The Madrid Effect
Madrid, Spain
The heart of Spain, street by street
Your complete, no-nonsense guide to Madrid's world-class museums, royal landmarks, iconic squares, parks, markets and neighborhoods — with maps, hours, tickets and insider tips for every stop.
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Explore Madrid by Category
Museums & Art
From the Prado's Old Masters to Reina Sofía's Guernica — Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art and beyond.
Browse Museums & ArtRoyal Landmarks
Palaces, cathedrals, and monuments spanning imperial Spain to the modern Royal Family.
Browse Royal LandmarksSquares & Avenues
Madrid's grand plazas and boulevards, from Gran Vía's lights to Plaza Mayor's arcades.
Browse Squares & AvenuesParks & Gardens
Retiro, Sabatini, Casa de Campo and more — where Madrid goes to breathe.
Browse Parks & GardensMarkets & Gastronomy
Tapas crawls, historic markets, and the oldest restaurant in the world.
Browse Markets & GastronomyNeighborhoods & Culture
Barrios, flamenco tablaos, football temples and the creative pulse of the city.
Browse Neighborhoods & Culture
A City in Motion
Madrid needs no introduction.
Don't Miss It
What to visit
Select from the list or click a point on the map to find out about points of interest.
50In-depth attraction guides
3Museums in the Golden Triangle of Art
1725The world's oldest restaurant, still serving
300+Days of sunshine a year
Only in Madrid
Experiences you won't forget
What to Do
View AllOther ideas for your trip
must seeGolden Triangle of Art
Museo del Prado
Spain's national gallery holds the deepest collection of European painting anywhere, anchored by Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya's Black Paintings, and Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights.
must seeGolden Triangle of Art
Reina Sofía National Art Centre
Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, built around Picasso's Guernica, with deep holdings of Dalí, Miró, and the Spanish avant-garde.
must seeGolden Triangle of Art
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
A single private collection spanning 700 years of Western art, from 13th-century Italian gold-ground panels to Pop Art, completing Madrid's Golden Triangle.
iconicModern Art & Vertical Garden
CaixaForum Madrid
A former power station reimagined as a suspended cast-iron cultural center, famous for Patrick Blanc's living vertical garden wall and rotating contemporary exhibitions.
must seeEurope's Largest Royal Palace
Royal Palace of Madrid
Europe's largest functioning royal palace: 3,000+ rooms of Bourbon excess, a world-class armoury, and the last word in Spanish state pomp.
must seeMadrid's Modern Cathedral
Almudena Cathedral
Madrid's main cathedral pairs a somber neoclassical-Baroque exterior with a shockingly colorful, pop-art-style modern ceiling inside.
Plan Smart
Practical information
The practical side of your trip — how to get around, when to come, and what to expect.
Getting Around Madrid: Metro & Buses
Madrid has one of Europe's best metro systems — here's how to use it, plus buses, taxis, and when to just walk.
Read moreMadrid Weather & the Best Time to Visit
Madrid has a continental climate: freezing winters, scorching summers, and glorious spring/autumn shoulder seasons.
Read moreMadrid Safety, Etiquette & Local Customs
Madrid is one of Europe's safer capitals, but pickpocketing at busy plazas and markets is real. Here's what to know.
Read moreHow Many Days Do You Need in Madrid?
A rough framework for 2, 4, and 7-day trips — how to sequence the museums, landmarks, and neighborhoods in this guide.
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