Preparing for your first visit to Madrid is exciting. This captivating city is brimming with culture, history, and vibrant city life. To ensure you get the most out of your experience, we’ve prepared some essential tips and advice for your first trip to Madrid.
Proposal for your first visit to Madrid
Madrid is quite large compared to other European capitals. Various styles and environments converge in it. This city is a melting pot of unique experiences that await you; the possibilities to enjoy the city are endless.
Planning is key. Organize your visits to places of interest according to your location to maximize your time and avoid unnecessary travel. Here are some recommendations to get the most out of your first visit to Madrid.
1. Explore the Historic Center
Start your adventure at Puerta del Sol, the heart of the city. From here, you can explore the Madrid de los Austrias on foot, enjoying the majesty of the Royal Palace and the cobbled streets full of history. This Google map shows you the most interesting area with some of its monuments.
Similarly, we propose this route if you visit Madrid in one day. If you want to discover other natural spaces where you can enjoy the outdoors in Madrid, then we recommend you check out our post–second visit to Madrid.
2. Stroll by Retiro Park
The Retiro Park is also an open-air museum. Here you can rent a boat on its beautiful pond, stroll through its manicured gardens, or visit the Crystal Palace. In addition, you can run, skate, or play soccer and tennis at their sports club.
3. Visit Madrid’s museums
If you have time, visit at least one of Madrid’s museums. Madrid has the so-called “Art Triangle,” made up of the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
You will have to set aside at least half a day for each one if you want to appreciate them carefully. But if you don’t have much time, you can visit a single section, the temporary exhibitions, or leave it for your next visit to Madrid, in which you could also visit other museums in the city.
If you want to go for a shot, you can select the most famous paintings in Madrid or visit 10 international painters in Madrid museums.
4. Have a Gastronomical Experience
Madrid is famous for its food scene.
Take advantage of the guaranteed casual atmosphere in the Centro area to have an aperitif in the La Latina neighborhood, enjoy a snack in the Las Letras district, or indulge in gastronomic pleasures at the numerous restaurants around Plaza Mayor, including those with Michelin stars.
Don’t miss the opportunity to try authentic tapas on Cava Baja Street, which has 50 bars within 300 meters. If you prefer more gourmet cuisine, you can’t miss visiting the Mercado de San Miguel.
If you aim higher, you can enjoy some of the Michelin-starred restaurants in Madrid.
5. Enjoy a sunset at the Temple of Debod
One of the most visited places in Madrid is “Montaña del Príncipe Pío,” where the Temple of Debod is located. There you can enjoy spectacular sunsets and wonderful views, and you can also pass by the Almudena Cathedral and Royal Palace.
6 . Live the Madrid night
Enjoy an evening show that the city has to offer: a musical or a play on Gran Vía, original version films, a concert, or the excitement of clapping and guitar at a flamenco tablao in the Centro. The streets of the Malasaña neighborhood and the lively areas of Chueca, Las Letras, and Princesa are great for enjoying bars, clubs, and live music.
The options are limitless.
7. Visit El Rastro, an Antiques Market in Madrid
Visit it on Sunday or during the holidays. Something you cannot miss is getting lost in the bustling shopping area of the La Latina neighborhood and its open-air market known as “El Rastro,” where you can find almost everything.
8. Explore the surroundings of Madrid
One of our recommendations for exploring the surroundings of Madrid is to pay a visit to San Lorenzo del Escorial. In this municipality, you can see where the famous symbol of the reign of Philip II (San Lorenzo del Escorial) is, but also Segovia and Toledo are ancient historic cities worth visiting.
Need of accommodations in your fist visit to Madrid
We have apartments for months in Centro, but also apartments for months in Retiro, and in a quieter and less touristic neighborhood, you can consider apartments for months in the Salamanca district. For a short stay, we have apartments for days next to Calle Serrano and Paseo de la Castellana in the Escultor Building and accommodation according to your needs by category: a list of corporate apartments or a list of apartments for students.