Popular, long-running counter in a covered market serving tortilla de patatas & other tapas. Casa Dani is situated in el Mercado de la Paz (Peace Market), the only one of the four iron markets in Madrid from the 19th century still standing. Designed by Antonio Ruiz de Salces, the prestigious architect of the National Library of Spain, the Market was inaugurated in 1882. No reservations.

Pro Tip: Order the tortilla de patatas and a plate of jamón serrano with a Mahou beer.

Established in 1725, Restaurante Botín is the world's oldest continuously operating restaurant, located in the heart of Madrid's historic center. Famous for its roast suckling pig and lamb cooked in the original 18th-century wood-fired oven, this legendary establishment has served everyone from Spanish royalty to Ernest Hemingway across nearly three centuries.

Pro Tip: Ask the waiter for a certificate as proof you went to the oldest restaurant in the world.

A highly-rated Nikkei restaurant in Madrid's Salamanca neighborhood that fuses Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions, specializing in freshly prepared hand rolls and nigiri made right in front of diners at an intimate counter. No reservations.

Pro Tip: Get there an hour early. Wait on line while your partner goes across the street and gets wine in a coffee cup from an Italian shop called CasaBase.

A historic tavern dating back to 1892, famous for its authentic Madrid atmosphere, excellent vermouth on tap, and traditional tapas like tortilla española and salmorejo. This beloved bodega in the Malasaña neighborhood retains its original tile work and wooden bar, attracting locals and visitors seeking a genuine taste of old Madrid. No reservations.

Pro Tip: Order the tortilla de patatas, croquetas, and alcachofas with a beer (una caña).

An acclaimed Asturian restaurant established in 1985 near Gran Vía, renowned for serving one of Madrid's best fabadas and traditional northern Spanish cuisine including roast lamb, cachopo, and fresh seafood. The restaurant occupies the second floor with formal dining rooms, while the third floor houses a more casual sidrería (cider house) where guests can enjoy authentic Asturian dishes paired with traditional sidra in a cozy, informal atmosphere.

Pro Tip: Order the sardines and the queso cabrales.

A renowned tapas bar and restaurant celebrated for its exceptional Iberian ham, fresh seafood, and classic Spanish dishes prepared with top-quality ingredients. This Salamanca neighborhood favorite offers standing room at the bar for casual tapas or table service for a more leisurely dining experience.

Pro Tip: Try the langostinos, the arroz meloso (soupy rice with octopus and squid), and the milhojas de ventresca (layered tuna belly).

Madrid's iconic pastry shop since 1894, located at the entrance to Puerta del Sol and famous for its napolitanas (chocolate pastries) and traditional sweets. Madrileños have been lining up here for generations to buy their Roscón de Reyes for Epiphany and other seasonal treats from this beloved institution.

Pro Tip: Order an ensaimada and a bamba de nata with a coffee for an afternoon treat.

A renowned cheesecake specialty bakery in Madrid's Salamanca neighborhood, famous for its incredibly creamy, fluid-textured cheesecakes that have earned the reputation of being the best in the city. This modern takeaway shop offers various flavors but often has lines of eager customers waiting to get their hands on these legendary desserts.

Pro Tip: Order the Original/Classic Cheesecake and visit during off-peak hours to avoid long lines.

Spain's national art museum and one of the world's finest collections of European art, featuring masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and other Spanish masters. The museum houses over 8,000 paintings and is a must-visit for art lovers.

Pro Tip: Don't miss Velázquez's Las Meninas, the museum's crown jewel and one of the most analyzed paintings in Western art history, which masterfully plays with perspective and reality. Goya's haunting The Third of May 1808 is essential viewing for its powerful depiction of war's brutality, while Bosch's surreal triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights offers an mesmerizing journey through paradise, earthly pleasures, and hell. For a complete experience, also seek out El Greco's elongated figures and Rubens' dynamic baroque compositions.

A world-class art museum that complements the Prado with an exceptional private collection spanning seven centuries, from medieval art to 20th-century avant-garde. The collection fills gaps in Spanish holdings with notable works by impressionists, expressionists, and American masters

Pro Tip: The Thyssen-Bornemisza excels in areas underrepresented in other Spanish museums, making it essential for seeing Impressionism, German Expressionism, and 19th-century American art. Don't miss Caravaggio's dramatic "Saint Catherine of Alexandria", Van Gogh's emotionally charged "Les Vessenots in Auvers" from his final months, and the museum's unique collection of works by Hopper, Rothko, and other American masters. The chronological layout makes it easy to journey through seven centuries of art, from Renaissance masterpieces by Dürer and Titian to modern works by Kandinsky and Picasso.

The iconic home stadium of Real Madrid football club, one of the most successful teams in history. This legendary venue holds over 80,000 spectators and offers stadium tours where visitors can explore the trophy room, locker rooms, and walk on the pitch.

Pro Tip: When visiting the Santiago Bernabéu, don't miss the spectacular Trophy Room showcasing all 15 Champions League trophies alongside boots and jerseys of legends like Zidane, Ronaldo, and Beckham. The stadium's new food hall at Gate 54 features nearly twenty restaurants offering diverse cuisines to suit all tastes and budgets.

Madrid's grand central square, built in the 17th century and surrounded by three-story residential buildings with 237 balconies overlooking the plaza. This historic gathering place hosts markets, festivals, and cafés, and features the striking equestrian statue of King Philip III at its center.

Pro Tip: Try the famous bocadillo de calamares at Bar La Campana on Calle de Botoneras, just off Plaza Mayor, where locals line up for crispy fried squid rings served fresh in a crusty roll for just a few euros.

