The big Madrid places guide

The vast royal palace with more than 3,000 rooms, the largest in Western Europe

A fairy tale royal fortress shaped like a ship's prow that inspired the classic Disney castle

A vast 16th century royal complex combining a monastery, palace and library, built by Philip II

A lavish royal summer palace on the banks of the Tagus with ornate halls and a stunning porcelain room

A small, exquisitely decorated pavilion in the Prince's Garden, a treasury of royal decorative art

A fortified Renaissance noble palace inside the walls of Ávila with a stone courtyard and a sculpted facade

A royal summer palace in the style of Versailles with grand Baroque gardens and spectacular fountains

A striking Art Nouveau modernist palace, today home to the society of authors

A colossal 1st century Roman aqueduct built of stone without mortar, the city's defining symbol

A genuine 2,000 year old Egyptian temple gifted to Spain, the finest sunset spot in the city

The grand neoclassical triumphal gate from 1778, one of Madrid's most iconic landmarks

The grand fountain of the goddess of fertility on a lion chariot, where Real Madrid celebrates its titles

The magnificent Moorish style bullring with a museum on the tradition of the corrida

A square royal fortress crowning the skyline, today home to the National Army Museum

The historic railway station with a lush tropical garden beneath a vast iron and glass roof

Complete and impressive medieval walls encircling the city, with many towers and a walkway along the top

The fountain of the sea god on a chariot of sea horses, focal point of Atlético Madrid celebrations

Medieval houses clinging to the edge of a steep cliff, the defining and most photographed symbol of Cuenca

A giant monument carved into the mountain with an enormous cross among the tallest in the world, at a historically charged site

A medieval stone bridge over the Tagus with lovely viewpoints and a nearby zipline route

The main monumental city gate, crowned with a huge imperial eagle, welcoming visitors to Toledo

A historic Roman stone bridge crossing the Tagus at the eastern entrance to the old city

One of the few statues in the world dedicated to the devil, a curious symbolic landmark in the Retiro

One of the best preserved castles in Spain, with round towers and views of the lake and the Guadarrama mountains

The statue of the bear reaching up the tree, the official emblem of Madrid and a beloved meeting point in Sol

Madrid's first skyscraper from 1929, an early symbol of the bustling Gran Vía

An abandoned metro station from 1919 restored as a fascinating little underground museum

A restored 1919 ghost metro station turned into a fascinating underground museum

One of Madrid's most photographed buildings, with a golden dome and a winged statue on the corner of Gran Vía

A spectacular 18th century Baroque stone bridge over the Manzanares river, lined with statues

One of the oldest surviving buildings of its kind in Spain, from the 10th century, with characteristic arches and a small garden

A hidden royal convent with a collection of masterpieces by Rubens and Titian behind a modest facade

The oldest monumental gate of the Retiro, from 1690, facing the Jerónimos church

An ornate 14th century Mudéjar gate with a double horseshoe arch at the northern entrance to the old city

A monumental triumphal arch on Moncloa square marking the entrance to the university city

A neoclassical 1790 observatory on a hill by the Retiro, a hidden scientific gem

A historic 16th century university with a spectacular Renaissance facade and noble stone courtyards

A famous Renaissance noble house with a stone facade of pointed diamond shapes near the aqueduct

A neoclassical fountain of the sun god on the Paseo del Prado, one of the three great fountains

A historic working class quarter in southern Madrid with narrow streets and an authentic character

A medieval brotherhood building that served as a jail and courthouse, with a picturesque stone courtyard

The magnificent neoclassical stock exchange building on Plaza de la Lealtad, an architectural gem from 1893

The historic main street linking Sol to the palace, crowded with old buildings and taverns

A small, ornate Mudéjar palace from the 14th century, a window into Toledo's architectural history

A 19th century neoclassical triumphal arch on the southern edge of the historic centre

A magnificent library hall with a stunning fresco ceiling and thousands of rare, ancient manuscripts

