Madrid is the largest city in Spain with an interesting blend of old and new architecture. Like most big Spanish cities, you can expect great food, interesting historical landmarks, and tons of great things to do here.
Its energy can be seen channeling through the people's laid-back approach to life, where lunch does not start until 3 PM, the night does not begin until 12 AM, and you don't sleep until sunrise. Without further ado, here are the 9 incredible things to do in Madrid for solo travelers:
Madrid Things to Do Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Royal Palace of Madrid |
|---|---|
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Sobrino de Botín |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Segovia and Toledo |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Hostal Falfes |
9 Best Things to Do in Madrid
1. Go on a Walking Tour around the city
- 📍 Location: Free Walking Tour Madrid [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 11 AM
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Free walking tours are one of the best ways to see the city, learn about it, and make new friends along the way. I met a couple of guys and went on a pub crawl together. Let's just say it was a long night."
One of the first things I like to do when arriving in a new city in Europe is to go on a walking tour to get a rundown of the place before diving deeper into a city, and Madrid is a great place to do that.
The walking tour often takes around 2.5 hours, starting at around 11 AM. The local guide will take you to all the famous tourist attractions in Madrid, such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, San Miguel market, and more, all in one go, which is great for those who are short on time.
If you are interested in the history of these places, the local guide will also explain their origins, the stories behind them, and more, which is something you don't get if you were to explore the city by yourself. If you love history and walking, you are going to love this walking tour. Be sure to book the tour in advance!
- Cats Hostel Madrid Sol (Budget)
- Hostal Falfes (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- INNSIDE by Meliá Madrid Gran Vía (High-End)
- Three Cities in One Day: Segovia, Avila & Toledo from Madrid (12 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Avila & Segovia Tour with Tickets to Monuments from Madrid (9 hours)
- Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour (3 hours)
Where to Stay in Madrid?
2. Hangout at Puerta del Sol
- 📍 Location: Puerta del Sol [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If walking tours aren't your thing, you can come to this square. It is situated in the heart of the city, and it is easy to get to other attractions from here."
If you prefer to explore Madrid yourself, I highly recommend that you start your journey at Puerta del Sol, a massive plaza located right in the heart of Madrid.
This square is one of the busiest squares in the city, with restaurants and shops catering to both locals and tourists. All the roads converge here, which makes it a great place to begin your exploration.
You can also admire all the beautiful architecture around it while you are here, as well as shop for some souvenirs for your loved ones at home. You will also find that many food tours begin from here, so if you want to go wine-tasting or take a tapas night walking tour, your journey usually begins from here.
3. Visit the Plaza Mayor
- 📍 Location: the Plaza Mayor [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a beautiful square right next to Puerta del Sol, pretty hard to miss."
After Puerta del Sol, you can visit the Plaza Mayor, located only a few blocks away, and admire the old town square while being surrounded by some of the most impressive structures in the city.
The Plaza Mayor is best known for its incredibly beautiful facade and all the cafes and restaurants that line the arches surrounding the square. Right at the center, you will also find the statue of King Philip III triumphantly riding his stallion.
Most of the walking tours will also stop here too, so if you wish to learn more about the history of the square and King Philip III, don't forget to join this walking tour.
4. Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid
- 📍 Location: Royal Palace of Madrid [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Apr - Sep: Mon - Sat, 10 AM - 7 PM; Sun, 10 AM - 4 PM. Oct - Mar: Mon - Sat, 10 AM - 6 PM; Sun, 10 AM - 4 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 18 EUR for a standard self-guided ticket
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "A beautiful palace to explore. You can wander around yourself inside or go on a guided tour to learn more about it."
As you make your way across the city, you will likely stumble upon a massive 18th-century structure. That's the Royal Palace of Madrid, one of the most iconic buildings in the city and an incredible place to visit while you are in Madrid.
The palace serves as the official residence of the Spanish royal family for state ceremonies and receptions. It features the iconic symmetrical facade with a central courtyard, surrounded by a beautiful garden and stunning interiors, among other things.
If you love history and want to learn more, you can also tour around the Royal Palace on a guided tour, or you can buy an entry ticket here. The official standard self-guided admission is 18 EUR. Opening hours are 10 AM to 7 PM Monday to Saturday from April through September and 10 AM to 6 PM from October through March, while Sundays close at 4 PM year-round. The palace can also close for official events, so it is worth checking before you go.
5. Check out Catedral de la Almudena
- 📍 Location: Catedral de la Almudena [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Sep - Jun: 10 AM - 8:30 PM; Jul - Aug: 10 AM - 9 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: Cathedral: 1 EUR suggested donation; Museum & Dome: 8 EUR
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Another impressive structure you shouldn't miss is right across from the palace, so you can combine the attractions."
After you are done with the Royal Palace, be sure to check out Catedral de la Almudena, Madrid's cathedral, located just across the square from the palace. Its long construction history resulted in a mix of architectural styles, while the interior stands out for its colorful contemporary ceiling and stained glass.
