8 Things to Do in Madrid for an Unforgettable Weekend Getaway

Energetic yet charming, diverse yet compact. Madrid is the perfect city for a memorable weekend trip, and for good reason. Architecture? Take your pick, from medieval churches to Baroque landmarks and contemporary gems. Culture? Discover celebrated art museums and explore local traditions like flamenco dancing. And of course there’s the vibrant nightlife and mouth-watering cuisine that’s made Madrid famous the world over. Best of all, with a relatively small city centre, it’s a very walkable place, so you can stroll easily from your accommodation to grand palaces, cosy tapas bars, buzzing entertainment hotspots and back again in plenty of time to rinse and repeat. Check out our top 8 picks of places to visit and things to do.

Begin your discovery at the Royal Palace of Madrid, an opulent sprawl of eye-popping art, architecture and treasures across 3,418 rooms. Built in the mid-18th century on the site of a former medieval fortress, this royal residence is packed with rococo-style extravagance, flamboyant French furniture, glittering crystal-and-bronze chandeliers, sumptuous bas-reliefs and much more. 

When you’ve been thoroughly bedazzled by the lavish interiors, stroll in the landscaped, neoclassical royal gardens amid fountains, statues and a wonderful little hedge maze that kids will love.

Good to know: Book tickets in advance to avoid the queues. As this is a working royal residence, photography is not allowed in many of the rooms.

C. de Bailén, s/n, Centro, 28071 Madrid. Palace opens Mon-Sat 10am-7pm (6pm in winter), Sun 10am-4pm. Gardens open daily 10am-7pm. 

Just south of the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral is an impressive Baroque landmark that took over a century to build. Although the first stone was laid in 1883 by King Alfonso XII, delays due to war, insufficient funds and design changes meant the cathedral was only completed in 1993, when it was consecrated by Pope John Paul II.

Inside, admire an eclectic mix of treasures, from a 13th-century funerary ark containing the remains of patron saint San Isidro, to stained-glass windows by modern Spanish artist Kiko Argüello. There’s also a small museum and a light-filled crypt noteworthy for its soaring columns and gold votive lamps.

C. de Bailén, 10, Centro, 28013 Madrid. Church opens daily 10am-8pm Sept-June, 10am-9pm Jul-Aug. Museum opens Mon-Sat 10am-2:30pm. 

There’s nothing that lifts the spirits quite as much as a meander in a leafy park, and topping the list of Madrid’s green spaces is El Retiro. Hire a rowing boat to explore the large, tranquil lake, take in an art exhibition at the 19th-century Glass Palace or simply stroll down the wide, tree-lined boulevards to discover the many statues and fountains. Look out for the Fountain of the Fallen Angel, with an 1878 sculpture depicting Lucifer and said to sit 666 metres above sea level.   

Top tip: Head southwest out of the park to find another Madrid must-see – the 18th-century Royal Botanic Garden, home to an abundance of plants from all over the world.

Retiro, 28009 Madrid. Open Apr-Sept 6am-midnight, Oct-Mar 6am-10pm.  

With its unrivalled collection of Spanish masterpieces, the Prado Museum is a stand-out for any cultural weekend getaway in Madrid. It’s massive, so if you only have limited time or have restless little ones in tow, pick up a map from the entrance and decide which of the many highlights you want to target. Look out for Goya’s Black Paintings, hauntingly displayed in a gallery of their own, and Las Meninas, the mind-bogglingly elusive oil painting by Baroque master Velázquez.

Top tip: If you’re planning to visit Madrid’s two other renowned art museums, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, buy yourself an Art Walk Pass (Paseo del Arte), which admits you to all three venues at a discounted rate.

C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, Retiro, 28014 Madrid. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun and holidays 10am-7pm. 

Football (or soccer, depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re from) is a national passion, and Madrid alone has three professional teams in the country’s top league. Even if you’re not a sports enthusiast, a behind-the-scenes stadium tour is a great way to understand why this game ignites such pride and enthusiasm in Madrileños.

Explore Real Madrid’s home, the Santiago Bernabéu, for a panoramic view of a venue that fits over 80,000 spectators, plus a museum displaying an impressive array of trophies. You can take a self-guided tour or level up your experience with a guide who’ll regale you with tales of the club’s triumphs and tribulations. 

Good to know: Atlético Madrid’s base, the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium, is further from the city centre but offers a more laid-back vibe compared to its league rival. And if you're looking to squeeze a stadium tour in before your flight, this luxury airport hotel is just around the corner.  

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu: Av. de Concha Espina, 1, Chamartín, 28036 Madrid. Open daily Mon-Sat 9:30am-7pm, Sun and public holidays 10am-6.30pm. Tours and opening hours can be affected by match days and construction work, so always check online. 

A dazzling array of artisan cheeses from across the country. Fresh oysters, open to order. Perfectly golden croquettes, crunchy on the outside and oozy on the inside. Any weekend itinerary in Madrid has to include a stop at one of the city’s tantalising food markets, and the Mercado de San Miguel, in the heart of the city, is a foodie heaven. Bring an appetite and sample everything that local cuisine has to offer, from fried chicken to speciality breads, freshly brewed beer to fine Spanish sherry. 

Top tip: If you happen to be sightseeing outside of the central core, Mercado San Antón (in Chueca) or Mercado San Ildefonso (in Malasaña) tend to have fewer tourists and are kinder on the pocket too.  

Mercado de San Miguel: Pl. de San Miguel, s/n, Centro, 28005 Madrid. Open Sun-Thur 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat and public holiday eves 10am-1am.

Still hungry? Head to the Barrio de las Letras (Literary Quarter), a lively district packed with old-school cafes, elegant bistros and plenty of tapas bars. Start at the main square, Plaza de Santa Ana, and just go bar hopping where the mood takes you. Definitely sample the classics – patatas bravas, tortilla and Ibérico ham – but also ask each bar if they have any house specialities for you to try. Need a nearby bed to roll home to when you’re stuffed full of yummy tapas? This child-friendly design hotel is right there. 

Barrio de las Letras, Centro, Madrid. Closest train and metro station: Sol

Finish off your weekend in Madrid by immersing yourself in one of the city’s greatest traditions. Flamenco – dramatically twirly dancing in frothy costumes to expressive guitar music – can be found in tablaos, where you can watch this passionate art form up close. Stalwarts include Corral de la Morería – a favourite with Hollywood celebrities – and Teatro Flamenco Madrid, both of which have hosted some of the world’s most renowned flamenco artists. For a more intimate vibe, check out Tablao Flamenco Torero and Cardamomo, both near Puerta del Sol.

Corral de la Morería, C. de la Moreria, 17, Centro, 28005 Madrid. Prices start at around €48 for the show. Dinner is priced separately and children under 7 are not allowed. Book in advance online. 

That's it from us. What are you waiting for? Your perfect weekend in Madrid is calling!