Top things to visit in Madrid: ultimate guide for first-time visitors

Madrid is a vibrant city where history, culture, and modern life come together, making it an incredible destination for first-time visitors. From grand royal palaces and historic squares to world-class museums and lively food markets, the Spanish capital offers something for everyone. In this guide, you’ll find the top must-visit attractions, from iconic landmarks like Plaza Mayor and Gran Vía to hidden gems that showcase the city's unique charm. I’ll also share food recommendations so you can experience Madrid’s famous cuisine, from traditional tapas to mouth-watering churros. Whether you're a history lover, a foodie, or simply looking to soak in the city’s atmosphere, this guide will help you make the most of your trip!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, this helps me keep this site running.

2 days: Just enough time to see the highlights, including the Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and bustling city squares.

3-4 days: A perfect mix of sightseeing, culture, and food, with time to explore different neighbourhoods and enjoy Madrid’s nightlife.

5+ days: An in-depth experience with day trips to nearby cities like Toledo, Segovia, Cuenca or even Valencia.

We bought tickets for a week, first spending two nights in Cuenca, then heading to Madrid, where we managed to visit Valencia and Toledo on day trips.

If you're arriving in Madrid via Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, you have several options to reach the city centre. One of the most convenient and cost-effective ways is by using public transport. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate your way smoothly.

By train from Terminal 4. If you arrive at Terminal 4 (T4), the fastest option is taking the Cercanías Renfe commuter train. Take the C1 or C10 train to Nuevos Ministerios (around 15-20 minutes). The ticket costs €2.60. Trains run every 15-20 minutes from 06:00 to 23:30. Once at Nuevos Ministerios, you can switch to the Madrid Underground to reach your final destination.

By underground from all terminals. For those arriving at Terminals T1, T2, or T3, or who prefer the underground over the train, the Underground Line 8 is a great alternative. The ticket costs €5.00 (€2.00 fare + €3.00 airport supplement). Unlike other underground lines, Line 8 includes an additional airport supplement of €3.00. This ticket only covers your journey on Line 8, meaning if you transfer at Nuevos Ministerios to another underground line, you’ll need to buy a new standard underground ticket.

By taxi. A flat rate of €40.00 applies for trips between the airport and central Madrid. Alternatively, you can pre-book a private transfer via GetTransfer. This way, you won’t have to negotiate with taxi drivers at the airport, and the prices are fixed, meaning there’s no risk of being overcharged.

By bus. The Airport Express Bus operates 24/7 and costs €5.00.

Budget travellers: Stay in Lavapiés or Malasaña for affordable hostels (The Loft House and The Hat), budget hotels (Life Gran Via Design, Tribu Malasaña, and Ibis Styles Maravillas), and a vibrant, local atmosphere.

Middle-range: Chueca and Salamanca offer stylish boutique hotels (Villa de la Reina, Only YOU, and URSO Hotel & Spa) and well-rated Airbnbs, perfect for comfort and convenience.

Luxury: For a high-end stay, choose Retiro or Gran Vía, where you’ll find five-star hotels with stunning views and top-tier amenities (The Principal Madrid, Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid, and The Madrid EDITION) .

Madrid has an excellent and efficient public transport system, making it easy to get around the city. Here’s a quick guide to the main transport options:

• Madrid’s metro is one of the best ways to travel across the city quickly and comfortably. With 12 lines covering almost all areas of the city, it’s an efficient way to reach key attractions. We used the multi-card, which we bought on our first day and topped up with trips as needed. The multi-card is a non-personal, contactless and rechargeable public transport card, which lasts for ten years and can be used to hold tickets. The metro generally runs from 6:00 AM to 1:30 AM every day, with trains arriving every few minutes during peak hours. The main metro lines —1, 2, 3 — pass through the city centre, making it easy to navigate to the main attractions.
• The bus network in Madrid is extensive, covering areas that the metro may not reach. Buses are an excellent option for areas outside the city centre or for a scenic journey through the streets. However, we never actually got the chance to ride a bus. Bus tickets can be bought directly from the driver (cash only, exact change needed) or via a Metrobús card (the same as the metro). Most buses run from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM, with night buses ("búhos") operating after hours. While buses can be a slower option due to traffic, they offer great routes for sightseeing!
• You can also tour the main attractions on a double-decker sightseeing bus. It's a great option for those who aren't fond of walking or prefer to listen to an audio guide while enjoying the view from the bus.

