Things to do in Madrid

At Madrid’s heart is La Puerta del Sol and from there you can visit the major streets that radiate from it, including Calle Mayor which brings you to the seventeenth-century Plaza Mayor. It’s a particularly important architectural and historical site in the city and is usually buzzing with tourists and locals sitting back on the terraces. As Madrid is slap bang in the middle of the country, beaches are not easily in reach, so Madrileños can be found whiling away the sun-kissed days at Madrid’s Retiro Park. Pass by the big monument on a Sunday evening and you’ll find young, hip musicians coming together to make tribal music.

Museo Prado, is probably the most popular museum to visit in the whole city. Built in 1819, the Spanish gallery’s collection amounts to around 8,600 paintings, with the most famous collections being those of Goya, Rubens and Velázquez. The lavishly decorated Palacio Royal, the main royal residence up until 1931, is also a hit with visitors, not only because of its striking interior, but also because of the beautifully kept gardens.

Madrid’s gay scene is concentrated in Chueca, where the nightlife is especially vibrant. There are terraces aplenty, where you can watch as Madrid’s most flamboyant take to the streets. Also find great affordable shopping nearby at Calle Fuencarral. Other good socialising places are La Latina, for street-drinking and loud banter or down the road, the bars in Lavapiès have a touch of bohemian hipness thanks to the areas ethnic mix.