Madrid is the capital and most popular city of Spain. Besides the amazing nightlife, Madrid is known for its architectural marvels, museums, rich culinary scenery, and shopping avenues. It’s easy for sightseeing enthusiasts to find the best things to do in Madrid. There are places like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, the world-famous Prado, and other art museums. Visitors can explore Retiro Park, watch flamenco shows, and sample tapas and wines on tasting tours. They can even visit El Escorial monastery-palace, Avila, Salamanca, and Toledo.  

Here are the Best Attractions in Madrid

1. Plaza De Espana

 

The Plaza De Espana is regarded as Madrid Square. This place is located in a central area that merges the Princesa streets, and the Gran Vía. It is one of the largest squares in the country, spread across 6,900 square meters. Plaza De Espana is one of the most popular attractions. The square is home to a beautiful fountain and sculpture of a popular fictional character from a famous novel. This square features some of the best monuments in the city. From the tallest skyscraper of Torre de Madrid, and the eminent poet Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s statue, to the hyped buildings of Palacio de Liria and the iconic Cerralbo Museum,  Plaza de Espana has it all. At this place, visitors can observe the lifestyle of a true Spanish local.

2. The Madrid Zoo Aquarium

 

The Madrid Zoo Aquarium is one of the best places to visit with your family. It is located in the Casa de Campo in Madrid, Spain. This place is a combination of a zoo and an aquarium. Spread across 20 hectares. The animals in the zoo are grouped as per different continents. Visitors can find more than 6000 animals belonging to over 500 species like mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates. They can learn more about the diverse species of animals like the Mediterranean Seahorse and Mule Pipefish. There is also an aquarium that has two floors spread across 2000 sq meters. Visitors can visit two large tunnels which extend for 18 meters as soon as they enter the aquarium. One can meet many species of marine animals such as green turtles, and Mediterranean seahorses.

3. Teatro Real

 

Teatro Real is also called the Royal Theatre. It is an opera house located at the Plaza de Oriente Square. Teatro Real is one of the top opera houses in all of Europe. This theater is considered the leading institution of the performing arts in the city. The opera house was first started on the site of an old theatre by Ferdinand VII in 1817 and was completed in 1850. This Royal Theatre can accommodate 1745 people and has 28 boxes spread across different floors. Visitors can explore La Rotonda, the only floor dedicated to the general public, and encircles the entire building. It has 4 large halls, designed with different colors, and is home to artworks and paintings from the National Heritage collections.

4. Puerta De Alcala

 

This is the most iconic landmark in the city, It is an arch located at Independence Square near the main entrance of El Retiro. Puerta De Alcala is a door that has been restored 5 times since its original construction. It is known to be the first arches constructed in Europe after the Roman Empire. The gate was made by an Italian architect Francesco Sabatini. It is 19.5 meters tall and has five arches with many ornamental statues created by the architect. The gate has hosted many events like Katy Perry, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Linkin Park.

5. Faunia, Madrid

 

Faunia is a zoo and a botanical garden. This place is the perfect day tour with the family. Faunia Zoo is home to over 700 animal species and 1000 plants from all over the world. Visitors can explore indoor and outdoor space, that features pathways, a lake teeming with pink flamingos, and an arctic ecosystem. Faunia Zoo has 4 different zones, the Poles, the Amazon jungle, the Mediterranean Woodlands, and the African rainforest. The major attraction of this place is the Arctic ecosystem where one can meet hundreds of penguins in an area that resembles their natural environment.

6. Catedral De Sta Maria La Real De La Almudena

 

This is one of the biggest cathedrals in the city. It was built in the Virgin of Almudena’s honor. The crypt in the cathedral was opened for worship in 1911, due to the Civil War, the construction was stopped. Later it was opened again in 1993.  This beautiful cathedral is known for its architecture. Visitors can admire the architecture with amazing elements like glass-stained windows and classicist exteriors. The chapels that are inside the church are owned by many Spanish families.

7. The Royal Site Of San Lorenzo De El Escorial

 

This site of San Lorenzo De El Escorial is one of the largest Renaissance buildings in Spain. It was built by King Philip 2 between 1563 to 1584. This building is regarded for its architecture. The building has four stories with rectangular towers at each corner. It has 11 courtyards and three service courts where one can stroll around and learn the history of the building. There is also a garden with beautiful plants and flowers. Royal Site Of San Lorenzo De El Escorial also has many other buildings such as the monastery monks’ gardens, the House of Trades, and the Company Quarters where the monastery services took place. The site is home to a Palace, a monastery, a museum, and a library which was added in 1592.