Things to do in Madrid

The Landscape of Light is a collection of natural and cultural assets located in the heart of Madrid and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site on July 25, 2021. It is the first site in the city of Madrid to receive this recognition, joining the four others already located within the region (San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, and the Hayedo de Montejo beech forest).

Spanning 200 hectares, the area integrates 109 elements distributed across the Paseo del Prado, the Buen Retiro Gardens, the Jerónimos neighborhood, the Royal Botanical Garden, and surrounding areas. These elements are grouped into three categories: 41 monuments, 48 buildings, and 20 unique trees, forming an exceptional ensemble where nature, art, science, and urban life have been in dialogue for centuries.

The Paseo del Prado is considered the prototype of the 16th-century Hispanic alameda: a tree-lined avenue conceived as a public space for citizen leisure and recreation within an urban setting. It was the first wooded promenade of its kind among European capitals and became a universal model, spreading throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America between the 17th and 19th centuries.

In the 18th century, under the Enlightenment-driven impulse of Charles III, this urban axis was transformed into the backbone of Spanish science. Institutions such as the Cabinet of Natural History (now part of the Prado Museum), the Royal Astronomical Observatory, and the Royal Botanical Garden emerged, creating a space where knowledge, nature, and the city were integrated into an innovative urban project.

Alongside the Buen Retiro Gardens, this urban axis has evolved into a unique cultural landscape, designed and transformed over time. It concentrates institutions dedicated to education, research, and science, as well as museums and cultural centers that beautify the city and keep its Enlightenment spirit alive.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the most emblematic monuments of the Spanish capital and the official residence of the King of Spain. Although no monarch has lived there permanently since Alfonso XIII, the royal family currently resides in the Zarzuela Palace. The building is primarily used for state ceremonies, official receptions, and solemn events.

The palace's origins date back to the 9th century, when Emir Mohammed I ordered the construction of a defensive fortress on the current site, taking advantage of the founding of Madrid by the Muslims. After the Christian conquest, the fortress was transformed into the Alcázar of Madrid, the residence of the kings of Castile and, later, of the Habsburgs. This Alcázar underwent numerous expansions and renovations, especially under Charles V and Philip II.

On December 24, 1734, a devastating fire destroyed the Old Alcázar, prompting King Philip V to order the construction of a new palace in keeping with the taste of the time and worthy of the Bourbon monarchy.

The construction of the Royal Palace began in 1738, initially following the designs of the architect Filippo Juvara, although it was his disciple Juan Bautista Sachetti who adapted and executed the final project. The building was built entirely of stone and brick to avoid the fire risks that the old fortress had suffered. The main work was completed in 1754, although the palace was not inhabited until 1764, when Charles III made it his permanent residence.

Over the centuries, the palace underwent extensions and renovations by architects such as Ventura Rodríguez and Francesco Sabatini, who contributed elements such as the Royal Chapel.

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest in Western Europe, with 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms, almost double that of Buckingham Palace or Versailles. Its predominant style is Baroque, with influences from French and Italian Classicism, inspired in part by Bernini's sketches for the Louvre.

The building is surrounded by emblematic spaces such as the Plaza de Oriente, the Sabatini Gardens, the Campo del Moro, and the Plaza de la Armería. The main façade displays the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon and is adorned with sculptures of Visigothic kings and other historical figures.

The most notable architectural elements include:

The grand main staircase, crafted from a single piece of St. Augustine marble, crowned by a fresco by Corrado Giaquinto.

The Royal Chapel, with a valuable collection of relics and sacred art.

The Royal Library, which houses manuscripts, incunabula, and historical documents.

The Royal Armory, considered one of the most complete in the world, with pieces dating back to the 13th century.

The palace's interior is richly decorated with frescoes, tapestries, clocks, furniture, and works of art by great masters such as Goya, Velázquez, and Caravaggio. Highlights include Charles III's apartments, the Throne Room, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Pharmacy.

The palace also houses the Palatine Stradivarius musical instrument collection and one of the finest collections of porcelain, clocks, and tapestries in Europe.

