Madrid

Plaza Mayor

In the historic quarter of the city, this is a huge square with a uniquely Spanish architectural style. You can grab a bite to eat on the many outdoor cafés or try the famous calamari sandwich, rest for a while before continuing your visit, watch the people go by or buy a souvenir. Fun fact: the square has been the scene of bullfights and coronations.

Puerta del Sol

It is one of the most famous squares in the city and is where you will find the famous clock that marks the chimes of the New Year. The square also has the Kilometre Zero plaque, which marks the origin of the different national radial roads that leave from Madrid. The plaque is on the ground, in front of the Casa de Correos. Be sure to take a photo with the statue of the Oso y el Madroño (Bear and the Strawberry Tree).

Palacio Real

Discover how the Kings and Queens of Spain lived until very recently. This may be the largest and best-preserved royal palace collection in Europe, with its original furnishings, decorations and other treasures in more than 3,000 rooms. It is next to the Royal Collections Gallery, which currently houses the exhibition "In Motion. Vehicles and carriages of the National Heritage", a little-known collection of horse-drawn carriages, automobiles, sedan chairs and other items related to travel and retinues of enormous historical and cultural importance.

Three must-see art galleries

Even if you're not an art aficionado, the Prado is one of the most important museums in the world and well worth a visit. If you prefer modern and contemporary art, you should visit the Reina Sofía. Last but not least, the Thyssen-Bornemisza is one of the most famous private collections in the world.

Parque del Retiro

One of the largest and most beautiful urban parks in Europe. A place to relax and enjoy the beauty. It is a great place to go with children on weekends and enjoy musicians, mimes, puppet theatres or boat rides on its central lake.

Templo de Debod

Is a 2nd century Egyptian temple located in the centre of the Parque del Oeste, near Plaza España. This is an unforgettable place to watch the sunset.

Gran Vía and its musicals

One of Europe's great urban avenues. Full of shops and restaurants. As you stroll along Gran Vía you will also discover the numerous musical theatre productions on offer each season. The agenda will help you find adapted versions of international classics and shows that can only be seen in Spain. 

Real Madrid

Visit its legendary stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu (you can see the trophy room and changing rooms), and then head to the Cibeles fountain, where the fans celebrate their victories, next to Madrid City Hall.

Flamenco

Madrid is known as the “capital of flamenco”. It is easy to find bars and tablaos with regular shows of this uniquely Spanish form of music, song and dance. Some of the best known tablaos are Corral de la Morería, Cardamomo Tablao Flamenco or Tablao Flamenco 1911, the oldest in the world.

Puerto de Navacerrada

Enjoy the winter snowfall just a stone's throw from Madrid. This mountain pass is only 60 kilometres from the city.

To find names of top designers, head to the Salamanca district and its Golden Mile, where you'll find the luxurious Distrito 41. Next to Puerta del Sol, you have the exclusive Galería Canalejas complex. The shopping area of Chueca-Malasaña-Fuencarral is home to retro and modern, comics and antique books, current fashion and second-hand shops. You can find something more alternative in areas such as Fuencarral.

Shopping centres

you can go to El Corte Inglés. There are stores in different parts of the city. You will find a large selection of international luxury brands in fashion, accessories, jewellery, watches and cosmetics. Two of its most exclusive centres are located on Paseo de la Castellana and Calle Serrano.

Las Rozas Village

has more than 100 luxury brand outlet shops, half an hour's drive from Madrid. It is open-air and provides complementary services such as a personal shopper.

More detailed information on the different shopping areas in the city can be found on the Madrid tourism website.

Parque Warner

Besides all the rides and attractions of this theme park, kids will love the DC Superheroes World and Warner Bros. live shows.

Zoo Aquarium

One of the most important zoos in the world, here you can see animals from all five continents without leaving the city.

Faunia

A theme park based on nature, a fun way to learn about the ecosystems of the polar regions or the jungle, and see shows with birds of prey, seals and sea lions. It is 7 kilometres from the city centre.

Cable car

It flies over one of the most historic and greenest areas of the city, such as Casa de Campo Park.

Museum of Illusions

Located between Lavapiés and Puerta del Sol, this museum is a space that delves into the world of optical illusions and will delight visitors of all ages.