The cathedral itself can be visited with a suggested 1 EUR donation. From September through June, it is open daily from 10 AM to 8:30 PM, while in July and August it stays open until 9 PM. If you also want to visit the museum and climb to the dome, that is a separate attraction open Monday to Saturday from 10 AM to 2:30 PM, with a standard ticket costing 8 EUR.
6. Eat at the Oldest Restaurant in the World
- 📍 Location: Sobrino de Botín [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 1 PM - 11:30 PM daily
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This restaurant has been around for more than 250 years! Just let that sink in for a moment!"
I bet you did not know that the world's oldest operating restaurant is located in Madrid. Neither did I until my walking tour guide told me about it. Sobrino de Botín was founded in 1725 and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest operating restaurant in the world. In 2026, it celebrated its 300th anniversary.
The restaurant still maintains its old-world atmosphere within the dining area and kitchen, to the extent that they still cook their food with their original wood-fired oven!
It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the best things to do in Madrid, so be sure to check the place out. Botín is currently open daily from 1 PM to 11:30 PM, rather than closing between lunch and dinner.
7. Take a break at Plaza de España
- 📍 Location: Plaza de España [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It's a nice place to hang out, with stunning monuments and lots going on in the summer months. I like it."
After spending the entire day visiting beautiful palaces and bustling plazas, you can take a break at Plaza de España, a beautiful leafy park with an impressive stone and bronze statue of Cervantes, a Spanish writer widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world's greatest novelists.
In the summer, many public events are often held here, as well as street performers and all sorts of entertainment that will keep you occupied for some time. So be sure to check it out while you are here. The buildings around the park are also stunning and definitely worth checking out as well.
8. Check out the Temple of Debod
- 📍 Location: The Temple of Debod [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: Tue - Sun & holidays, 10 AM - 8 PM; Jun 15 - Sep 15, 10 AM - 7 PM. Closed Mondays
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free; advance reservation recommended
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "It is a little slice of Egypt in Spain. It is believed to have been constructed over 2,000 years ago and later relocated here in cooperation with Egypt and Spain."
One of the last things I expected to see in Madrid is an ancient Egyptian temple! The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple and museum that was moved from Aswan, Egypt and relocated here as a gesture of gratitude for Spain's assistance in saving the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt.
The Temple of Debod is an excellent example of ancient Egyptian architecture. Its oldest surviving section is the chapel built by the Meroitic king Adijalamani around 195 - 185 BC, dedicated to Amun of Debod and Isis. Later Ptolemaic rulers expanded the sanctuary, and Roman emperors added further elements, giving the monument a history stretching back roughly 2,200 years.
It is a little slice of Egypt in Spain where you can go inside and learn more about the temple's history. Entry is free, but capacity is limited and the city recommends reserving a free ticket in advance. It is open Tuesday to Sunday and on holidays from 10 AM to 8 PM, with shorter 10 AM to 7 PM hours from June 15 to September 15, and it is closed on Mondays and several public holidays.
9. Visit Segovia and Toledo as day trip
- 📍 Location: Segovia and Toledo [Map Link]
- 💰 Tour Cost: Varies by operator and inclusions
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "If you have a day to spare, you can spend it visiting both Segovia and Toledo."
If you have a day to spare in Madrid, be sure to go on a day trip and visit two of the most beautiful cities in Spain, Segovia, known for its well-preserved Roman aqueduct, and the imperial city of Toledo, one of the most important historical cities in the country.
With an organized tour, you will spend about 12 hours traveling between these cities with around 2.5 hours free to explore Segovia and its Alcazar before moving on to Toledo. You will visit its cathedral on a guided tour, including free time for about 4 hours, before heading back to Madrid.
It is a great way to see some of the best Spain has to offer in one day. When I visited, tours like this were around 50 EUR, but prices and inclusions vary today, so check the current options before you reserve your spot here.
How to Get to Madrid?
The easiest way to get here from abroad is to fly directly to Madrid-Barajas Airport. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to compare flights. From the airport, you can take Metro, Cercanías trains from T4, regular city buses, or the 24-hour Airport Express bus, which costs 5 EUR.
Most of the central sights in this guide are close enough to explore on foot, but Madrid also has an extensive Metro and bus network when you want to save time or your legs. A standard EMT city-bus single ticket costs 1.50 EUR, while Metro single fares vary with the number of stations traveled. For Toledo and Segovia, an organized tour is the simplest way to combine both cities in one day, although both can also be visited independently on separate day trips.
Daily Budget
Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
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2 Comments
Never did a walking tour in Madrid but last month I visited the city and decided to do a bike tour.
You pass by Almudena Cathedral, Gate of Alcalá and end the tour in Retiro Park.
It was great!
Sarah
Thank you for your report, Sarah! A biking tour would definitely allow you to see way more of the city. Excellent choice for those who are looking for something a little more active. :)