Things to do
Madrid is full of things to do, whether it’s your first time or you know the city well. From iconic sights in the centre to easy day trips just outside Madrid, there’s always something new to explore. We’ve also included a few restaurant recommendations across different neighbourhoods, from quick bites to special dinners. For the more popular or fancier spots, we recommend booking well in advance. Just a heads up that Madrid runs on a later schedule and most places open after 10am. Lunch is typically from 2 to 4pm, and dinner from 8pm onwards, so it can be tricky to find restaurants open earlier. Embrace the Spanish timings and take your time!
Rob's Fav
Tapas crawl
Any bar in Madrid will have great tapas, so you can’t really go wrong. Head to La Latina for classic spots or Lavapiés for something more eclectic
Juli's Fav
WAH Show
A high-energy live show experience that combines music, gastronomy an entertainment in a disruptive format. Book ahead
Explore
Reina Sofía museum
Madrid’s home for modern art, including Picasso’s Guernica. A must if you love bold, contemporary exhibitions
Explore
El Prado museum
One of the world’s great art museums, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and more. Free entry Mon–Sat 6–8pm, but expect queues
Explore
Royal Palace
A stunning royal palace with beautiful rooms and gardens nearby. Go early to avoid queues and enjoy the surrounding plazas
Explore
Retiro Park
Madrid’s most iconic park for an easy stroll, people-watching and sunny afternoons. It’s worth a loop around the lake and the Crystal Palace
Gran Vía
The city’s main boulevard for shopping, theatres and classic Madrid buzz. Best in the evening when it’s lively and the lights are on
Plaza Mayor
A postcard-perfect square right in the historic centre. Great for a quick stop as you wander between Sol and La Latina
De Bod Temple
One of the best sunset spots in Madrid with great views over the city. Arrive a little early to grab a good place to sit
Madrid Río
A scenic riverside park with wide walking paths, bridges and plenty of green space. Perfect for a relaxed stroll and a break from the busy centre
Walking tour
If it’s your first time in Madrid, a walking tour is the quickest way to get to know the city. Choose a historic centre route for the best highlights in a couple of hours
Explore
Elegant streets and boutiques
For a scenic walk, explore streets like Claudio Coello, Calle de Serrano and Fuencarral. Ideal for boutiques, coffee stops and a slower pace
Explore local neighbourhoods
Spend a few hours wandering Malasaña, Chueca or Salamanca for shops, architecture and atmosphere. Each area has a totally different feel
View from el Corte Inglés Callao
A rooftop café inside El Corte Inglés (Callao) with an easy panoramic view over Madrid. A great stop if you’re in the area
View from Skybar 360
A popular rooftop viewpoint at Hotel RIU with panoramic views across Madrid. Entry is €5–10 depending on the time of day and peak times can get busy, so to avoid queues you can book a table for drinks
Explore
Explore the city
Not sure where to start? These routes are our favourite ways to see the city, from classic highlights to neighbourhood strolls. They’re all walkable, flexible, and easy to dip in and out of.
Madrid Highlights
A perfect first-timer route that covers some of Madrid’s most iconic sights in one easy walk. It’s mostly flat and takes around 1.5-2 hours without stops.
