A vibrant art scene, buzzing nightlife and dreamy day trips, the area around the Spanish capital has it all
Madrid is a city that hums with energy. Days are spent exploring quirky neighbourhoods and art museums and enjoying sunny lunches at terrace restaurants. By night, the tapas bars come to life, plazas fill with people and flamenco bars vibrate with the passions of soulful performers.
This is a place where life is spent outdoors, dinner begins at 10pm (although you can settle down for supper at any time of the evening) and nightclubs stretch on past dawn. And with mild temperatures, sunshine and plenty happening, Autumn is the perfect time to visit.
A cultural hotspot
La maja vestida and La maja desnuda by the Spanish painter Francisco Goya in Museo del Prado (@BELEN IMAZ_COMUNIDAD DE MADRID)
Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez in Museo del Prado (@BELEN IMAZ_COMUNIDAD DE MADRID)
Start your exploration in the heart of the city, strolling the banks of the river, ducking into cosy bars and inhaling the leafy fragrance of verdant city parks.
After soaking up the ancient flavour of the city, head to the leafy Paseo del Arte, part of the Landscape of Light, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, to weave together Madrid’s most famous cultural sites and the chance to see some of the most famous artworks in the world.
Admire the works of Goya, Velazquez and Caravaggio in the extensive galleries of the Prado, discover 20th-century works from Kandinsky and Dali in the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and pay your respects beneath Guernica, Picasso’s Civil War masterpiece in the Reina Sofia. With all three institutions within a one-kilometre stretch, you can see it all with ease before catching your breath in the emerald surrounds of Retiro Park.
Madrid’s gleaming white Royal Palace (@Javier Sanchez_COMUNIDAD DE MADRID)
Next, uncover the setting of contemporary arts, music and poetry exhibitions or events in the CaixaForum, with its dramatic vertical garden and captivating interiors, or head to the banks of the Manzanares River to explore the Matadero Madrid, a former slaughterhouse converted into a contemporary art space.
And don’t leave without visiting the gleaming white Royal Palace, where the recently opened Royal Collections Gallery invites you on an extraordinary journey through five centuries of art and culture, as it displays the Spanish kings’ collections in an exceptional building.
A heritage belonging to everyone, it is now open to the public to show a selection of its finest pieces including paintings, sculptures, armour, tapestries, decorative arts and carriages as well as works signed by masters like El Greco, Caravaggio, Velázquez, Goya, Bernini, Kolman Helmschmid and Canops.
Unforgettable nights
Make the most of Madrid’s incredible nightlife (@ALBERTO ESCUDERO PEIRO_COMUNIDAD DE MADRID)
As the sun sets, the city’s squares come alive with merry groups meeting to make the most of Madrid’s incredible nightlife.
From local music artists to international stars, there’s always something happening or a new spot to discover.
If you’re in the mood to put on your dancing shoes, you can expect your night to start late in the capital, with most party-goers heading to the clubs around 11pm.
So spend the earlier part of the evening indulging in the city’s epic foodie scene or why not head to one of the authentic tablaos to soak up some of Spain’s rich flamenco culture?
Flamenco is woven into the fabric of Spanish society, a symbol of its mixed roots and diverse influences (@Corral de la Morería_Comunidad de Madrid)
Recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, flamenco is woven into the fabric of Spanish society, a symbol of its mixed roots and diverse cultural influences. Admire the flowing dresses, the stamping feet, and the soulful guitar as you sip a glass of fine wine or sherry.
Time to move on? Make your way to one of Madrid’s many bars or clubs where superstar DJs provide the soundtrack for you to dance ’til dawn.
Dramatic surrounds
Set right in the heart of Spain Madrid is surrounded by vineyards, charming towns and the royal family’s historic summer palaces, with an incredible collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites just waiting to be explored.
So combine days in the city with a multitude of trips beyond its limits for glimpses of authentic Spain. Whether headed to the mountains for a refreshing hike, enjoying sleepy village life or embarking on expeditions to towns steeped in cultural and literary heritage, the comprehensive public transport system makes for seamless exploration.
Discover the birthplace of Cervantes in charming Alcalá de Henares (@BELEN IMAZ_COMUNIDAD DE MADRID)
Discover the birthplace of Cervantes in charming Alcala de Henares. A trip to the former home of the author of Don Quixote invites you to explore 16th-century Spain, just 18 miles from the centre of Madrid.
Or for one of Spain’s most regal sites, the famous gardens and palace of Aranjuez await some 50 kilometres away. The perfect spot for cultural exploration and traditional Spanish cuisine, the historic town has long been a holiday escape for Madrid’s royalty and wealthy locals, offering it a timeless romantic appeal.
To the northeast, the ornate palace of El Escorial was commissioned in the 16th Century to commemorate the defeat of the French forces. Nearby, the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve
unveils a serene natural world to contrast with the city’s thriving modernity. Guided tours, immersive hikes and fabulous views await adventurers, artists, and nature lovers.
The stunning Royal Palace of Aranjuez (@iStock__COMUNIDAD DE MADRID)
Madrid presents the best of Spain wrapped up in a vibrant package and with sunny autumn days ahead, it’s ideal for an unforgettable getaway.
Combine a mesmerising tapestry of palaces, galleries and stately neighbourhoods with verdant countryside and rugged mountain peaks.
Whether you’re visiting for the art, looking to discover towns steeped in rich heritage, or want to make the most of a nightlife scene that competes on the worldwide stage, Spain’s cultural capital offers a unique insight into the past and present of this sun-drenched land.
Find out more and plan your holiday at turismomadrid.es
A vibrant art scene, buzzing nightlife and dreamy day trips, the Spanish capital has it all