Madrid is one of Europe’s most populated cities, with a history dating back more than 2000 years. While it may not look as old as cities such as Valencia, Seville or Granada, there’s certainly a lot of unique things to do in Madrid and some incredible points of interest to explore.
Attractions such as the Royal Palace, Reina Sofia, Plaza Mayor, Gran Via, and Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeu are all big draws for people visiting the Spanish capital. But if you want non-touristy things to do in Madrid then you have a lot to choose from as well.
Being one of the sunniest cities in Europe has its perks. At almost any time of the year you can enjoy walking around its historic streets, explore quaint shops, and find some hidden gems in Madrid. It’s the perfect place in Spain to take a city break, and there are always new activities or attractions popping up. Whether you’re a foodie looking for the next best place to eat in Madrid, or want to explore the city’s history through its buildings and monuments, you’ll enjoy every minute that you’re in this incredible European capital.
Unique things to do in Madrid
Devour Food Tours
There are plenty of walking tours in Madrid to choose from. If you really want to get a taste of what the city is like, then you need to join the Madrid Tapas, Taverns & History Tour by Devour Tours. Joining this tour is one of the most unique things to do in Madrid. You’ll get to hop between centuries old tapas bars, walk through the city’s historic streets with a very knowledgeable guide, and learn more about how food has played a central role in the development of the Spanish capital.
The tour takes place between 18:30-22:30. Within that time you’ll visit 4 family-run tapas bars, visit some of Madrid’s most important central sites, and sample dishes (and drinks) that the locals enjoy. This walking tour is one of the best things to do in Madrid in the evening, so don’t miss out!
Sweet Space Museum
If you happen to visit Madrid on one of the few days that it’s raining, and have already visited the main museums in Madrid, another fun option has popped up in the capital. Visiting Sweet Space Museum is one of the most unusual things to do in Madrid when it’s raining. This interactive museum consists of several rooms, all with different themes that are reminiscent of a Willy Wonka movie.
In each room you’re given a different type of candy to try, and you’re free to take photos with the quirky decor. It’s not one of the typical things to do in Madrid, but it’s fun if you have some spare time on your hands.
Grab a cocktail at Nami
One of my favourite things to do in Madrid is to grab a cocktail at Nami. This cocktail bar in Madrid is unlike any other that you’ll come across in the city. Its cozy yet modern decor is inviting from the moment you walk in, but the cocktails will get you talking too.
They use natural mixology in their drinks, so all of the flavours come from fresh and local ingredients. The entire cocktail bar provides a taste of Africa right in the heart of Madrid. The cocktails are presented in a very unique way as well, so you’ll no doubt want to grab more than one. This is the perfect place to come and chill out after a long day of exploring Madrid on foot.
Mutua Madrid Open
You may not know this about me, but I’m a massive tennis fan. The Mutua Madrid Open takes place every year at the end of April/the start of May. For tennis fans, visiting this tournament is one of the best things to do in Madrid. I would recommend buying tickets online if you can, but there seemed to be some tickets available at the entrance too.
It’s a great day out in Madrid, as you get to see many of the top female and male tennis players on the tour compete. There are lots of fun activities inside for you to take part in as well. Don’t forget to grab a souvenir before you leave!
Stand on Kilometre 0
One of the top things to do in Madrid is to explore Puerta del Sol. If you’re planning on taking a Madrid walking tour you’ll no doubt stop here. Among other popular attractions in this plaza is the famous Kilometre 0. If you’re not looking for it, you’ll probably miss it as it’s only a small stone slab in front of the clock tower. This slab marks the very centre of Madrid, and is the starting point for the city’s numbered streets. In Madrid, all roads don’t lead to Rome, they lead to Puerta del Sol.
Explore Parque del Retiro
A trip to Parque del Retiro is one of the more relaxing things to do in Madrid. Retiro is the largest park in the city, and is popular with both tourists and locals, especially in the warmer months. Rowing on the artificial lake, checking out the many sculptures and fountains, strolling around the various gardens, and cruising along the paths on a rented bike or scooter are all popular activities in Parque del Retiro.