Retiro Park
Start inside Retiro and enjoy a wander through the park. We highly recommend a stop at the rose gardens, as they should be in bloom. Aim to make your way towards the Puerta de Alcalá side of the park
Alcalá gate
Exit Retiro near Puerta de Alcalá (the large stone arch). From here, you’re right on Calle de Alcalá
Plaza de Cibeles
From Puerta de Alcalá, walk straight down Calle de Alcalá for about 10–15 minutes until you reach Plaza de Cibeles (you’ll see the fountain and the grand white building)
Gran Vía to Callao
Keep walking along Calle de Alcalá for a few minutes until you reach the start of Gran Vía (by the Metropolis building). Turn onto Gran Vía and continue straight for 15–20 minutes until you reach Plaza de Callao
Takos al Pastor: Casual lunch spot
Corte Inglés: Head to the rooftop café for panoramic views over the city
Sol
From Callao, walk to Puerta del Sol via Calle Preciados (a busy pedestrian shopping street). It’s about 10 minutes and very straightforward
San Ginés: Ideal for churros and chocolate break
Rosi La Loca: Spanish sit down meal or drinks. Reservation required
Plaza Mayor
From Sol, head to Plaza Mayor by taking Calle Mayor (signposted) and then turning into one of the small entrances into the square. It’s around 8–10 minutes from Sol
Mercado de San Miguel: Perfect for a quick wander and snack
Divorare: Stop for a delicious sandwich
Royal Palace
Walk to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real) via Calle Mayor (about 15 minutes). You can also stop at Catedral de la Almudena next door if you like
Open map
Salamanca streets
A great walk through the Salamanca neighbourhood for wide boulevards, beautiful buildings and some of Madrid’s best shopping streets. It’s an easy loop and takes around 1–1.5 hours without stops.
Plaza de Colón
Start at Plaza de Colón and head towards the Salamanca side of the city
Calle de Goya
From Colón, walk along Calle de Goya (a main shopping street). Follow it until you reach Calle Serrano
Calle Serrano
When you reach Calle de Serrano, turn onto it and continue walking north towards Salamanca neighborhood. This is one of Madrid’s most famous shopping streets
Honest Greens: Ideal for a quick healthy lunch
Ten con Ten: Spanish sit down meal
StreetXO: Great if you want something punchy and creative
Calle José Ortega and Gasset
When you reach Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, turn right and follow it to Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca. This stretch is known for luxury boutiques and designer stores
Calle de Ayála
Head south on Calle del Príncipe de Vergara until you reach Calle de Ayála, a quieter, elegant residential street. Follow it west until you reach Calle de Velázquez
Sala de Despiece: Treat yourself with a unique dining experience
Calle de Velásquez
Walk south towards Parque del Retiro. Calle de Velázquez is a great area for shops and restaurants. Whenever you feel like it, turn west and then head north via Calle de Lagasca
Álex Cordobés: Try the famous tarta de queso. We recommend ordering ahead for collection
Calle de Claudio Coello
Turn onto Claudio Coello to head south again and walk until you reach Calle de Alcalá. Claudio Coello is great for boutiques, cafés, and a quieter Salamanca vibe. If you feel like completing the whole circuit, head west until you reach Calle de Serrano, then turn north to close the loop
La Máquina: Spanish sit down meal
Open map
Malasaña stroll
A fun neighbourhood walk for cafés, boutiques, street art and a more local Madrid feel, finishing at Templo de Debod for sunset. It’s an easy stroll and takes around 1–1.5 hours without stops.
Gran Vía
Start on Gran Vía and head north towards Chueca
Chueca
Walk up through Chueca via Calle de Hortaleza (lively) or Calle de Fuencarral (easy to follow). This area is great for shops, cafés and a buzzy atmosphere
Malvón: Grab an Argentinian empanada to refuel
Beata pasta: Casual italian restaurant
Malasaña
When you reach the Bilbao Metro stop, head south via Calle de San Andrés into Malasaña and make your way to Plaza del Dos de Mayo, the heart of the neighbourhood and a great place to pause. For a more “local streets” feel, wander via Calle del Espíritu Santo and the smaller side streets around it
Plaza de España
Carry on to Plaza de España, a newly revamped square with gardens and big views towards the Royal Palace area
Skybar 360: Head up to the rooftop at Hotel RIU for excellent panoramic views over the city
De Bod Temple
From Plaza de España, walk over to Templo de Debod for sunset (about 10–15 minutes). Arrive a little early to get a good spot to sit and enjoy the view
Open map
EN
ES
ROB & JULI
Contact us
Stay in the loop
If you’re never going to check this website again...don’t worry, we’ve got a WhatsApp group to keep you updated on all our wedding shenanigans
Join now
Rob & Juli
RSVP
Things to do
Madrid is full of things to do, whether it’s your first time or you know the city well. From iconic sights in the centre to easy day trips just outside Madrid, there’s always something new to explore. We’ve also included a few restaurant recommendations across different neighbourhoods, from quick bites to special dinners. For the more popular or fancier spots, we recommend booking well in advance. Just a heads up that Madrid runs on a later schedule and most places open after 10am. Lunch is typically from 2 to 4pm, and dinner from 8pm onwards, so it can be tricky to find restaurants open earlier. Embrace the Spanish timings and take your time!
