Top 10 things to do in Madrid, Spain

Have Chocolate con Churros at Chocolatería San Ginés

This bar has been serving the famous chocolate con churros (hot chocolate with churros) since 1894. Their dense and velvety hot chocolate has the perfect consistency to soak in churros or other pastries. As in other churrerias, they serve the famous churros and porras (churros with a bigger diameter). Practical info: open 24h Thursday-Sunday and 08:00 am-11:30 pm Monday-Wednesday.

Tip: it gets very busy due to its popularity. If you do not want to queue, go before 08:00 am or right when they open Monday-Wednesday. Every time I have gone, it was around 8:00 am, and when I arrived, there were seats available, but when I left, there was already a short queue.

Walk around El Retiro Park

This is absolutely one of my favourite things to do whenever I am in the city. This park has recently been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What I love about El Retiro is its different ambiences, from the large lake to the Crystal Palace, the rose garden, or Andalusian-inspired classicistic gardens. Most people only visit the large lake and maybe the Glass Palace. However, I recommend walking around the whole park to really appreciate its beauty. Also, book lovers should definitely not miss Cuesta de Moyano, a street full of second-hand book stalls. Most of the books there are in Spanish, but some stalls also have a few books in English. To get there from the park, exit the park in the southwest door and cross Alfonso XII Street.

See the sunset at Plaza de la Armería

Probably the most popular spot to see the sunset in Madrid is Templo de Debod. However, I prefer Plaza de la Armería, which also has magnificent views of Casa de Campo, especially after remodelling the lookout.

Discover Madrid walking around Plaza de Oriente and Jardines de Sabatini

Plaza the Oriente is located between the Royal Palace and the Royal Theatre. Its Barroque-style central gardens contain statues of Spanish kings, and in the centre, there is a monument of Philip IV of Spain. Jardines de Sabatini (Sabatini Gardens) is located next to Plaza de Oriente and has recently opened after a big remodelling.

Disconnect from the hustle of the city in Casa de Campo or Campo del Moro

El Retiro Park is definitely the most famous park in Madrid. However, this city has other beautiful oases that help you escape the busyness of the city. Casa de Campo (Country House in English) was a royal hunting state. Now, it is the biggest public park in Madrid. The eastern area is the most visited since the lake, an amusement park and the zoo are located there. Campo del Moro is a hidden gem, and even some locals don't know about it. This English-style park, designed in the 19th century, is located next to Palacio Real, and when you enter it, you have a magnificent view of the palace.

Enter an Egypcian Temple at Templo de Debod

As mentioned, the Temple of Debod is a popular place to see the sunset in Madrid, but it is also possible to visit the interior of this Egypcian temple. Inside, you can travel back in time and explore its rooms that contain panels explaining curiosities about the temple and life in Egypt. But why is the temple located in Madrid? In 1960, the construction of the Aswan High Dam (Egypt) threatened the survival of the monuments that would be covered by water. Therefore, UNESCO started a campaign to save them (The International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia). The Egyptian state donated to Spain the Temple as a sign of gratitude for contributing to the campaign. The Temple of Debod is one of its kind in Spain, and it is free to enter.

Admire the views of Madrid from Faro de Moncloa

Just 3 metro stops from España Square, one can find Moncloa’s Lighthouse, a 92-metres observation deck with wonderful views of Madrid’s skyline. Personally, I think this is the best option to see Madrid’s skyline as it offers views of the Royal Palace, la Gran Vía and the Telefónica Building, the Four Towers (Madrid’s business area), and even on clear days, la Sierra de Guadarrama (Guadarrama mountains). The observation deck is open 09:30 am-08:00 pm, and admission is 4 euros.

Go shopping in Gran Vía, Calle de Fuencarral and Calle de Preciados

These are the most popular and busy shopping streets in the city. Don’t expect to find unique artesian shops on these streets. There are mainly big international chains such as H&M, Primark, Rituals and Zara. One of the busiest shops is Primark, which has five stories, and its building is pretty impressive.

Have tapas at Calle de la Cava Baja

To avoid tourist traps and experience the real “tapeo”, head to Cava Baja Street. This is one of the most lively streets of the city, and it’s a popular hotspot amongst locals for tapas. Alongside this street, there are many traditional and modern bars.

Go to the theatre

Believe it or not, Madrid’s theatre scene is remarkable. La Gran Vía is Madrid’s Broadway. So, theatre fans definitely should check the theatre guide when in Madrid. There is something for every person, from classic theatre to comedy or musicals. The Lion King is the most popular one. Many Spaniards come to Madrid to see this musical. And the numbers speak for themselves, it’s the longest-running musical in Spain and has been running since 2011.