Without a question one of the most rewarding and beautiful places to visit when traveling across Europe is Spain.

While I haven’t seen all of Spain, I can speak for its two most well-known metropolises, Madrid, and Barcelona. We’ll get to Barcelona soon enough, but let’s talk about Madrid.

Though it lacks the sea coast and beaches of Barcelona, Madrid - which is apparently a lot bigger in size and population (I totally thought it was the opposite when I visited both cities, but there you have it!) - is equally as beautiful, and just as - if not even more - alive.

Teeming with tourists, locals, residents, and visitors, this city is full of festivities, markets, historic sites (i.e. churches, museums, The Royal Palace), eateries, night clubs, shopping malls, you name it.

There are also plenty of outdoor gardens, and quiet, narrow streets & alleyways. If you’re someone who, like me, loves to get lost and check out every nook and cranny of the cities you visit, this is a great place to drop by.

So I’m going to stop rambling, and let’s just jump right into it. Here are six must see sites and activities for you to experience while you’re visiting Madrid.

Anyways, yeah, The Prado Museum is considered to be this gigantic treasure trove of European art, housing works by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco, among others. If you’re not into art (which is like… why are you then visiting Europe?), you’re not going to be into any museum or art gallery that I recommend.

If you are however into art, then you can’t miss this.

And now we move on to…

2. Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor: Hearts of the City

Both of these are public squares in the heart of Madrid. They’re awesome, especially if you’re visiting during times of the year when it’s warmer because there’s a bit of greenery and some fountains as well. I mean, anytime of the year really works because these squares are beautiful architecturally - just if I had to choose when to visit, I’d probably choose the spring or summer.

Anyways, Puerta del Sol is considered to be the geographical center of Spain, and if you look on the map of Spain, you will see that Puerta del Sol really does fall pretty much dead center in the middle of the country. Not something I knew when I visited, but still very cool!

It’s also the midpoint of the Spanish radial network of roads, so… a bunch of stuff that you probably won’t think too much about when you’re visiting, and still interesting to know about.

Puerta del Sol is not only a lively hub for events like concerts, theatrical performances, and operas, but it’s also a great place to do either a guided tour, or just a general leisurely stroll. It has tons of picturesque architecture, and if you like people watching, then this is a great spot to do so because it’s almost always busy and pulsating with lots of energy. Again, if you’re an artist of any sort (i.e. a drawer, a painter, a writer, a photographer, or a filmmaker) then you’ll get a lot of inspiration here. It’s a lovely place to take photos, journal, and draw.

Photo by Alejandro Cartagena 🇲🇽🏳‍🌈 on Unsplash

Plaza Mayor, on the other hand, is located only a few blocks away from Puerta del Sol, and it used to be the center of Old Madrid, when it was a market, apparently all the way back in the 1560s (when King Philip III reigned).

Anyways, in this square there are tons of outdoor cafes and restaurants where you can sit down and have a drink - albeit it a slightly expensive one since its a touristy spot, but it’s something that’s still fun to do -, shop the Christmas Markets (if you’re there during the winter), have some tapas (for those of you unfamiliar with what those are, they’re smaller appetizers and snacks in Spanish cuisine), and perhaps experience a movie under the stars, as I did when I was there in May, 2019 (don’t remember what the movie was, I just remember there was an outdoor screen… and a commercial about women’s rights… I’m pretty sure they also set up a stage for a live concert at one point).

Tons of stuff to do at both of these squares, and there’s a reason why they’re located so close to one another at the very center of Madrid: because they’re very lively spots that act as the main sources of outdoor entertainment for the city. So don’t skip out on them!

3. Royal Palace of Madrid: Majestic Grandeur

This is like the Versailles of Madrid. It too was once the residence of the Spanish royal family, although my research tells me that it’s now supposedly only used for state ceremonies. Either way, it’s a must see attraction when you visit here.

A symbol of Spain’s royal history, this palace contains opulent rooms, lavish gardens, and panoramic views of the city that you can explore from the castle grounds - for about €14 (approx. $15 USD or $20 CAD), or €7 (approx. $7-8 USD, or $10 CAD) if you’re a student holding accreditation up to 25 years of age with an updated national or international student card. You can read more about this on the website, where you can see that during certain times of the year, there are free days you could visit, as well as guided tours for an additional €6 (approx. $9 CAD or $6-7 USD) or so.

Whilst at the palace, you can explore the near-perfectly preserved, gilded interior, which includes the royal halls, the fresco ceilings, the throne room, The Gasparini Salon - arguably the most beautiful room in the entire palace, which is really saying something because they’re all stunning and beautifully ornamented -, the royal armoury, and tons more.

This again is one of those places that I forgot to nab tickets to when I visited Madrid my first (and so far only) time (though that’ll change), and when I return (which will be in the near future, hopefully), I will no doubt see this place first thing - it sounds (and looks) that worth it.

The prices are beyond reasonable for the experience you’re getting, and compared to Versailles, they’re actually quite cheap. So there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have room for this in your spending plan, especially because it’s a must-see attraction when you visit there (I know, I’m being a hypocrite… learn from my mistakes and don’t miss out on the best that this city has to offer!).

4. Retiro Park: Serene Oasis Inside Madrid

Gentlemen, here’s another location I don’t recall visiting that you absolutely MUST drop in on - I know, what the hell was I doing in Madrid, right?

This place is called Retiro Park, and if you want to take a stroll through there - which I highly recommend you do to check out the gorgeous sights - then it’s absolutely free.

If, however, you want to rent a rowboat on the lake, then it’s currently €6 per person on weekdays, and €8 per person on weekends and holidays.