More than 100 museums await you in Madrid. From classical art to the latest trends, including history, science, and popular culture, our region's museum offerings are unmatched.

Flamenco, recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, is an artistic expression born of a mixture of different cultures. Madrid's relationship with flamenco is built through its tablaos, which offer the best flamenco programme in our country in terms of quality, authenticity and variety. The tablaos represent a cultural expression of the first magnitude, which maintains its essence intact, unique in the world.

The flamenco offer of Madrid's tablaos is an essential and unique resource, the best national and international launching pad for the most important artists of this cultural genre. Our region hosts flamenco shows continuously, either in its theatres or tablaos, or in halls and venues.

Madrid has become the capital of Spanish musicals. Every year, the capital hosts a large number of musical productions of all genres, from Broadway classics to recent blockbusters.

Musicals are a form of entertainment that offers an unforgettable experience for all types of audiences. They combine music, dance, theater and special effects to create a unique show that captivates.

The offer of musicals in Madrid is very varied, which allows you to find something for all tastes. There are musicals for children, for adults, for lovers of cinema, music or history.

Some of the musicals that have passed through the capital have accumulated millions of spectators, such as The Lion King, Mamma Mia or Billie Elliot.

Would you like to live an unforgettable experience?

If you are planning a trip to Madrid, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy one of the many musicals that are performed in the Spanish capital. It will be an experience that you will always remember.

Madrid is one of the cities that offers the most theatre culture. We Madrid residents are proud to have a diverse cultural programme that includes, in addition to classical theatre, opera, zarzuela, magic, dance, musicals, circus...

Our stage spaces host year after year the best shows on the national and international scene, where classics and contemporary shows coexist, and where you will enjoy the art of great playwrights, directors and performers from our country and from around the world. Here we leave you a selection of what we consider essential in Madrid.

The Sierra de Guadarrama, declared a National Park, invites you to explore a world of wild beauty just a few kilometers from Madrid. Its mountainous landscapes, centuries-old forests, and green valleys will captivate you with their tranquility and rich biodiversity.

The Sierra del Rincón was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in June 2005. With truly spectacular landscapes, a great variety of ecosystems, and serving as an example of biodiversity conservation, it has become a must-visit destination. You have no excuse! Mark a day on the calendar now and set off for this wonderful enclave.

The Hayedo de Montejo, one of the most unique forests in the region, was declared a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. It's a singular space that was already declared Natural Site of National Interest in 1974, which forms part of a joint candidacy of 'European Beeches'. 

At the foot of the Sierra de Ayllón is the Hayedo de Montejo, an old meadow of beeches, oak trees and Pyrenean oak that as we advanced, was declared by UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. It's the first natural area in the region that receives this distinction, a well-deserved recognition of the work developed during these years by the Region of Madrid.

The landscape and ecological diversity of this space have been turned into a true 'natural laboratory' capable of anticipating the effects of climate change. It has an exhaustive research program that includes two forest inventories, which were carried out in 1994 and 2005. Through the monitoring of more than 1,400 trees as well as the weather through meteorological stations, it has been possible to know first-hand the evolution of this space in recent years.

After being declared a Natural Site of National Interest in 1974, increased visits to the forest, forcing generate an environmental education program, which includes guided tours and enhancement of the natural wealth of the environment, the uniqueness and fragility of the Hayedo and of the whole of the .  

From here we encourage you to discover the beauty of this environment, of course, all those interested shall register on the website in advance. There is another possibility, which is obtaining authorization in person on the same day that you want to make the visit. It will only be necessary to request the permission in the Resource and Information Centre of the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve located in Real St. 64 in the town of in Madrid. The authorizations will be delivered in strict order of arrival, from the opening of the office at 9.30 am until they are exhausted.  

The visits to the Hayedo de Montejo are always guided, by Environmental Educators, and free of charge. Although the best time to visit it is autumn, during the summer months is the perfect plan to enjoy in touch with nature, a place of singular beauty where the human footprint is less evidence. Discover it!