The 50 best things to do in Madrid

What is it? The most important art gallery in Spain.

Why go? Madrid's best-known (and one of its most important) attractions is housed in a gigantic neo-classical building, the construction of which was begun by Juan de Villanueva on the orders of King Carlos III in 1785. Originally planned as a natural sciences museum, by the time it opened in 1819, its purpose had changed: the Prado Museum was born as a public art museum (and was one of the first in the world) to display the royal art collection. In recent years, the Prado has undergone a very ambitious expansion programme. On one side, there is the remodelling of the Casón del Buen Retiro, an annexe opposite Retiro Park. On the other side, there is the 2007 extension, behind the main building, on the site of the San Jerónimo cloisters, a new and controversial cube-shaped building designed by Rafael Moneo, dedicated to temporary exhibitions.

Don't miss: Astonishing works by Velázquez, Goya, Dürer, Bosch, El Greco, Rembrandt, and more.

What is it? The Casa de la Arquitectura, or House of Architecture, is a new museum space dedicated to the past, present and future of Spanish architecture.

Why go? This new museum gives visitors the chance to explore the legacy of Spanish architects, provides a space to share insights into a vision of the future of urbanism in Spain and allows the general public to engage with architecture and urbanism from another perspective.

Don’t miss: The chance to see work by more contemporary studios, which is also showcased here.

What is it? An old estate where María Cristina Borbón used to spend her summers. Later sold to the Marquis of Salamanca and then abandoned for many years, it’s now been partially restored.

Why go? In this little oasis in Carabanchel, you’ll find two palaces and some beautiful Romantic gardens. Plus, it’s free to visit.

Don’t miss: It has a hundred-year-old tree and even a small manmade river which used to be navigable, back in the day.

What is it? The home of Real Madrid FC.

Why go? This is one of the best stadiums in the world and an integral part of both Spanish and international football history. Experiencing a match from its stands is a must for any football fan, whether or not you support Real Madrid.

Don't miss: The Santiago Bernabéu Tour, which allows you to learn about the club’s history through interactive displays, historical objects, and the trophies they’ve won. It also gives you the chance to see inside the stadium when it’s nearly empty.

What is it? It is the first museum in Spain to use light as its sole medium of expression.

Why go: The Light Art Museum, or Museo de la Luz, features 13 different spaces, each dedicated to a unique visual art concept where light takes centre stage. Visitors have the opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind sensory experience through interactive installations, light sculptures and projections, visual effects, and digital landscapes.

Don't miss: It is a pioneering museum that will also host temporary exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and performances, giving visibility not only to established artists but also to emerging creators.

What is it? Behind the stately walls of a classical-style building on Calle Marqués Riscal, hides a hundred-and-thirty-year-old pelota court, which first hosted pelota vasca (a Basque ballgame) competitions way back in 1894.

Why go? This iconic and little-known construction has quite a history: back in the day, it had a capacity for 4,000 people and played host to various sporting events and spectacles. Later, it was used as a car workshop, police station, jail and even a workshop where workers crafted objects made from plaster.

Don’t miss: Book into a workshop or tour, or go it alone and visit for free.

What is it? A museum space showcasing the artistic heritage of the Spanish monarchies, until now displayed in the National Heritage warehouses and the Royal Sites.

Why go? Aside from the architectural beauty of the building itself, the gallery offers the chance to view some previously unseen works or pieces commonly found in palaces and monasteries outside of Madrid.

Don’t miss: The building is organised downwards, so start at the top. On the first level, you’ll encounter paintings, jewellery, sculptures, and other Habsburgs items. A level below you’ll find artifacts related to the Bourbons. Plus there’s a room housing a significant archaeological discovery unearthed during construction, as well as another room dedicated to temporary exhibitions.

What is it? A new museum dedicated exclusively to immersive art.

Why go? Nomad Museo is an immersive experience that brings together digital art and artificial intelligence. Lights and special effects beckon visitors to explore the unknown, to let themselves be carried away by sensations and to become part of the art.

Don’t miss: You’ll find lots of new adaptations of classic artists, and new ways of bringing them into the world. The exhibition on Hieronymus Bosch, for example, was particularly good. 

What is it? The perfect place to go with kids, the Real Teatro de Retiro is a cultural project born of the collaboration between the Teatro Real and Madrid Council, focusing on children, young people and families.

Why go: This new performance space makes opera, dance, and various performing arts more accessible to children and young people, adding more family-friendly options to the cultural agenda.

Don't miss: Opera, dance, theatre, puppetry, musical storytelling, workshops, and more. The programme is very diverse so there’s plenty to choose from.

What is it? The terrace of the newly inaugurated Hotel Montera Madrid, the first Curio Collection by Hilton in the capital, is located in a building from 1924, where neoclassical architecture is complemented by some underground touches, inspired by the eclectic nature of the city’s inhabitants.

Why go? This might seem like just another rooftop, but it has everything needed to become one of the best on Gran Vía (and there are quite a few). Cosmopolitan, design-oriented and  traditional, with Balinese beds and a panoramic rooftop that rises under the watchful eye of the most iconic clock on the street (the one on the Telefónica building), which is in your eyeline from anywhere on the terrace.

Don’t miss: ‘El cielo de Chicote’ is the hotel’s cocktail bar, which pays homage to Spain's first cocktail bar and is very close to the hotel: the Museo Chicote. From its tables (a replica of those in the legendary cocktail bar), you can see the neighbouring rooftops, the icons of Madrid’s summer terrace scene, from Picalagartos at NH Collection to the recently inaugurated The Thompson rooftop. What a view.