Our first stop in Madrid was the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. We were incredibly lucky that a match was scheduled during our time in the city, so we headed straight there as soon as we got back from Cuenca. We managed to buy tickets on the official club website just an hour before kick-off, as the ticket offices were closed that day. If a match doesn’t align with your visit, don’t worry — you can still take a tour of the stadium on any day when there isn’t a game. Our friend, a Real Madrid fan, even though he had been to the match, didn’t miss the chance to do the stadium tour as well.

The next day, we went for a walk around the city centre. One of Madrid’s most famous squares, Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun) is a central meeting point and a symbol of the city’s energy. It is home to Madrid’s iconic clock tower, where thousands gather every New Year’s Eve to eat twelve grapes at midnight — a Spanish tradition for good luck.

Kilómetro Cero (Kilometre Zero) marks the starting point of Spain’s national road network. All distances from Madrid are measured from here! It is a popular tourist spot—many people take photos while standing on it, symbolically being at the "centre" of Spain.

El Oso y el Madroño (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree) represents Madrid’s coat of arms. The bear symbolises the strength and resilience of Madrid, while the strawberry tree (madroño) represents the fertile lands around the city. There’s a theory that the statue refers to a medieval dispute over land between Madrid’s church and the city council.

Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s most famous and historic squares, dating back to the 16th century during the reign of Philip III, whose statue stands proudly in the centre. The square has suffered three major fires throughout history (in 1631, 1672, and 1790), each time being rebuilt with its characteristic uniform red façades and arcades. The square is surrounded by traditional Spanish restaurants, including some of the best places to try bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich), a Madrid speciality!

Mercado de San Miguel is one of Madrid’s most famous gastronomic markets, located just a stone’s throw from Plaza Mayor. The market is a must-visit spot for food lovers, offering a variety of Spanish tapas, fresh seafood, Iberian ham, and delicious pastries. It was built in 1916 and is one of the few iron-structured markets still standing in Madrid, giving it a unique architectural charm.

Unlike many historic cathedrals in Spain, Almudena Cathedral is relatively modern, as its construction began in 1883 and was only completed in 1993! Visitors can climb to the dome for breathtaking panoramic views of Madrid’s skyline! It was consecrated by Pope John Paul II—making it the first Spanish cathedral to receive a papal blessing. In 2004, the cathedral hosted the wedding of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, making it a major royal and religious landmark.

Palacio Real de Madrid (The Royal Palace of Madrid) is the largest royal palace in Europe by floor area, covering 135,000 square metres with over 3,400 rooms! Despite its grandeur, the Spanish royal family does not live here — they reside in the smaller Palacio de la Zarzuela, while the Royal Palace is used for state ceremonies. Inside, the palace boasts frescoes by famous artists like Goya, Velázquez, and Tiepolo. It houses one of the most important Stradivarius violin collections in the world!

Plaza de España is one of Madrid’s largest and most famous squares, located at the western end of Gran Vía. The centrepiece of the square is the Monumento a Cervantes, a grand monument dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes, the legendary Spanish writer. It features statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, the famous characters from his novel Don Quixote, standing in front of Cervantes himself.

Our walk that day was interrupted by rain, but the next day we continued exploring the city centre, starting with Gran Vía.

Gran Vía is often called “Madrid’s Broadway” or “The Spanish Fifth Avenue” due to its theatres, shopping, and nightlife. It was built between 1910 and 1929 as part of an urban renewal project to modernize the city. The street is lined with stunning early 20th-century buildings, featuring styles from Art Deco to Neo-Baroque. Some of the most famous buildings include:

• Metropolis Building (1911) – one of the most photographed landmarks, topped with a golden-winged statue.
• Telefónica Building (1929) – Madrid’s first skyscraper and at the time of construction the tallest building in Europe at 89 meters.
• Capitol Building (1933) – famous for its Schweppes neon sign, an iconic Madrid image.

Plaza de Cibeles is one of Madrid’s most beautiful and iconic squares, located at the intersection of Gran Vía, Paseo del Prado, and Calle de Alcalá. It is named after the Cibeles Fountain (Fuente de Cibeles), which features the Roman goddess Cybele (Cibeles in Spanish), symbolising earth, fertility, and the city’s strength. The fountain, built in 1782, was originally used as a water source for Madrid’s citizens and later became a symbol of the city. Today, it is famous for Real Madrid celebrations—whenever the football team wins a major title, fans gather here, and players place a scarf on the goddess statue!

