Man, Madrid’s such a cool city! For real, as soon as I arrived, I could really feel it—so laid-back but at the same time charged with energy. It’s that city where history mixes with cool, waking up to churros and café con leche in the mornings, and then the nights just keep going with tapas, tinto de verano, and random dancing in the squares. If you’re considering a trip there for the first time (or maybe your fifth), here’s these top 10 cool places to see in Madrid—everything from amazing museums to great grub, from my excellent experiences.
Traveling to Madrid: Plane or Train
Getting to Madrid is really a breeze. The principal airport, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD), is a mere 20-30 minutes from city center, no matter if you take metro, bus, or cab. I came in from New York on a red-eye flight and simply hopped right off at Metro Line 8 from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios, transferred, then arrived in my Airbnb apartment in Gran Vía with no issue.
If you’re arriving from elsewhere in Spain or in Europe, then taking those super convenient high-speed trains from Barcelona, Seville, or Valencia is incredibly convenient—and they deposit you right in city centre at Station Atocha, which is great. When you arrive in Madrid, it’s really walkable, as they also have a very easy metro system if you have to travel around.
1. Lose yourself in the Prado Museum
Okay, first off is the Museo del Prado. Honestly, it’s not just something you need to visit in Madrid—it’s like one of the largest art museums in the world. Even if art history isn’t your thing (same, but I try), standing in front of Velázquez’s Las Meninas or Goya’s The Third of May in 1808 just gets you right in the feels.
I wandered the galleries for nearly four hours and could honestly have continued. Pro tip: visit it early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds, and wear comfortable shoes—it’s enormous!
2. Tapas in La Latina
You haven’t experienced Madrid until you’ve done a legendary tapas crawl in La Latina. It’s this really historic area, filled with narrow streets, quaint little patios, and happening bars.
Want to hear my favorite way to begin? Start with a vermouth on tap at Casa Lucio, famous for its huevos rotos. Then walk along Cava Baja, visiting places like Taberna La Concha to grab a tosta, Txirimiri to indulge in their amazing Basque-inspired pintxos. There’s a different vibe at each place, and half the excitement lies in discovering what they are!
3. Sunset over the Temple of Debod
You won’t believe this—I discovered this amazing hidden gem. There’s this actual ancient Egyptian temple right in the center of Madrid that was a gift to Spain in the ’60s. It’s atop a hill near Plaza de España, and at sunset, the entire area sort of takes on a golden glow.
Just a really laid-back place to relax after a day of viewing all the sites. Locals arrive with their snacks and beer, while tourists take photos—a nice respite from city madness.
4. Walk in El Retiro Park
Every time I visit a new place, I make sure to take a break to relax with a walk in the city center park. For Madrid, that’s El Retiro. It’s similar to Central Park, only it’s got a relaxed, cool Spanish feel.
And I rented a rowboat for €6 to go around the pond in front of Monument to Alfonso XII (I was absolutely terrible, but in reality, it was a great time). And there’s also this amazing Crystal Palace to visit for no charge, great for taking photos, along with plenty of shaded walkways to walk around while having some gelato.
5. A Taste of Movida Madrileña in Malasaña
Malasaña is pretty much the coolest place in Madrid—the place that started the entire Movida Madrileña scene in the ‘80s. There’s a variety of vintage stores, craft beer bars, street art, and record stores here nowadays.
Well, I ended up wandering into some Tupperware Club (crazy sounding, I know) one evening and dancing to indie rock with locals until 3am. If you can handle nightlife that’s more about authenticity than glamour, then you’ll love it here.
6. Day Trip to Segovia or Toledo
Yeah, I understand, that’s a little cheating since it’s not technically in Madrid, but let me show you—Toledo and Segovia are only an hour or even closer away, and they’re great for a day trip!
I chose Segovia because I was keen to see the Roman aqueduct, as well as have some cochinillo asado (roast sucking pig, by the way). The entire city absolutely feels like from a fairy tale, and there’s even a castle that Walt Disney used for inspiration. If you can make it, visit both cities—both have distinct personalities.