A historic tenement building with inner balconies, typical of old Madrid architecture

The bakery house adorned with colourful frescoes, the standout flourish of the Plaza Mayor

The famous arched gate leading out of Plaza Mayor to a street of ancient taverns

The tomb of Spain's monarchs beneath the basilica, a striking round chamber of marble and gold

A historic corner of Madrid's medieval wall, its name a reminder of the Moorish past

Madrid's main northern railway station and the gateway to Spain's high speed trains

One of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Spain, with art treasures by El Greco and Goya inside

Madrid's main cathedral facing the palace, with a striking modern, colourful ceiling

The last Gothic cathedral built in Spain, known as the Lady of Cathedrals for its elegance

A fortified Gothic cathedral whose apse is built into the city wall, a rare blend of fortress and church

A magnificent Gothic Franciscan monastery founded by the Catholic Monarchs, with a stunning cloister

A neoclassical church with one of the largest domes in Europe and artworks by Goya

A small church holding El Greco's masterpiece, the Burial of the Count of Orgaz

The first cathedral in Spain built in the Gothic style, with a modern facade and an impressive stone interior

A royal convent in Segovia with rare gilded Mudéjar ceilings and sculpted Gothic altars

A small chapel with a stunning fresco ceiling by Goya, whose tomb rests inside

A historic Gothic monastery in the Lozoya valley of the Guadarrama mountains, with a magnificent carved altarpiece

A royal Gothic church beside the Prado where Spain's kings were once crowned

An impressive Romanesque basilica outside the walls with a sculpted portal and an ornate saints' tomb

One of the oldest churches in the city, next to the legendary chocolatería, holding an El Greco work

One of the loveliest Romanesque churches in Segovia, with stone porticoes and an impressive 12th century tower

A medieval church with a leaning Mudéjar bell tower, one of the oldest to survive in Madrid

A rare round Romanesque church from the 13th century outside the walls, with views of the Alcázar

An impressive neo-Gothic church with a prominent bell tower in the heart of the Salamanca district

A historic church complex in the heart of La Latina, tied to the patron saint Isidro

A quiet 15th century Hieronymite monastery in the river valley with a Gothic church and a lovely cloister

A neo-Gothic church with a prominent tower seen from Plaza de las Salesas in Chamberí

An impressive neo-Mudéjar church on the edge of Chamberí with rich interior decoration

An old Baroque church that gave Malasaña its historic nickname, Las Maravillas, through the ages

The complex's impressive church with a vast dome, gilded altars and a dramatic marble floor

A Baroque convent built over the birthplace of Saint Teresa of Ávila, a pilgrimage focus

One of the world's great art museums, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and Bosch

The modern art museum where Picasso's haunting Guernica hangs

A magnificent private collection that completes the triangle, from the Renaissance to Pop Art

The home of painter Joaquín Sorolla, with an Andalusian garden and mesmerising paintings of light and sea

A museum in a historic station with vintage locomotives and lavish carriages for train lovers

Spain's naval history museum with ancient maps and spectacular ship models

A reconstructed house where the author of Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes, was born, with fine period furnishings

A museum with a magnificent Baroque facade telling the story of the city's growth

A 19th century mansion recreating the romantic bourgeois life of the era

The national science and technology museum with interactive exhibits and historic inventions

A vast military history museum inside the Alcázar with weapons, armour and flags through the ages

A house museum recreating the life of the painter El Greco, with a collection of his works and historic rooms

A geology museum with a magnificent neoclassical hall and a collection of minerals and fossils

A rich collection of art and culture from the indigenous peoples of the Americas

A museum of world cultures with collections from Africa, Asia and the Americas, near Atocha

A museum on Madrid's origins and history, on the site where the patron saint lived

A fashion and textile museum showing the evolution of Spanish dress through the ages

A rich collection of furniture, ceramics and tiles telling the story of Spanish design

