24 places, 13 of them free and 10 tours and activities. World-class art, grand boulevards and a city that stays up late.
Paseo del Prado
One of the world’s greatest collections of European painting, with Velázquez and Goya at its heart.
Daily, roughly 10:00–20:00; shorter hours on Sundays and holidays
Retiro
Madrid’s green heart, with a boating lake, rose garden and a glass Crystal Palace.
Daily, roughly 6:00–midnight (earlier closing in winter)
Palacio
A vast, opulent palace with over a thousand rooms, of which the grandest are open to visitors.
Daily, roughly 10:00–18:00 (to 19:00 in summer); check for closures
Atocha
Modern and contemporary art, and home to Picasso’s Guernica.
Most days, roughly 10:00–21:00; closed Tuesdays (check the calendar)
Centro
A glass-and-iron market hall turned tapas playground near Plaza Mayor.
Daily, roughly 10:00–midnight
Parque del Oeste
An authentic Egyptian temple rebuilt in a Madrid park, glowing at golden hour.
Open-air park; temple interior open limited days, typically closed Mondays
La Latina
Madrid’s sprawling Sunday street market, full of antiques, vintage finds and bar-hopping locals.
Sundays and public holidays, roughly 9:00–15:00
Toledo (about 70 km)
A hilltop medieval city of cathedral, synagogues and mosques, 30 minutes by fast train.
Most monuments open daily, roughly 10:00–18:00
Planning Madrid? 13 places to eat are one tap away.