Teatro de Títeres de El Retiro

A selection of puppet and marionette plays, designed for young children to enjoy.

Wax Museum

More than 450 figures representing famous characters through the ages.

You should check the Madrid children's tourism website, where you will find a large number of entertaining activities for the little ones.

New gourmet spots

Enjoy Spanish cuisine and tapas in gourmet food markets such as San Miguel, San Ildefonso and MAD Gourmets (Galería Canalejas). Traditional dishes with a fresh twist. At the Corte Inglés Gourmet Experience you can savor the cuisine of multi-Michelin star chef Dabiz Muñoz.

Chocolate with churros in San Ginés

Mouth-watering. Not sure what they are? Ask anyone about them!

Traditional snacks

A calamari sandwich in Plaza Mayor and battered cod at Casa Labra (next to Puerta del Sol) are two very traditional Madrilenian treats. You can try them at any time.

Halal cuisine

If you are looking for 100% Halal food, you will find it in several restaurants. You should check Madrid's halal tourism website for both meat and vegetarian options.

Halal Hotels

In Madrid there are several hotels that provide Halal services and cuisine, prayer mats, prayer rooms and directions to Mecca. You should check the Madrid halal tourism website.

Madrid's nightlife is world famous, with venues and hotspots to suit all tastes. You can start off quietly in bars with live music, in areas such as the Barrio de Las Letras. If you're looking for a more exclusive ambience, your best bet is the elegant Salamanca neighbourhood. If you prefer alternative music, try the Malasaña neighbourhood. And some of the trendiest nightclubs are in the city centre, around Gran Vía and Plaza del Sol.

It is the only European capital today whose origins date back to Islam. It was a city of Al-Andalus for almost 250 years. In fact, Madrid's etymology is a fusion of an Arabic noun: "ma^ra" (meaning "underground water channel or open-air watercourse"), and a suffix of Roman origin: "etum", meaning "abundance of". The fusion would be Ma^yrit, which translates as "a place of abundance of streams of water". Discover Moorish Madrid.

The Omar Mosque in Madrid

It is the largest mosque in Europe. It is known as the mosque of the M-30. You will find it at 7 Calle Salvador de Madariaga, in the neighbourhood of San Pascual, Ciudad Lineal district. It is home to the headquarters of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Madrid.

The Central Mosque of Madrid

The first mosque built in the capital (at the end of the 19th century) since the Christian conquest in 1083, it is located in a narrow street in the neighbourhood of Cuatro Caminos, in the district of Tetuán.

Hammam Al Ándalus Arab Baths

The only ones in Madrid. Just next to the Puerta del Sol. They recreate the ancient baths of Al Andalus.

The Moorish Wall

This is the first wall of the city, built by the emirate of Muhammad I between 850 and 866. You can see its most significant remains in the Emir Mohammed I Park, located in the Palacio neighbourhood in the Centro district.

La Atalaya Islámica

The remains of the Islamic watchtower can be seen in the underground car park of the Plaza de Oriente.

Museo de San Isidro

This museum contains the remains recovered from the Islamic sites in Madrid. These include the Plaza de la Armería, the Cuesta de la Vega and the Plaza de Carros.

San Nicolás de los Servitas Church

This is the oldest monument in Madrid, after the Moorish Wall and the Islamic Watchtowers.

Hermitage of Santa María la Antigua

If there is a very well preserved Mudejar temple in Madrid, it is this one, next to the Carabanchel cemetery.

Torre y Casa de los Lujanes

This is one of the last remnants of the medieval Mudejar-style ensembles in the city, in the Plaza de la Villa.

Islamic Library of the AECID

Tt has copies from the first printing presses, bibliographic pearls from places such as Morocco and Egypt. It is a point of reference in its field of specialisation and visitors can take guided tours to learn more about it.

The Cathedral of Santa María de la Almudena

Whose name also comes from the Arabic 'Al-Mudayna', which means citadel - is located in the historic centre of Madrid.

If you would like to discover the Moorish heritage that is still preserved in the city, you can find information on the Madrid Tourist Office website and in an explanatory brochure. You can also join one of the guided tours of Moorish Madrid organised by the Study Centre.