A museum of illustration and drawing in a restored old brewery at the edge of Conde Duque

An art museum in a magnificent Renaissance building with El Greco paintings, tapestries and archaeological finds

A magnificent mansion with a rich private art collection of paintings, jewellery and objets d'art

A museum of abstract art inside the Hanging Houses, a stunning blend of art and ancient building

The modest guesthouse where poet Antonio Machado lived, restored with his personal belongings

Treasures of Spanish history, including a famous replica of the Altamira caves

A multipurpose arena hosting Madrid's biggest concerts and sporting events

The city's huge exhibition complex hosting fairs, conventions and major international events

A former slaughterhouse turned into a vast, impressive contemporary art and culture complex

A futuristic culture centre with Patrick Blanc's famous vertical garden wall

A luminous white monument from the 12th century with rows of horseshoe arches, a masterpiece of Toledo's Mudéjar architecture

The original home of Spain's great playwright, with 17th century furnishings and a small garden

A cultural institution with modern art exhibitions and concerts, free to enter

An exhibition hall of brick and colourful tiles inside the Retiro, a branch of the Reina Sofía

A charming historic cinema screening classic films at Spain's national film archive

A multipurpose events hall in Casa de Campo hosting big concerts and exhibitions

A historic cultural and intellectual institution with a magnificent library and a portrait gallery

A magnificent neoclassical building with a museum and rare manuscripts from across Spanish history

A vast 18th century barracks turned culture centre with exhibitions and performances

Jean Nouvel's architectural extension wing, with a glowing red courtyard and a fine dining restaurant

A stunning glass and iron structure from 1887 in the heart of the Retiro, hosting rotating art exhibitions

Madrid's prestigious opera house, a grand concert hall facing the palace

The historic writers' quarter with cobbled streets, literary bars and quotes set into the pavements

A picturesque street with historic tiled facades, design shops and small cafes in the heart of Malasaña

An old artery linking Malasaña to the centre, with historic buildings and cafes

A sprawling university campus with historic buildings, green avenues and a student atmosphere

The historic old quarter of Toledo, a maze of winding cobbled lanes and small squares within the walled city

The lanes of Segovia's atmospheric old quarter, with a small visitor centre and views over the valley

The grand enclosed royal square from the 17th century with uniform balconies and a statue of Philip III at its centre

The lively heart of Malasaña with packed terraces and a young meeting-place buzz day and night

Toledo's historic central square, the hub of city life with cafes and shops

The square where the Rastro market begins, with a statue and a colourful neighbourhood buzz

A beloved round square in Chamberí with terraces around a fountain and a family atmosphere

The heart of the old town, ringed by cafe terraces and the cathedral, a lively meeting place

A picturesque round square with blue wooden balconies that turns into a stage for shows and traditional restaurants

A charming triangular square in the upper town beneath the cathedral, ringed by colourful houses and cafes

The roundabout that encircles the Puerta de Alcalá, an impressive junction between the Retiro and Salamanca

The beating heart of Madrid and kilometre zero of all Spain's roads, always thronged with people

One of the oldest squares in the city, ringed by medieval and Renaissance town hall buildings

A landscaped royal square with statues of kings and a manicured garden between the palace and the theatre

A tranquil medieval square in the heart of old Madrid, ringed by palaces and intimate bars

The bustling shopping and entertainment crossroads of Gran Vía, ringed by cinemas and rooftop viewpoints

A vast renovated square with the Cervantes monument, Don Quixote and Sancho, and green gardens

The heart of the Barrio de las Letras with lively terraces, a Lorca statue and the historic Teatro Español

A picturesque royal resort town around the monastery with squares, cafes and pleasant shops

A lively square in the heart of La Latina with a historic market and a weekend gathering spot

The heart of the multicultural neighbourhood and a lively meeting spot with terraces and a theatre

A picturesque square ringed by churches and tapas bars in the heart of historic La Latina

The heart of Madrid's pride district with lively terraces and a festive, colourful vibe