Photo by Manuel Barroso Parejo on Unsplash

Because much of Spain is a desert, parks like this are like a green oasis in the heart of the country. Even just walking through the manicured gardens, and visiting notable landmarks like the Crystal Palace offer a stunning and eye popping retreat, not just for relaxation, but for photography, art, writing, and whatever else makes you passionate about history and creativity.

I mention history because this park is several hundred years old, according to my research. Having opened its doors in 1680, it used to belong to the Spanish monarchy until 1868, when it became public.

It’s now officially a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s located right next to the Prado Museum, so you can easily access both attractions in one visit.

It’s also located just a five to ten minute walk away from one of the city’s main boulevards - a kind of Champs-Élysées for Madrid - called Paseo del Prado, again an unmissable activity lined with gardens, museums, five-star hotels, and public squares from North to South.

So yeah, one of the best things to do when visiting Madrid is to check out this park. You won’t regret it.

5. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: Eclectic Art Collection

This museum complements the Prado and Reina Sofia, offering a broad collection of over 1600 artworks spanning centuries.

From medieval to modern art, walking through the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum provides a comprehensive journey through art history.

Located near the Prado Museum - this is one of the galleries I referred to above on the Paseo del Prado -, it’s part of what’s known as the “Golden Triangle of Art”, which comprises the aforementioned exhibitions as well as the Reina Sofia National Gallery.

What’s cool about this museum is that it fills in the historical gaps lacking in the other two galleries - i.e. Italian Renaissance paintings from the 13th century, artworks from the English, German, and Dutch schools, impressionism, etc.

Anyways, if you’re not a museum buff, then again, this will probably be a waste of your time. But if you’re someone like me who loves walking through art galleries and exploring artworks as well as learning about history, then this place is important to visit.

General tickets cost €13, while student tickets cost about €9. If you’re unemployed, have a youth transport pass, or a youth card, then you can likely get in for free. There are also some group discounts that you can check out here on the website.

6. Tapas Tour in La Latina & Mercado de San Miguel: Culinary Exploration

Now onto one of my favourite parts about being in Spain - and an aspect of Madrid I personally have some experience with.

Tapas! For those of you unfamiliar with what tapas are, they’re like small appetizers in Spanish cuisine. The best part about them is that if you’re super hungry, you can combine a bunch of them into a full course meal - that’s what I did on several occasions when I was in Madrid.

Tapas are not only super affordable; they’re also delicious - if you go to the right restaurants, tapas bars, and markets to get them, that is!

One of my favorite markets to visit in Madrid is Mercado de San Miguel, which has everything from sushi, to seafood, to tapas, pastries, and more. As a matter of fact, I remember going here pretty much every afternoon and / or evening for lunch and / or dinner. Yup, I just ate tapas all day - that’s how inexpensive they are, and delicious too!

Inside Mercado de San Miguel - as you can see, this place has everything.

Just one of the MANY tapas dishes that I ordered at the market.

Also, just on a side note, you MUST try some churros dipped in chocolate while you’re here; there’s a really good place that’s literally a three minute walk from the market called Chocolatería San Ginés that has the most delicious churros dipped in warm, melted chocolate you’ll ever have. It’s also just a stunning and unique looking cafe (built in 1894) to sit down in.

Me holding a churro at Chocolatería San Ginés.

Me about to dip that churro into chocolate.

Anyways, back to tapas. Not far from the aforementioned Mercado de San Miguel - about an eight minute walk - you can experience Madrid's gastronomic delights by embarking on a tapas tour in the vibrant La Latina neighborhood. This neighborhood consists of narrow pathways lined with tapas bars, cantinas (wine shops), as well as landmarks like the San Francisco el Grande Basilica, the San Pedro el Real church, and the outdoor El Rastro flea market. Sample a variety of tapas dishes in local bars, paired with traditional Spanish wines. It's a culinary adventure that immerses you in the city's food culture.

***BONUS TIP: Unlocking the Spiritual Splendour of Madrid's Historic Churches

This one is kind of obvious as it applies to pretty much every city you visit in Europe, but I’m going to recommend you visit some churches while in Madrid.

I visited La Almudena Cathedral - the one in the picture above -, which is right next to the Royal Palace and is arguably the must-see of all of them on this list, as well as either the Iglesia De San Manuel Y San Benito, or the Iglesia De San Jerónimo El Real - I can’t quite remember which one.

At any rate, La Almudena Cathedral was free - they ask for a donation of €1 and that’s it - and stunning. I remember making a donation at the front, and that wasn’t necessary.

Just like any other church, the ones I mentioned include lots of artwork, ornamentation, sculptures, tombs, coloured / stained windows, and beautiful architecture. So again, if you’re into art, there’s plenty to see here.

Some of the best churches to visit in Madrid other than the ones I just mentioned include Parroquia de la Santa Cruz, Basílica de la Concepción de Nuestra Señora, Basilica of San Francisco El Grande, and Iglesia de San Sebastián.

There’s so many of them, guys, that I recommend you just pull out Google Maps on your phone, look up churches, and see where they all are. You obviously aren’t going to visit every single one of them in one visit, and look up the ones that seem the most gorgeous and stop over at those ones.

None of them are overly expensive, and many of them are free - specifically if you visit on certain days of the week - so don’t worry about overspending.

That about wraps it up for this one. Thank you again for reading my articles. If you find value in my blog posts, feel free to like or comment down below, or on our social channels: Facebook, Twitter - X, and Instagram. Your support means a lot, and we want you to keep coming back and getting more valuable insights from our content.

See you all next week! Stay resilient out there.

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