5 things to do in Madrid in 2025 and beyond

A hub of art and vibrant joy, Madrid shines even more brilliantly now with its inaugural World Heritage designation and the stunning new Royal Collections Gallery. The very light that inspired Velázquez is reason enough to visit…

1. Discover a new UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1775, Charles III selected a meadow (prado) outside the bustling city of Madrid for an ambitious project that evolved into the Paseo del Prado. This tree-lined boulevard, adorned with monumental fountains, was a sophisticated enhancement to Spain’s capital. It encompassed the Natural History Cabinet (which eventually became the Prado, now one of the world’s leading art museums), the Academy of Science, and within the former royal park of El Retiro, a Royal Observatory and Royal Botanical Gardens.

Today, the Paseo del Prado is a central attraction in Madrid. It’s the perfect place to stroll and begin any visit to the city. It is home to many of Madrid’s most iconic museums, such as the Reina Sofia, which houses Spain’s foremost modern art collection, including Picasso’s renowned Guernica, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which boasts masterpieces from various periods. This outstanding ensemble is now Madrid’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ‘Landscape of Light’.

2. Meet Madrid’s new generation of craftspeople

Surprisingly, even in the heart of Madrid young people still make things the old-fashioned way. Take Ramírez guitars, played by everyone from André Segovia to Eric Clapton, and still handmade on Calle del General Margallo, while Bob Dylan and Paco de Lucía favoured Felipe Conde guitars, now crafted by a new generation (Calle de Arrieta).

Madrid has long been famous for soft, supple vegetable tanned leather. Today young artisans create unique pieces at the Taller Puntera (Plaza del Conde de Barajas), Ollomao Taller (Calle dela Fé) and Oficio Studio (Calle de la Verónica). Gloves in leather and every conceivable material have been sewn for over a century at Guantes Luque (Calle Espoz y Mina) and Santacana Madrid (Calle Heurtas). The city’s Guild of Jewellers goes back to 1572, and while the exquisite craftsmanship is the same, today’s styles are decidedly contemporary at Andrés Gallardo (Calle San Pedro) and Studio Squina (Calle Amparo).

3. Tuck into traditional food

While Madrid offers a wide array of international cuisines, it's worth trying the city's traditional dishes such as cocido, a stew made with meat, vegetables, and chickpeas served in two courses, tortilla de patatas (a potato and onion omelette), salmorejo (a creamy tomato, garlic, and bread soup), or huevos rotos (eggs and potatoes fried in olive oil). Meat lovers should head to Sobrino de Botín, the world's oldest restaurant, known for roasting suckling pig and lamb in a wood-burning oven since 1725. Alternatively, sample the city's soul food, gallinejas and entresijos (lamb intestines and offal, cooked in their own fat).

Despite being 300km from the coast, Madrid boasts the world's second-largest seafood market after Tokyo. Traditional seafood offerings include bocata de calamares, a baguette filled with battered calamari, soldaditos de Pavía (cod fritters with red peppers), besugo (Madrid-style red bream), and potaje de vigilia (a codfish stew).

4. Soak up the buzzing atmosphere

The people of Madrid, known as Madrileños, are cheerful and love to have fun. They are nicknamed los gatos, or 'the cats', a reference to the 11th century during the Reconquista when a soldier climbed the city walls with cat-like agility. Like cats, Madrileños enjoy the night. Join them for a traditional tapeo, or tapas crawl; some of the top tapas bars can be found in Plaza de Santa Ana, Calle Príncipe, and Calle Huertas in the Barrio de la Letras, as well as in Cava Baja in La Latina. Alternatively, explore the vibrant culinary hub of Mercado de San Miguel near Plaza Mayor, where you can taste Madrid’s finest food and drinks until midnight.

Although flamenco originates from Andalusia, many top dancers, musicians, and singers perform in the capital. Visit Flamenco de Leones, a captivating flamenco venue and restaurant offering flamenco song, music, and dance from Tuesdays to Saturdays. Conclude your night at one of the city’s rooftop bars, or join the locals at San Ginés by the Puerta del Sol, which is open 24/7 all year for chocolate con churros.

5. Stroll through the neighbourhoods

This is the ideal way to experience the true essence of Madrid. Begin at the Paseo del Prado and proceed along Paseo de Recoletos into Salesas, a hub for indie fashion, theaters, art galleries, and the historic Café Gijón, once favored by Lorca and Orson Welles and the origin of the Café Gijón Prize, Spain’s equivalent of the Booker Prize. The Barrio de Las Letras, haunted by older literary spirits, was home to Cervantes and Lope de Vega during Spain’s Golden Age; its narrow streets are packed with theaters, bars, and restaurants.

While wandering in the Centro, set aside time for the new Royal Collections Gallery, showcasing dazzling treasures amassed by the Spanish monarchy. The Conde Duque neighborhood just to the north offers a laid-back atmosphere, quirky shops, and historic tavernas, centered around the 18th-century royal guard barracks, now the Centro de Cultura Contemporánea Condeduque, featuring the latest in dance, art, cinema, and music.