Madrid
Three of the world's great galleries inside a ten-minute walk, and a city that sits down to dinner at ten. July and August are genuinely too hot.
Madrid in eight slides
Wikipedia · 3 Sep 2026
Things to do in Madrid
Where to stay in Madrid
Madrid in a day, two days, three
Landmarks in Madrid
The Retiro Park, also known as Buen Retiro Park or simply El Retiro, is one of the largest city parks in Madrid, Spain. The park belonged to the Spanish monarchy until 1868, when it became a public park following the Glorious Revolution. The park is located at the edge of the city centre, near both the Alcalá Gate and the Museo del Prado, and covers 1.4 km2.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 6 Mar 2026
Max Alexander / PromoMadrid · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Museo del Prado, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It houses collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish royal collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 10 Jul 2026
Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art. The museum was officially inaugurated on September 10, 1992, and is named for Queen Sofía. It is located in Madrid, near the Atocha train and metro stations, at the southern end of what is known as the Golden Triangle of Art.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 17 Aug 2026
Unknown author · Public domain
The Plaza Mayor is the principal public square in the heart of Madrid, the capital of Spain. It was once the centre of Old Madrid. It was first built (1580–1619) during the reign of Philip III.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 22 Jul 2026
Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0
The Puerta del Sol is a public square in Madrid, one of the best known and busiest places in the city. This is the centre of the radial network of Spanish roads. The square also contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 1 Jan 2026
Tomás Fano · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family and is used primarily for state ceremonies. With over 135,000 m2 (1,450,000 sq ft) of floor space and 3,418 rooms, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest palace in Western Europe, the largest royal palace in Europe, and among the largest palaces in the world.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 6 Jul 2026
Tim Adams · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Retiro Park, also known as Buen Retiro Park or simply El Retiro, is one of the largest city parks in Madrid, Spain. The park belonged to the Spanish monarchy until 1868, when it became a public park following the Glorious Revolution. The park is located at the edge of the city centre, near both the Alcalá Gate and the Museo del Prado, and covers 1.4 km2.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 6 Mar 2026
Max Alexander / PromoMadrid · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Museo del Prado, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It houses collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish royal collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 10 Jul 2026
Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art. The museum was officially inaugurated on September 10, 1992, and is named for Queen Sofía. It is located in Madrid, near the Atocha train and metro stations, at the southern end of what is known as the Golden Triangle of Art.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 17 Aug 2026
Unknown author · Public domain
The Plaza Mayor is the principal public square in the heart of Madrid, the capital of Spain. It was once the centre of Old Madrid. It was first built (1580–1619) during the reign of Philip III.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 22 Jul 2026
Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0
The Puerta del Sol is a public square in Madrid, one of the best known and busiest places in the city. This is the centre of the radial network of Spanish roads. The square also contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 1 Jan 2026
Tomás Fano · CC BY-SA 2.0
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family and is used primarily for state ceremonies. With over 135,000 m2 (1,450,000 sq ft) of floor space and 3,418 rooms, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest palace in Western Europe, the largest royal palace in Europe, and among the largest palaces in the world.
Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · 6 Jul 2026
Tim Adams · CC BY-SA 4.0
From the airport
When to go to Madrid: Apr or May or Sep or Oct
Guides about Madrid
The Prado and the Reina Sofía are both free in the evening, which reshapes a two-day route. Where the hours are, the Madrid clock, and one thing to skip.
Tomás Reis · 2 Sep 2026
Madrid charges no tourist tax while Barcelona now takes up to €12 a person a night. The barrios around Sol, which one suits you, and what that saving buys.
Tomás Reis · 2 Sep 2026
The best time to visit Spain by region, with the 2027 festival dates, the Andalusian heat records and the quiet fortnight between Semana Santa and the Feria.
Tomás Reis · 3 Sep 2026
Six day trips from Barcelona with 2026 prices and train times, plus why the Montserrat combined ticket costs more than most people's actual day.
Tomás Reis · 3 Sep 2026