Palacio Real. 🏰
With 3,418 rooms, it is the largest royal palace in Western Europe. It is nearly twice the size of Buckingham Palace or Versailles.
The Armory
Don't skip the "Real Armería." It houses the personal armor of Kings Charles V and Philip II. It is one of the best collections of medieval steel in the world.
Throne Room
A room of crushing opulence. Red velvet walls, gold lions, and massive chandeliers. The King doesn't live here, but official ceremonies still happen.
El Retiro. 🌳
Once the private garden of Philip IV, now the most beloved park in Madrid. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site full of secrets.
Crystal Palace
A stunning glass pavilion built in 1887 to house exotic plants from the Philippines. The light inside during sunset is magical.
Fallen Angel
Look for the "Fuente del Ángel Caído." It is the only public statue in the world dedicated to Lucifer (The Devil). It stands exactly 666 meters above sea level.
The Lake
Rent a blue rowboat ("barca") on the Estanque Grande. It is a cliché, but drifting under the monument to Alfonso XII is peaceful.
History
Bullfights & Markets
Plaza Mayor. 🟥
A perfectly symmetrical red-brick square. Throughout history, it has hosted markets, bullfights, soccer games, and public executions during the Inquisition.
The Spider-Man Trap:
The square is famous for its weird street performers (fat Spiderman, floating Yoda). It is a tourist trap. Take a photo, but eat your calamari sandwich on the side streets.
Temple of Debod. 🌅
An authentic 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple gifted to Spain in 1968. It sits on a hill overlooking the Royal Palace.
The Sunset
This is the single best place in Madrid to watch the sunset. The stones glow orange, reflecting in the water pools, with the Almudena Cathedral in the background.
The Picnic
Locals bring wine, jamón, and guitars to the grassy slopes around the temple. It is an open-air party every evening.