5 Things to do in Madrid

Madrid is a conversation of contrasts: it’s steeped in tradition, yet pulses with cutting-edge perspectives. Grand palaces and boulevards stand beside crumbling facades of bohemian neighbourhoods, where life unfolds languidly until it erupts with an urgent energy. The city, which basks in more sunshine annually than any other European capital, is especially inviting in early autumn, when warm days blend with cooler evenings and the rhythm of local life returns after the summer lull. Our editors have curated the top five must‑do experiences, where history, art and culture coalesce on every golden-hued corner.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Step into the old town where cobbled streets with charming Baroque facades, humming with espresso-drinking locals, lead you to the majestic 18th-century Royal Palace. Marvel at its opulent chambers, prismatic chandeliers and fresco-decorated ceilings, and catch the Changing of the Guard, a regal spectacle that occurs between 11am and 2pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Prado Museum

A grand sanctuary of art shaped by Spain’s monarchs, the Prado houses an extraordinary collection of greats from Goya and Velázquez to Titian and El Greco. Bosch’s surreal ‘Garden of the Earthly Delights’ depicts sin, paradise and damnation in triptych form, while Caravaggio’s ‘David and Goliath’ speaks a language of raw intensity and stark chiaroscuro.

Temple of Debod

Perched in a leafy garden overlooking the city, the Temple of Debod is a 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple gifted to Spain and rebuilt stone by stone in 1972. An unlikely building to find in Madrid, the temple is free to visit and is one of the most enchanting spots to catch the sunset.

MADRID’S EGYPTIAN TEMPLE IN ALL ITS GLORY

El Rastro

Every Sunday, in the lively neighbourhood of Embajadores, the streets are filled with market stalls selling everything from antique ceramics and vintage clothing to quirky knick-knacks and classic vinyls of flamenco music. Arrive early to El Rastro, the city’s oldest flea market, to secure the best deals before sampling the churros in La Latina.

Reina Sofia

A modern art antidote to the Prado, the Reina Sofia showcases one of the world’s finest collections of contemporary art, spotlighting work by Dalí, Picasso and Miró. Its crown jewel is Picasso’s ‘Guernica’, a monumental mural born from the horrors of the Spanish Civil War in the 20th-century and now a universal symbol of the world’s horrors and tragedies.

VISITORS REMARK ON PICASSO’S DRAMATIC MASTERPIECE

Of course, you can pair Madrid’s cultural riches with a stay in a luxurious ASMALLWORLD property. Try the Four Seasons Hotel for its glamorous interiors, stellar location and exceptional rooftop views. Alternatively, the opulent Westin Palace, favoured by Hemingway and Dalí, seduces guests with Belle Époque interiors, wood-panelled walls and a stained-glass cupola. Book these hotels and more on ASMALLWORLD Collection.