Madrid's stunning cathedral, completed in 1993 after over a century of construction, blends neoclassical exterior with a colorful neo-Gothic interior. Located directly across from the Royal Palace, it's the seat of the Archdiocese of Madrid and the site of royal ceremonies.

Pro Tip: Don't miss the spectacular Neo-Romanesque crypt—Spain's largest with over 400 uniquely decorated columns—and climb to the dome for panoramic views across the city.

The official residence of the Spanish royal family and the largest functioning royal palace in Europe, boasting 3,418 rooms filled with priceless art and opulent décor. Though used only for state ceremonies today, visitors can tour its lavish throne room, royal armory, and magnificent gardens.

Pro Tip: Book tickets in advance to skip the crowds, and if visiting on a Wednesday or Saturday morning, catch the spectacular Changing of the Guard ceremony in the courtyard.

Madrid's beloved 308-acre urban park, once a royal retreat and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring beautiful gardens, monuments, and the iconic Crystal Palace. Locals and tourists alike enjoy rowing boats on the park's lake, visiting art exhibitions, and relaxing under the shade of its 15,000 trees.

Pro Tip: Rent rowboats on the central lake beneath the Monument to Alfonso XII, explore the stunning glass-and-iron Crystal Palace with its free art exhibitions, and discover hidden gems like the Rose Garden with 4,000 blooms and the unique Fallen Angel statue—one of the few monuments to Lucifer in the world. Visit early in the morning for a quieter experience, or enjoy the vibrant atmosphere on weekends filled with street performers, puppet shows, and locals enjoying picnics under Madrid's oldest trees.

The grand 18th-century palace and residence of the House of Alba, one of Spain's most important noble families, housing an extraordinary private art collection. Visitors can view masterpieces by Goya, Rembrandt, and Titian, along with rare books, tapestries, and historical artifacts in this still-inhabited aristocratic home.

Pro Tip: Don't miss the spectacular library housing over 18,000 works, including a 1605 edition of Don Quixote and the world's largest collection of Christopher Columbus's handwritten manuscripts.

The so-called "cradle of modern Spanish" is known worldwide for being the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, the place where he studied and wrote his first novel "The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote de La Mancha." It also owes its appellation to its university, one of the oldest in Spain, founded in 1499 and to the illustrious figures who studied there, such as Antonio de Nebrija, Cardinal Cisneros and Manuel Azaña.

If you stroll through the old quarter of Alcalá de Henares, you will discover its 12th-centry Gothic cathedral, the Renaissance cloister and the chapel of San Ildefonso, as well as the Archbishop's Palace. It offers its visitors marvelous souvenirs in the form of typical products, such as sugared almonds, doughnuts (rosquillas), textiles and handcrafts.

When visiting Alcalá de Henares, head to the historic center for traditional Castilian cuisine at Hostería del Estudiante, housed in a beautifully restored building serving excellent locally sourced dishes like roast lamb and Madrid-style tripe, or try Bar Nino, on Calle Mayor, legendary for its "champis"—perfectly grilled mushrooms that locals swear are impossible to replicate—and their expertly prepared pig's ear (oreja a la plancha). Cervecería Índalo offers unbeatable value with generous tapas portions that even the King of Spain has enjoyed during his visits to the city.

Bless Hotel Madrid

Calle de Velázquez, 62
Salamanca, 28001
Madrid, Spain

A five-star luxury lifestyle hotel located in the exclusive Salamanca district on Madrid's Golden Mile, featuring 111 elegantly designed rooms and suites by renowned interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. The hotel offers the only rooftop pool in the Golden Mile at Picos Pardos Sky Lounge by Martini, along with Japanese fusion dining at SLVJ restaurant, a spa, and personalized luxury services.

Ayala 63

Calle de Ayala, 63
Salamanca, 28001
Madrid, Spain

An intimate boutique hotel in the upscale Salamanca neighborhood, offering just 11 individually designed rooms that blend classic elegance with modern comforts. This charming property provides a home-away-from-home experience with personalized attention and a prime location near high-end shopping and dining.

Hotel Único

Calle de Claudio Coello, 67
Salamanca, 28001
Madrid, Spain

A luxurious five-star boutique hotel housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion in the exclusive Salamanca district, featuring elegant interiors by designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. The property boasts the Michelin-starred Ramón Freixa Madrid restaurant, a tranquil garden, and impeccably appointed rooms combining historic charm with contemporary luxury.

Petit Palace Santa Bárbara

Plaza de Santa Bárbara, 10
Centro, 28004
Madrid, Spain

A charming boutique hotel housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century palace that once belonged to the Marquises of Quintanar, located in the vibrant Chamberí district near Alonso Martínez. The hotel features modern, stylish rooms, a pet-friendly policy, free bicycle rentals, and a 300m² garden courtyard terrace called "The Place to Be," perfect for relaxing in the heart of Madrid.

Hotel Fenix Gran Meliá

Calle de Hermosilla, 2
Salamanca, 28001
Madrid, Spain

A legendary five-star hotel on Plaza de Colón that has been a Madrid landmark since 1956, blending classic glamour with modern sophistication. This iconic property offers spacious rooms with premium amenities, a rooftop terrace with stunning city views, and a central location perfect for exploring Madrid's cultural attractions.

Only YOU Boutique Hotel

Calle del Barquillo, 21
Centro, 28004
Madrid, Spain

A stylish design hotel in the historic Chueca neighborhood, set in a restored 19th-century palace with eclectic interiors mixing vintage and contemporary elements. Known for its vibrant social spaces, trendy restaurant and cocktail bar, and personalized service, this hotel captures Madrid's creative spirit and cosmopolitan energy.