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Madrid is an incredible city filled with culture, history, and perhaps most importantly, incredible food! We loved every minute we spent in the Spanish capital, and we had so many fun adventures there. And now, we’ve rounded up our top 10 picks to help you make the most of your time here!
From day trips to tuk tuk tours and flamenco shows, there are so many fun ways to soak in the beauty and charm of Madrid. If you’re planning a trip anytime soon, we guarantee that the following activities will help you to fall head-over-heels in love with Madrid – just like we did! So keep on reading to discover the best things to do in this elegant and exciting city.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did in Madrid was go on this wine and tapas tour. This tour took us to the best local spots to try authentic tapas and that world-famous wine – yum! Check out the 2,500+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
Tip: This tour is popular – book your spot here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Madrid, Spain
- 1. Explore Avila and Segovia – Two of Spain’s oldest cities
- 2. Wine and Tapas Tour
- 3. See a Flamenco Show
- 4. Explore Madrid’s top sights in a tuk tuk
- 5. Join a Paella Cooking Class
- 6. Tour the Medieval city of Toledo
- 7. Tour the Royal Palace
- 8. Tour Madrid’s Coolest Tapas Bars
- 9. Explore Madrid by Bike
- 10. Tour the Ribera del Duero wine region
- Where to Stay in Madrid, Spain
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Travel Like a Local, Not a Target.
- Travel Like a Local, Not a Target.
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Madrid, Spain
1. Explore Avila and Segovia – Two of Spain’s oldest cities
- Duration: 9 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: visiting the Basilica de San Vicente and Convent of Santa Teresa in Avila; visiting the Aqueduct, Cathedral, and Alcazar in Segovia; learning lots of Spanish history
- Inclusions: transport, skip-the-line admission tickets, English-speaking guide, audio headset, drink and snack in Avila
- Rating: 5 stars (check 6,500+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
One of our favorite things about traveling to Spain is the chance to explore its rich history and beautiful architecture. So when we saw that there was a full-day tour to two of Spain’s oldest cities, we just had to book it!
Avila and Segovia are two gorgeous medieval cities, and both are within easy reach of Madrid, so fortunately there’s not too much travel time involved. Booking this tour also saved us from having to rent a car, and I’m certain that it worked out cheaper, too.
We kicked off the day by visiting the Basilica de San Vicente in Avila. It’s a beautiful Gothic and Romanesque church that was founded in the 11th century, although it took over 200 years to complete. Then, we went to the Convent of Santa Teresa, which is a popular pilgrimage site. We learned a lot about Spanish Catholicism from our guide, Sarah, and then we enjoyed a light snack and drink in Avila before heading on to explore Segovia.
I think we both enjoyed Segovia even more than Avila! It was absolutely enchanting. First, we visited the famous and imposing Aqueduct, which dates all the way back to the 1st century – how cool is that? Then, Sarah took us to check out the Cathedral, which is without a doubt one of the most impressive that we have ever seen.
Finally, we finished the day by visiting the Alcazar de Segovia, which overlooks the entire city. It has a very interesting history, and it was actually the inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle! That feels very fitting because this day trip to Avila and Segovia really does feel a bit like stepping into a fairytale. This tour made it so easy to visit all of the most beautiful attractions that these ancient cities have to offer. It does tend to sell out, though, so do make sure to book in advance.
Book this tour with more than 5,400 5-star reviews here!
2. Wine and Tapas Tour
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 12:30 pm or 7:30 pm
- Highlights: authentic tapas dishes, visiting popular local bars, trying local sherries and wines, exploring the city’s Literary Quarter on foot
- Inclusions: local guide, wine tasting, a dozen or more tapas dishes, a drink at each bar
- Rating: 5 stars (check 2,800+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
Well, duh! Consuming as much wine and tapas as possible is a must when you’re in Spain, and this wine and tapas tour is the best way to go about it. We wanted to avoid the tourist traps and enjoy tapas and wine like locals, so we booked this tour and we were definitely not disappointed!
Our guide, Noemi, was excellent, and she took us to four different tapas bars which are popular with Madrid’s locals. They were scattered around the city’s Literary Quarter, which is a historic and charming area where writers, like Hemmingway, used to hang out!
We visited four fantastic tapas bars, all of which felt super local and authentic. At each one, we got to try 3-4 different dishes and some local drinks. Of course, we went for the wine and we had to try some sherry from Spain’s famous “sherry triangle” region, which we absolutely loved!
There were also beers or soft drinks available for those who aren’t into wine or just wanted to mix it up.
