The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. This grandiose palace dates back to the 16th century and is a main attraction in Madrid. Spend a couple of hours admiring its lavish interiors and the beautiful Sabatini and Campo del Moro Gardens.
One of the world's finest art galleries, the Prado National Museum houses an impressive collection of European art from the 12th to 19th century. Works from Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco are just a few of the highlights. Spend at least two hours exploring the vast collections.
The Retiro Park is a large park in the center of Madrid which houses the Crystal Palace, a beautiful glass building that is used for art exhibitions, and a lake that rents rowboats. Take a relaxing stroll, visit the gardens or just unwind on the grass. A picnic would be perfect!
The Mercado de San Miguel is a popular food market, that offers culinary delights from all over Spain. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
Travelers can explore most of Madrid’s attractions on foot since they’re situated closely. However, taking a taxi or using public transportation will be necessary to reach some locations. The cost of a taxi ride in Madrid is around $0.90 per km, and a single metro ticket costs $1.50.
If you have more time, you may want to head to the nearby Templo de Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple, or the stunning Almudena Cathedral, which is adjacent to the Royal Palace. If you have less time, you can reduce your stay at one of the attractions to an hour to give you more time to visit other places.
Madrid has one major airport - Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD). It’s about 13 km from the city center and can be accessed by taxi, bus, or metro.