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Tourist guide: what to do and see in Madrid

Madrid

Madrid, multifaceted and always welcoming

When you arrive, Madrid surprises you. Despite being a large and modern city, it preserves a unique identity that welcomes you with open arms. No matter how many times you return, there will always be a new Madrid to discover.

 

 

 

 

¡Hola, Madrid!

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Discover Spain’s capital and take advantage of Iberia’s network of connections from Madrid: all of Europe, even closer.

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Departures from Monterrey: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 18:35.

Departures from Madrid: Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 13:10.

First time in Madrid:
10 must-sees

Typically Madrilenian places and experiences for those visiting the city for the first time. From its most iconic squares to parks, museums and lively neighbourhoods: you can’t leave Madrid without these 10 essentials.
 

Madrid
off the beaten track

There is always a different Madrid to discover with every visit. A Madrid that moves away from the major landmarks and reveals itself through alternative art centres, neighbourhoods with their own character and spaces where the city is enjoyed at a slower pace. Places you reach on foot, by bike or simply by following your instinct, showing a more everyday and authentic side of the capital.

Beyond the city centre, Madrid surprises visitors with green corners, lively terraces and small hidden gardens that feel as if they belong to another era. It’s the Madrid you share, the one you show a friend visiting for the first time, or the one you rediscover on every trip. Shall we go and explore it?

You might hear this when you land, but I’ll start telling you now, because I’ve already planned what we’re going to do in Madrid.

We’ll start at Matadero, where there are always interesting exhibitions. And since I know how much you love art, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

Then we’ll visit the greenhouse at the Crystal Palace of Arganzuela, which is beautiful, and afterwards we can grab a bike and take a ride along Madrid Río.

After that I thought we could head straight to the centre and stop by the garden of the Príncipe de Anglona. It’s tiny, like something out of a fairy tale. You’ll see, it feels as if we’re not even in the middle of the capital.

And since I know how much you love terraces, our next stop will be Plaza de Olavide. We’ll sit in the sun, have some good tapas and catch up, alright?

Right, I’ll hang up now because I’m arriving at T4 to pick you up. I can’t wait to show you Madrid, my friend.

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Real experiences in Madrid:
this is how other travellers see it

Share your travel experience with #Madrid, #InstantesIberia and @Iberia

Entrance of a traditional tavern in central Madrid


Centuries-old
taverns

Enjoy the charming atmosphere and delicious tapas of Madrid’s bars, some as iconic as these.

La casa del abuelo | When it first opened in Sol around 1906, the establishment was famous for its rosquillas and sweet wine. Today, however, its garlic prawns are the stars of the menu, with seafood having been introduced in the 1940s.

Casa Labra | The “soldaditos de Pavía” (battered and fried cod pieces) at this bar founded in 1860 were chosen as the “Traditional Dish of 2023” by the Madrid Academy of Gastronomy. The queues forming outside prove the point.

La Dolores | There’s hardly a better pairing than a “matrimonio” at La Dolores. The tapa of Cantabrian anchovies with vinegar-marinated anchovies, or its delicious gildas, have made this tavern in the Las Letras district an irreplaceable classic.

Lhardy

Azorín once wrote that “Madrid cannot be conceived without Lhardy”. The establishment, which opened in 1839, has welcomed into its dining room intellectuals, politicians and aristocrats such as the Marquis of Santillana, Alfonso XII, Isabella II and Benito Pérez Galdós—some shaping and others narrating the history of Spain. Yet just as historic as the restaurant itself is its famous consommé, still prepared today following the same recipe that Emilio Lhardy brought from Paris in the 19th century. Made with chicken, ham and vegetables, slowly cooked and clarified, it is served from antique silver samovars.

El Corral de la Morería

Did you know that in Madrid, the world capital of Flamenco, you can find the only tablao in the world with a fine-dining restaurant awarded a Michelin star?

Detail of the legs of a flamenco dancer on stage

Shopping
in Madrid

Shopping in Madrid is a diverse experience, ranging from luxury spots such as Galería Canalejas or the Salamanca district, to century-old shops in the city centre like Capas Seseña, and boutiques by national designers such as Oteyza in Las Salesas.

El Corte Inglés and the brand outlets at Las Rozas Village complete a unique offer. Meanwhile, Malasaña and El Rastro in La Latina add more alternative options and a lively vintage circuit.

Detail of a person holding shopping bags in front of a shop window in Madrid

Landscape of Light and
other World Heritage sites

In the city of Madrid, between the Paseo del Prado and El Retiro Park, the so-called Landscape of Light offers a concentration of more than 90 monuments within an area of 200 hectares. A hub of culture and nature since the 16th century, UNESCO recognised it in 2021 with its inclusion on the World Heritage List. Its name pays tribute to its enlightened spirit and to Madrid’s distinctive light.

A woman sitting in front of the Crystal Palace in El Retiro, part of Madrid’s Landscape of Light

Beyond the city itself, the Madrid region is perfect for extending your trip and discovering its natural and cultural richness. In addition to the Landscape of Light, the Madrid region is home to four other UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
 

View of the historic centre of Alcalá de Henares

Alcalá de Henares | Birthplace of Cervantes and the quintessential university town, Alcalá de Henares preserves a lively historic centre filled with courtyards and Renaissance buildings. Walking through its streets means discovering the origins of the modern university model and a city that blends history, culture and local life.
 

Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Monastery and Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial | At the foot of the mountains, El Escorial impresses with its balance of architecture, power and history. The monastery, commissioned by Philip II, is a monumental work reflecting the ambition of an empire and offers one of the most striking cultural visits in the region.
 

Royal Palace and gardens of Aranjuez

Cultural Landscape of Aranjuez | Aranjuez is nature and art carefully designed. Its historic gardens, the royal palace and the relationship between the Tagus River and the city create a unique landscape designed for relaxation and enjoyment for centuries. A place to stroll at your own pace.
 

Beech forest of Hayedo de Montejo in autumn

Hayedo de Montejo | In the north of the region, this forest stands out for its beauty and almost magical atmosphere. Hayedo de Montejo is one of the southernmost beech forests in Europe and a remarkable example of nature conservation, especially spectacular in autumn.

 

Plan your trip to Madrid

Explore places and experiences, and save your favorites by tapping the heart to create your route and share it. Looking for more ideas? Get a personalized itinerary based on your interests and trip length — just two steps, and downloadable on Google Maps.

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