El Retiro is also close to many popular museums in Madrid. Make sure you check the opening times before visiting El Retiro, as the park may be closed due to weather or other events.
Visit the world’s oldest restaurant
If you’re like me and love to check out historic restaurants, then you’ll want to snap a photo outside of Restaurante Botin. This unique restaurant in Madrid holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest continuously run restaurant in the world, dating back to 1725. Suckling pig and roasted lamb are the two famous dishes here, but they do have other traditional food items on the menu.
It sits just behind Plaza Mayor, so it’s very easy to locate and you’ll instantly be able to recognize its traditional exterior. We didn’t eat at Restaurante Botin, but there was a constant flow of people coming in and out. Dining here is one of the best things to do in Madrid for food lovers.
Unique places to eat in Madrid
Mazal Bagels
Mazal Bagels is the best place to go in Madrid for homemade bagels. Their New York-style bagels are made fresh daily and they have plenty of varieties to choose from. If you don’t feel like sitting in, they have a bakery counter so you can enjoy your bagels at home too.
There are a lot of loaded bagels available on the menu, such as the chicken schnitzel bagel, and they often have specials on the board as well. The loaded fries are perfect for sharing if your bagel doesn’t include fries already. If you’re looking for something sweet though, you can’t go wrong with an order of their delicious French Toast that comes with maple syrup and fresh fruits. Eating at Mazal Bagels is one of the best things to do in Madrid!
Solo de Croquetas
If you like croquettes, then there’s no better place to eat than Solo de Croquetas. This cozy tapas bar serves more than 30 different types of croquettes, including a few unique dessert croquettes as well. We visited their Echegray location, which is a bit further out of Madrid’s Centro than many tourists would probably venture, but it’s definitely worth the short metro journey.
On top of being able to choose single croquettes, they also have the option of a tasting menu, which includes a choice of starters. We had so many croquettes on our table that we didn’t know where to start. There was a mixture of traditional croquettes such as jamon, and more unique vegetarian ones such as pisto. Out of all of them though, I thoroughly enjoyed their selection of dessert croquettes which I’ve never seen anywhere else. Visiting Solo de Croquetas is one of the best things to do in Madrid at night.
Billy Brunch
Looking for the best brunch spot in Madrid? Billy Brunch is located just a short walk from Chueca. It has a fantastic menu with all of the brunch classics you’ve come to love as well as a few unique dishes. The Eggs Benedict with salmon is a great choice if you’re feeling hungry as it comes with a side of fresh salad and potatoes. I can never say no to shakshuka though, and I was pleasantly surprised with the one at Billy Brunch which comes with a side of freshly baked bread.
On the lighter side of things, their acai bowl topped with fresh fruits is a nice option when paired with a coffee or smoothie. We had a great experience at Billy Brunch and can’t wait to come back the next time we’re in Madrid.
Kasiba
There are many parts of Madrid to explore outside of the city centre. If you have a spare evening, I would recommend taking a train to Alcorcon. We took a taxi here to save some time, but then took the train back to Madrid’s centre after our dinner. Alcorcon is where Kasiba is located. They serve up a unique blend of Japanese and Filipino dishes, with the atmosphere and interior decor adding to this exotic experience.
To get a better understanding of the most popular menu items, we tried one of their tasting experiences. It included several beautifully presented dishes, most of which were seafood based, but the seafood flavour wasn’t overpowering thanks to the sauces and spices that were mixed in. The tasting menu also included a dessert and a bottle of wine, and we finished things off with a traditional sake. Kasiba is a very unique place to eat in Madrid, and is perfect for groups or a romantic evening.
Toy Panda
If you’re on the hunt for fresh bao buns and gyozas in Madrid, look no further than Toy Panda. This laid-back eatery and takeaway is a fantastic place to eat if you’re in a rush and want something quick but tasty to eat. They have a lot of bao bun flavours on their menu, including three vegetarian ones that are bursting with flavour. Their gyozas are also very popular with customers and are a great sidekick to the bao buns.