As for the food itself, we tried tons of Spanish specialties like Iberian ham, salted cod, chickpea stew, and green peppers. Trying these green peppers was so much fun because Noemi taught us that although the peppers are mostly mild, every now and then you get a super spicy one. It was like playing roulette with our taste buds!
This food tour truly made us fall in love with Madrid and its tapas, so we would highly recommend it to anyone who loves good food and wine! It’s easily one of the best things that we did here, and we would most definitely do it again.
Book our favorite tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
3. See a Flamenco Show
- Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Time: 4:30 pm – 9 pm
- Highlights: intimate venue, authentic flamenco show,
- Inclusions: welcome drink, flamenco admission
- Rating: 5 stars (check 800+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go and watch flamenco while we were in Madrid, so we booked this top-rated show! Flamenco is an Andalusian dance that was born in the Andalusian region, in a melting pot of Romani, Moorish, and Sephardic cultures. It’s a complex and emotional dance, and it’s considered best to watch it in a small and intimate venue. After attending the show ourselves, we definitely agree with that!
The venue was small and cozy, and there were only three rows of seats. We got a welcome drink upon arrival, and of course, we had to go for the sangria! Then, we settled in for the performance, which really captivated us both. The musicians and dancers were very skilled but the passion they put into their performance really made it what it is. Seeing flamenco live was a bit like going to a concert instead of listening to a CD – you just can’t replicate that energy!
Since the show was only an hour long, it was really easy to fit into our Madrid itinerary, and we had time to go and enjoy a leisurely dinner afterward. As this is a quick thing to do, we honestly think that everyone should try to experience this while in Madrid. It’s a really fun way to immerse yourself in Spanish culture, and appreciate why flamenco is so deeply valued here.
Check out the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews and book your flamenco show here.
4. Explore Madrid’s top sights in a tuk tuk
- Duration: 1 – 4 hours
- Time: 11 am – 6 pm
- Highlights: exploring the city with ease, passing by top sights like the Plaza de Santa Ana, the Royal Palace, San Miguel Market, and the Cibeles Fountain, learning about the city’s history
- Inclusions: private tuk tuk, English-speaking driver and guide, blankets during the winter
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
We love tuk tuk tours because they allow you to see a lot in a short span of time while getting a much more personal experience than you would with a big bus tour! So if you’re only in Madrid for a few days, or you just want an epic introduction to the city, we highly recommend booking this tuk tuk tour!
You can choose how long you want the experience to last, and prices vary accordingly, so this tour really works for a range of budgets, too. Our driver, Juan, was really funny and he gave us a great overview of Madrid. He also gave us some great recommendations and since we covered so much in just a few hours, we were able to make notes of some of the places we wanted to come back and explore more later on in our trip.
Some of the spots we especially loved seeing were the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and the Cybele Palace. But honestly, our favorite part about this tour was just the chance to soak in the beauty and energy of Madrid, while kicking back and relaxing in the tuk tuk! On that note, we also think that this tour is a great option for anyone who isn’t comfortable with a lot of walking.
We think that this tour is the ideal thing to do on your first day in Madrid, as it really helped us to get our bearings in the city. It’s also just a ton of fun, as zooming around in a tuk tuk is always an adventure, and it allows you to enjoy the beauty of Madrid in the open air, without having to walk for miles. What’s not to like?
Check availability and book this top-rated tour in advance here.
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
5. Join a Paella Cooking Class
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: 2:30 pm
- Highlights: learning how to make paella from scratch, enjoying a big, authentic Spanish meal with dessert, wine tasting, bottomless wine
- Inclusions: all ingredients and equipment, English-speaking instructor, paella, cheese and charcuterie, gazpacho, churros, 5 wine pairings, all-you-can-drink wine
- Rating: 5 stars (check 700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
I don’t know about you, but whenever I think of Spain, I think of paella! So this paella cooking class with bottomless wine (yes, you read that right) sounded like an absolute dream to us. And honestly, the paella we made was just as good as anything we could have found at a restaurant!
This class was super hands on but at the same time, it was about so much more than cooking! Our group got to know each other over a welcome drink, and then we got to taste five different Spanish wines, and enjoy as much as we liked of each! There was a sparkling wine, two whites, and two reds on offer, so there was plenty of choice.
Our instructor, Eric, was such a fantastic teacher and he paced the class perfectly, so that everyone could keep up. Making a perfect paella is no easy feat, but Eric made it super straightforward! Dance music was playing as we cooked, and there was such a fun and energetic atmosphere.
At the end of the class, our group sat down to enjoy our paella, with tons of other local foods, including gazpacho, cheese and charcuterie, and churros with chocolate sauce for dessert. Oh, and more wine, of course! It was hands down the best meal that we had in Madrid, and the class was so much fun that we didn’t want to leave at the end. Seriously, do not miss this class while you’re in town!