Retiro Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in Madrid, covering 125 hectares of lush greenery and tranquil spots right in the heart of the city. It was originally created in the 17th century as a royal retreat for King Philip IV and later opened to the public in 1868. Built in 1887, the Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal) was inspired by London’s Crystal Palace and now houses art exhibitions. It’s one of the park’s most photographed spots! The Retiro Lake is a man-made lake where you can rent rowing boats for a relaxing ride. The view of the Monumento a Alfonso XII with its towering column and statues is spectacular from the water. One of the park’s most stunning features is La Rosaleda, the Rose Garden, which is a beautifully landscaped area filled with over 4,000 roses of different varieties.

I would definitely dedicate one day to Madrid's museums, as there is so much to see in them. The Golden Triangle of Art is made up of Madrid's three most renowned and culturally significant museums, all nestled along the picturesque Paseo del Prado. Together, they create one of the world’s foremost cultural destinations. To learn more about exploring these incredible museums, check out this article.

Taberna La Española is a traditional Madrid tavern located in the heart of the city. The venue offers a wide range of dishes from Spanish cuisine, including tapas, paella, and entrecot. We visited the tavern to try the famous huevos rotos for breakfast. This dish consists of fried eggs served with potatoes and various toppings, such as jamón serrano or chistorra.

Here, you can also enjoy other iconic Spanish dishes like bocadillos (traditional sandwiches filled with cured meats, meats, or fish), patatas bravas (fried potatoes served with a spicy sauce), and tortillas españolas (tortillitas), a Spanish-style omelette made with potatoes and onions.

The prices are quite reasonable, and the place has plenty of seating, making it great for groups. However, due to the high demand, orders can sometimes take a little longer to prepare.

Chocolatería San Ginés is a classic spot in Madrid, renowned for its delicious churros con chocolate. Located in the heart of the city, this iconic establishment has been serving locals and tourists alike for over a century. We visited for breakfast one morning and ordered their famous churros along with a coffee. The churros were perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, served alongside a rich, thick hot chocolate for dipping — a true Madrid tradition.

Due to its popularity, Chocolatería San Ginés often has queues, especially later in the day. To avoid the crowds, I recommend arriving early in the morning. For a unique experience, you can also sit downstairs in their charming basement area. The space has a cosy, authentic atmosphere, adding to the overall experience of enjoying this iconic treat in one of Madrid’s most beloved spots.

Madrid Madriz is a great place to enjoy simple yet delicious Spanish food. The menu offers a variety of traditional dishes that are easy to enjoy and full of flavour. The food is simple, yet packed with the authentic tastes of Madrid. It's the perfect spot for a casual meal and to experience the comfort food of the city.

We also visited Madrid Madriz to watch a Champions League match. Booking a table was easy through their website, and the atmosphere was great for enjoying the game. They serve refreshing Spanish cerveza (beer) and a variety of tapas, making it an ideal spot to relax and enjoy both the match and the food.

We also stopped by a Taco Bell when we were too tired to head to a proper restaurant and just wanted something quick and filling. The menu offered all the familiar favourites, from tacos and burritos to nachos and quesadillas. There are several Taco Bell locations throughout Madrid, and we visited two: one near the stadium and another close to the museum district.

If you're interested in learning about Spanish food, its history, and flavours firsthand, in my opinion, a food tour is the perfect solution. These tours not only give you the chance to try a variety of dishes but also provide fascinating stories about each one and explain how they are linked to Spain's culture and traditions. I found a few interesting options on the Get Your Guide platform:

Thank you for reading this guide to Madrid! I hope it helps you plan an unforgettable trip and discover the best of this amazing city. If you want to explore more of Spain, check out my other posts about spending a couple of days in Cuenca, a day in Valencia, and the must-visit museums in Madrid. Plus, if you subscribe to my newsletter, you'll receive a follow-up email with Google Maps pins for all the locations mentioned in this post—making it even easier to plan your adventure. Stay tuned for more travel tips, and happy exploring!

Simply subscribe to my blog, and I’ll send you the pins — completely free — in the form of a map straight to your inbox. It’s the easiest way to discover all the must-see spots in the city!