Guidebook for Madrid
Parks & Nature
Madrid is known for its green space, and few European capital cities have such a huge public park at their center. Retiro is (literally) a breath of fresh air. You can even take a boat out on the lake, catch some rays or go round to the monument. This green oasis in the centre of Madrid has125 hectares and is home to over 15,000 trees. From the botanical point of view, the Park includes some very important gardens: the Jardín de Vivaces, the Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez (classical gardens of an Andalusian style), the Jardines del Arquitecto Herrero Palacios, the Rose Garden, and the Parterre Francés with the oldest tree in Madrid, a bald cypress that is believed to be 400 years old.
2341 locals recommend
El Retiro Park
7 Plaza de la IndependenciaMadrid is known for its green space, and few European capital cities have such a huge public park at their center. Retiro is (literally) a breath of fresh air. You can even take a boat out on the lake, catch some rays or go round to the monument. This green oasis in the centre of Madrid has125 hectares and is home to over 15,000 trees. From the botanical point of view, the Park includes some very important gardens: the Jardín de Vivaces, the Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez (classical gardens of an Andalusian style), the Jardines del Arquitecto Herrero Palacios, the Rose Garden, and the Parterre Francés with the oldest tree in Madrid, a bald cypress that is believed to be 400 years old.
Declared an Artistic Garden in 1942, its collections include an outstanding herbarium with more than a million entries, the library and the archive - with nearly 10,000 drawings - as well as the exhibition of 5,000 species of live plants. Guided tours are offered in order to know the multitude of species that inhabit this green corner of the city centre, from onions or roses to the most exotic plants. The route through the garden and its greenhouses combines general botanic content, curiosities, history, the singularity of its examples, uses of the plants and their importance in our lives.
390 locals recommend
Royal Botanical Garden
2 Plaza de MurilloDeclared an Artistic Garden in 1942, its collections include an outstanding herbarium with more than a million entries, the library and the archive - with nearly 10,000 drawings - as well as the exhibition of 5,000 species of live plants. Guided tours are offered in order to know the multitude of species that inhabit this green corner of the city centre, from onions or roses to the most exotic plants. The route through the garden and its greenhouses combines general botanic content, curiosities, history, the singularity of its examples, uses of the plants and their importance in our lives.
This is one of the green spaces that make up the natural artistic heritage of Madrid. It is one of the most beautiful and, paradoxically, one of the least known. The Duke and Duchess of Osuna--especially by the Duchess, María Josefa de la Soledad Alonso Pimentel, created it in 1784. As a protector of artists, bullfighters, and intellectuals, the Duchess created an authentic natural paradise frequently visited by the most distinguished personalities of the period, and where the most prestigious artists, gardeners, and set designers worked.
162 locals recommend
El Capricho Park
25 P.º de la Alameda de OsunaThis is one of the green spaces that make up the natural artistic heritage of Madrid. It is one of the most beautiful and, paradoxically, one of the least known. The Duke and Duchess of Osuna--especially by the Duchess, María Josefa de la Soledad Alonso Pimentel, created it in 1784. As a protector of artists, bullfighters, and intellectuals, the Duchess created an authentic natural paradise frequently visited by the most distinguished personalities of the period, and where the most prestigious artists, gardeners, and set designers worked.
Arts & Culture
The Museo del Prado has the largest and most important collection of Spanish painting in the world, numbering more than 4,800 paintings and dating from the Romanesque period to the 19th-century.
2515 locals recommend
Museo Nacional del Prado
23 C. de Ruiz de AlarcónThe Museo del Prado has the largest and most important collection of Spanish painting in the world, numbering more than 4,800 paintings and dating from the Romanesque period to the 19th-century.
If you'd struggle to name three Spanish artists (getting stuck after Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso) then the Reina Sofia might be more up your street, with excellent modern art from these two titans of contemporary art and many other examples of weird and wonderful art from the past 100 years.
1837 locals recommend
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
52 C. de Sta. IsabelIf you'd struggle to name three Spanish artists (getting stuck after Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso) then the Reina Sofia might be more up your street, with excellent modern art from these two titans of contemporary art and many other examples of weird and wonderful art from the past 100 years.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation is a public foundation that was created in 1988. It is responsible for the management of the museum, the conservation of its works, carrying out research, organising public exhibitions and promoting the artworks that were acquired by the Spanish State in 1993. Since 2004 it has been responsible for the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection that is on long-term loan to the Spanish State and for the expansion of the Villahermosa Palace. Since the museum opened its doors to the public in 1992, it has offered an increasingly varied number of temporary exhibitions, educational events and cultural and commercial activities.