Rob's Fav
Tapas crawl
Any bar in Madrid will have great tapas, so you can’t really go wrong. Head to La Latina for classic spots or Lavapiés for something more eclectic
Juli's Fav
WAH Show
A high-energy live show experience that combines music, gastronomy an entertainment in a disruptive format. Book ahead
Explore
Reina Sofía museum
Madrid’s home for modern art, including Picasso’s Guernica. A must if you love bold, contemporary exhibitions
Explore
El Prado museum
One of the world’s great art museums, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and more. Free entry Mon–Sat 6–8pm, but expect queues
Explore
Royal Palace
A stunning royal palace with beautiful rooms and gardens nearby. Go early to avoid queues and enjoy the surrounding plazas
Explore
Retiro Park
Madrid’s most iconic park for an easy stroll, people-watching and sunny afternoons. It’s worth a loop around the lake and the Crystal Palace
Gran Vía
The city’s main boulevard for shopping, theatres and classic Madrid buzz. Best in the evening when it’s lively and the lights are on
Plaza Mayor
A postcard-perfect square right in the historic centre. Great for a quick stop as you wander between Sol and La Latina
De Bod Temple
One of the best sunset spots in Madrid with great views over the city. Arrive a little early to grab a good place to sit
Madrid Río
A scenic riverside park with wide walking paths, bridges and plenty of green space. Perfect for a relaxed stroll and a break from the busy centre
Walking tour
If it’s your first time in Madrid, a walking tour is the quickest way to get to know the city. Choose a historic centre route for the best highlights in a couple of hours
Explore
Elegant streets and boutiques
For a scenic walk, explore streets like Claudio Coello, Calle de Serrano and Fuencarral. Ideal for boutiques, coffee stops and a slower pace
Explore local neighbourhoods
Spend a few hours wandering Malasaña, Chueca or Salamanca for shops, architecture and atmosphere. Each area has a totally different feel
View from el Corte Inglés Callao
A rooftop café inside El Corte Inglés (Callao) with an easy panoramic view over Madrid. A great stop if you’re in the area
View from Skybar 360
A popular rooftop viewpoint at Hotel RIU with panoramic views across Madrid. Entry is €5–10 depending on the time of day and peak times can get busy, so to avoid queues you can book a table for drinks
Explore
Explore the city
Not sure where to start? These routes are our favourite ways to see the city, from classic highlights to neighbourhood strolls. They’re all walkable, flexible, and easy to dip in and out of.
Madrid Highlights
A perfect first-timer route that covers some of Madrid’s most iconic sights in one easy walk. It’s mostly flat and takes around 1.5-2 hours without stops.
