History · Madrid · Spain
7 historic sites to see in Madrid
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Msoltanolkotabii, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Prado Museum, Royal Palace of Madrid and Plaza Mayor. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 10–11 hours across 7 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 10–11 hours
- Areas
- Paseo del Prado, Palacio and Centro
Historic sites in Madrid
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Museum · Paseo del Prado
1.Prado Museum
It is too large for one visit, so pick a route.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
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Palace · Palacio
2.Royal Palace of Madrid
The visitor route passes the grand staircase, the Throne Room with its Tiepolo ceiling, the Royal Armoury and a quintet of Stradivarius instruments.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Kids
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Landmark · Centro
3.Plaza Mayor
The painted façade of the Casa de la Panadería is its highlight, and in December it fills with a traditional Christmas market.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Historic site · Parque del Oeste
4.Temple of Debod
Reflected in its pool, it is one of Madrid's favourite sunset spots, with views towards the Royal Palace.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Príncipe Pío
5.San Antonio de la Florida
The painter is buried beneath the frescoes, and entry is free.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- History
Museum · Salamanca
6.National Archaeological Museum
A replica of the Altamira cave paintings is in the garden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
- Kids
Religious site · Sol
7.Monastery of las Descalzas Reales
Visits are by guided tour only.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Paseo del Prado | Prado Museum | 3–4 hours |
| Palacio | Royal Palace of Madrid | 2 hours |
| Centro | Plaza Mayor | 30 minutes |
| Parque del Oeste | Temple of Debod | 45 minutes |
| Príncipe Pío | San Antonio de la Florida | 30 minutes |
| Salamanca | National Archaeological Museum | 2 hours |
| Sol | Monastery of las Descalzas Reales | 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 3 free, 2 low cost, 2 mid-priced. Book ahead for Prado Museum, Royal Palace of Madrid and Monastery of las Descalzas Reales. The longest visit is Prado Museum; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Prado Museum: Buy timed tickets online, especially for weekends and holiday periods.
- Royal Palace of Madrid: Queues can be long in summer and at weekends; buy a timed ticket online.
- Monastery of las Descalzas Reales: Guided tours have limited places; reserve ahead.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Paseo del Prado): Prado Museum, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Palacio, Centro, Parque del Oeste and Príncipe Pío): Royal Palace of Madrid → Plaza Mayor → Temple of Debod → San Antonio de la Florida, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Salamanca and Sol): National Archaeological Museum → Monastery of las Descalzas Reales, at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- August: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 1 rainy days, quiet crowds. Hot and quieter as Madrileños leave on holiday; some restaurants close, but the traditional verbenas fill La Latina and Lavapiés.
- February: highs of 12°C (54°F), about 5 rainy days, quiet crowds. Still cool, with bright days; a good month for museums and hearty cocido lunches.
- January: highs of 10°C (50°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cold, crisp and often sunny, with frosty nights; museums are quiet and the January sales begin.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Sol and Gran Vía — Puerta del Sol, Kilometre Zero and the theatres and shops of Gran Vía
- Barrio de las Letras — The literary quarter of Huertas, with quotations inlaid in the pavements
- La Latina — Medieval lanes, tapas bars on Cava Baja and the Sunday Rastro market
- Salamanca — Elegant 19th-century grid of luxury boutiques and smart restaurants
- Retiro and Los Jerónimos — Quiet, elegant streets between the Prado and the Retiro park
More of Madrid
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Madrid?
Prado Museum. Spain's national art museum, opened in 1819, holds the world's greatest collections of Velázquez and Goya — including Las Meninas, The Third of May 1808 and Goya's Black Paintings — along with Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, El Greco, Titian and Rubens.
+Which of these are free in Madrid?
Plaza Mayor, Temple of Debod and San Antonio de la Florida.