1498 locals recommend
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
8 P.º del PradoThe Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation is a public foundation that was created in 1988. It is responsible for the management of the museum, the conservation of its works, carrying out research, organising public exhibitions and promoting the artworks that were acquired by the Spanish State in 1993. Since 2004 it has been responsible for the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection that is on long-term loan to the Spanish State and for the expansion of the Villahermosa Palace. Since the museum opened its doors to the public in 1992, it has offered an increasingly varied number of temporary exhibitions, educational events and cultural and commercial activities.
Museo Sorolla station
Romanticism Museum
13 C. de San MateoMuseum of 18th-century Spanish art. It is beautiful!!!
The Cerralbo Museum has an extensive history. It was created by Mr. Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, 17th Marquis of Cerralbo (1845-1922) who throughout his life combined his dedication to politics and history with his sensitivity towards the Fine Arts. Paintings, sculptures, ceramic pieces, glass, tapestries, furniture, coins, medals, drawings, engravings, clocks, arms, armour and archaeological objects, just to mention the most outstanding, confer a special charm to the palace which besides being one of the most important aristocratic residences, provides visitors with a panoramic view of daily life in Madrid with literary discussions, dancing and parlour secrets...
87 locals recommend
Museo Cerralbo
17 C. de Ventura RodríguezThe Cerralbo Museum has an extensive history. It was created by Mr. Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, 17th Marquis of Cerralbo (1845-1922) who throughout his life combined his dedication to politics and history with his sensitivity towards the Fine Arts. Paintings, sculptures, ceramic pieces, glass, tapestries, furniture, coins, medals, drawings, engravings, clocks, arms, armour and archaeological objects, just to mention the most outstanding, confer a special charm to the palace which besides being one of the most important aristocratic residences, provides visitors with a panoramic view of daily life in Madrid with literary discussions, dancing and parlour secrets...
This is one of the green spaces that make up the natural artistic heritage of Madrid. It is one of the most beautiful and, paradoxically, one of the least known. The Duke and Duchess of Osuna--especially by the Duchess, María Josefa de la Soledad Alonso Pimentel, created it in 1784. As a protector of artists, bullfighters, and intellectuals, the Duchess created an authentic natural paradise frequently visited by the most distinguished personalities of the period, and where the most prestigious artists, gardeners, and set designers worked.
50 locals recommend
Lazaro Galdiano Museum
122 C. SerranoThis is one of the green spaces that make up the natural artistic heritage of Madrid. It is one of the most beautiful and, paradoxically, one of the least known. The Duke and Duchess of Osuna--especially by the Duchess, María Josefa de la Soledad Alonso Pimentel, created it in 1784. As a protector of artists, bullfighters, and intellectuals, the Duchess created an authentic natural paradise frequently visited by the most distinguished personalities of the period, and where the most prestigious artists, gardeners, and set designers worked.
The Palacio de Linares, headquarters of the Casa de América, is in the centre of Madrid, in Plaza de Cibeles (between Paseo de Recoletos and Calle de Alcalá). Building work on the palace began in 1877 by express command of the Marquis and Marchioness of Linares, José María Murga y Reolid and his wife Raimunda Osorio y Ortega, and was completed in 1900.
24 locals recommend
House of America
s/n Plaza CibelesThe Palacio de Linares, headquarters of the Casa de América, is in the centre of Madrid, in Plaza de Cibeles (between Paseo de Recoletos and Calle de Alcalá). Building work on the palace began in 1877 by express command of the Marquis and Marchioness of Linares, José María Murga y Reolid and his wife Raimunda Osorio y Ortega, and was completed in 1900.
Food Scene
Prepared food (typical Spanish) market with infinite variety of food and drinks.
1026 locals recommend
San Miguel Market
s/n Pl. de San MiguelPrepared food (typical Spanish) market with infinite variety of food and drinks.
It is a bar reminiscent of the cafes in the late nineteenth century, where you can take in traditional chocolate with churros.
321 locals recommend
San Ginés Chocolatería hot chocolate and churros
5 Pasadizo de San GinésIt is a bar reminiscent of the cafes in the late nineteenth century, where you can take in traditional chocolate with churros.
Right in the heart of Madrid, Casa Lucio has become a tourist attraction of the capital, a must for tourists and a meeting point for locals. The street where it is located, the Cava Baja, is one of the oldest in Madrid, and already known in the seventeenth century for being the end and beginning of the way for mail carriers, who departed from there to carry mail to different parts of Spain. The speciality is Huevos Fritos Estrellados.
