Things to Do in Madrid

1. Explore Prado Museum: Exploring the Prado Museum is one of the excellent things to do in Madrid. Officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, it was established in 1819 and is recognized as one of the illustrious art museums in the world. Prado Museum houses an extensive collection of European Art from the 10th-20th century including paintings, sculptures and prints. Las Meninas, a 1656 painting by Velázquez is the highlight of the Prado Museum.

Location: Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Timing: 10 AM- 8 PM

2. Relax at El Retiro Park: Among prime attractions in Madrid, relaxing at El Retiro Park is one of the activities to Do in Madrid. The Park was opened to the public after the 19th century. It has a dedicated space for both old and young people for engaging in outdoor activities like jogging and exercise. El Retiro Park also houses shelves where citizens can leave their old books, newspapers, and magazines for others to read.

Location: Plaza de la Independencia, 7, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Timing: Monday-Friday : 6 PM- 9 PM | Saturday-Sunday: 10 AM- 2 PM

3. Visit Reina Sofía: Exclusively dedicated to 20th-century Spanish art, Reina Sofía is Spain's national museum. If you are wondering what to Do in Madrid, visiting Reina Sofía would be an excellent option. It houses a large collection of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí's masterpieces.Reina Sofía's most priced display is Guernica by Pablo Picasso. The museum also has a sprawling library that offers complimentary access to Books, Audios and Videos.

Location: Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Timing: Wednesday- Saturday: 10 AM -9 PM | Sunday: 10 AM -2:30 PM |Tuesday: Closed

4. Visit Matadero Madrid: Initially a slaughterhouse, Matadero Madrid has been transformed into an Arts Centre in the 21st century. For art-enthusiasts, visiting this place is one of the best things to do in Madrid. Beginning with exhibitions to cinema, you will get everything under one roof. Matadero Madrid also has an on-site restaurant where you can try sumptuous delicacies after exploring the place.

Location: Plaza de Legazpi, 8, 28045 Madrid, Spain
Timing: 9 AM- 10 PM

5. Have Fun at Museum of Illusions: If you are in search of what to Do in Madrid, the Museum of Illusions will come to your rescue. From 8- 80, people of all ages are bound to have fun here. So, what all does it offer? Museum of Illusions has a Rotated Room, Anti-Gravity Room, Infinity Tunnel and numerous forms of Optical Illusions. Out of all, the Rotated Room is the most unique. Overall, it will take 40-60 minutes to go explore the place.

Location: Calle del Dr Cortezo, 8, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Timing: Wednesday- Sunday: 9:30 AM- 10 PM | Monday- Tuesday- Closed

6. Admire art at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: One of the prominent Art Museums in Madrid, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is a wonderful place to marvel at beautiful creations by renowned artists. The museum has a huge assemblage of paintings from the 13th- 20th century. Works by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Antonello da Messina, Winslow Homer, John Singleton Copley, Pablo Ruiz Picasso, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and other reputed painters are put on display.

Location: Paseo del Prado, 8, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Timing: Tuesday -Sunday: 10 AM -7 PM | Monday: 12 PM- 4 PM

7. Stroll at El Capricho Park: Away from the urban chaos, strolling at El Capricho Park is one of the exhilarating activities to do in Madrid. Inspired by the 18th-century design, El Capricho Park is landscaped in a similar style. It houses a variety of trees, bushes and a lake inside the premises. El Capricho Park also has a Bunker that belongs to the era of the Spanish Civil War. The ideal time to visit the Park is in Autumn and Spring when the trees bloom and spring to life.

Location: Paseo de la Alameda de Osuna, 25, 28042 Madrid, Spain
Timing:
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays (October-March): 9 AM-6.30 PM
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays(April-September): 9 AM-9 PM

8. Watch the sunset from Cerro del Tío Pío: One of the enthralling things to do in Madrid is watching the unobstructed sunset from Cerro del Tío Pí. As the sun sets below the horizon, it illuminates the sky in a multitude of colours. Don't forget to carry your camera with you for capturing some stunning photographs. In addition, Cerro del Tío Pí is a lovely locale for hanging out with pals and indulging in picnics with the family.

Location: Calle de Benjamín Palencia, 2, 28038 Madrid, Spain

9. Espacio Abierto: Espacio Abierto offers a splendid atmosphere and a large space. If your kids are coming along with you on the Madrid trip, this place is a must-have in your itinerary. Let them freely run and play on the ground while you gorge into lip-smacking delicacies at the on-site cafeteria.

Location: Calle Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena, 20, 28027 Madrid, Spain
Timing: Wednesday- Sunday: 10 AM- 8 PM | Monday-Tuesday: Closed

10. Shop at San Miguel Market: Shopping at San Miguel Market is one of the iconic activities to do in Madrid. It is quite popular among travellers and lures 10-11 million visitors every year. Here, one can easily spot vendors selling items like Hams, Olives, Baked Goods, Beer and Champagne.

