Things to do in Madrid for an Enjoyable Holiday

Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain. It is located on the banks of the Manzanares River in central Spain and constitutes the state’s technical and financial centre.

Madrid is one of the top tourist attractions in Europe and the world. It was one of the largest colonial countries worldwide, making King Philip II establish Madrid as its capital in the 16th century. During the 20th century, it became one of Spain’s most important industrial cities, although most parts of the city were destroyed during the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939.

Philip II gave attention to Madrid during his reign, and it became an important centre surrounded by monasteries, churches, and public buildings. Madrid is the most visited city in Europe. It is a beautiful city and a starting point for many tourists who want to start their tour of any place. The city streets are always crowded with cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs. There are also world-class museums, festivals, and cultural activities that you can do there.

It is also the official residence of most of Spain’s kings, as it contains the Royal Palace of Madrid, the vast Royal Theater and the Opera Theatre, the national library, and many other historical places that we will learn more about in the coming days.

Weather in Madrid

Before we learn more about things to do in Madrid or places to visit, we should know about the weather in the city and the best time to visit.

Madrid is located 667 meters above sea level. The temperature is excellent, but due to the city’s height above sea level, it is cold during winter and snowfall. Summer is always hot and dry, especially in July and August.

Spring and fall, the mildest seasons in Madrid, attract most tourists.

Things to do in Madrid

The beautiful city of Madrid has many spectacular places to visit and see. In the coming weeks, we will learn more about these places and what you can do there, so let’s start our tour.

Madrid Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Spain, built by Philip V in the 18th century, is one of the famous attractions in Madrid. It is the official residence of the King of Spain and is used for official state events.

The façade was made entirely from granite and white columnar stone, and the façade columns are made of drawings by Bernini originally intended for the Louvre in Paris. When you enter the palace, you will see the staircase at the entrance decorated with a fresco of The Triumph of Religion and the Church.

The palace has many rooms to see, like the Throne Room, which includes valuable tapestries, mirrors, furniture, and chandeliers. Also, there is the Royal Armory, which contains 3000 exhibits dating back to the Middle Ages, showing weapons and armour used by Spanish Kings.

National Archaeological Museum

Another top attraction in Madrid is the National Archaeological Museum. Queen Isabella II built it in 1867 and houses art collections from the prehistoric era to the 19th century.

Inside the museum, you can visit many exhibits featuring archaeological finds, ethnography, and more. The collections include Egyptian mummies and Roman and Islamic archaeological finds, and one of the lovely collections is the bust of the Lady of Elche.

Prado Museum

Prado Museum is one of the most famous art museums in the world, it contains more than 8000 paintings, 700 sculptures, and 2300 pieces are located in 100 rooms of the museum and spread on three floors.

You might not be able to finish seeing the museum in one visit, and that is due to the many rooms located there. There are many collections, like Spanish paintings from the 12th century until the 19th century. You will see many paintings by Francisco de Goya, about 140 works. Also, you can see collections like The Annunciation by El Greco, Jacob’s Dream by José de Ribera, and much more artwork.

Puerta Del Sol

It is a grand square located in the middle of the city. It was named after the sun sign on the old city gate, which aligns with the rising sun. The square witnessed many historical events, like the Spanish resistance to Napoleon in 1808 and the announcement of the Second Republic in 1931.

The square is full of shops, cafes, and restaurants where you can sit and enjoy your time with friends. There is also a clock on the top of the Post Office building, and from there, the New Year’s Eve countdown takes place.

Temple of Debod

The Egyptian Temple of Debod is located in La Montana Park near the Royal Palace Garden. It is a witness to the noble cooperation between Spain and Egypt to preserve their heritage and history.

The Debod Temple was brought to Madrid in 1968. It was a gift from Egypt, thanks to Spain’s help in saving the Abu Simbel temples. It was transported in 1329 boxes with 1724 pieces. The temple dates back to the 2nd century BC and was dedicated to the Egyptian Gods and Goddesses Amun and Isis.

Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace is one of the most beautiful places in Madrid City and one of the legendary palaces; it is located in the heart of Madrid’s Retiro Park and is distinguished by its unique architectural design.

It is a huge glass palace built in the same style as the Crystal Palace in London. The palace was built in 1887 by architect Ricardo Velazquez Bosco. In front of the entrance to the Crystal Palace, you will find a huge, beautiful artificial lake.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is one of the most famous stadiums in the world. It is a perfect place for football lovers to visit, and the stadium has hosted many important football games, such as the World Cup, the Champions League, and the European Nations Cup.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is located in the middle of Madrid. It is the home of the famous Real Madrid Team and has a capacity of 80000 spectators. When you reach there, don’t miss the chance to visit the Championships and Titles Gallery in the museum, which shows you the most significant achievements of Real Madrid throughout history.

You can also see the changing rooms and take a break at the café or restaurants there.

Puerta de Alcala

Puerta de Alcala is a beautiful monument located in Independence Square, one of Madrid’s important squares. In the past, it was called the Gate of Alcala because it was one of the five gates leading to the city of Madrid.

Puerta de Alcala was opened in 1778 by the Italian engineer Francesco Sabatini. It is 30 meters high, and the entrance gate is made of granite. The façade is decorated with sculptures and decorative reliefs.

Plaza Mayor

King Philip III constructed another famous square in the capital city, the largest in Madrid and Europe, in the 16th century. It was used for bullfights, ceremonial events like the announcement of a new king, and knightly tournaments.

The Mayor’s Square memorialized King Philip III by putting a massive statue of him in the middle of the square while he was riding a horse. It is the perfect place for tourists to rest after a long day touring Madrid. You can watch the architecture of the Middle Ages, and there are many shops, cafes, restaurants, and candy shops spread all over the square.

Sorolla Museum

The museum was named after the famous Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla. It contains more than 1,200 of his paintings, as well as sculptures, ceramics, and photographs. You can also see the museum garden’s courtyard, which is decorated with trees, a gurgling fountain, and Andalusian-style decorative tile work.

Reina Sofia Museum

Reina Sofia Museum is a centre for contemporary art. It was opened by Queen Sofia in 1986 and designed by Antonio Fernández Alba. Before you enter, you will see the three glass towers, including the elevators, outside the building.

The museum contains over 23000 artworks, including remarkable masterpieces by Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, and Alexander Calder. It also has a garden with many lovely sculptures.

Almudena Cathedral

Almudena Cathedral is one of the important attractions in Madrid. It was built in the 20th century by Pope John Paul II and is located near the Royal Palace. The cathedral is featured by its beautiful design inside and out, frescoes, statues, and dome, which is 70 meters high.

When you are in the cathedral, you can go to the dome and see a magnificent view of Madrid. You can also take a tour of the museum from the inside.

Retiro Park

Retiro Park is one of the largest public parks in Madrid. It extends over an area of about 1400 km2 and is located in the centre of Madrid. The park is trendy among the locals, especially on vacations and public holidays. You can do many activities inside Retiro Park, such as walking or renting a boat on the vast artificial lake in the middle of the park.

Gran Via

It is a famous shopping street in Madrid that never sleeps. It is located in the middle of the city and is about 1.3 km long. Walking in this street, you will be admired by its beautiful buildings, which date back to the beginning of the 20th century.

Gran Via connects the Callao Gate and Spain Square.
The street is full of shops and malls that sell many brands. You will also find the most luxurious, world-famous restaurants and cafes.

Plaza de Cibeles

Plaza de Cibeles is a fascinating square in Madrid. It is in a neoclassical style, and the most famous buildings are the Cibeles Palace, the Old Post Museum, and the Archaeological Museum.

In the middle of the square, you will find the Statue of Fuente de la Cibeles, founded in the 17th century. It symbolises the city and depicts the Roman gods on a chariot pulled by lions and carved from marble. You will also find many shops, cafes, and restaurants around the square.