Madrid bucket list: everything you need to visit

Madrid is one of my favorite cities in Europe. There are so many things to explore in Madrid, so I created this blog post with the ultimate Madrid bucket list activities to help you plan your trip. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

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I visited the Spanish capital for the first time in October 2023 and I fell in love with the city. It was a solo trip and it was the first time I visited a place that I really connected with and I even started to think if I should move there.

I have so many reasons why I love Madrid! First, it’s such a beautiful city. The architecture is stunning. I am huge on urban aesthetics. If a city is not pretty I will probably not like it. I don’t know about you, but I need beauty in my life to thrive.

The people are also beautiful: so warm, friendly, and living their best life. I spoke to so many locals who told me that their focus is living their life: “no ganamos mucho, pero vivimos de p*ta madre en España”. I love that outlook on life.

Everything else – the food, drinks, weather – was 10/10 in Madrid. Here are the Madrid bucket list activities you need to cross off when you visit.

Table of Contents

Watch a Flamenco show

Flamenco is a traditional Spanish dance. It’s a dance full of passion. It’s a combination of live folkloric music, expressing profound emotions using the arms and a rhythmic stomping of the feet, and unique fashion. Gitanos of the Romani ethnicity have contributed significantly to the origins of this dance and to turning it into such a popular art form in Spain, especially in the Andalusia region of Spain.

flamenco show in madrid, a madrid bucket list activity

You must go to a flamenco show while in Madrid. I went to this one and it was amazing. It’s located in a historic vaulted cave from 1850 and they don’t use any microphones or speakers during the performance so it’s a truly authentic experience. You will also get a glass of sangria before the show (it’s included in the ticket). The dancers were super passionate and you could feel how much they love what they are doing. I had the best time at this show.

Buy cookies from nuns

ringing doorbell for buying nun cookies in madrid

Buying cookies from cloistered nuns is one of the coolest activities you can do in Madrid. It’s such a thrilling adventure! Think secret location, an adventure to get in, and buying something without seeing the seller. Read everything about it here.

Visit Prado Museum

Museo del Prado is one of the most famous museums in the world and it has a vast collection of Spanish art. You can find works of art by Francisco Goya, El Greco, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, Diego Velázquez, as well as many others. You can buy skip the line tickets here.

Get a cube croissant from Panem

I discovered one of the best bakeries in Madrid during my trip there. It’s called Panem and they make both bread and classic French pastries like croissants, pain au chocolat, palmiers, madeleines. It’s very popular with the locals. There is always a line to enter the store. If you go 10 minutes before they open you won’t have to wait too much.

Their invention is the cube croissant. The pastry is very flaky and the filling is to die for. They also decorate it in a very cute way. They change the cube croissant flavors every week. When I was in Madrid they were selling tiramisu cube croissants. It was as amazing as it looks.

Unfortunately, the cube croissant is only available on Saturdays. They cost 6 euros. On the pricy side, but I promise you it’s worth it. If you can’t go on a Saturday to try the cube croissant, don’t worry, everything they make is delicious.

See Pablo Picasso’s Guernica at Reina Sofia Museum

Madrid has some world-renowned museums that house famous works of art. Reina Sofía Museum should be on your list. That’s because Picasso’s masterpiece, Guernica, is displayed here. It’s much larger than I expected and it conveys so many different emotions. No wonder critics deemed it to be one of the most powerful anti-war paintings in history. You can book a guided tour here.

Take a walk in El Retiro Park

El Retiro is my favorite park. It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it has so many cool things to explore:

The peacocks at Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez
Palacio de Cristal or Crystal Palace (a building made almost entirely of glass)
The lake (you can rent a boat and paddle around the lake)
Casita del Pescador (small, pink house on a small pond located next to one of the less popular entrances to the park)
La Rosaleda (a rose garden)
The hill with a waterfall near the Casita del Pescador
Fountain of the Fallen Angel (the only statue in the world dedicated to the devil)

Eat churros con chocolate at San Ginés

One of the must try foods in Spain is churros. They serve them with hot chocolate, but it’s that thick, creamy kind of hot chocolate. The combination is amazing! Plus, calories don’t count while traveling, right?

Chocolatería San Ginés is the most famous place for churros con chocolate in Madrid. It’s located in the city center, very close to all tourist attractions. It has been serving churros since 1894 and they are open every day of the week.

Shop on Gran Vía

Gran Via is the shopping avenue of Madrid, similar to Fifth Avenue in New York City. You can do some shopping here or you can just walk, people watch, and take in the hustle and bustle of the city and its amazing architecture.

Visit Madrid’s Plaza Mayor

The iconic Plaza Mayor used to be the center of old Madrid. It’s located in the heart of the city. Take in the majestic architecture of this rectangular plaza, which opened in 1620. There’s also a statue of King Philipp III, since the plaza was built during his rule.

Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of my favorite palaces in the world. It used to be the official residence of the Spanish royal family. I highly recommend you book a tour so you can learn about the history of everything you’re seeing. Be prepared to spend at least 2 hours here so you have time to absorb everything.

Take a walk in the Royal Palace Gardens

After you learn everything about the history of the Royal Palace, head to the beautiful gardens of the Royal Palace. They are located on the right hand side of the palace. The gardens are well manicured and so peaceful. The perfect spot for a walk in the capital of Spain.

Eat at the oldest restaurant in the world

botin, the oldest restaurant in the world

Madrid has countless cool places. One of them is the first restaurant in the world, Botín. It was founded in 1725 and it is still operating. You can have a meal here or you can just pass by and take a picture. Since the restaurant is so old, a lot of famous people dined or worked here, including Goya and Ernest Hemingway.

Visit Templo de Debod (Temple of Debod)

If you continue walking past the gardens of the Royal Palace, you will get to the Temple of Debod. If you’re thinking that this temple looks Egyptian, that’s because it is. It was a gift from the Egyptian government in 1968 for the help provided by Spain in saving the Abu Simbel temples.

Right next to the temple there is a park with one of the best views of Madrid. It’s free and you’ll be able to see the Royal Palace, plus a lot of the skyline of Madrid.

Get a panoramic view of Madrid from Palacio de Cibeles

I am obsessed with pretty views, so I seek them everywhere I travel to. That’s also how I picked the apartment I currently live in. I told you at the beginning of this post that I’m big on aesthetics. So trust me when I tell you that the viewpoint in Palacio de Cibeles is the perfect place to enjoy one of the best views of Madrid.

It costs 3 euros to go up but it’s totally worth it if you love a great view. You can buy tickets here.

Eat at Mercado San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel is a food market with a lot of offerings: fresh fruit, pastries, savory foods. Since it’s just a short walk from Plaza Mayor it caters a bit more to tourists and it is more expensive than a local tapas place. I think it’s still worth visiting once for the experience.

See the Kilometer 0 plaque at Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is another famous plaza in Madrid. I like this one more than Plaza Mayor. There are 3 things you must do here:

Take a cheesy picture at the Kilometer 0 plaque. This is the origin of all roads in Spain, hence the name.
See the statue of the bear and strawberry tree (El Oso y el Madroño)
Get a pastry at La Mallorquina, a pastry shop that’s been around since 1894. I highly recommend you try the napolitana con crema. You can thank me later.

Take a walk on Paseo de Recoletos

Paseo de Recoletos is one of the main boulevards in Madrid. It is located near Paseo del Prado.

It is a wide boulevard with lots of trees. You can also find a few interesting things along it: the lucky frog statue (pictured above), the statue of Christopher Columbus, and the National Library of Spain. The frog is a sign of good fortune in feng shui and the artist engraved various symbols of good luck from multiple cultures on its belly.

Take a day trip to Segovia and Toledo

When you’re in Madrid you have to take a day trip to Segovia and Toledo. The tour departs from Madrid city center, close to Palacio Real. In the morning you’ll visit Segovia, then you’ll be back in Madrid for lunch for about an hour, and in the afternoon you’ll head to Toledo.

Segovia’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will visit the Roman aqueduct, the Alcazar (which inspired Disney for Cinderella’s Castle as well as the Queen’s Castle in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), and the Cathedral.

Toledo used to be Spain’s capital city. It was also the city where El Greco lived, and you can see his masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz, here.

It’s going to be a long day, but it’s so worth it. Fun fact: I met one of my really good friends on this tour. She is Greek, we have the same name, and she was also solo traveling in Madrid. Connecting with people from all over the world and making new friends are some of my favorite things about travel.

Visit the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

If you’re a soccer fan, seeing Real Madrid’s stadium in person is such a treat. You can take a tour to learn more about the stadium’s history and the impressive results of Real Madrid.

Catch a play at Teatro Real

The building of Teatro Real has such a beautiful architecture. Make sure to at least stroll past it while you’re in Madrid. If you like seeing plays, you should get tickets to one of them. Such a great way to immerse yourself in the local entertainment culture.

Eat tapas

two plates of tapas at vi cool in madrid

Spain is known for their tapas. So when you’re in Madrid make sure to try them all: tortilla de patatas, patatas bravas, jamon iberico, bocadillos. Everything is delicious. I love the fact that Spanish cuisine uses few and fresh ingredients for their dishes. You can taste the quality in every dish. Make sure to also try their sweets!

FAQ’s about Madrid

Where should I stay in Madrid?

