Essential
Museums & culture· Centro
Puerta del Sol
Madrid's most central square, home to the Casa de Correos clock and Kilometre Zero.
Collection · Madrid
Madrid essentials
9 placesFreeUpdated November 4, 2026
What not to miss on a first visit: Habsburg Madrid, the Royal Palace, the Art Walk, the Retiro and Gran Vía, with sunset at the Temple of Debod and chocolate with churros.
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Places in this collection
9 places
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- Essential
Museums & culture· Habsburg Madrid
Plaza Mayor
A 17th-century arcaded square with the statue of Philip III and the painted Casa de la Panadería.
- Essential
Restaurant· Habsburg Madrid
San Miguel Market
An early 20th-century iron-and-glass market now filled with tapas counters and food stalls.
- Essential
Museums & culture· Palacio
Royal Palace of Madrid
The official residence of the Spanish Crown, with historic state rooms open to visitors.
- Essential
Viewpoint· Parque del Oeste
Temple of Debod
An ancient Egyptian temple, gifted to Spain and rebuilt stone by stone in a park that's a favourite sunset spot.
- Essential
Museums & culture· Paseo del Prado
Prado Museum
One of the world's great art museums, where Velázquez's Las Meninas hangs alongside Goya and Bosch.
- Essential
Nature & beaches· Retiro
Retiro Park
Madrid's great park, with the rowing lake, the monument to Alfonso XII and long shaded avenues.
- Essential
Café· Centro
Chocolatería San Ginés
A chocolate house open since the 19th century, known for hot chocolate with churros.
- Essential
Special place· Gran Vía
Metrópolis Building
A 1911 building crowned by a slate-and-gold dome with a winged Victory, marking the start of Gran Vía.
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Before you go
How to see Madrid's essentials
Start in Habsburg Madrid
Sol, Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market and the Royal Palace are all within a 15-minute walk of each other: do them in one morning and save the Art Walk and the Retiro for the afternoon.
Free Prado, but get a ticket
The Prado is free for the last two hours (Monday to Saturday 6–8 pm, Sundays and holidays 5–7 pm), but you still need a free ticket and queues form early, so arrive ahead of time.
Royal Palace: book and check the date
The Royal Palace can close for state events. Buy a timed ticket on the Patrimonio Nacional website and check the calendar before you go.
Debod at sunset
Keep the Temple of Debod for sunset, then walk down towards Ópera or La Latina for dinner; San Ginés is on the way for chocolate and churros.
Checked on November 3, 2026. Opening hours and tickets can change, so check each place’s website before you go.