A central junction linking Malasaña, Chamberí and Tribunal, busy with traffic and cafes

A square on the edge of Chueca with classic cafes and a quiet Madrid atmosphere

A major traffic square between Chamberí and the north with monuments and government buildings

A central square with a giant Spanish flag, a monument to Columbus and an open urban space

A wide avenue in Chamberí with dignified buildings and an authentic local feel

A charming neighbourhood square with cafes under the trees and a genuine local character

The square at the foot of the Roman aqueduct, the best spot to see the structure at its full height

The most famous viewpoint over the old city, set across the river with a full panoramic view

Madrid's grand avenue with magnificent architecture, theatres and historic hotels

A viewpoint with four stone columns and a cross, the classic view of the walls of Ávila from afar

A stone seat carved into the mountain where, by tradition, the king watched the monastery being built, with a panoramic view

Small viewpoint gardens with open terraces and sunset views over the south of the city

A green meadow at the foot of the Alcázar with the perfect view of the fortress rising above the cliff

The complex of Spain's tallest skyscrapers shaping Madrid's northern skyline

An iron footbridge over the gorge with the perfect view of the Hanging Houses and the old city

An impressive semicircular colonnade facing the Retiro lake, the park's favourite viewpoint

A Baroque church whose towers offer one of the finest views over the rooftops of Toledo

A historic clock tower in the upper town of Cuenca with a viewpoint over the surrounding valleys

The Carrión building with the iconic Schweppes neon sign, a symbol of Plaza del Callao

A panoramic cable car crossing Casa de Campo with stunning views over the skyline

A green hill above the river with a panoramic view of the Royal Palace and the cathedral

The shaded museum boulevard recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the heart of the triangle

The historic sherry neon sign that has overlooked Puerta del Sol for decades

A viewpoint promenade close to the town centre with views of the hills and the river valley to the north

A green hill around the Temple of Debod with a favourite sunset viewpoint over the city

The striking city hall building with a panoramic viewing terrace over the heart of Madrid

A viewpoint over the churches and domes of La Latina and the Manzanares river valley

A modern observation tower with a panoramic terrace overlooking all of Madrid from a great height

A northern square with the famous leaning KIO towers and a modern business skyline

One of the landmark skyscrapers of the AZCA business district, a symbol of modern Madrid

A dignified street in Chamberí with historic mansions and embassies among mature trees

The green lung of Madrid, a vast royal park with a lake, glass palaces and tree-lined avenues

A historic 18th century botanical garden beside the Prado with thousands of plant species from around the world

The central lake where you row boats in front of the grand monument to Alfonso XII

A green hillside park with winding paths and views of the mountains and the river

A rare romantic garden from the age of Goya with a lake, a maze and small hidden temples

A charming park famous for its pink almond blossom in early spring

A pleasant neighbourhood park with original sections of the Berlin Wall and fountains

Geometric French style gardens on the north side of the palace, perfect at sunset

A green, romantic historic garden below the palace with fountains and shaded paths

A natural woodland park in northwest Madrid with quiet walking trails and viewpoints

A stunning natural rock park where wind and water have carved fantastical shapes in a forest near Cuenca

A manicured rose garden in the southern corner of the Retiro, blooming and fragrant in spring

A vast riverside garden with tree-lined avenues, lakes and small buildings, a World Heritage site

A green, restful park in northern Chamberí, ideal for a walk and a break from the city

A manicured rose garden in Parque del Oeste with thousands of varieties blooming in spring

The friars' geometric gardens at the foot of the monastery with tree-lined avenues and mountain views

A long linear park along the Manzanares river with cycle paths and playgrounds

A wide lake with pedal boats and waterside restaurants and a view of the Royal Palace

Vast geometric gardens with Baroque fountains, statues and pools that come alive in seasonal water shows

A historic garden surrounded by water beside the palace, with Baroque fountains, statues and romantic shady corners

