Top 5 Things to do in Madrid

As the capital and largest city of Spain, Madrid has a little something for everyone. Whether you enjoy architecture and are a foodie like me, or you love museums and nature, Madrid can cater to any traveler. The city center is booming with life and the best part of traveling to the city is that everything is within walking distance.

I myself fell in love with Madrid as soon as I walked out of the metro station. The Spanish architecture throughout the city is a beautiful sight and their food is second to none.

Here is a list of my top 5 things to do in Madrid

1. Eat Tapas & Drink Sangria

Yes I know…how can eating be the number one thing to do?! But in all honesty I am one of the biggest foodies around, so don’t be surprised!

Most Madrid restaurants serve tapas style dishes, which are basically appetizer-sized portions that are shared with the whole table. It is usually recommended to get two to three tapas per person. The aforementioned patatas bravas are my and Christabel’s favorite dish! These are fried potatoes that are served with spicy tomato and garlic aioli sauces. Another great option is the Spanish tortilla, which is a thick egg and potato omelet.

While strolling through Madrid you may also come across one of the many Museo del Jamon locations with hundreds of hanging hams from the ceiling. This is a great place to stop for a bocadillo (little sandwich) or platter of meat and cheeses. The bocadillos start as low as one Euro.

Have you ever heard that wine is cheaper than water in Italy? Well the same goes for sangria in Madrid! You will find high quality sangria wherever you go in Madrid and most places serve the delicious drink for two Euros. After a long day of walking and sightseeing, nothing is better than sitting down to relax with an ice-cold glass of sangria.

There are other meal options for those who prefer larger portions. I recommend trying paella, which is a rice dish that originates from Valencia. A fun fact is that the original Valencian Paella is made with chicken and rabbit, not seafood like most Americans are used to. I went to the restaurant La Barraca (known for their paella) and it was delicious.

Madrid is also home to Botin Restaurant, which is the world’s oldest restaurant according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Of course I had to try it out. I ordered the suckling pig special and it was amazing.

TRY THESE MADRID CULINARY EXPERIENCES

2. Royal Palace

My second top choice in Madrid would have to be the Royal Palace. This architectural masterpiece, with over 3,000 rooms, housed the royal family up until 1975 when then King Juan Carlos I of Spain moved the royal residence to the Palace of Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid.

Although the Royal Palace may not house the family, it is still used for royal meetings and functions. The rooms throughout the palace are each unique with different styles and beautiful frescoes on the ceilings. There are stunning carpets and tapestries throughout as well.

One interesting note is that you will find a clock in each room, some even built into vases. Also pay attention to the chandeliers throughout the palace. Each is built using different materials and tells a story.

The Royal Palace is definitely a top sight to see and incredibly affordable. The entrance fee is ten Euros and for an extra four Euros you can join a walking tour with an in person guide.

GET YOUR TICKETS

3. Mercado San Miguel / Plaza Mayor

More food options! I honestly had to give this market it’s own spot on my top list.

Located right next to the famous Plaza Mayor, Mercado San Miguel is an indoor market with an unimaginable amount of tapas options. Whether you want oysters, paella, croquettes, or cheese; this market has it all. Oh and don’t forget your churros and hot chocolate for dessert!

The best part for me was the sangria stand located in the center aisle. Sangria on tap?! Sign me up!!! I will be honest and say that I was a patron of this market multiple times a day…

After touring the market make sure to stop by Plaza Mayor. This well-known plaza is a great place to grab a cup of coffee and people watch. With restaurants lining the outside of the square, it is great place to relax and catch up on your emails (it is always hard to find reliable Wi-Fi while traveling!).

FREE WALKING TOUR TICKETS + FUN FOODIE TOURS

4. Museo Nacional Del Prado

I may not be the biggest museum or art fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed going to the Prado Museum. The museum provides a list of works to see based on how long you would like to spend at the museum (1, 2 or 3 hours). This made it easy to navigate and not get lost within all of the rooms. The admission to the museum is fourteen Euros, and for an extra nine you can get the audio guide (highly recommended).

Some of my favorite works included The Cardinal by Rafael and Self-portrait by Albrecht Durer. There is currently a Rogier van der Weyden exhibit at the museum that ends on June 28^th. Included in the exhibit is Weyden’s masterpiece, Descent from the Cross, which was my favorite artwork out of the entire museum.

FOR THE MUSEUM LOVERS

5. Parque del Retiro

It is always nice to get away from the bustling city life and unwind in some nice greenery during vacation. Parque del Retiro gives you that option in Madrid!

Located east of the city center, next to the Prado Museum, this park is the perfect place to have a quiet picnic and rejuvenate before continuing on the sightseeing grind. If you are looking for a fun activity there is a lake with boats available for rent and multiple palaces that usually hold exhibits.

Madrid is one of my favorite cities that I have traveled to. There’s a lot more things to do and places to see than the five that I was able to cover in this post. The food alone should make it a worthwhile destination on everyone’s list!

For those of you that have been to Madrid… What are your favorite things to see, do, and eat??

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Shaine was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. After completing his MBA, he spent over a year in Washington D.C. working in corporate finance. He now calls NYC his home, where you’ll find him eating his way through the city, or running through Central Park (to burn off all those calories!).