Things To Do in Madrid

The Palace and the Prado

Madrid's two essentials are a short walk apart. The Royal Palace, the largest in Western Europe, has a fast-access ticket for independent visitors and a guided tour with fast-track entry for the throne room, the royal armory and the state apartments. The Prado holds Velázquez, Goya and Bosch, and the combined Prado and Royal Palace tour does both in a morning with an art historian. For a longer stay, the Art Walk pass covers the Prado, the Reina Sofía with Picasso's Guernica, and the Thyssen on one ticket.

Day Trips to Segovia and Toledo

Two UNESCO cities sit within an hour of the capital. Segovia has a Roman aqueduct and the fairytale Alcázar; Toledo, the old imperial capital, has a cathedral, synagogues and El Greco. The full-day tour covers both with entry to the Alcázar and the cathedral, and it is the most booked excursion from Madrid.

Evenings: Flamenco and Tapas

Madrid is the center of Spanish nightlife and dinner starts late. The Teatro Flamenco show in Malasaña is the highest-rated flamenco in the city, an hour of dance and guitar in a small theater. For food, the guided tapas and wine tour walks through La Latina and the Literary Quarter, and the version with a rooftop stop ends with views over the old town.

Practical Notes

Madrid is hot in July and August and many locals leave; spring and autumn are the pleasant seasons and museums are quieter on weekday mornings. The metro reaches everything, including the airport. Most tours here offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.