Top Seven Things to See and Do in Madrid • The Blonde Abroad

Updated: July 2019

While Madrid may be the Spanish capital, it often loses out in the minds of visitors when compared to the charm of Barcelona. But, Madrid definitely should not be missed if you’re looking to soak up all the Spanish culture…and try all the tapas! If you are visiting Spain, then there are plenty of things to see and do in Madrid.

Like most capital cities, it has wonderful shopping areas and parks where you can relax, along with a range of historical sites. Whether you are staying in the city for a short weekend or a couple of weeks—

here are the top seven things to see and do in Madrid!

Puerta del Sol

While the Plaza Mayor may be the most famous square in Madrid, the Puerta del Sol is the busiest and most interesting square to visit! As it’s one of the main transport hubs, it’s definitely bustling but there’s a great open space as well.

There are a series of interesting statues and public artworks on display in this particular square, and the Royal Post Office now serves as the offices of the president.

This is the ideal place to take a seat, enjoy a coffee, and watch as the people of Madrid go about their daily business. Plus there’s a bunch of stunning architectural delights all around the square!

Catedral de la Almudena

Visit the Catedral de la Almudena

Facing on to a broad open square, this grand cathedral is one of the most ornately decorated structures in the city, along with being one of the largest cathedrals in Europe.

The work of building the cathedral took over a century—from the day the broke ground to its consecration in 1993. The most interesting thing? You can see a variety of artistic styles throughout the interior!

Enjoy a Flamenco Show

Flamenco is one of the most iconic forms of dance in the world, and as it originated in Spain, it is no surprise to find that it is a key part of the country’s culture.

Madrid has a range of venues that offer Flamenco shows with a traditional Spanish dinner, and this is a great way to enjoy some festive dancing and some good food at the same time. Can’t really beat that combination!

10 Amazing Tapas to Order in Spain

What are the essential tapas you should try while exploring Spain? I’m dishing up the goods!

Palacio de Cristal

Built in 1887, the Palacio de Cristal is made almost entirely of glass set in an iron framework and is used today for contemporary art exhibitions. Set in a 130-hectare park and alongside a large lake, there is a wide variety of flora and of over 15,000 trees to discover on a sunny Spanish afternoon.

Gorgeous, isn’t it?

Mercado de San Miguel

The Mercado de San Miguel is one of the most beautiful food markets I’ve seen in all my travels! Locals and tourists alike pack into the market to sample the delicious tastes of Madrid. Be sure to sample some tapas and sip on a Spanish-style Gin & Tonic—Madrid’s favorite cocktail!

If you want to extend your culinary adventure, look into taking a food tour around the city!

Watch a Game of Football

Can you go to Spain and not see a game of soccer, er…I mean a football game? With two huge club teams in one city, it is a great place to catch a game!

Real Madrid is one of the most recognized teams in the world, with stars like Ronaldo and Gareth Bale strutting their stuff. Atlético Madrid is more of an underdog story, and are equally worth watching if they are playing during your visit!

Museo Del Prado

The Museo del Prado is one of the best museums in Europe and boasts a superb collection of classical art that spans some of the most recognizable artists to have put brush to canvas.

From Spanish masters such as Velasquez and Goya through to other Europeans such as Rubens, Botticelli, and Caravaggio, this is such an interesting and beautiful collection that is worth exploring!

Overall

Those are my top seven picks of things to do when visiting Madrid! What would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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