The official Madrid tourism website contains plenty of interesting suggestions.
Those visiting Madrid for the first time cannot miss The Nacional Art Museums El Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza.
To get a flavour of life in Madrid, we recommend you to take your time walking around El Retiro Park.
We have prepared for you a pleasant tour (see map) that will take you to some emblematic places in the centre of Madrid. Starting from Argüelles (pronounced [aɾɣ̞weʝes]), where some of the recommended hotels are located, you can go to the Temple of Debod to witness the sunset. Next, we suggest you go to the Plaza de la Paja (Straw Square) or the Cava Baja, which are full of typical places to have dinner with wine and tapas. On the suggested route, you will pass by the Royal Palace and the Royal Theatre (Opera House), the Almudena Cathedral and the Segovia Viaduct. After dinner, you can walk through Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol (the centre of Madrid) and Plaza de Callao, where you get on the metro line 3 that will take you back to Argüelles in a few minutes. Free variations of this tour are encouraged, as they will let you discover hidden gems of Madrid.
If you plan for extra time in the area, consider visiting Toledo (75 km/47 mi from Madrid) and/or Segovia (87 km/54 mi), cities rich in history, art and local culinary delights.
General recommendations
Madrid is a very popular tourist destination. Although it is a very safe city, pickpockets do their business, particularly in the city centre. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially during public transport. Carry your backpack/wallet/computer bag in front of you.
In case of emergency, dial 112.