7. Pop over to Reina Sofía and say hello to Picasso
Madrid’s absolutely filled with art, and it’s also got my all-time favorite painting, Picasso’s Guernica, at the Museo Reina Sofía. I mean, it blows you away in person; it’s enormous, and those powerful images really linger.
The museum has works by Dalí, Miró, and other awesome Spanish masters. If the Prado is about the past, then Reina Sofía is about the modern—and you absolutely have to check it out!
8. Snack Your Way Through Mercado San Miguel
Sure, I know it’s a bit touristy, but trust me, it’s really delicious. Mercado San Miguel is a fantastic gourmet food market near Plaza Mayor, filled with vendors selling all kinds of treats such as Iberian ham, oysters, high-end olives, and sangria.
I went twice in my five-day visit and don’t regret it one bit. Croquetas and the mini burgers were definitely the standouts, and the atmosphere was just electric—everyone was clinking glasses, speaking in like five different languages, and jovially elbowing their way to the next bite.
9. Watch a Flamenco show at a tablao
You absolutely can’t visit Madrid and avoid flamenco—yes, I get that it’s generally associated with Andalusia, but Madrid’s got some great tablaos. I was lucky enough to get a table at Tablao Cardamomo, and in truth, it was a highlight of my trip.
Man, those dancers were simply incredible, the guitar was awesome, and that singer’s voice gave me goosebumps. It’s so natural, emotional, and it’s just really really authentically Spanish. And wow, the sangria was amazing as well!
10. Just hang out at a plaza
Madrid isn’t a place that’s always rushing. One of the great things to do here is. really, to relax. Get a seat in a plaza—such as Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Santa Ana, or a quaint little residential square—and just have a leisurely time.
Get a caña or a cafe con leche, relax for a while, and absorb the ambiance. I was recalling a certain afternoon that I simply hung out for two hours in Plaza de la Paja, talking to this older gentleman who told some great anecdotes from his time in Madrid in the ’70s. It was literally the highlight of my day.
5 Travel Tips When in Madrid
Alright, before I wrap up, I want to pass along some advice I’ve learned which can absolutely make your travels a little bit more convenient.
- Eat when everyone else eats – Lunch usually takes place at 2:00–3:00 PM, and dinner doesn’t start until like 9:00 or later. So, if you come in really hungry at 6:30, don’t panic if most places are still closed.
- Get your museum tickets in advance – The Prado and Reina Sofía can get truly packed, particularly on days that admission’s free. Reserving online definitely avoids a lot of hassle.
- Be sure to carry some cash with you – While many establishments accept cards, those tiny tapas places or street vendors only accept cash.
- Mind the siesta (sort of) – Not all of Madrid shut down in the afternoons anymore, but most of those little boutique stores tend to close from about 2 to 5 PM.
- Learn a few basic phrases – Honestly, getting to say “thank you” and “a beer, please” can serve to fully get you in rhythm with the locals.
What’s the optimal time of the year to visit Madrid?
Madrid is incredibly sunny year-round (they have over 300 days of sunlight annually, they claim!), but parts of it are much better than others, of course, depending on your preference. I visited in late spring, and it was great—warm days in the 70s with pleasant cool evenings.
Summer (July and August, in particular) can get really hot, sometimes reaching 100°F, so if you go, pack in some naps and plenty of cool water.
Autumn’s not bad, with less crowds about and that warm golden light. And while winter’s not as harsh as in northern Europe, it can still get a little nippy, especially in January and February—so pack a jacket in your bag, just in case.
Final Reflections: Why Madrid Captured My Heart
Madrid isn’t in your face, as some capitals of European countries tend to be. It envelops you in its friendly hospitality, fills you, keeps you out late enjoying yourself, and absolutely astounds you with great art as well as little pleasures in life. If you like museums, good food, a great nightlife, or simply to relax in the sun basking in positive energy, Madrid’s where to go.
I left Madrid feeling totally stuffed, my camera filled with photos, and feeling very happy. And, of course, I am already planning my next visit.
Adiós, Madrid!