Madrid
About Madrid
Spain's grand capital — world-class art at the Prado, the Royal Palace, leafy Retiro park, and buzzing plazas and tapas bars.
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Places in Madrid
attractionPrado Museum
The Prado Museum in Madrid is one of the world's greatest art collections, home to masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and Bosch.
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attractionRetiro Park
Retiro Park is Madrid's 125-hectare green heart — a UNESCO-listed royal garden with a boating lake, Crystal Palace, and free art exhibitions.
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attractionPlaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is Madrid's grand 17th-century square — a buzzing hub of history, frescoed façades, tapas terraces, and street life in the old town.
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beachLas Presillas de Rascafria
Las Presillas de Rascafría is a chain of natural river pools in the Sierra de Guadarrama, Madrid's favourite freshwater summer escape.
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cityAlcala de Henares
Explore Alcalá de Henares, Cervantes' birthplace and a UNESCO-listed university city just 35 minutes from Madrid — the perfect day trip.
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attractionLa Pedriza
La Pedriza is a stunning granite massif near Madrid with wild hiking trails, crystal-clear natural pools, and Spain's best rock climbing outside Andalusia.
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beachPlaya de Madrid (San Juan Reservoir)
Playa de Madrid at the Embalse de San Juan is the capital's beloved inland beach — warm swimming water, watersports, and pine-shaded sand an hour from Madrid.
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townManzanares el Real
A charming Sierra de Guadarrama town near Madrid, famed for its storybook 15th-century castle and the granite wilderness of La Pedriza.
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townRascafria
Rascafría is a charming mountain town 90km north of Madrid, home to the medieval Monasterio del Paular, river pools, and scenic Guadarrama hikes.
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More about Madrid
Things to do in Madrid
- Madrid Food Tour: Mercado de San Miguel, Tapas & Historic Tabernas
- The Camino de Madrid: Walking from the Capital to Sahagún
- The Best Michelin-Star Restaurants in Madrid: A Complete Fine Dining Guide
- Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art: Prado, Reina Sofía & Thyssen in One Trip
- The Museo del Prado: A First-Timer's Guide to Madrid's Great Art Museum
- 3 Cities in One Day: Toledo, Segovia & Ávila Tour from Madrid (2026 Guide)
Guides about Madrid
- Madrid Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
- Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) 2026: Arrival Guide & Getting into the City
- 7-Day Madrid Spain Itinerary: The Ultimate 2026 Travel Plan
- Best Beaches Near Madrid 2026: Complete Coastal Getaway Guide
- Best Restaurants in Madrid 2026: Top Places to Eat in the Spanish Capital