Don’t miss out – book this tour here and get FREE cancellation before you go!
6. Tour the Medieval city of Toledo
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: the city walls, the Alcazar, Toledo Cathedral, Synagogue of St Mary the White, Santo Tome Church, Plaza de Zodocover
- Inclusions: round trip transport, admission tickets to the churches and synagogue, guided walking tour in English and Spanish
- Rating: 5 stars (check 4,700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
Toledo is a gorgeous ancient city, and its heritage is absolutely fascinating. It’s known as “the city of three cultures” because large communities of Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived in harmony here, up until the Spanish Inquisition. It was so interesting to see how this blend of cultures has shaped the architecture, character, and traditions of Toledo.
Of course, we wanted to explore this richly historic city, so we booked this full-day tour from Madrid. The coach was super comfortable and having all of our transport organized made life so much easier. Plus, visiting Toledo was so much better because we had our guide, Oscar, to show us around and give us context to what we were seeing!
We loved visiting the Plaza de Zocodover, which has been the beating heart of Toledo for centuries, so it’s safe to say this square has some stories! Exploring the Cathedral was beautiful, especially the ornate, golden interior. We also loved learning about Jewish history as we visited the synagogue, which dates all the way back to the 12th century. And of course, the city walls were just breathtaking.
We’re so glad that we booked this tour, as this was one of the best days that we had in Madrid! If you want to really soak up Spanish history and culture, then visiting this medieval city is a must. Toledo is picture-perfect, and we really felt as though we were stepping back in time. So if you’re looking for a slice of old-school Spain, be sure to book this tour!
Reserve this tour now and pay later when you book in advance here!
7. Tour the Royal Palace
- Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Time: 10 am – 1 pm
- Highlights: San Miguel Market, Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Calle de Codo, Plaza de la Villa
- Inclusions: guided walking tour, English-speaking guide, skip-the-line admission to the Royal Palace, audio headset
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 1,100+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re looking for a tour that hits all the highlights in Madrid, then look no further! This walking tour is the perfect way to get to know Madrid better and to tick off the must-see highlights. We really enjoyed exploring the city on foot with our guide, Iris, who taught us a ton about the city’s history and gave us an insight into the local culture.
Iris took us down some of the city’s most picturesque streets and squares. Best of all, she gave us a guided tour of the Royal Palace. We got skip-the-line entry so we didn’t have to waste any time waiting when we could have been exploring, and we loved seeing the inside of this huge, stately palace. It also just happens to be the largest royal palace in Europe, which is pretty cool!
We also visited the San Miguel Market, which is a huge indoor food market with so many delicious local goodies on offer. Although food wasn’t included in the tour, we had plenty of opportunities to grab ourselves some snacks, which we appreciated.
We enjoyed this tour so much that we could have kept on going for another few hours. We felt like it was a super fun and convenient introduction to Madrid, and it definitely helped us to get to know our way around the city. Plus, for €39, it’s a great price, especially as it covers entry to the Royal Palace, which costs between €20 and €24, depending on the day. So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly tour, we would highly recommend booking this one!
Check availability and book this tour here, before spots fill up!
8. Tour Madrid’s Coolest Tapas Bars
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 6:30 pm
- Highlights: historic tapas bars, enjoying local drinks, eating lots of tapas, friendly small-group tour, exploring Madrid on foot
- Inclusions: local guide, 8+ tapas tastings, 3 drink pairings, guided walk through the historic center of Madrid
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
When we decided to visit Madrid, one of the things we were most excited for was the opportunity to explore lots of cool tapas bars, so we booked this top-rated tour! Our guide, Rosita, was so energetic and friendly, and she knew all of the local bar owners, which made the experience even more fun.
Rosita took us through the historic center of Madrid, sharing fun anecdotes about the local tapas and bar culture. We got to see some famous landmarks, but the tapas bars we visited were all true local hidden gems! We loved heading down back alleys and stuffing our faces in tapas restaurants we never would have even known about without this tour.
We got to eat so much amazing food, including cod fritters, manchego cheese, stuffed mushrooms, garlic shrimp, and broken eggs. I’m actually getting hungry just remembering it all! We also got a drink to accompany each one. Obviously, the experience varies slightly from evening to evening, but we got to enjoy some lovely local wine, vermouth, and a glass of sherry.
Doing this tour was so much better than trying to find great tapas spots by ourselves. It was such a fun way to spend an evening, and since it was a small group tour, it actually felt more like having a night out with friends rather than a formal tour. In short, we loved it, and we will definitely book it again the next time we’re in Madrid!