Retiro Park
Start inside Retiro and enjoy a wander through the park. We highly recommend a stop at the rose gardens, as they should be in bloom. Aim to make your way towards the Puerta de Alcalá side of the park
Alcalá gate
Exit Retiro near Puerta de Alcalá (the large stone arch). From here, you’re right on Calle de Alcalá
Plaza de Cibeles
From Puerta de Alcalá, walk straight down Calle de Alcalá for about 10–15 minutes until you reach Plaza de Cibeles (you’ll see the fountain and the grand white building)
Gran Vía to Callao
Keep walking along Calle de Alcalá for a few minutes until you reach the start of Gran Vía (by the Metropolis building). Turn onto Gran Vía and continue straight for 15–20 minutes until you reach Plaza de Callao
Takos al Pastor: Casual lunch spot
Corte Inglés: Head to the rooftop café for panoramic views over the city
Sol
From Callao, walk to Puerta del Sol via Calle Preciados (a busy pedestrian shopping street). It’s about 10 minutes and very straightforward
San Ginés: Ideal for churros and chocolate break
Rosi La Loca: Spanish sit down meal or drinks. Reservation required
Plaza Mayor
From Sol, head to Plaza Mayor by taking Calle Mayor (signposted) and then turning into one of the small entrances into the square. It’s around 8–10 minutes from Sol
Mercado de San Miguel: Perfect for a quick wander and snack
Divorare: Stop for a delicious sandwich
Royal Palace
Walk to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real) via Calle Mayor (about 15 minutes). You can also stop at Catedral de la Almudena next door if you like
OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS
Salamanca streets
A great walk through the Salamanca neighbourhood for wide boulevards, beautiful buildings and some of Madrid’s best shopping streets. It’s an easy loop and takes around 1–1.5 hours without stops.
Plaza de Colón
Start at Plaza de Colón and head towards the Salamanca side of the city
Calle de Goya
From Colón, walk along Calle de Goya (a main shopping street). Follow it until you reach Calle Serrano
Calle Serrano
When you reach Calle de Serrano, turn onto it and continue walking north towards Salamanca neighborhood. This is one of Madrid’s most famous shopping streets
Honest Greens: Ideal for a quick healthy lunch
Ten con Ten: Spanish sit down meal
StreetXO: Great if you want something punchy and creative
Calle José Ortega and Gasset
When you reach Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, turn right and follow it to Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca. This stretch is known for luxury boutiques and designer stores
Calle de Ayála
Head south on Calle del Príncipe de Vergara until you reach Calle de Ayála, a quieter, elegant residential street. Follow it west until you reach Calle de Velázquez
Sala de Despiece: Treat yourself with a unique dining experience
Calle de Velásquez
Walk south towards Parque del Retiro. Calle de Velázquez is a great area for shops and restaurants. Whenever you feel like it, turn west and then head north via Calle de Lagasca
Álex Cordobés: Try the famous tarta de queso. We recommend ordering ahead for collection
Calle de Claudio Coello
Turn onto Claudio Coello to head south again and walk until you reach Calle de Alcalá. Claudio Coello is great for boutiques, cafés, and a quieter Salamanca vibe. If you feel like completing the whole circuit, head west until you reach Calle de Serrano, then turn north to close the loop
La Máquina: Spanish sit down meal
Open map
Malasaña stroll
A fun neighbourhood walk for cafés, boutiques, street art and a more local Madrid feel, finishing at Templo de Debod for sunset. It’s an easy stroll and takes around 1–1.5 hours without stops.
Gran Vía
Start on Gran Vía and head north towards Chueca
Chueca
Walk up through Chueca via Calle de Hortaleza (lively) or Calle de Fuencarral (easy to follow). This area is great for shops, cafés and a buzzy atmosphere
Malvón: Grab an Argentinian empanada to refuel
Beata pasta: Casual italian restaurant
Malasaña
When you reach the Bilbao Metro stop, head south via Calle de San Andrés into Malasaña and make your way to Plaza del Dos de Mayo, the heart of the neighbourhood and a great place to pause. For a more “local streets” feel, wander via Calle del Espíritu Santo and the smaller side streets around it
Plaza de España
Carry on to Plaza de España, a newly revamped square with gardens and big views towards the Royal Palace area
Skybar 360: Head up to the rooftop at Hotel RIU for excellent panoramic views over the city
De Bod Temple
From Plaza de España, walk over to Templo de Debod for sunset (about 10–15 minutes). Arrive a little early to get a good spot to sit and enjoy the view
Open map
EN
ES
ROB & JULI
Contact us
Stay in the loop
If you’re never going to check this website again...don’t worry, we’ve got a WhatsApp group to keep you updated on all our wedding shenanigans
Join now
Things to do
Madrid is full of things to do, whether it’s your first time or you know the city well. From iconic sights in the centre to easy day trips just outside Madrid, there’s always something new to explore. We’ve also included a few restaurant recommendations across different neighbourhoods, from quick bites to special dinners. For the more popular or fancier spots, we recommend booking well in advance. Just a heads up that Madrid runs on a later schedule and most places open after 10am. Lunch is typically from 2 to 4pm, and dinner from 8pm onwards, so it can be tricky to find restaurants open earlier. Embrace the Spanish timings and take your time!