Location: Plaza de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Timing: 10 AM- 12 AM

Checkout & Book: Alhambra Tickets

1. Enjoy a candlelit dinner at a cozy Spanish restaurant:  Having a candlelit dinner at a Spanish restaurant can be a romantic and memorable experience for you and your significant other. The soft light from the candles create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. El Jardín Secreto, Casa Solla and La Trainera are some famous restaurants you can look for in Madrid.
   
   
2. Visit the Temple of Debod: One of the best things to do in Madrid is to stroll through the temple of Debod, where you will get to witness the intricate carvings and decorations of the temple walls. You can also admire the rich cultural history of the temple, and learn about the city’s culture. Discover the surrounding of the temple, and witness the amazing sights and enjoy an outing with your partner
   
   
3. Watch a performance at the Teatro Real: Watching a performance at the Teatro Real (Royal Theater) in Madrid is a very unique experience. During entrance to the theater, you will be struck by its ornate interior, which features marble staircases, gilded balconies, and elaborate frescoes. Once you are seated in the theater, you can look forward to an evening of top-quality entertainment.

1. Visit the Parque de Atracciones: The amusement park features a variety of thrilling rides and attractions. As you enter the park, you may anticipate your day and choose which rides to go on first based on a variety of rides for each age group.
   
   
2. Take a trip to Warner Bros. Park Madrid: Spending a day at Warner Bros, Park Madrid with your family is a great way to bond and create lasting memories. As you explore the park, you may feel like you are stepping into the world of your favorite characters and stories. In addition to the attractions, it also offers parades, live shows and performances which add an extra level of excitement to your visit to the park. This is one of the best activities in Madrid to add in your bucket list.
   
   
3. Visiting the Prado Museum: One of the best family-friendly activities in Madrid include strolling through the Prado museum.  You will get to admire some of the world's richest and most comprehensive myriads of Spanish painting along with schools of European painting.

1. Rock climbing in the Guadarrama Mountains: Rock climbing in the Guadarrama Mountains is one of the most challenging activities in Madrid. It offers you the opportunity to test your skills and push yourself to new heights while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
   
   
2. Rafting in Guadalquivir River: Rafting in Guadalquivir river can be a fun and exciting experience. You get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of southern Spain while also testing your skills on the challenging rapids.
   
   
3. Tandem paragliding in Madrid: Tandem paragliding in Madrid lets you soar through the skies and take in the beautiful views of the city and surrounding landscape. It involves flying with a trained instructor in a two-person paraglider, allowing you to enjoy the experience of flight without the need for extensive training.

1. City Tour: One of the best things to do in Madrid at night is to explore the city. It is an altogether different experience to see the city illuminated with lights. Since Madrid is known for its bustling nightlife, visiting popular pubs is another great option. 

2. Enjoy the Flamenco Show: When in Madrid, you must not miss attending a Flamenco Show. Flamenco is an iconic form of dance in Spain which dates back to the 18th century. Some of the best places in Madrid where you can attend a Flamenco Show are Corral de la Morería, Casa Patas, Torres Bermejas and Cardamomo.

3. Visit Sunset Lockers: Get a panoramic view of Madrid's nightscape from Sunset Lockers which is one of the popular rooftop bars in the city. Sip signature cocktails, dig into sumptuous delicacies and marvel at the peerless view. 

Checkout & Book: Sagrada Familia Tickets

1. Gran Vía: In Central Madrid, Gran Vía is one of the best shopping places in Madrid. Clothes from reputed brands like Zara and H&M are available here. Other than clothing stores, Gran Vía is also lined with restaurants and bars.

2. Serrano: Channel your inner shopaholic at Serrano, a well-known shopping esplanade in Madrid exclusively dedicated to luxury brands.

3. Casa de Diego: Casa de Diego in Madrid is a perfect place to shop for souvenirs like hand-painted fans, fancy umbrellas and shawls.

Madrid, the capital of Spain is well-connected to prominent international cities of the world. 

By Air: To reach Madrid via air, one needs to reserve flights that ply passengers to the Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport. Major airlines like Turkish Airlines, British Airway, Lufthansa and Etihad Airways operate flights to Madrid. 

By Rail: Having 2 Railway Stations i.e. Atocha Station and Chamartin Train Station, Madrid can be conveniently reached via trains. Atocha Station mainly receives trains from Southern Spain while Chamartin Train Station receives trains from Northern Spain. Chamartin Train Station also receives trains from France, thereby serving as an International Railway Station.

By Road: In order for easy connectivity, Madrid has an extensive network of roads which operate buses to other parts of Spain like Barcelona and Malaga.Madrid’s road network is also well-connected to international destinations like France, Portugal, and Ukraine.

Although it is a year-round destination, the ideal time to visit Madrid is during the Autumn (September-November) or Spring Season (March-May). Especially during Autumn, the climate remains pleasant and offers a great opportunity to visit different sights without any hassle.

It is completely safe to roam around the streets of Madrid at night. People in Madrid are extremely tourist-friendly and keep women in high regards. The crime rate is exceptionally low. However, it is advisable to stick to known-places and avoid venturing into unknown territory without any proper guidance.

Madrid’s famous food is Bocadillo De Calamares which is nothing but a Fried Squid Sandwich. It is made with crusty bread and flour-coated fried Squid rings.