Top tourist attractions in Madrid
Madrid is the capital city of Spain that is known for its architectural heritage. The city though has less sightseeing options in comparison to other Spanish cities attracts a significant number of visitors. The art galleries and the architectural masterpieces of the city hold the maximum appeal of tourism in the city. This city is often referred to as one of the cultural hubs of the country. Top tourist attractions in Spain include famous art galleries like, The Prado; architectural monuments like, Plaza Mayor; and parks like, Parque del Retiro. A visit to this city will surely introduce you to the cultural appeal of the nation as well as the city.
Popular Madrid Attractions
Tourist destinations in the city are completely dominated by museums and art galleries promoting artworks of 13th century until modern period. The monuments of the city also offer a nice insight of the cultural heritage. Here is a look at some of the top tourist attractions in Madrid
- Royal Palace (Palacio Real)
This Madrid tourist destination remains open to visitors throughout the year only excepting the days of official state function. The Royal family does not reside at this palace and is used only for the purpose of functions and ceremonies. There are private tours available in the city that includes a visit of the palace and the Prado museum. These trips come with the company of a licensed English-speaking guide. You can also opt for other travel packages including a stop at the Royal Palace.
Transport - Metro:Opera (Red Line, L2), or (Green Line, L5)
Opening hours
October - March 09:30 - 5:00
Sundays and holidays: 09:00 – 2:00
April - September 09:00 -6:00;
Sundays and holidays: 09:00 – 3:00
Admission rates: 8 euros without guide
10 euros with guide
Children under 5 go free
Cheap rate: 3.50 euros for pre-arranged school groups, old age pensioners, students and the handicapped
Contact details
Tel: (0034) 91 454 8700
Prado Museum (Museo del Prado)
One of the top tourist attractions in Madrid, the Prado is a major draw among the visitors to the city. One of the most popular art galleries in the world, this one boasts of maximum number of spectacular works of art than any other in the world. This museum holds both temporary and permanent exhibition of art. While on a visit to this art gallery, you will get to see around 1,500 works at a time from its extensive collection of around 9,000 work of art. There are also special exhibitions held in the museum, you can check with the weekly 'Guia de Ocio' magazine for the dates of any such special displays and plan your trip accordingly.The collection chiefly boasts of works of famous painters like, El Greco, Velzquez, and Goya along with Botticelli, Rubens, and Bosch. You can even opt for private tours that are often accompanied with a licensed English speaking guide.
Transport - Metro: Banco de Espaa (Red Line, L2)
Atocha (Light Blue Line, L2) followed by ten minutes walk
Hours of Operation
Remains closed on public holidays that fall on Mondays
Tuesdays to Sundays and public holidays - 09:00 - 20:00
24 December, 31 December and 6 January - 9:00 to 14:00
Admission rates: 8 euros
Non-EU students under 25 - 4 euros
Free entry - for EU students under 25, teachers, senior citizens, unemployed, disabled, and official guides
Temporary exhibitions may cost an additional few euros
Contact Details
Address: Paseo del Prado
Phone Number: (0034) 91 330 2800
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sof?a
Another top Madrid attraction, the Reina Sofia museum is also considered a landmark site in the city. This museum is famous for exhibiting the Spanish artworks of 20th century. The rich collection includes the work of internationally recognized artistes like, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Juan Gris, and Joan Miro. The major highlight of this site of tourist interest is Picasso’s ‘Guernica’.
Contact Details
Address: 52 Calle Santa Isabel
Tel: (0034) 91 774 1000
Transport - Metro: Atocha (Light Blue Line, L1)
Hours of operation:
Monday to Saturday - 10am and 9pm
Sundays - 10am and 2.30pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Admission Rates: EUR6;
Concessions available; free on Saturdays from 2.30pm to 9pm and Sundays
Parque del Retiro
A popular attraction in Madrid, the Retiro Park is also considered a landmark site of the city. This park is situated close to the major place of tourist interest in city center region of the city. Featuring a peaceful and comforting ambience, this place of tourism offers a perfect relaxation far from the hustle bustle of the city life. While on a visit to this tourism site, especially on Sunday mornings, you will get to see people of the city indulging in a bit of leisure and exercise activity. There is also the facility of rowing available around the lake in rented boats. There are also several bars and cafes situated within the vicinity of the park.
Opening hours
Winter: Monday to Sunday from 06:00 to 22:00
Summer: Monday to Sunday from 06:00 to 12:00
Transport - Metro: Retiro (Red Line, L2)
Plaza Mayor
This architectural monument is also featured as one of the major attractions in Madrid. The Plaza mayor is situated at a close distance from Puerto del Sol. This structure previously served as a small market square during the period of 15th century. This place of tourist interest in the capital city went through complete renovation after Madrid was made the capital of Spain by the then ruler Philip II. This site of tourism since then became the major center of carnivals, and all the greatest festivals and ceremonies of the city including the bullfights. Presently, the region features a number of restaurants and bars on the outskirts of the square.
Other top tourist attractions in Madrid that includes the museums and other historical sites are –
- Puerta del Sol
- Museo Sorolla
- Museo de Amrica
- Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
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