Things to do in Madrid for adults

Spain is the birthplace of Flamenco. It first came to prominence in Madrid in the 15th Century as a folk dance and – thanks to those eye-catching costumes and dramatic moves – has snowballed into one of the most popular, enduring and instantly recognizable forms of Spanish dance throughout the world.

You can catch performances all over the city, but this one at Torres Bermejas is widely considered to be the best. Modeled on the Alhambra (no less) it's also the oldest tablao in town, so you're getting a bit of history along with all that taffeta, foot-stomping, and world-class musicianship.

Bonus: you'll get fed, too. Your ticket includes five tapas dishes, including Spanish omelet, Iberian ham and Manchego cheese croquettes, plus some Valencian paella, homemade cheesecake and a drink. ¡Olé! And, furthermore... ¡Burp!

Sure, there are many ways to get your laughing gear wrapped around the quintessential Spanish sweet treat that is churros y chocolate. But there's no method more guilt-free than claiming yours at the end of a Madrid bike tour, having effectively worked them off in advance. Because that's how it works, right?

Join this small-group excursion on two wheels, during which your guide will provide a lively commentary as they whiz you from Retiro Park to the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor to the Prado Museum. After a thorough three-hour overview of the city, during which you'll clock up a healthy number of miles, it's time for your reward: delicious fingers of fried dough coated in sugar and dipped in melted chocolate from one of Madrid's most popular dessert shops. Go on: you've earned it!

Ask any Madrileño where to find the best tapas in town and they'll all tell you the same: La Latina. This colorful city-center neighborhood is a veritable labyrinth of Insta-perfect plazas and cobbled lanes – perfect for getting lost in. But before you do that, let a tour guide give you the lay of the land, with a short guided wander that takes in the swoonsomely stately Plaza Mayor and the Mercado de San Miguel – one of Madrid's best-loved markets.

Your tour includes a drink and tapas in one of the lively local bars. Expect a sample of Madrid’s best small plates – think cured meats, moreish meatballs, garlicky grilled prawns and spicy patatas bravas. 'Delicioso' doesn't even come close!
 

Madrid’s nightlife is the stuff dreams are made of. Or would be, if you got any sleep at all. As it is, most of the city's clubs don't really get going until around 2AM, with many staying open until 6AM, when bleary-eyed souls, weary from dancing themselves dizzy all night, spill out in search of a much-needed jolt of cafe con leche and sugary churros.  

The nightlife scene here is incredibly diverse, offering everything from late-night tapas bars to smokey jazz joints and and state-of-the-art clubs nightclubs, where top DJs spin the latest beats. Hit up the rooftop bars of Plaza de España and Puerta del Sol for a solid party atmosphere in the warmer months. Mosey down to Malasaña for hip indie pubs and clubs that stay open into the small hours, or soak up effervescent LGBTQ+ vibes in Chueca. Up-all-night ravers should point their dancing shoes straight to the near-legendary Teatro Kapital, a multi-level mega-club set on the edge of the Retiro Park. There's something, in other words, to suit almost every taste.

Madrid is a very walkable city. But hey, you’re on vacation, right? Sp why not try something new? Like this fun Segway sightseeing tour. Helmets and a chic reflective waistcoat are included, and your English-speaking guide will ensure you're comfortable with the controls before heading off, so all you need to worry about is a) not knocking over any poor Segway-less pedestrians and b) enjoying the view.

You'll tour the city in not inconsiderable style, stopping off for a closer peek at some of Madrid's most iconic landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, the Plaza de Ópera and more, and generally just having a... wheely good time.

If shopping’s your thing, Madrid is your city. The downtown area is the city’s primary shopping district. Most retail therapy takes place on the streets around Puerta del Sol; here's where you’ll find the highest concentration of stores and the most famous shopping street in Madrid, Gran Via.

But, if you’re looking for something a little more unique, it’s well worth exploring some of Madrid’s many traditional markets. From gourmet food stalls and takeout tapas to obscure collectibles and knick-knacks inside a railway museum, Madrid has a market to suit all and every tastes. Essentials for your to-do list include Mercado de San Miguel, Mercado de Motores and the legendary El Rastro. You'll find all of these and several more local favorites in our dedicated guide to Madrid markets, here.

