Royal Palace of Madrid
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The official residence of the King of Spain, a majestic building full of history and art.
What to see in Madrid
These are the 12 places you cannot miss if you travel to Madrid. Save your favourites and open them in Google Maps to plan your route.
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Retiro Park
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One of Madrid's most iconic parks, perfect for a stroll, a picnic or enjoying the pond and its monuments.
Puerta del Sol
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The heart of the city, known for Kilometre Zero and as the place where Spain rings in the New Year.
Prado Museum
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One of the most important art museums in the world, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and Bosch, among others.
Temple of Debod
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A genuine Egyptian temple donated by Egypt to Spain, offering one of the most beautiful sunsets in the city.
Monastery of El Escorial
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A great monastery and palace built by Philip II, with a historic library and the royal pantheon of the kings of Spain.
Plaza Mayor de Madrid
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A 17th-century arcaded square in the very centre of Madrid, lined with terraces and the Casa de la Panadería.
Royal Palace of Aranjuez
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The kings' spring residence, surrounded by gardens along the Tagus that are part of a World Heritage cultural landscape.
Valley of Cuelgamuros (formerly Valley of the Fallen)
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A monumental complex in the Guadarrama mountains, with a basilica carved into the rock and a 150-metre cross. It was built between 1940 and 1958, during the Franco dictatorship, and since 2022 it has officially been called the Valley of Cuelgamuros.
Alcalá de Henares
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The birthplace of Cervantes, with a historic university that is a World Heritage Site and an arcaded Calle Mayor.
Reina Sofía Museum
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Museum of modern and contemporary art housed in an eighteenth-century former hospital, home to Picasso's Guernica.
Chinchón
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Town famous for its arcaded Plaza Mayor with wooden balconies, which turns into a bullring during the local festivities.
About Madrid
Madrid combines great museums such as the Prado, the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor and Retiro Park with day trips close at hand: the Monastery of El Escorial, the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and Alcalá de Henares, birthplace of Cervantes.
Frequently asked questions about Madrid
What to see in Madrid in one day?
A walking route can link Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace in the morning, and the Prado Museum and Retiro Park in the afternoon. At sunset, the Temple of Debod is one of the best viewpoints.
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November). July and August are very hot, although the city is quieter.
What places to visit near Madrid?
El Escorial, Aranjuez and Alcalá de Henares are easy day trips by commuter train; Toledo and Segovia, less than an hour away by high-speed train, are other classic getaways.