Top Things To Do In Madrid

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Tourist couple posing in a lush green park on a sunny day in Madrid

Top things to do in Madrid

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

City Unscripted Original

Madrid Explore the trendy barrio of Malasaña

Technicolor street art, second-hand vinyl stores, and coffee shops that transform into bars (magic).

$97.11 per person

3 hours

(31)

City Unscripted Original

Madrid Must see Madrid with a local

European art, chocolatería churros and a palace (or two, you never know when you’d need a spare).

$231.66 per person

8 hours

(41)

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Madrid Shopping in Madrid

Retro designer stores, vintage markets, and one-of-a-kind boutiques.

$150.93 per person

5 hours

(44)

Explore La Latina, Madrid's liveliest barrio

City Unscripted Original

Madrid Explore La Latina, Madrid's liveliest barrio

Mojitos, the El Rasto flea market, a Moorish church and probably another mojito.

$97.11 per person

3 hours

(43)

City Unscripted Original

Madrid The ultimate Madrid tapas experience

Pinchos in Mercado de San Anton, old-school vermut bars and the trendiest tapas barrio in town.

$146.84 per person

3 hours

(49)

Day trip to Toledo - the ancient ‘city of three cultures’

City Unscripted Original

Madrid Day trip to Toledo - the ancient ‘city of three cultures’

Fairytale turrets, El Greco art and a feast at Mercado San Agustin.

$325.26 per person

8 hours

(43)

City Unscripted Original

Madrid Eat like a local in Madrid

Tapas, Mercado San Miguel and churros from heaven (or a chocolatería, but you get the point).

$143.91 per person

3 hours

(83)

City Unscripted Original

Madrid A night in Madrid with a local

Late night tapas, sangria sipping and vibrant La Latina.

$118.76 per person

3 hours

(48)

See all

Wondering what to do in Madrid?

The energy in Madrid is like nowhere on earth, and it’s easy for the seductive Spanish capital to bewitch you with its buzzing nightlife, beautiful medieval architecture, and artistic heritage spanning centuries. The myriad things to do in Madrid will enchant any type of traveler, from art- and architecture-lovers to culinary connoisseurs to rowdy revelers. But the city is anything but predictable, and you might find that some of the most memorable things to do in Madrid – taking sunlit siestas, eating churros for breakfast, planning day trips to ancient neighbors, and browsing tiny boutiques – aren’t necessarily the ones you’ll find on a top 10 travel list.

Meet some of our Madrid local hosts

Patricia

Madrid

Hidden gem hunter and history buff, with an insider’s expertise in Madrid’s most iconic neighborhoods.

Márian

Madrid

Ricky

Madrid

Anecdote-loving history buff and Golden Age literature expert with a witty take on Madrid’s most storied streets.

Antonio

Madrid

Aydja

Madrid

An exciting Madrid host with insider knowledge of the city's local restaurants, ready to guide you through a culinary adventure you won't forget.

Alberto

Madrid

Tokyo art insider who brings Japanese museums & galleries to vibrant life!

Lisa

Madrid

Vibrant Madrid host with a passion for the rich culture, traditional taverns, city history, and foodie delights, ready to unveil the city's hidden gems one adventure at a time.

Pedro

Madrid

Art and architecture enthusiast with a passion for Madrid’s urban evolution and vibrant public spaces.

Laura

Madrid

History buff with a knack for Madrid’s myths and legends, offering insider tales of the city's iconic spots like Plaza Mayor, Sol, and Palacio Real.

Alba

Madrid

Art and architecture for the ages

The city is a paradise for art-lovers – exploring its world-class museums and galleries is one of the most exciting things to do in Madrid. Madrid’s enviable art scene is spilling over not only with masterpieces by home-grown icons Goya and Velázquez, but famous works by other Spanish painters like Picasso and Dalí. The city’s stunning architecture itself is part of its artistic appeal. From medieval mansions and opulent royal palaces to Baroque buildings and sleek, contemporary angles, Spain’s rich architectural history is proudly on display as the beautiful backdrop for Madrid.

Tourists enjoying tapas at a local tapas bar in Madrid with a local guide

Spanish food at its finest

From paella in Valencia to the hearty casseroles of Cataluña, Spain’s cities have their own regional cuisines – and Madrid is the place you’ll find them all. Spain’s six national roads meet in the heart of Madrid, so it’s no surprise the city’s food scene represents flavors from all over Spain. Whether you head to an old-school tapas bar for century-old Spanish snacks like patatas bravas and Iberian ham or try out trendy fusion food and experimental tasting menus at upmarket restaurants doing fearless riffs on the classics, the food-related things to do in Madrid are equally delicious.

Tourists crossing a road on a night out in a vibrant neighborhood in Madrid

The city after sunset

When night falls, the list of things to do in Madrid only gets longer. You might join locals for a convivial feast under a centuries-old ceiling (or grab some traditional Spanish snacks at a tiny tapas bar), before getting swept along in a tide of happy revelers on their way to the city’s pulsating clubs, cozy bars, and cool cocktail lounges. Dancing until dawn not quite your scene? There are plenty of equally exciting things to do in Madrid at night. See a flamenco show, visit a museum, or simply stroll down twinkling city streets where restaurant tables spill out onto the sidewalks.

Madrid travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Madrid and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

And we've done 6 different tours in Madrid. And this was by far the highlight of our trip. Patricia opened for us very interesting and less known aspects of classic Spanish literature and Spanish history. She is a great guide and very knowledgeable. Very hospitable and friendly. We highly recommend this tour and Patricia services!

16 March 2026

Olga P
This was a wonderful day! We learned so much about the city. The history as well as it today. Our guide, Patricia was fabulous!!

14 March 2026

Melissa M
We had an awesome tour with Antonio. He was knowledgeable and was able to cater the tour to our family likes and interests. We did one or two slight diversions from the original plan, but it worked out fantastic! Would highly recommend him.

30 January 2026

Christopher O
Antonio was a fabulous guide. He shared his knowledge of the city its history and culture, taking the time to point out places of nterest slong the way. A wonderful introduction to Madrid and the different parts of the city.

17 December 2025

Corinna D