Mid-budget hotels

I stayed at NH Collection Madrid Palacio de Tepa in the city center. It’s about a 7-minute walk to Plaza Mayor. The hotel room was clean and cozy, and service was 10/10. They even gave me some brownies since I visited around my birthday. So sweet! You can read my full review of this hotel here.

me holding a plate with chocolate cake at a hotel in madrid

Other good mid-budget options are Hyatt Centric Gran Via Madrid, Only YOU Boutique Hotel, and Hotel Riu Plaza España.

Luxury hotels

If you have a higher budget and are seeking a more luxurious option in the city center, then Santo Mauro – a Luxury Collection Hotel, Four Seasons, and Mandarin Oriental Ritz are all great options.

Hostels

Unfortunately, I am not the right person to recommend you any hostels. I am in my 30s and I value comfort, so I will always choose to stay at a hotel vs a hostel. I can see how a hostel is a great option for younger people, but I’m at a different stage in life, so I prefer hotels.

Airbnb

I also tend to pick hotels over Airbnbs because I feel like it’s less of a risk and it’s a more reliable option. One time when I visited Miami with my friends we booked an Airbnb that looked great in pictures but looked really bad in reality. We ended up going to a hotel instead. After that experience I tend to avoid Airbnbs altogether.

Best time to visit Madrid

I went in October and it was perfect. The weather is still pretty warm, but there are less tourists compared to the peak summer months. May could also be a great option.

I tend to avoid Europe summer travel because it gets so hot and there are so many tourists everywhere that it takes away from the experience for me. I’d rather wait a few months and go in the fall so I can properly enjoy the destinations I’m visiting.

Weather in Madrid gets very hot and humid during the summer months, so it can be very uncomfortable to spend the entire day outside, exploring. August is usually vacation month for most European countries, including Spain, so many restaurants and shops will be closed.

How can I get to the city center from Adolfo Suarez Madrid–Barajas Airport?

Train

You can take the RENFE train from terminal T4. If you land at other terminals you can take a free shuttle bus to take you to T4 to catch the train. A round trip costs 5.2 euros. There are trains leaving T4 every 15 minutes. The trains do not operate during the night though. If you take the train you should get to Atocha Train Station in about 30 minutes.

Bus

You can take Bus Line 203 which will take you to Atocha Train Station in about 45 minutes. Follow the “Airport Express Aeropuerto” sign to get to the two bus stops located at the Departures and Arrivals levels of T1 and T2, as well as the on the ground level of T4. Buses run 24/7. Bus tickets cost 5 euros and you can buy them on the bus using either cash or a credit card.

Metro

Taking the metro is a bit more complicated. From the airport you can take the Pink Metro Line 8. However, you will have to switch to Metro Line 10 or Metro Line 1 at Nuevos Ministerios Station. There are two airport subway stations, one at T4 and another one on the first floor of T2 which serves T1, T2, and T3. A ticket costs around 5 euros.

Taxi / uber

This is the most convenient option since it leaves you right in front of your hotel. Taxis have a flat fee of 30 euros. Ubers are a bit cheaper. Alternatively you can also schedule a private transfer.

How to get cell phone data when visiting from abroad?

The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.

I use Nomad eSIM (use code IOAN43TM for 25% off your first purchase). You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.

You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.

Is Madrid safe for a solo female traveler?

Yes, Madrid is pretty safe, but you do have to be aware of your surroundings. There were 2 instances when I didn’t feel safe, both of them due to pickpockets:

A hotel concierge alerted a group of tourists walking across the street from the Prado museum that there were pickpockets trying to steal from them.
On my day trip to Segovia and Toledo the tour guide asked us to let two people pass by. It turns out that those two people were pickpockets who were trying to target our group.

As long as you’re on high alert, as you should be anytime you travel solo, you’ll be fine.

Do I need cash for my trip to Madrid?

I didn’t use cash at all when I visited, I paid for everything with a credit card. But it’s always recommended to carry some cash with you so you can tip tour guides or buy souvenirs or something else from small mom-and-pop shops who don’t accept credit cards.

Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.

How can I get around Madrid?

Madrid is a very walkable city and it has a great subway system with stations near all major attractions in case your hotel is further away from the city center. If you don’t like to take the subway you can always take an uber.

Do I have to tip in Madrid?

Tipping is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. I usually leave 1-2 euros as tip when I eat out. They highly appreciate it when you do this.

Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?

I highly recommend you book all the tickets online in advance of your trip. Madrid is a very popular destination so it’s very likely that tickets will sell out. Especially if you visit during the summer months. Booking in advance will give you peace of mind.

Do people speak English in Madrid?

Yes, they do. Madrid attracts a lot of visitors each year and, as you can imagine, not all tourists speak Spanish. I still recommend you learn a few words in Spanish ahead of your trip though. I do this for every country I visit.