239 locals recommend
Casa Lucio
35 C. de la Cava BajaRight in the heart of Madrid, Casa Lucio has become a tourist attraction of the capital, a must for tourists and a meeting point for locals. The street where it is located, the Cava Baja, is one of the oldest in Madrid, and already known in the seventeenth century for being the end and beginning of the way for mail carriers, who departed from there to carry mail to different parts of Spain. The speciality is Huevos Fritos Estrellados.
Funny little bar purported to have the best Spanish omelette in Madrid
195 locals recommend
Bodega de la Ardosa
13 C. de ColónFunny little bar purported to have the best Spanish omelette in Madrid
La Bola is a familiar restaurant located in the center of Madrid. Since 1870 its traditional cuisine has been well known in the city, always offering the best of the castillan cuisine to its customers. Taberna LA BOLA is famous for its best specialty, “cocido madrileño”, cooked the original way using oak charcoal at very low rate.
108 locals recommend
LA BOLA
5 C. de la BolaLa Bola is a familiar restaurant located in the center of Madrid. Since 1870 its traditional cuisine has been well known in the city, always offering the best of the castillan cuisine to its customers. Taberna LA BOLA is famous for its best specialty, “cocido madrileño”, cooked the original way using oak charcoal at very low rate.
San Antón Market
24 C. de Augusto FigueroaPlatea Madrid
5 Calle de GoyaMany different restaurants located in a refurbished movie palace
Authentic Victorian Decor specialicing in cups of Consomé as well as traditional pastries and desserts. There is a restaurant upstairs.
57 locals recommend
Lhardy
8 Carrera de S. JerónimoAuthentic Victorian Decor specialicing in cups of Consomé as well as traditional pastries and desserts. There is a restaurant upstairs.
Restaurante Ten Con Ten
6 Cl. de AyalaNice bar-restaurant with beautiful people
A very traditional Russian salad (potatoes, carrots, boiled egg) so creamy thanks to mayonnaise, and prepared without tuna, is served. Octopus is fantastic as well.
15 locals recommend
Restaurante Rafa
68 C. de NarváezA very traditional Russian salad (potatoes, carrots, boiled egg) so creamy thanks to mayonnaise, and prepared without tuna, is served. Octopus is fantastic as well.
A piece of Asturias in Madrid, very nice and affordable restaurants (also "tapas").
Carlos Tartiere - Restaurante Asturiano en Madrid
33 Calle de MenorcaA piece of Asturias in Madrid, very nice and affordable restaurants (also "tapas").
El Paraguas
16 C. de Jorge JuanOne of the most exclusive restaurants in Madrid, simply excellent.
El Botin (or, to give it its full title, El Sobrino del Botin) has a trio of great reasons to dine here. Not only is it a fine restaurant in itself, serving some of the best cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) that you'll find in Madrid, El Botin was also Ernest Hemingway's favorite restaurant (he says as such in his book, The Sun Also Rises).
198 locals recommend
Sobrino de Botin
17 Calle de CuchillerosEl Botin (or, to give it its full title, El Sobrino del Botin) has a trio of great reasons to dine here. Not only is it a fine restaurant in itself, serving some of the best cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) that you'll find in Madrid, El Botin was also Ernest Hemingway's favorite restaurant (he says as such in his book, The Sun Also Rises).
La Oreja De Jaime
15 C. de la CruzA funky little place specializing in pork ear and cheeks.
“Great atmosphere and absolute food and service (specialices in a variety of paellas). In La Casa Valencia Restaurant you could taste the delicious plates from the Mediterranean cuisine, since the classic flavors that conform the base of all the towns rounded by its ocean, to the new concepts more sophisticated. Among their specialties, they offer the authentic paella, a diversity of rices, the taste of their sauces, the Mediterranean seafood, and the most typical products of the vegetable garden with its best fruits.
14 locals recommend
Arrocería Casa de Valencia
58 P.º del Pintor Rosales“Great atmosphere and absolute food and service (specialices in a variety of paellas). In La Casa Valencia Restaurant you could taste the delicious plates from the Mediterranean cuisine, since the classic flavors that conform the base of all the towns rounded by its ocean, to the new concepts more sophisticated. Among their specialties, they offer the authentic paella, a diversity of rices, the taste of their sauces, the Mediterranean seafood, and the most typical products of the vegetable garden with its best fruits.
Great food , great atmosphere, family owned and run. They are a wonderful group of people. I highly recommend! On a hot Madrid Summer Day, caracoles (SNAILS) and Tinto de Verano, Nothing better! Better in week days, very crowded in the weekends.
24 locals recommend
Restaurante Casa Amadeo los Caracoles
18 Pl. de CascorroGreat food , great atmosphere, family owned and run. They are a wonderful group of people. I highly recommend! On a hot Madrid Summer Day, caracoles (SNAILS) and Tinto de Verano, Nothing better! Better in week days, very crowded in the weekends.
