Things to do in Madrid
CaixaForum Madrid: industrial on the outside and avant-garde on the inside
Housed within a former power station, CaixaForum Madrid is a meeting point for fans of ancient, modern and contemporary art.
The Royal Palace of Madrid, a hymn to the Hispanic World
Built on the orders of Felipe V in 1738, the complex is now only used for State occasions and ceremonies; for the rest of the time, it is open to the public.
Madrid’s Plaza Mayor: the Habsburg city’s magnificent Baroque stage
Having borne witness to everything from royal proclamations and celebrations to executions, Madrid’s Plaza Mayor is an emblem of the city, championed by the Habsburg dynasty.
Parque del Retiro: from royal flight of fancy to public park
Located in the centre of Madrid, this green space combines recreation, culture and architecture with a thrilling story about the decline of the absolute monarchy in Spain.
Gran Vía, the monitor of Madrid’s pulse
The capital’s most famous street has been taking the pulse of Madrid society for a century.
Shopping centres in Madrid: a world of choice
La Vaguada, Plaza Río 2, Xanadú, Príncipe Pío and El Corte Inglés are the most popular shopping centres in Madrid.
El Rastro, Madrid’s most authentic flea market
Vintage furniture, antiques, second-hand clothes, books… Whatever you’re looking for you will find it at El Rastro, Madrid’s oldest and most popular flea market.
Chueca: Madrid’s LGTBI district
Cosmopolitan and modern, the Chueca district is buzzing whatever the hour. The neighbourhood is ideal for shopping, dinner or enjoying the nightlife on offer.
Lavapiés: authentic, multicultural Madrid
This district in the centre of Madrid, said to have once been the city’s Jewish quarter, is today home to over 88 different nationalities, and a unique melting pot of cultures, art, and gastronomy.
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the prestigious ‘white coliseum’
Located in the Paseo de la Castellana, and with capacity for 81,044 spectators, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is the domain of the team that holds more trophies than any other in Europe.