawns decorated with ornate fountains and imposing monuments. The main event is the majestic sight of Palacio de Cristal (or Crystal Palace) in front of the lake.
Take an El Retiro guided walking tour so you don’t miss out on any of the park’s prettiest spots. Plus, learn about how it all came together!
4. Tapas Spots
Experience the social tradition of sharing tapas with others
All this touring will certainly make one hungry. And what’s a trip to Madrid without enjoying the local cuisine? We’ve chosen this tapas crawl tour for you to go on!
This join-in tour will have you experience the tradition of picoteo, grazing from shared plates. Indulge in mouthwatering tapas paired with cold draft beer or local wines. You’ll stop at multiple bodegas and restaurants that are all close to each other, so it will be an easy exploration.
This will be an immersive, gastronomic experience. We’re counting this as one of the top sights in Madrid because the tapas will certainly be a feast for your eyes (and tummy).
5. Flamenco Show
Feel the fiery passion of an intimate flamenco show
Your last stop is a flamenco show, a must-see while you’re in Spain! This one in particular is directed by Flamenco Critic Award winner El Mistela, known for preserving the craft’s authenticity.
You’ll be greeted with a welcome drink and a short pre-show talk about flamenco’s history. Then, 5 renowned artists will perform inches away from you! It’s an intimate yet lively setting. Plus it’s all set in an 1850s vaulted brick cave, perfect for acoustics. This is what a real flamenco show is all about!
FAQs for top sights in Madrid
What is the number one attraction in Madrid?
THE top sight in Madrid is the Royal Palace of Madrid, visited by more than 1 million people each year. It’s Europe’s largest royal palace!
What sight shouldn't you miss in Madrid?
Aside from the ones on our list, we also recommend you check out Puerta del Sol, Spain’s bustling center, and San Miguel Market, a gourmet paradise.
What is Madrid famous for?
Madrid is the vibrant capital of Spain, home to world-class art museums, the legendary football team of Real Madrid, the historical Plaza Mayor, and much more!
Where should I go for the first time in Madrid?
If it’s your first time visiting Madrid, prioritize the Royal Palace of Madrid, Plaza Mayor, the Golden Triangle of Art, and El Retiro Park.
The Royal Palace of Madrid in all its glory
Madrid awaits you!
These are only a few of the best places to see in Madrid, but we hope planning a Spain trip sounds even more exciting now! We highly recommend you get a Klook Pass Madrid, which will give you easy access to many of these sights under one ticket. Plus, get a Spain eSIM to help you navigate.
Have a fun trip!
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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.