Since the bao buns are packed with ingredients, I would recommend ordering two for yourself and a side of gyozas. But if you have some space for more food when you finish, their dessert bao is a good way to round off the meal.
GUILTY
For the most delicious and mouthwatering cookies in Madrid, a stop at GUILTY is a must. It’s definitely one of the best hidden gems in Madrid if you have a bit of a sweet tooth. All of their cookies are made fresh daily. They specialize in American cookies, so you can expect soft, chewy, and big. If you have an apartment in Madrid, they taste even better heated up!
As well as a wide variety of American cookies to choose from, they also have smaller sized cookies and tasty brownies. GUILTY has every flavour of cookie you can imagine, so you’ll be spoiled for choice and will probably end up buying a box of them.
Frankie Burgers
Looking for the best burgers in Madrid? Look no further than Frankie Burgers. Their award-winning burgers really can’t be beat, and are seasoned to perfection. If you’re spending one day in Madrid and don’t know where to eat – this is it.
The Super Frankie Cheese is a personal favourite of mine, and is loaded with crispy bacon, 250gr of premium beef, and lots of cheese. I’m usually not a big fan of burgers unless I make my own, but this one was incredible. They also have an anti-burger for anyone who doesn’t eat meat. Start your meal with one of their sharing dishes and finish things off with their famous cheesecake for the best lunch in Madrid.
Sanabowls
The concept of fast food doesn’t usually include anything healthy, but Sanabowls is here to change that. Sanabowls is located in the Chamberi neighbourhood of Madrid, and offers a wide selection of salad and poke bowls using only the freshest ingredients. If a bowl isn’t your thing, you can always opt for a healthy burrito instead.
There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices too, and you can choose your own ingredients while building your bowl or burrito. Plus, all of their sauces are homemade, so you can expect a big punch of flavour in everything. Sanabowls is a fantastic healthy place to eat in Madrid, and it can be enjoyed on the go or inside the restaurant.
Chocolateria San Gines
No trip to Spain is complete without trying at least one churro. Whereas churros are a dessert in North America, in Spain they’re an indulgent breakfast option. For the best churros in Madrid, visit the oldest churro shop in the city – Chocolateria San Gines.
They first opened their doors in 1894, and consistently top Madrid guidebooks as having the best churros. Quite a few celebrities have eaten here as well, and their photos are on the walls in the main building for you to look at while you wait for your order. If you want to sit in, expect to wait. But you can just as easily enjoy your churros and chocolate walking around the streets of Madrid too.
Where to stay in Madrid
Justine Apartments
Justine Apartments is probably one of the most unique places to stay in Madrid, and is located a short metro ride from Madrid’s Centro as well as the main bus station. There are 3 apartments to choose from, and each one has a different Japanese-inspired decor. All of the apartments come fully equipped with a kitchen, which includes everything you need. The apartments also have separate entrances that are accessed through two sets of keycodes for ultimate safety and security.
We stayed in the Shibari Suite, which as the name suggests is themed around the Japanese art of Shibari. The walls and much of the furniture are black, with gold and blue textures helping to create a sensual feel within the apartment. This design carries on into the very modern bathroom as well. The apartment is designed as a place where people can go to get out of their usual routine, in a space that’s both elegant and exciting.
We had an amazing 2 nights sleep here in a very large and comfortable bed. We also noticed how clean everything was, and later read that the apartments undergo a thorough clean after each guest has checked out. If you want to stay in a unique accommodation in Madrid during your visit to the Spanish capital, book with Justine Apartments!
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Justine Apartments <<
Madrid is a city full of charm and incredible places to visit. There are almost endless unique things to do in Madrid. If you’re only visiting for a couple of days I would recommend adding only some of these activities to your itinerary, or else you’ll be very tired. Many of the coolest places in Madrid can be found off the beaten path, so make sure you do your research beforehand and do a few less touristy things too. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll no doubt be wanting to plan another trip to Madrid as soon as you leave.
Have you been to any of these places in Madrid before? I’d love to hear what you thought of them in the comments below. And feel free to ask me any questions regarding unique things to in Madrid. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram as well!
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