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: | Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid |
|---|---|
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | Eat at the Oldest Restaurant in the World |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Visit Segovia and Toledo as day trip |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Hostal Falfes |
| 🏃♂️ Getting around: | Walk |
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
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]
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]
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: 10 AM to 7 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: Around 15 EUR (~17 USD)
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 for around 15 EUR and gain access to the Throne Room, the Banquet Hall, the famous Hall of Mirrors, and more. The palace is open from 10 AM to 7 PM every day.
5. Check out Catedral de la Almudena
- 📍 Location: Catedral de la Almudena [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 10 AM - 8:30 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free
After you are done with the Royal Palace, be sure to check out Catedral de la Almudena, a stunning Baroque Catholic cathedral known for its colorful chapels, crypts, and museum, located just across the square from the palace.
The best part is that the cathedral is free to enter, and you will be completely blown away by the church's colorful mosaic window designs and the impressive murals on the ceiling. The church is open from 10 AM to 8:30 PM every day.
6. Eat at the Oldest Restaurant in the World
- 📍 Location: Sobrino de Botín [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 1 PM - 4 PM, 8 PM - 11:30 PM
I bet you did not know that the oldest restaurant in the world is located in Madrid. Neither did I until my walking tour guide told me about it. The restaurant is called Sobrino de Botín, a Castilian-style restaurant that has been operating in this city for more than 250 years, making it the oldest in the world.
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. The restaurant is open from 1 PM to 4 PM for lunch and 8 PM to 11:30 PM for dinner. They really do have their meals quite late here in Spain!
7. Take a break at Plaza de España
- 📍 Location: Plaza de España [Map Link]
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: 10 AM - 7:30 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: Free
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. It consists of several well-preserved stone structures, including a small temple dedicated to Isis and a larger one dedicated to Amun-Ra. It originally stood in the village of Debod near Aswan, and it is believed to have been constructed during the 2nd century BC. That's more than 2000 years old!
It is a little slice of Egypt in Spain where you can visit its museum and learn more about the ancient Egyptian civilization and the temple's history. The temple is open from 10 AM to 7:30 PM every day except on Mondays, and it is free to enter.
9. Visit Segovia and Toledo as day trip
- 📍 Location: Segovia and Toledo [Map Link]
- 💰 Entry Fees: 50 EUR (~58 USD)
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. An organized tour should cost about 50 EUR and you can reserve your spot here.
How to Get to Madrid?
The best way to get here is to fly directly to Madrid. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find all the cheap flights from where you live to Spain and compare them so that you can find the one that best fits your itinerary.
How to Get Around Madrid?
With this itinerary, you should be able to walk to all the places I recommended here. For Toledo and Segovia, you are going to have to rely on an organized tour to get there and back in one day.
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. :)