12 Must-See Places in Madrid
Madrid is a city best explored on foot. The historic centre is compact and most of its major attractions are within easy walking distance of each other. From ROX Madrid (Calle de la Priora 2, next to Metro Opera) you can walk to every place on this list. Here are the 12 spots you cannot miss on your visit to the capital.
1. Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Western Europe, with over 3,400 rooms. It was built in the 18th century on the ruins of the old Alcazar and is the official residence of the Spanish monarchy, although the royal family does not live here. A visit inside includes the State Rooms, the Royal Armoury and the Royal Pharmacy.
Price: 12 euros (general admission). Free for EU citizens Monday to Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00 (October to March) and from 18:00 to 20:00 (April to September).
From ROX Madrid: 3 minutes on foot. Literally around the corner.
2. Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is the heart of Habsburg Madrid. This 17th-century arcaded square, with its distinctive red-brick buildings, has been the setting for markets, bullfights, public executions and coronations throughout its history. Today it is a meeting point surrounded by terraces (expensive ones) and souvenir shops.
Do not miss the frescoes on the Casa de la Panaderia, the nine entrance arches to the square and the Arco de Cuchilleros, which leads down towards the Cuevas de Luis Candelas and the oldest medieval streets in Madrid.
From ROX Madrid: 7 minutes on foot via Calle Mayor.
3. Puerta del Sol
The Puerta del Sol is Spain's Kilometre Zero, the point from which all radial roads in the country are measured. It is also the place where Madrilenos celebrate New Year's Eve by eating twelve grapes under the clock of the Real Casa de Correos. In the square you will find the Bear and the Strawberry Tree statue, the symbol of Madrid, and the regional government building.
Sol is the city's main transport hub: three metro lines, several Cercanias commuter rail lines and dozens of bus routes converge here.
From ROX Madrid: 10 minutes on foot via Calle del Arenal.
4. Gran Via
Gran Via is Madrid's most iconic avenue. Built in the early 20th century, it is packed with musical theatres, historic cinemas, fashion shops and spectacular architecture. The must-see buildings are the Metropolis Building (at the corner with Alcala), the Telefonica Building (Spain's first skyscraper), the Carrion Building with its iconic Schweppes sign and the Grassy Building.
At night, the neon signs and theatre marquees turn Gran Via into Madrid's Broadway. Walking along it is free and a spectacle in itself.
From ROX Madrid: 8 minutes on foot to the start of Gran Via (Plaza de Espana).
5. Retiro Park
El Retiro is Madrid's most famous park: 125 hectares of gardens, fountains, sculptures and historic buildings right in the heart of the city. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 together with the Paseo del Prado. Inside the park you will find the Grand Pond (where you can hire rowing boats for around 6 euros), the Crystal Palace, the Rose Garden, the Fallen Angel statue and the Avenue of Statues.
The Crystal Palace usually hosts temporary exhibitions by the Reina Sofia Museum, always with free admission.
From ROX Madrid: 25 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by metro (Opera to Retiro, line 2).
6. Temple of Debod
An authentic Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC, moved stone by stone from Nubia and rebuilt in Madrid in 1972 as a gift from Egypt to Spain for its help in saving the temples of Abu Simbel. It sits in the Parque del Oeste, on a hilltop that offers the best sunset views in Madrid, with the Royal Palace and Casa de Campo in the background.
Entry to the interior of the temple is free (temporarily closed for restoration at times, check before you go), but the best part is the exterior at sunset. It is the favourite plan of Madrilenos when the weather is good.
From ROX Madrid: 10 minutes on foot up the Cuesta de San Vicente.
ROX Madrid is in the heart of the historic centre, next to Metro Opera. Most of these 12 places are less than 15 minutes on foot from the hostel.
Book at ROX Madrid7. Mercado de San Miguel
The Mercado de San Miguel is a gourmet food market housed in a beautiful iron-and-glass building from 1916, next to Plaza Mayor. Inside you will find over 30 stalls offering gourmet tapas, oysters, Iberian ham, cheeses, wines, croquetas, olives and desserts. It is not the cheapest place to eat (tapas cost between 4 and 8 euros), but it is worth a visit even if only to see the building and try a thing or two.
Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday 10:00 to 24:00, Thursday to Saturday 10:00 to 1:00.
From ROX Madrid: 6 minutes on foot.
8. Prado Museum
The Museo del Prado is one of the most important art galleries in the world and houses the largest collection of Spanish painting: Velazquez (Las Meninas), Goya (the Black Paintings, The Naked Maja), El Greco, Murillo and Zurbaran. It also holds masterpieces by European artists such as Bosch (The Garden of Earthly Delights), Rubens, Titian and Raphael.
Price: 15 euros. Free entry: Monday to Saturday 18:00 to 20:00, Sundays and public holidays 17:00 to 19:00.
From ROX Madrid: 20 minutes on foot along the Paseo del Prado or 10 minutes by metro (Opera to Banco de Espana, line 2).
9. Reina Sofia Museum
The Reina Sofia is Spain's great museum of contemporary art. Its star piece is Picasso's Guernica, one of the most powerful paintings in the history of art. Besides Guernica, the museum houses an extensive collection of 20th and 21st century art featuring works by Dali, Miro, Juan Gris and international contemporary artists.
Price: 12 euros. Free entry: Monday to Saturday 19:00 to 21:00, Sundays 12:30 to 14:30. Closed on Tuesdays.
From ROX Madrid: 25 minutes on foot or metro to Atocha (line 1 from Opera to Sol, transfer to line 1 to Atocha Renfe).
10. La Latina and El Rastro
La Latina is one of Madrid's most characterful neighbourhoods. Its narrow cobbled streets are packed with tapas bars, century-old taverns and lively terraces. Cava Baja is the city's most famous tapas street, with dozens of bars side by side.
Every Sunday and public holiday, La Latina hosts El Rastro, Madrid's largest and oldest open-air flea market. From Plaza de Cascorro to Ronda de Toledo, thousands of stalls sell antiques, vintage clothing, vinyl records, second-hand books and all sorts of curious objects. It runs from approximately 9:00 to 15:00.
From ROX Madrid: 12 minutes on foot down Calle de Segovia.
11. Teatro Real
The Teatro Real is Spain's main opera house and one of the most important in Europe. Inaugurated in 1850, it occupies a prime position facing the Royal Palace on the Plaza de Oriente. While attending a performance can be expensive (tickets from 15 euros in the upper gallery to over 200 euros in the stalls), it also offers guided tours of the interior for around 8 euros that cover the stage, dressing rooms, main auditorium and technical areas.
The Plaza de Oriente surrounding the Teatro Real is one of Madrid's most elegant squares, with gardens, statues of Visigothic kings and direct views of the Royal Palace.
From ROX Madrid: 2 minutes on foot. The Teatro Real is practically next door.
12. Almudena Cathedral
The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena is Madrid's cathedral, consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993. It stands directly opposite the Royal Palace, on the other side of the Plaza de la Armeria. Its interior blends Neo-Gothic, Neoclassical and modern styles, with vivid contemporary stained-glass windows that make it unique.
Entry to the cathedral is free (a 1-euro donation is suggested). For 6 euros you can climb to the dome and enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of all of Madrid, with the Royal Palace in the foreground.
From ROX Madrid: 4 minutes on foot.
How to plan your visit
From ROX Madrid you can walk to all of these places without needing the metro, except for Retiro Park and the Reina Sofia (which can also be done on foot if you enjoy walking). A logical route would be:
- Day 1 (Palace area): Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, Teatro Real, Temple of Debod, Plaza de Espana, Gran Via
- Day 2 (central area): Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel, La Latina (and El Rastro if it is Sunday)
- Day 3 (Prado area): Prado Museum, Retiro Park, Reina Sofia Museum
Stay in the heart of Madrid. ROX Madrid is 2 minutes from the Royal Palace and the Teatro Real, with beds from 18 euros per night. The perfect location for exploring the city on foot.
Check availability at ROX Madrid