Top things to do in Madrid
Attractions, tours and activities in Madrid
Recommended museums in Madrid
Where to discover culture and the arts in Madrid
Madrid: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Madrid
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Centro
In the city centre
Start your adventure at Madrid’s crown jewel - Palacio Real de Madrid, the royal palace and adjacent Sabatini Gardens. Madrid’s oldest district includes the popular landmarks of Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía and Plaza Cibeles, or the popular area of Lavapies in Embajadores.
Places to stay from £4 per night
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Retiro
1.4 miles from city centre
This historic district can’t be missed. Loop around the Retiro Park – once the royal family’s private garden, it’s full of lavish monuments and tree-lined avenues. People-watch along Paseo del Prado boulevard with its joggers, street vendors and promenading locals, then explore El Prado Museum’s important collection of paintings.
Places to stay from £32 per night
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Salamanca
1.6 miles from city centre
Serrano and José Ortega y Gasset (in Lista) are lined with high-end luxury shopping. The residential neighbourhoods of Recoletos, Lista, Goya and Castellana feature some of Europe’s most expensive real estate, while the area itself is one of Madrid’s most important commercial zones.
Places to stay from £26 per night
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Chamberi
1.2 miles from city centre
This small historic residential district is slowly becoming gentrified as young professionals move to the area. Divided over 6 neighbourhoods, it’s a lively district to visit for some local flavour and has a village-like atmosphere. Filled with Modernist, Gothic and Neo-Mudéjar architecture, its streets are best explored on foot.
Places to stay from £18 per night
About Madrid
Including tips for the best time to visit Madrid
Madrid is all bustling plazas, lively tapas bars and a rich variety of museums that showcase Spain’s most celebrated artists. The mesmerising Prado Museum is perhaps the best-known of these, featuring works by Goya and Velázquez. It forms a ‘golden triangle’ with the Reina Sofía Museum – home to Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ – and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, a massive private collection that highlights a breadth of artistic styles.
Centuries of history are evident in Madrid’s medieval architecture – including the intricate portico arches of Plaza Mayor – and sites like the baroque Royal Palace, where state ceremonies are still held. You can visit top attractions like these using the city’s efficient and high-speed Metro service.
Spain's sprawling capital is also a city that lives and breathes football. If you’re a fan, be sure to catch a game at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – the home of Real Madrid football club – and join in with the roars of the crowd as the ‘Galácticos’ enter this famous pitch.
Madrid’s weather is pleasant for most of the year, with comfortably warm temperatures either side of summer. But a winter vacation still virtually guarantees clear blue skies – a brilliant sight when approaching Madrid airport during the day.
Tonight
From £38 per night
This weekend
From £270 per night
Next weekend
From £303 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.54 |
| Language | Spanish |
| Average weekend price | £106 per night |
| Average weekday price | £108 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Madrid
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Madrid
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Gran Via
0.2 miles from city centre
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Puerta del Sol
In the city centre
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Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
2.6 miles from city centre
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Paseo de la Castellana
3.1 miles from city centre
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Plaza Mayor
0.2 miles from city centre
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Sabatini Gardens
0.6 miles from city centre
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Lope de Vega Theatre
0.4 miles from city centre
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Puerta de Alcalá
0.8 miles from city centre
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Calle Princesa
1.1 miles from city centre
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Wanda Metropolitano
5.7 miles from city centre
Madrid reviews
What other travellers say about Madrid
Great city!
16 April 2024
Great city! So much to see and do. Lots of people, lots of energy. Prices are creeping up, though the food is universally excellent. The transportation in and around the city is excellent. I enjoyed all the nooks and crannies of the neighborhoods so much history. I ate at La Posada de la Vina, Excellent! Food great, staff great and an excellent value. I really wanted to like Hotel Mora, good location, helpful staff. The bathrooms were terrible.
The center of Madrid is not so big, so you can get from...
15 April 2024
The center of Madrid is not so big, so you can get from place to place by walking, enjoying Spanish architecture, tasty food and good ambience. Madrid is really godsend for art lovers, history, good food and shopping.
It’s good to go on a free walking tour to get yourself idea...
15 April 2024
It’s good to go on a free walking tour to get yourself idea of the city and history. There are lots of alleys to explore, coffee house to sit in that later in day change to place grab and seat enjoy a beer and tapas
Probably the best city to visit in Europe if you want a...
12 April 2024
Probably the best city to visit in Europe if you want a combination of art, museums, good food and great nightlife, all to reasonable prices. Stay close to Retiro park that allows you to relax by walking or jogging in a quiet haven in the middle of the bustling city.
Madrid was not what we expected.
10 April 2024
Madrid was not what we expected. Madrid is very dirty and full of graffiti. The food was disappointing and so was the fact they charge you for everthing, including water & bread. Even for appetizers you did not order, but they just serve you. From the local restaurants to the fancy (El Botin). In conclusion our stay in Madrid was not memorable only disappointing. Barcelona was a better expirence, as was Seville.
Madrid is one of my favorite cities.
8 April 2024
Madrid is one of my favorite cities. It has so much modern side and History at the same time. I love how much life you can find in it. It has a lot of art, fashion , popular places, shopping ans good spanish food. I am such a fan of this city
Popular places to stay in Madrid
Stay in some of the best accommodation Madrid has to offer
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CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha Centro, Madrid
From £298 per night
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ARTIEM Madrid Ciudad Lineal, Madrid
From £81 per night
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Bob W Arte Arganzuela, Madrid
From £136 per night
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Hotel Regina Centro, Madrid
From £236 per night
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Hotel Atlántico Centro, Madrid
From £211 per night
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Other accommodation in Madrid
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Madrid
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Apartments
From £15 per night
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Villas
From per night
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Cabins
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Cottages
From £128 per night
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Glamping Sites
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Serviced Apartments
From £34 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £128 per night
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Guest Houses
From £4 per night
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Hostels
From £8 per night
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B&Bs
From £26 per night
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Homestays
From £38 per night
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Campsites
From £21 per night
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Luxury Tents
From per night
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £20 per night
