9 Top Things to do in Madrid

We loved reading your responses to our #Fly2Madrid campaign with Norwegian Airlines so much that we decided to compile the best of them here in our guide to what to do in Madrid. Here are our top 9 reasons to visit the Spanish capital:

1. Admire great works of art

Madrid is famed for its impressive collection of art galleries and museums, which house the work of some of the world’s most celebrated artists including Spanish masters Goya and Picasso. So it’s no wonder many of you are keen to explore the city’s artistic heritage:

Catsholiday @SueHumphries60 If I #fly2madrid with @Fly_Norwegian from @bhx_official, I will go to the Prado and Queen Sofia Museum to see the Guernica

Looking to take in some artistic masterpieces during your visit to Madrid? Head to the Paseo del Prado in the heart of the city, where you will find three important art museums - the Prado, the Reina-Sofia and the Thyssen-bornermisza - in an area commonly known as the Golden Triangle of Art.

In the Museo del Prado, possibly Madrid’s most famous art gallery, you can admire the work of Goya and Velázquez among the 1,500 classic paintings on display.  After perusing the Prado, head to the Reina-Sofia Museum to take in some modern art masterpieces, including the iconic ‘Guernica’, Picasso’s famous depiction of the horrors of the Spanish civil war.

 

2. Feast on tapas

Indulging in the local cuisine is as good a reason as any for wanting to visit a new city, and many of you cited sampling Madrid’s tapas scene as one of your top things to do in the Spanish capital: 

Ed Lacey @EdLacey If I #fly2madrid with @Fly_Norwegian from @bhx_official, I will head to barrio La Latina for the tasty tapas and the vibrant nightlife.

Tapas are a wide variety of hot and cold small plates in Spanish cuisine that can be enjoyed alongside a drink in the bar, or combined to make a full meal. Madrid is awash with tapas bars, ranging from authentic bodegas to cutting edge eateries and a vast array in between, so you won’t be short of options to try. Many bars in the city also follow the tradition of giving free tapas with the purchase of an alcoholic beverage.

 

3. Visit the sights

Like any great city, Madrid has plenty of impressive and historic sights to keep you occupied during your visit:

Alice Young ‏@Alice_Young96 If I #fly2madrid with @Fly_Norwegian from @bhx_official, I will be sure to revisit the beautiful El Palacio Real!

Don’t miss the beautiful Royal Palace, where you can visit the apartments of Charles III and the sumptuous throne room. Other top sights include the Neptune fountain, the stunning Almudena Cathedral and the iconic old city gate – the Puerta de Alcalá.

 

4. Take a tour

A convenient way to ensure that you don’t miss any of Madrid’s top sights is to take an organised tour of the city, and there are plenty of options to choose from, whether you prefer to travel by bus, bike or foot, by day or by night.

Graham Nicoll ‏@grazie02 If I #fly2madrid with @Fly_Norwegian from @bhx_official, I will do the Walking Tour around Old Madrid, visit the Rastro and eat Tapas. :-)

The knowledge of a local area guide makes an organised tour a great option for new visitors to Madrid, especially if you are only stopping for a short time and want to take in as much as you can.

 

5. Explore the city by Segway

For a more unusual way of getting around the city, why not take a Segway tour and whizz around the capital on two wheels?

Bill Burch ‏@ComplianceBill  If I #fly2madrid with @Fly_Norwegian from @bhx_official, I will tour by Segway, live on tapas and finally learn how to use my new camera!

Discover a whole new way of sightseeing on a segway – an electric vehicle consisting of two wheels, a motor and a computer. A segway tour offers a fun and original way of navigating the city’s streets and plazas.  After an initial safety briefing and some basic training you’ll be on the move, taking in Madrid’s major landmarks and enjoying the travelling experience at the same time!

 

6. Enjoy chocolate con churros 

Another local delicacy that many of you are keen to experience is hot chocolate con churros - thick, rich Spanish hot chocolate paired with deep fried, sugar-dusted dough for dunking.

Benjamin Goodwin ‏@benjorama If I #fly2madrid with @Fly_Norwegian from @bhx_official, I will indulge in churros at Chocolateria San Gines. It has been open since 1894!

There are a fair few chocolaterías to choose from in Madrid, but San Gines is one of the most popular, most centrally located and longest running – having been serving thick chocolate sauce with churros in since 1894.  Due to its popularity, queues are not uncommon.

 

7. Watch Flamenco

For a great night out, visit one of the city’s Flamenco restaurants, such as Corral de la Moreria, where you can watch what is widely recognised as some of the best Flamenco in Madrid.

Mrs B ‏@_MrsBadger_ If I #fly2madrid with @Fly_Norwegian from @bhx_official, I will try to copy the moves of the dancers at Cardamomo Tablao Flamenco

But if you miss your chance to catch a Flamenco show at Corral de la Moreria, there are plenty of other tablaos (places where flamenco shows are performed) in the city, many of which offer dinner-shows that combine traditional cuisine and entertainment.

 

8. Dine at the World’s Oldest Restaurant

Madrid is home to the world’s oldest restaurant – Botin, as officially named in the Guinness Book of Records, and it’s well worth stopping by to experience the excellent Spanish gastronomy (and to say that you have dined in the oldest restaurant in the world).

SamCharlesBishop ‏@SCharlesBishop If I #fly2madrid with @fly_norwegian from @bhx_official, I will flamenco dance down the GranVía to eat at Botin; Earth's oldest restaurant!

Botin has been serving up roasted meats and other delicious dishes, including the speciality Conchinillo (roast suckling pig), to the people of Madrid since 1725, and rumour has it that Goya himself worked here as a waiter before joining the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. For a great meal steeped in history, Botin is a must.

 

9. Watch a Football Match

Watch one of the world’s top football clubs in action at the home of Real Madrid C.F. – Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Barry Burnell ‏@Bazzab68 #fly2madrid with @Fly_Norwegian from @bhx_official, I will head to the Bernabeu and say hi to Ronaldo and Bale at Real Madrid! Ola!!!

Football fans are in their element in Madrid, home to no less than four football teams and four stadiums.  If you’re not lucky enough to see the home team in action, you can visit the Santiago Bernabeu stadium for a tour of the ground.

 

Norwegian operate flights to Madrid each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. To book, please visit www.norwegian.com/