Far be it from us to suggest you should get out of Madrid while on your Madrid vacay but, if you have a few days to play with, you could do worse than visiting some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that lie within day-tripping distance. We're talking Toledo, an ancient city where picture-perfect medieval bridges, tiny cobbled alleyways and atmospheric winding lanes meander past beautiful old churches and synagogues and big-ticket highlights include the gothic grandeur of St Mary’s Cathedral, and imposing 16th-century Alcázar of Toledo, right at the top of the town. 

Nearby Segovia adds Roman aqueducts and a castle so classically 'fairytale' in looks that it inspired Walt Disney himself! In short, these swoonsome cities are absolute catnip for history buffs, hopeless romantics and Instagram influencers alike.

Pro-tip: you can do both in one day with this tour, included with the Go City Madrid pass. Don't have a whole day to spare? No worries! Half-day trips to each are also available. Get the lowdown on the Madrid pass and everything it includes here.

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Spain. Alas, unless you're a fellow royal, diplomat or other visiting dignitary the chances of bumping into el Rey are vanishingly slim as, nowadays, the palace is only used for state functions. But don't let that put you off!

It’s an enormous building – the largest functioning royal palace in Europe – with over 3,000 rooms. And with that many places to stash stuff, you can be sure there are plenty of old treasures to ogle. Indeed, taking a tour of the Royal Palace is a little like stepping into a time machine, with exhibits that date back as far as medieval times.

Pro-tip: the Royal Palace is one of the most visited attractions in Spain, so it's a good idea to go early in the day if you want to beat the crowds.

Madrid can lay claim to some of the finest art museums on the planet. The Prado's priceless collection of paintings, sculptures and other artifacts covers nearly 1,000 years of European art history, with landmark pieces from Goya, Titian, Velázquez, Rembrandt and more.  Don't miss Bosch’s mind-boggling Garden of Earthly Delights, an absolute highlight.

The Reina Sofia ain't no slouch either, with its astonishing collection of modern and contemporary art that takes in Dalí, Miró, Beuys, Bacon, Magritte, Moore and more. Not to be outdone by Bosch, this museum’s crowning glory – Picasso’s 1937 masterpiece Guernica – is worth the price of entry alone.

Hungry for more? Hit up the MAPFRE Foundation for a more bite-size experience housed in the stately 19th-century Recoletos Hall. Despite its relatively small size, the collection and rotating exhibitions here – think Dalí, Picasso, van Gogh and contemporary photography showcases – still pack one heck of a punch.

Ok sure, picnics aren't strictly for adults. But you left the kids at home, right? RIGHT? In which case, here's your chance to skip the sticky Nutella sandwiches and juice cartons. Instead, drop by one of those fab markets we mentioned earlier and fill your picnic basket with fine Spanish wines, cheeses and hams and a freshly baked loaf of tearable, sharable crustiness that's just begging to be drowned in an ocean of olive oil. 

Decadent lunch duly sorted, make for the vast expanse of Retiro Park, Madrid's great green lung. Home to over 1,000 species of plants, a boating lake and a rose garden, it’s the ideal place to disconnect and just sit and savor the tranquility (as well as that pound of manchego you just bought, obvs).

Suitably fortified, rent a bike to explore the park's 350 acres, an absolute treasure trove of manicured gardens, stately statuary and flamboyant fountains. Don't miss the Crystal Palace, with its stunning iron-and-glass cupola, the neoclassical confection that is the Velázquez Palace, and the Paradise Lost-inspired Fountain of the Fallen Angel.

After all that exploring, culture and, well, eating, wind up your Madrid adventure by enjoying a spectacular sunset from an ancient temple. That's right: just head up the hill to Parc del Oeste where the incongruous sight of an ancient Egyptian shrine awaits. All graceful stone arches and tranquil reflecting pools, the temple was gifted to Spain by Egypt back in 1968 and has become a well-loved part of landscape since finding its new home here in the Spanish capital.

The parks's elevated position also promises some of the best sunset views in town, with the sky painting tones of red, rose and gold across the pools, and the romantics who wander among them. Of which: don't be surprised to see someone being proposed to – it's practically an epidemic up here. And it's really not difficult to see why.