What to See
6 highlights📍 Tap the pin for directions
Prado Museum
One of the world's greatest art museums — Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, El Greco, Rubens, Titian — all under one roof. The collection is overwhelming; an audio guide or downloaded guide is essential for context. Book tickets online to skip queues. The Reina Sofía museum (Picasso's Guernica) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza are nearby, forming the 'Golden Triangle of Art.'
Retiro Park
Madrid's great park — 350 acres of gardens, a lake, a crystal palace, and constant local activity. Free to enter, with rowing boat rentals on the lake. The Palacio de Cristal hosts free contemporary art exhibitions.
Madrid at Night
Madrid has one of Europe's great nightlife cultures — dinner at 10pm is normal, bars fill after midnight, and clubs go until 6am. The neighborhoods of Chueca (LGBTQ+ friendly, excellent bars), Malasaña (bohemian, young crowd), and La Latina (tapas and wine) are the best hunting grounds. Madrid rewards late-night exploration.
Mercado de San Miguel & La Latina
The Mercado de San Miguel is a gourmet food hall with excellent pintxos and vermouth. La Latina neighborhood on Sundays is one of the great Madrid traditions — open-air bars, outdoor tables, and a long, leisurely afternoon lunch that bleeds into the evening.
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Madrid's main bullring, a neo-Mudéjar architectural gem. Bullfighting is controversial, but the building itself is worth a visit. Guided tours are available, and the adjacent museum provides historical context. Bullfighting runs from late March through October in the evening. Check https://www.madridbullfight.com for schedules and tickets. To get there, take the metro (Line 2 or Line 5) to Ventas station.
Must Try
A trip to Madrid isn't complete without trying Churros with Chocolate, Oxtail Stew (Rabo de toro), Eggs over Potatoes (Huevos Rotos), and Jamón Ibérico. This is just a small percentage of the great eats in Madrid.