What to do in Community of Madrid
Activities, attractions and tours
Visit Community of Madrid
Activities
Madrid City Tour – Hop On Hop Off Bus
NZ$62
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Madrid: Royal Palace Expert Guided Tour with Optional Tapas
NZ$69
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Big Bus Madrid Hop-on, Hop-off Open-top Sightseeing Bus Tour
NZ$41
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Madrid: small group tour of the Prado Museum
NZ$79
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
From Madrid: Avila and Segovia Full-Day Tour
NZ$91
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Skip-the-line Royal Palace Tour with expert guide
NZ$77
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
Madrid: Flamenco Show at Tablao La Carmela with Optional Dinner
NZ$77
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid
NZ$77
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid
NZ$168
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
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Top places to visit
1. Gran Via
The Gran Via is a shopping hub and a center for nightlife. Like much of Madrid, the strip celebrates the past while embracing the future: boutique stores and international brands are housed in some of Madrid’s most iconic heritage architecture.
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2. Puerta del Sol
Madrid lies dead-centre in the middle of Spain – and the Puerta del Sol lies dead-centre in the middle of Madrid. It's here that Spain's map-makers and road-builders placed their starting-mark, to be used for counting distances around the country. But the Puerta del Sol isn't just about geography and maps – there are other reasons why this square is considered the focal point of the country. Meetings, celebrations and marches are naturally drawn here. Over the last few years, it has been the rallying point for Spanish protests over the global recession and Euro-crisis.
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3. Bernabéu Stadium
Real Madrid is one of the most internationally recognized soccer teams and their Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Estadio Santiago Bernabéu) is among the sport’s finest. Watching a match at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a lifetime dream for both long-term Madridistas and soccer enthusiasts. Walk on the hallowed turf of the playing field, browse the clubs impressive trophy hall and relive historical moments via multimedia exhibits.
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4. Plaza Mayor
Madrid is a city of many squares, plazas and parks – but none are quite like the Plaza Mayor. Sitting right in the heart of old Madrid, not only is it one of the city's oldest and biggest – it is probably its most breath-taking. Built to a design of 16th century artist Juan de Herrera, it was the 1790 reconstruction by Juan de Villanueva that stood the test of time (two other efforts burned down in great fires). But what all the designs shared, and what makes the Plaza Mayor so special, is its four-sided, three-storey high wall of arcaded housing – ringed by balconies, topped by towers, and painted with bright murals.
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5. El Retiro Park
Long a preserve of royalty, El Parque de Retiro is where the Habsburgs, Europe's most powerful monarchs, came to play. Its giant pond hosted mock naval battles, its formal gardens saw elaborate and extravagant plays. Now it's the place you come to, to picnic, promenade and ponder – and maybe push the paddle-boat out, onto the waters of the Estanque del Retiro.
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6. Royal Palace of Madrid
If you could measure a royal palace by floor space, then Madrid's Palacio Real would come out on top. With 3,400 rooms, it's easily the largest in Europe. But the Royal Palace has more than size to commend it. There are the cool glades of the Sabbatini Gardens, the intricate formality of the Plaza de Oriente, which opens out on to the Royal Theatre, and the elegant grandness of the Plaza de la Armería, facing onto the Almudena Cathedral.
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7. National Prado Museum
Madrid's Prado Museum can count itself in an elite handful of global art museums, with a collection as famed for its quality as it is for its quantity – particularly when it comes to the Renaissance and Classical paintings of Europe. Works by Hieronymous Bosch, Rubens, Botticelli, van Dyck and Rembrandt hold pride of place, in a collection that ranges from the 12th to 19th centuries. Take a count, and you'll find over 7,000 paintings, 1,000 sculptures, and 13,000 prints and drawings housed here. Naturally, the works of Spanish artistic genius feature most prominently, with the Prado having world's most comprehensive collections of artists like Goya and Diego de Velázquez.
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8. IFEMA
IFEMA is the benchmark in excellence for those travelling to Madrid for work. Its location in the Barajas district, just on the outskirts of the capital and a short distance from the airport, is ideal for enjoying a comfortable stay, with the peace of mind of knowing that you’ll have all the services you need at hand, as well as a metro station just a few minutes’ walk away, ready to take you off to the city centre. There, you can enjoy the culinary delights of the most fashionable restaurants, take in the latest musicals on the Gran Vía or admire one of the many interesting exhibitions at the Prado or the Reina Sofia Museum.
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What to do in Community of Madrid
Our guide on where to stay in Community of Madrid
Find the best Community of Madrid areas for the activities you enjoy most.
Madrid Centro
Known for its fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Madrid Centro. Check out top attractions like Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, and jump on the metro at Sol Station or Gran Via Station to see more of the city.
Salamanca
Salamanca is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like El Corte Inglés and Mercado de la Paz. See more of Madrid by jumping on the metro at Serrano Station or Velazquez Station.
Sol
If you're spending time in Sol, check out sights like Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Sol Station or Callao Station.
Ibiza
During your stop in Ibiza, check out the parks, and jump on the metro at Ibiza Station to see more of the surrounding area.
Chueca
If you're spending time in Chueca, you might enjoy attractions like Gran Via and Plaza de Chueca. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Chueca Station to see more of the city.
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