Check out the 1,300+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
9. Explore Madrid by Bike
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 10:30 am or 4 pm
- Highlights: Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Literary Quarter, Cibeles Fountain, Retiro Park, Santa Maria Cathedral
- Inclusions: bike or e-bike, helmet, bottled water, English-speaking guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,400+ reviews)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
For those who love outdoor adventures, bike tours are such a great way to explore a new city! I think that this 3-hour tour is perfect for those who are short on time and want a budget-friendly tour that will cover all of the main highlights.
We loved our guide, Isaac, who taught us so much about Madrid’s history, which is super complex and interesting. He kept our small group moving at the right pace – we didn’t feel rushed, but we certainly didn’t get bored, either. His commentary was so interesting, and we had lots of time to take photos.
We were super impressed with this tour’s itinerary because it really did hit all of the city’s top attractions. From the Royal Palace to Plaza Mayor, the Literary Quarter, and Santa Maria Cathedral, we feel as though we saw it all in just a few hours!
One of my personal favorite stops on the tour was the colorful Mercado de la Cebada, which is a huge food, clothing, and art market. We had about 20 minutes to explore and grab a few snacks from the food stalls. Plus, the brightly painted exterior is very Instagram-friendly.
All in all, this tour is yet another great option for your first day in Madrid. I also really like the fact that you can choose between a regular bicycle and an e-bike on this tour. The e-bike option isn’t too much more expensive, and it definitely makes the ride a lot easier if you’re not an experienced cyclist!
Book this tour here to access FREE cancellation options!
10. Tour the Ribera del Duero wine region
- Duration: 11 hours
- Time: 9:15 am
- Highlights: visiting three different wineries, learning about wine production, driving through medieval villages,
- Inclusions: return transport, 3 wine tastings, English-speaking guide, snacks,
- Rating: 5 stars (check 250+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you love wine, then you should put this day trip to the Ribera del Duero wine region at the top of your list of things to do in Madrid! We had the best time exploring this picturesque region, which is famous for its excellent wine, and particularly its tempranillo grapes.
We loved our guide, Ismael, who taught us so much about the region’s proud history of winemaking. In fact, at one of the wineries, we actually got to peek behind the scenes and witness the harvesting process! We also loved the fact that we got to visit three very different wineries, from a small boutique producer to one that makes wine for one of Spain’s biggest brands.
Not only was the tour super comprehensive, we also got to try a ton of wine! We did three different tastings and tried so many different wines, from light and easy drinking whites to aged, complex reds. At the third and final winery, we also got a guided tour of a wine cellar and had so much fun walking through the underground tunnels – especially as we had drunk quite a bit of wine by this point!
This tour was an absolutely idyllic day out. As much as we love the city of Madrid, it was wonderful to leave urban landscapes behind for a while and enjoy miles of rolling hills, with a glass of wine in hand. It was bliss, and I would definitely book it again.
Check availability and book this top-rated tour here, before dates fill up!
Where to Stay in Madrid, Spain
Now that you have a list of the best things to do in Madrid, you need somewhere comfortable to stay! You really can’t go wrong when choosing accommodation in Madrid, each area has its own unique charm and you can find a variety of hotel options. To help narrow down your decision, I’ve listed my top three picks for each budget:
Luxury – $$$
If you’re looking for a luxury stay, the VP Plaza España Design is my top choice! Located in the historic Gran Via neighborhood, you’re steps from all of Madrid’s top sights. The rooms are all stylish and upscale, providing every detail for a relaxed stay. You can enjoy the outdoor pool, spa, fitness center, or onsite restaurant.
Room prices start around €475 and go up, depending on your room choice. You can book this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Hotel Princesa Plaza Madrid gives an upscale stay at a mid-budget price. You’ll find modern rooms, some with panoramic views, an onsite gym, a pool, and a bar. It’s located in the Argüelles District, so you can easily walk to the top sights.
Superior twin rooms start at €175 and king rooms with a view star at €205. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Ok Hostel Madrid is definitely more than “okay” and is a perfect stay for budget-conscious travelers. You can get a dorm bed for around €20 or private rooms start at €85 per night. This hostel is very clean and modern, and has a shared kitchen and communal area. There’s also an onsite restaurant and bar, and it’s conveniently located near Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol.
You can book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Madrid, Spain is an enchanting city, and after you experience a few things on this list, I’m sure you’ll agree! Whether you spend your days strolling through the old architecture, taking a day trip to a charming city, or eating your weight in tapas and wine, you’re sure to experience the best of Madrid.
Thanks for reading our blog! If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out our other travel guides. We’ve traveled all over the world and love sharing our favorite places and experiences. Here are a few related blogs to inspire your travels!
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