View of Monte Abantos from the gardens of El Escorial Monastery

Madrid (Province)

Madrid is synonymous with culture and street life. The capital city is home to some of the most frequently visited museums in Spain, and its surroundings offer the chance to visit several outstanding monumental sites.

The city of Madrid is open and welcoming, modern yet traditional, stately yet popular, lively yet peaceful... But more than anything else it is a cultural paradise. It is home to what is known as the Triangle of Art, which contains within a limited area the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Art Centre and the Thyssen-Bornesmiza Museum.

You'll also be able to visit such impressive monuments as the Royal Palace, places with their own particular charm like the Plaza Mayor square or the grand avenue known as the Gran Vía, or enjoy what is considered by some to be possibly the most exciting nightlife in Spain… as well as wander in large green spaces such as the Retiro Park, and drop into typical bars and taverns to sample a range of delicious tapas. But you’ll find the Madrid Region offers much, much more. For example, the cities of Aranjuez, Alcalá de Henares and San Lorenzo del Escorial, all of which have been declared World Heritage Sites. Or small picturesque towns such as Chinchón, and the charming villages in the mountains.

Buen Retiro Park

Located in the heart of Madrid, its origins date from the reign…

Royal Palace in Aranjuez

Work on this palace, along with the adjoining monuments, was…

Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

The Monastery of El Escorial was the first example of the…

Plaza de Cibeles square

This is one of the liveliest, best-known and most beautiful…

Sucesión Pablo Picasso, VEGAP, Madrid, 2023

Reina Sofía National Art Centre

The Reina Sofía National Art Centre opened its doors to the…

Prado Museum

This gallery in Madrid has the most complete collection of…

University of Alcalá de Henares, or College of San Ildefonso

It was created by Cardinal Cisneros and given the name of College…

Royal Palace (Madrid)

Madrid's Royal Palace was built in the 18th century by order of…

Plaza Mayor square in Madrid

Madrid’s Plaza Mayor is a symbol of the city and a must-see.…

What to do

Other ideas for your trip

A trip to San Lorenzo de El Escorial from Madrid

If you're visiting Madrid, you should definitely set aside half a day to discover San Lorenzo de El Escorial. It's an essential visit.…

Views of the roof tiles of El Escorial Monastery at sunset in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid

Madrid, the new European luxury destination

Numerous firms of international prestige have chosen Madrid to set up some of their most important stores.…

View of Deessa restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid

From Madrid to other large cities by train in 2.5 hours or less

Wake up in Madrid and eat lunch in Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. Start the morning with a swim on the beach in Malaga and spend the evening at Gran Vía…

Discover why Madrid is special at Christmas: ring in the New Year with the tradition of 12 grapes

If you are looking for a different place to celebrate your next Christmas, how about planning a trip to the capital of Spain?…

Christmas market in Madrid's Plaza Mayor

A day in Madrid in 10 essential visits

First, can Madrid be visited in one day? It’s obvious that the capital has much more to give.…

Interesting and little-known places in Madrid

Beyond the traditional tourist sights of the Royal Palace, the Prado and the Retiro Park, every street, every roof, every historic building in Madrid seems to…

Viewing points in Madrid for enjoying the best views of the city

Madrid is a very special city. You’ll love strolling through its streets and discovering all its secrets, but if you visit some of its wonderful vista points…

Aerial view of the Plaza Mayor square and the city of Madrid

Autumn in nature

Finding truly natural autumn landscapes in Spain is easy. Perhaps the only difficulty is choosing from the idyllic spots that are spread across the country.…

Autumn landscape in the Ambroz Valley, Extremadura

Architectural Madrid: these are the most famous buildings that you must add to your visit

Madrid is an incredible city, full of things to do and places to discover. And it is also a perfect place to get lost if you are an architecture lover.…

Spaces for alternative culture in Madrid

Contemporary culture, street art, collaborative creativity, spaces for the public to participate in art… These alternative options complement the city's wide…