Rob's Fav
Tapas crawl
Any bar in Madrid will have great tapas, so you can’t really go wrong. Head to La Latina for classic spots or Lavapiés for something more eclectic
Juli's Fav
WAH Show
A high-energy live show experience that combines music, gastronomy an entertainment in a disruptive format. Book ahead
Explore
Reina Sofía museum
Madrid’s home for modern art, including Picasso’s Guernica. A must if you love bold, contemporary exhibitions
Explore
El Prado museum
One of the world’s great art museums, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and more. Free entry Mon–Sat 6–8pm, but expect queues
Explore
Royal Palace
A stunning royal palace with beautiful rooms and gardens nearby. Go early to avoid queues and enjoy the surrounding plazas
Explore
Retiro Park
Madrid’s most iconic park for an easy stroll, people-watching and sunny afternoons. It’s worth a loop around the lake and the Crystal Palace
Gran Vía
The city’s main boulevard for shopping, theatres and classic Madrid buzz. Best in the evening when it’s lively and the lights are on
Plaza Mayor
A postcard-perfect square right in the historic centre. Great for a quick stop as you wander between Sol and La Latina
De Bod Temple
One of the best sunset spots in Madrid with great views over the city. Arrive a little early to grab a good place to sit
Madrid Río
A scenic riverside park with wide walking paths, bridges and plenty of green space. Perfect for a relaxed stroll and a break from the busy centre
Walking tour
If it’s your first time in Madrid, a walking tour is the quickest way to get to know the city. Choose a historic centre route for the best highlights in a couple of hours
Explore
Elegant streets and boutiques
For a scenic walk, explore streets like Claudio Coello, Calle de Serrano and Fuencarral. Ideal for boutiques, coffee stops and a slower pace
Explore local neighbourhoods
Spend a few hours wandering Malasaña, Chueca or Salamanca for shops, architecture and atmosphere. Each area has a totally different feel
View from el Corte Inglés Callao
A rooftop café inside El Corte Inglés (Callao) with an easy panoramic view over Madrid. A great stop if you’re in the area
View from Skybar 360
A popular rooftop viewpoint at Hotel RIU with panoramic views across Madrid. Entry is €5–10 depending on the time of day and peak times can get busy, so to avoid queues you can book a table for drinks
Explore
Explore the city
Not sure where to start? These routes are our favourite ways to see the city, from classic highlights to neighbourhood strolls. They’re all walkable, flexible, and easy to dip in and out of.
Madrid Highlights
A perfect first-timer route that covers some of Madrid’s most iconic sights in one easy walk. It’s mostly flat and takes around 1.5-2 hours without stops.
