Unique Things To See In Madrid

An Overview of Madrid

The Spanish Capital is the largest city in Spain and one of the most populous cities in the European Union. The city is notoriously cosmopolitan, with famed art museums, excited gastronomic experiences and beautiful architecture. Visitors often enjoy the old Royal structures, large green spaces, expansive plaza areas and scenic views. There are many unique things to see in Madrid.

Unique Things To See In Madrid

Buen Retiro Park

This is one of the largest and most visited parks in Madrid. The park was once the property of the Spanish Monarchy until being converted into a lovely public park. The park area is one half of a UNESCO World Heritage site, combined with the nearby Paseo del Prado, one of the main boulevards in Madrid, Spain.

Paseo del Prado

This prominent, artful road cuts through central Madrid. The route is a renowned heritage site due to the many historical features in the space. This includes access to the Buen Retiro Park, the Royal Botanical Gardens, numerous sculptures of Cibeles, Neptune and Apollo, the historic Bank of Spain and the impressive Naval Museum. It’s best to visit relatively early in the morning since the tree-lined street is filled with tourists daily.

Real Jardín Botánico

Located just of Paseo del Prado, this is a gorgeous botanical garden in Madrid. The gardens are filled with rows of colorful flowers and carefully cultivated greenhouses. The Royal Gardens is known for hosting unique events, including slightly trippy night-lit garden walks. The public entrance to the garden is located at Plaza de Murillo, near the Prado Museum.

Palacio de Cristal

Located in the center of Buen Retiro Park, this is a unique conservatory built in the shape of an enormous Greek cross. The structure is made almost entirely of glass over iron framework with a ceramic-decorated base.

Velázquez Palace

This is a large exhibition hall located in Buen Retiro Park. Originally, it was built as a national exhibition site to showcase mining, metallurgy and glass-making industries. Now, the hall is used by the Ministry of Culture and the Museo Reina Sofia for a rotating series of exhibits.

Monument to Alfonso XII

Located in Buen Retiro Park, this distinct monument accents an artificial lake in the park. The space if very popular for relaxing and visitors can rent small boats to paddle around.

Museo Nacional del Prado

Also known as the Prado Musuem, this is the richest and most comprehensive collection of Spanish artworks in the entire world. The museum is also home to masterpieces from Italian and Flemish artists. There are over 2,300 paintings within the museum, alongside numerous drawings, engravings and sculptures. In terms of art, culture and Spanish heritage, this is one of the most unique things to see in Madrid.

Hall of Realms

The Hall of Realms is a royal structure which once housed the largest paintings in the Spanish Royal collection. Now, the building hosts different artworks under a beautifully rendered ceiling.

Plaza Mayor

This is the main public space of Madrid, located in the heart of the city. The grand central square is ringed by imposing architecture, vibrant street life and historic markers. Nearby points of interesting include the Estatua de Felipe III, the Centro de Turismo Plaza Mayor and the Arco de la calle de Gerona.

Templo De Debad

Located near the Manzanares River, the Temple of Debod is a transplanted ancient Egyptian temple. It was dismantled during the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia and rebuilt, stone by stone, in Madrid. Due to the temple being built outside, it’s subject to the elements and often faces closure for repairs. However, even if it can’t be entered, the structure itself is scenic and located in a nice park area.

Mercado El Rastro

This is a popular open air flea market located in Madrid. The market is opened on Sundays throughout the year with additional markets available during public holidays. Hours of operation are from 9 am to 3 pm. The market is held in Plaza de Cascorro and Ribera de Curtidores. Visitors can by leather goods, vintage books, snacks, clothing, unique ceramics, artworks and other goods.

Puerta Del Sol

This is the public market square in Madrid, known as one of the most active shopping districts in the city. The square is the keystone location for a radial network of Madrid roads. It also contains a famous clock with bells used to mark the traditional Eating of The Twelve Grapes, ushering in the New Year.

Palacio Real

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, though it is now only used for official state ceremonies. The massive palace is the largest royal palace in Europe, with over 3,000 rooms and huge stockpiles of artworks and antiques. The estate grounds also include the fantastic Royal Armoury of Madrid, the spacious Plaza de la Armería, the white-stoned Catedral de la Almudena and embedded museums. Due to it’s many features, this is one of the most unique things to see in Madrid.

Sobrino de Botin

This restaurant has been in operation for hundreds of years, originally starting out as a ground-floor eatery at an attatched inn. The restaurant was mentioned in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. The venue specializes in serving suckling pig.

