You’ve made it, you’re in one of the most lively, fun, cultural and interesting cities in Europe; welcome to the capital of Spain, welcome to Madrid.

No matter what the purpose of your stay in the capital is; whether it’s an Erasmus semester or a weekend getaway in Madrid, you can’t leave the city without visiting its most important monuments and landmarks.

And as we know that time is money, here we bring you the places you must visit without excuse, from monuments to parks and emblematic corners of Madrid.

The most important and popular places in Madrid

Puerta de Alcalá

The gate was an ancient entrance to the city of Madrid and is preserved today in spectacular condition. Much more than a monument, it is a symbol of the city, with thousands of photographs taken daily and a song of its own – how many monuments can say that?

Steeped in history, the Puerta de Alcalá reigns supreme in the Plaza de la Independencia with its 19.5-metre high neoclassical construction in limestone and granite. There is no doubt that it should be one of your first stops on your route through the Spanish capital.

Puerta del Sol

From door to door, and from landmark to landmark. The Puerta del Sol is a square where some of Madrid’s most important and characteristic monuments are located.

As well as being one of the busiest thoroughfares in the capital, which is saying a lot, you see it at least once a year, when you say goodbye to the year and welcome the new one that arrives from its mythical clock.

In addition to the clock on the façade of the Casa de Correos, in the square you will find the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, symbol of Madrid, the statue of Carlos III, the ‘Kilometre 0’ or the mega famous Tío Pepe sign.

By the way, you’re in the perfect place to grab a bite to eat; La Mallorquina and Chocolatería San Ginés are just a stone’s throw away, true Madrid history.

Museo Nacional del Prado

One of the best museums in the world could not be missing from our list, and even more so when it is as complete and spectacular as the Prado Museum is. Both from an architectural and institutional point of view, El Prado is a must-see in Madrid.

It is true that you would need several days just to be able to appreciate and enjoy the quality of its works, or at least the most renowned ones, but a couple of hours should be enough. With Spain as its epicentre, it also has works by artists from all over the world.

Goya, the painter with the most paintings in the museum, is one of the great painters who already form part of the Prado’s extensive history, along with other illustrious artists such as Velázquez, El Greco, Bosch, Rubens, Titian, Raphael, Zurbarán, Murillo, Tintoretto and Ribera, among many others.

But it doesn’t end there. On your way out, don’t forget to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens. The Living Museum, as it is also known, as well as having trails and gardens full of beauty and thousands of plant species, houses a research centre focused on the dissemination and conservation of flora. Our next stop, El Retiro, is very close by.

Parque de El Retiro

One of the lungs of Madrid, a real sanctuary for locals and a must for anyone visiting the capital. Not only should you do it to disconnect, its paths and trails, but inside it are hidden some of the most popular monuments in all of Madrid.

Its pond is known to all, navigable and presided over by a statue of Alfonso XII, which serves as a viewpoint. And among the sculptures and trees, you will find two of the most important attractions of El Retiro; the sculpture of ‘The Fountain of the Fallen Angel’ and the Crystal Palace. The latter is well known and spectacular to see. A visit is a must.

Catedral de la Almudena

Impressive, unique and not to be missed. This is how we introduce you to the largest and most important religious building in Madrid. The Almudena Cathedral is a church that mixes architectural styles; neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic and neoclassical.

It is as incredible on the outside as it is on the inside. You can’t just walk through the door and take a couple of pictures. You have to feel the Almudena Cathedral from the inside. It is a recent construction, although it took 110 years to finish it, it was opened to the public and consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993.

Palacio Real

In Madrid, whether it’s plans, bars or monuments, one always leads to another. And as one thing leads to another, the Almudena Cathedral leads us, almost unwittingly, to the Royal Palace.

Residence of monarchs for decades, it is the largest royal residence in Western Europe, something to do with its more than 3400 rooms. Its dimensions and architecture are truly insane. You have to see it to understand it.

Inside are hidden true jewels of all kinds, from a large and complete collection of period instruments to works by figures from the history of art of the stature of Goya and Caravaggio.

Jardines Sabatini

It is difficult, very difficult, not to say impossible, to talk about the Royal Palace and not mention, immediately afterwards, the Sabatini Gardens. On the north façade of the Royal Palace, but you don’t have to be a green beret to recognise the north, as soon as you leave the Royal Palace, at one end you will see a garden, that’s it.

Carefully trimmed hedges and trees, a walk among fountains, statues and even a pond. A real oasis of beauty and peace in the middle of bustling Madrid. And if it is a beautiful place during the day, you should visit it when the sun goes down, the night gives it an even more charming and romantic atmosphere.

 Templo de Debod

Did someone say sunset, sunset? Stop the presses, here we bring you a monument that you must visit without excuses, but which becomes even more spectacular at sunset. Is there anything that a sunset can’t improve?

In Parque de España and next to Parque del Oeste, this gift from the Egyptian government to Spain is more than two thousand years old. From here, all you can do is admire the views and enjoy a magical moment in Madrid. We recommend visiting both parks before sitting back and letting yourself be engulfed by a sunset you won’t soon forget.

Plaza Mayor

Established in the 16th century, the Plaza Mayor has become, on its own merits, another of those places that more than a monument, has become a symbol of the city of Madrid.

This striking rectangular square, almost 130 metres long, is surrounded by beautiful balconies, the Arco de Cuchilleros and the famous Casa de la Panadería. And almost more famous than the statue of Felipe III in the centre of the square are the calamari sandwiches in this area. Now that is a symbol of Madrid.