A vast greenhouse with tropical plants and varied climates in the heart of Madrid Río park

Open plazas and green corners around the culture centre, with benches and a place to rest

A high mountain pass in the Sierra de Guadarrama, a starting point for hikes and for the Peñalara lakes

A living plant wall four storeys high with thousands of plants, a stunning urban green lung

A grove planted in memory of the victims of the 2004 train bombings, a quiet and moving memorial

A mountainous national park with snowy peaks, hiking trails and pine forests close to Madrid

A small romantic pavilion on an artificial hill with a fountain, a hidden and peaceful corner of the Retiro

A charming 19th century fountain of turtles and frogs on the Retiro avenues, a cute photo corner

A quiet urban garden near Plaza de Colón with sculptures commemorating the discovery of the Americas

The historic 18th century Artichoke Fountain on the edge of the Retiro lake, a beautifully sculpted piece

Madrid's largest park with a wide lake, woodland and walking and cycling trails

A shaded avenue lined with statues of Spain's kings, a favourite photo spot in the park

The grand main gate of the Retiro facing Plaza de la Independencia and the Puerta de Alcalá

A quiet entrance to the east of the park leading to running trails and green picnic corners

A large reservoir at the foot of Manzanares castle with mountain views and pleasant nature trails

A vast modern park with sculptures, a lake and light fountains, ideal for a family picnic

Giant stork nests atop the church towers of the city, a unique and charming nature sight for the whole family

An institution since 1894 for churros with thick hot chocolate, open almost around the clock

The oldest restaurant in the world according to Guinness, from 1725, famous for roast suckling pig in a wood oven

The oldest restaurant in the world according to Guinness, specialising in suckling pig and lamb roasted in a wood oven

Segovia's legendary restaurant serving classic roast suckling pig beneath the Roman aqueduct

A legendary restaurant on Cava Baja famous for its broken eggs and roast suckling pig

A designed bar-restaurant with a sand floor in the basement that became a symbol of hipster Malasaña

A grand restaurant inside the Cibeles palace with a panoramic terrace view over the heart of the city

Chef Dabiz Muñoz's daring street food restaurant with spectacular Asian fusion

Madrid's historic old cafe from 1887, reopened on Plaza de Bilbao

A fashionable, lively brasserie in Salamanca loved by locals for meals and cocktails

A family institution since 1870 famous for traditional Madrid cocido stew cooked in a clay pot

A designed restaurant and bar in the new wing of the Reina Sofía museum at the edge of Lavapiés

A traditional local bar specialising in Madrid style snails and beloved old neighbourhood dishes

A classic vermouth bar on Cava Baja with a local vibe and simple, good tapas

One of Madrid's oldest taverns, from 1830, with walls covered in bullfighting memorabilia

A Basque style pintxos bar with a famous little burger and modern tapas

A classic tavern from 1917 with vermouth on tap and original tiles, a Madrid institution

A legendary wine bar on Cava Baja with a vast selection of Spanish wines by the glass

A cluster of independent, stylish cafes that put the neighbourhood on Madrid's brunch map

A Michelin starred restaurant serving creative cuisine at the highest level in the city

Ávila's traditional sweetened egg yolks, a legendary convent treat worth tasting on the spot

The most famous street for a tapas crawl in La Latina, with dozens of bars packed side by side

A Michelin starred fine dining restaurant serving refined cuisine and exceptional service

The shops of Toledo's traditional marzipan, made from almonds to a centuries old convent recipe

The village's traditional anise liqueur, worth tasting in the historic bars around the square

A beloved tapas bar on Cava Baja with creative dishes and a carefully chosen wine list

A quieter parallel street with traditional taverns and authentic wine bars

An ancient street of stone cellars turned tapas restaurants and bars next to Plaza Mayor

A shaded street in Lavapiés with neighbourhood restaurant terraces and a relaxed vibe day and evening