Atocha Station Tropical Garden

This interesting green space fills an abandoned station of the old Atocha Train station. Th sprawling interior garden contains over 7,000 plants inside the transportation hub.

Naval Museum

This is a national musuem in Madrid showcasing the impressive history of the Spanish Navy from the Catholic Monarchy of the 15th century into the present era.

Casa de Campo

Known in English as The Country House Park, this is massive green space west of Madrid was once a Royal Hunting Estate. Now, the massive park contains a small zoo, an amuseument park, hiking trails, fountains, streams and garden spaces.

Goya’s Art in Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great (Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande)

Goya is a famed master of painting responsible for dark compelling compositions. His works are found throughout Spain, but many miss some of his greatest masterworks hidden at the Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grande.

Street Art in Lavapiés

Lavapiés is a splendid, multicultural and vibrant neighborhood spread across the steep medieval streets of Madrid. The zone is well known for murals, artworks, small galleries and artist venues. The Old Tabacco Factory in particular is an extremely popular artistic hub for colors and themes.

San Miguel Market

the San Miguel Market is a bustling covered culinary zone selling wholesale food, quality ingredients and other interesting snacks.

San Antonio de los Alemanes

This unassuming building hosts a truly stunning baroque interior. Often dubbed “the Sistine Chapel of Madrid” the domed ceiling of the church is filled with elaborate frescoes following the life, follies, miracles and triumphs of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Dolmen de Dalí

This surrealist sculpture located in the center of Madrid was the only urban monument designed by the surrealist master, Salvador Dalí.

Spain’s Good Luck Frog

Found near the Gran Madrid Casino’s front gate, this is a oddly stretched giant statue of a bronze frog. The lucky frog was gifted to the Casino when gambling was made legal once more in Spain.

Muslim Walls of Madrid (Muralla Islamica de Madrid)

Some of the oldest features of Madrid are the Muslim Walls , dating back to the 9th century when Muslims controlled the Iberian Peninusla. The walls remain barely intact, found in Parque de Emir Mohamed.

Museo Geominero

While Madrid is crammed with unique and interesting museums, the Museo Geominero stands out. The massive collection hosts hundreds of gems and minerals when mapping Spain’s diverse geology. The museum’s structure is also worthy of attention: A four-story marble-and-glass building arcing above while pouring natural light on the exhibits below. Due to it’s wonderful and meticulously oriented exhibits, this is one of the most unique things to see in Madrid.

Altimira Cave Replica

The Altamira Cave is one of the most famous and impressive prehistoric finds in the entire world, with artworks and ancient etchings covering the surface. Due to the immense age of the artworks, access to the original cave is limited. However, the cave can still be seen in Madrid, where a replica has been painstakingly recreated at the National Museum and Research Center of Altamira. There is another, less-known replica at the garden of the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid.

The Royal Palace of Aranjuez Day Trip

The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is a former residence of the Spanish Royal Family in Aranjuez, a town 50 km south of Madrid. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the site is surrounded by massive gardens, a fertile plane, Hapsburg Classicism architecture, and exotic interior rooms. There are many unique spaces to visit on site, including The King’s Garden, The Parterre, The Prince’s Garden and The Island Garden.

Casa de las Conchas in Salamanca Day Trip

Located 2 hours from Madrid., The Casa de las Conchas (the House of Shells) is an astonishing Gothic-style building in Salamanca. Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts a famed university, beautiful old town and the Shell House itself. The building is covered in three hundred shells coating its outer walls, making it especially striking in a city crowded with impressive buildings.

Toledo Cathedral Day Trip

Located roughly an hour outside of Madrid, Toledo is another UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to it’s monumental cultural heritage. Visitors can enjoy historical streets, stunning quaint parks and beautiful restaurants. The true gem of the city is a High Gothic Cathedral with profound historical, religious, spiritual and cultural influence.

Aqueduct of Segovia Day Trip

Located about two hours outside of Madrid, Segovia is another UNESCO World Heritage Center due to it’s historic buildings, Gothic Cathedral and imposing castle. However, one of the most potent centerpieces is a 15 kilometer long Roman aqueduct dating back to the Flavian dynasty, designed to carry water from the River Acebeda into the city.

Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains Day Trip

The Sierra de Guadarrama Mountain range is home to vast forests, interesting wildlife, Iberian nature, ski slopes, the Las Presillas natural swimming pool and lovely views. Located only an hour outside of Madrid, this location can get somewhat crowded with visitors. However, the area’s infrastructure is easy to use and navigate, allowing easy access into Spain’s natural beauty.

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