Sightseeing
Madrid's most ornate plaza and home to the town hall. A nice place for breakfast! This portico lined square is situated at the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the old part of the city and one of the capital’s most charming districts.
1659 locals recommend
Plaza Mayor
Plaza MayorMadrid's most ornate plaza and home to the town hall. A nice place for breakfast! This portico lined square is situated at the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the old part of the city and one of the capital’s most charming districts.
Madrid's central square and Spain's 'kilometer zero'. You cannot miss it.
151 locals recommend
Puerta del Sol
Madrid's central square and Spain's 'kilometer zero'. You cannot miss it.
Home to the Kings of Spain from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, Madrid's Royal Palace takes us on a journey through the history of Spain. Though it is no longer the royal family's home, it continues to be their official residence.
1110 locals recommend
The Royal Armoury of Madrid
s/n Calle de BailénHome to the Kings of Spain from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, Madrid's Royal Palace takes us on a journey through the history of Spain. Though it is no longer the royal family's home, it continues to be their official residence.
Temple of Debod
1 C. de FerrazGenuine Egyptian temple in the heart of Madrid!
Almudena Cathedral
10 C. de BailénMadrid's, um, cathedral!
The gate was built by Sabatini in 1778 as part of the city decoration restorations promoted by Charles III. It is made of granite and is an excellent example of proportion, harmony, and elegance. The King commissioned the work to Sabatini in order to commemorate his arrival at the capital in 1759. The gate was located at the entrance of the city, next to the Alcalá de Henares road, from which it received its name.
183 locals recommend
Retiro station
The gate was built by Sabatini in 1778 as part of the city decoration restorations promoted by Charles III. It is made of granite and is an excellent example of proportion, harmony, and elegance. The King commissioned the work to Sabatini in order to commemorate his arrival at the capital in 1759. The gate was located at the entrance of the city, next to the Alcalá de Henares road, from which it received its name.
Based on a project by José Espelius, who died during its construction, it was completed by Manuel Muñoz Monasterio in 1931 and opened in the same year. Las Ventas holds 23,798 fans and, at 196 feet in diameter, the arena is one of the largest in the world.
230 locals recommend
Las Ventas Bullring
237 C. de AlcaláBased on a project by José Espelius, who died during its construction, it was completed by Manuel Muñoz Monasterio in 1931 and opened in the same year. Las Ventas holds 23,798 fans and, at 196 feet in diameter, the arena is one of the largest in the world.
Plaza de Oriente
The plaza in front of Madrid's royal palace.
Calle Serrano
Calle de SerranoSalamanca Area noted for high-end shopping (main street Serrano).
Calle Gran Vía
Calle Gran VíaPaseo de la Castellana
Paseo de la CastellanaFaro de Moncloa
The Cibeles Fountain, created in 1782 and situated in its current location since 1895, has ended up lending its name to one of the most emblematic squares of Madrid. It has also become a symbol of the capital. The Fountain depicts the Roman goddess of the same name (Cybele in English), symbol of the Earth, agriculture, and fertility, atop a chariot drawn by lions.
189 locals recommend
Cibeles Fountain
S/N Plaza CibelesThe Cibeles Fountain, created in 1782 and situated in its current location since 1895, has ended up lending its name to one of the most emblematic squares of Madrid. It has also become a symbol of the capital. The Fountain depicts the Roman goddess of the same name (Cybele in English), symbol of the Earth, agriculture, and fertility, atop a chariot drawn by lions.
San Lorenzo del Escorial
Toledo
Segovia
Ávila
Shopping
Flea market and new merchandise. Always full of locals and visitors, it is an attraction you should not miss on a Sunday or a public holiday. According to the area we walk through, we can find different articles, from craft work, clothes and accessories, to kitchen equipment, records and second-hand magazines, toys and all kinds of old objects from different periods. The surrounding area contains numerous antique and discount stores, while there are now many shops selling vintage furniture and other items.
129 locals recommend
El Rastro station
Flea market and new merchandise. Always full of locals and visitors, it is an attraction you should not miss on a Sunday or a public holiday. According to the area we walk through, we can find different articles, from craft work, clothes and accessories, to kitchen equipment, records and second-hand magazines, toys and all kinds of old objects from different periods. The surrounding area contains numerous antique and discount stores, while there are now many shops selling vintage furniture and other items.
Drinks & Nightlife
Chueca station
Getting Around
Estación del Arte
Railway Station
Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport
s/n Av de la HispanidadMadrid Airport
Tribunal station
Gran Vía
Calle Gran Vía