A main artery in the multicultural neighbourhood with authentic Indian and Bangladeshi restaurants

A characterful Malasaña street with small neighbourhood bars and indie restaurants

Madrid's hottest tapas street, which coined the local verb for a bar crawl

A stylish street with brunch spots, specialty cafes and a young, relaxed atmosphere

A lively street in Chamberí with restaurants, tapas bars and a local neighbourhood vibe

An indie Malasaña street with music bars, tapas and small nightspots

A rising tapas street in Chamberí beside Ponzano with less touristy bars

A local Salamanca street with authentic tapas bars and restaurants loved by residents

A fashionable gastronomic street in Salamanca with fine restaurants and elegant bars

A gourmet tapas market in a 1916 iron and glass hall, a culinary paradise in the centre

A modern gourmet market in Chueca with food stalls across the floors and a popular rooftop bar

The flagship department store with a rooftop terrace and restaurant overlooking Gran Vía and the rooftops of Madrid

An authentic neighbourhood market in Lavapiés with international food stalls and a local character

A historic gourmet market in Salamanca famous for its potato omelette and fine delicacies

An authentic neighbourhood market in La Latina with fish and vegetable stalls and a local tapas bar

An upscale department store with a gourmet hall and fashion brands in the heart of Salamanca

An authentic neighbourhood market in Chamberí, revived with fresh food stalls and local cooking

A historic avenue of secondhand book stalls near the Retiro, a paradise for book lovers

The historic market square by the city gate, a local meeting place with stalls and traditional restaurants

A fashionable semi-pedestrian shopping street with streetwear shops and young brands

Madrid's upscale avenue with international brand stores and an elegant shopping atmosphere

Madrid's big, famous flea market that spreads across the slopes of La Latina every Sunday

The main pedestrian shopping street between Sol and Callao, full of fashion chains

A main artery in Chueca with design shops, bars and a proud, colourful atmosphere

A cluster of secondhand and vintage clothing shops that made Malasaña the capital of alternative fashion

A pedestrian street linking Sol to the Teatro Real, full of shops and cafes

A historic commercial street linking Plaza Mayor to the Puerta de Toledo with long standing shops

Chueca's famous shoe shop and outlet street with attractive prices and local brands

Madrid's luxury brand street with Chanel, Louis Vuitton and top fashion houses

A dignified shopping street in the heart of Salamanca with high end boutiques and restaurants

Salamanca's main shopping artery with fashion chains, shops and lively cafes

An intimate street of boutiques with art galleries and designer shops among dignified buildings

An elegant Salamanca street with local boutiques, galleries and refined neighbourhood restaurants

A branded theme park with roller coasters and shows, ideal for a fun family day

The modern home of Atlético Madrid with immersive tours and the club museum

A large zoo and aquarium in Casa de Campo with pandas, dolphins and shows

A theme park with roller coasters and spinning rides for the whole family in Casa de Campo

A well known rooftop bar on Plaza de la Cebada with open views over the rooftops of La Latina

An iconic nightclub in a former Art Deco building, once Pachá Madrid, with three floors

A rooftop bar and restaurant atop the San Antón market with open views over the roofs of Chueca

A legendary live music club that was the cradle of the 1980s Movida movement

A planetarium with a projection dome and fascinating space simulations for children and adults

An intimate live music venue in Malasaña with indie gigs in the back room

Atlético Madrid's interactive visitor experience beside the Metropolitano stadium

A craft brewery on site with fresh beers brewed behind the bar

A long standing cocktail bar on Plaza del Humilladero loved by the people of La Latina

A historic 19th century steam train between Madrid and Aranjuez with hosts in period costume

The temple of Real Madrid football with a spectacular tour and a museum packed with trophies

A bohemian, colourful Malasaña street with stylish bars, small restaurants and intimate nightspots

A musical night bar in Malasaña with DJs and the vibe of the Movida movement

A historic street between Malasaña and Gran Vía with alternative bars and live venues