Retiro Park
Start inside Retiro and enjoy a wander through the park. We highly recommend a stop at the rose gardens, as they should be in bloom. Aim to make your way towards the Puerta de Alcalá side of the park
Alcalá gate
Exit Retiro near Puerta de Alcalá (the large stone arch). From here, you’re right on Calle de Alcalá
Plaza de Cibeles
From Puerta de Alcalá, walk straight down Calle de Alcalá for about 10–15 minutes until you reach Plaza de Cibeles (you’ll see the fountain and the grand white building)
Gran Vía to Callao
Keep walking along Calle de Alcalá for a few minutes until you reach the start of Gran Vía (by the Metropolis building). Turn onto Gran Vía and continue straight for 15–20 minutes until you reach Plaza de Callao
Takos al Pastor: Casual lunch spot
Corte Inglés: Head to the rooftop café for panoramic views over the city
Sol
From Callao, walk to Puerta del Sol via Calle Preciados (a busy pedestrian shopping street). It’s about 10 minutes and very straightforward
San Ginés: Ideal for churros and chocolate break
Rosi La Loca: Spanish sit down meal or drinks. Reservation required
Plaza Mayor
From Sol, head to Plaza Mayor by taking Calle Mayor (signposted) and then turning into one of the small entrances into the square. It’s around 8–10 minutes from Sol
Mercado de San Miguel: Perfect for a quick wander and snack
Divorare: Stop for a delicious sandwich
Royal Palace
Walk to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real) via Calle Mayor (about 15 minutes). You can also stop at Catedral de la Almudena next door if you like
Open map
Salamanca streets
A great walk through the Salamanca neighbourhood for wide boulevards, beautiful buildings and some of Madrid’s best shopping streets. It’s an easy loop and takes around 1–1.5 hours without stops.
Plaza de Colón
Start at Plaza de Colón and head towards the Salamanca side of the city
Calle de Goya
From Colón, walk along Calle de Goya (a main shopping street). Follow it until you reach Calle Serrano
Calle Serrano
When you reach Calle de Serrano, turn onto it and continue walking north towards Salamanca neighborhood. This is one of Madrid’s most famous shopping streets
Honest Greens: Ideal for a quick healthy lunch
Ten con Ten: Spanish sit down meal
StreetXO: Great if you want something punchy and creative
Calle José Ortega and Gasset
When you reach Calle de José Ortega y Gasset, turn right and follow it to Plaza del Marqués de Salamanca. This stretch is known for luxury boutiques and designer stores
Calle de Ayála
Head south on Calle del Príncipe de Vergara until you reach Calle de Ayála, a quieter, elegant residential street. Follow it west until you reach Calle de Velázquez
Sala de Despiece: Treat yourself with a unique dining experience
Calle de Velásquez
Walk south towards Parque del Retiro. Calle de Velázquez is a great area for shops and restaurants. Whenever you feel like it, turn west and then head north via Calle de Lagasca
Álex Cordobés: Try the famous tarta de queso. We recommend ordering ahead for collection
Calle de Claudio Coello
Turn onto Claudio Coello to head south again and walk until you reach Calle de Alcalá. Claudio Coello is great for boutiques, cafés, and a quieter Salamanca vibe. If you feel like completing the whole circuit, head west until you reach Calle de Serrano, then turn north to close the loop
La Máquina: Spanish sit down meal
Open map
Malasaña stroll
A fun neighbourhood walk for cafés, boutiques, street art and a more local Madrid feel, finishing at Templo de Debod for sunset. It’s an easy stroll and takes around 1–1.5 hours without stops.
Gran Vía
Start on Gran Vía and head north towards Chueca
Chueca
Walk up through Chueca via Calle de Hortaleza (lively) or Calle de Fuencarral (easy to follow). This area is great for shops, cafés and a buzzy atmosphere
Malvón: Grab an Argentinian empanada to refuel
Beata pasta: Casual italian restaurant
Malasaña
When you reach the Bilbao Metro stop, head south via Calle de San Andrés into Malasaña and make your way to Plaza del Dos de Mayo, the heart of the neighbourhood and a great place to pause. For a more “local streets” feel, wander via Calle del Espíritu Santo and the smaller side streets around it
Plaza de España
Carry on to Plaza de España, a newly revamped square with gardens and big views towards the Royal Palace area
Skybar 360: Head up to the rooftop at Hotel RIU for excellent panoramic views over the city
De Bod Temple
From Plaza de España, walk over to Templo de Debod for sunset (about 10–15 minutes). Arrive a little early to get a good spot to sit and enjoy the view
Open map
EN
ES
ROB & JULI
Contact us
Stay in the loop
If you’re never going to check this website again...don’t worry, we’ve got a WhatsApp group to keep you updated on all our wedding shenanigans
Join now
