Madrid

Your critical guide to hotels, restaurants and going out in Madrid

Written by local experts

Editor's picks

A treasure trove for bargain hunters

El Rastro
Shops

The city's most famous market dates back nearly five centuries. The antiques stalls and shops are well worth a trawl.

Madrid's hotspot for local DJ talent

Marula
Bars & pubs

Small but perfectly formed, this venue serves as a bar, club and live music centre. The summertime terrace is a big pull.

Get a taste of authentic tapas

La Torre del Oro
Restaurants & cafés

This Andalucían tapas bar is the real deal, with bullfighting memorabilia and incomprehensible waiters.

Major attractions

Reina Sofía

Art

The great jewel at this art museum is unquestionably Guernica, Picasso’s impassioned denunciation of war and fascism.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

Attractions

Spain's largest bullfighting arena also hosts concerts and has a small but interesting museum.

Museo del Prado

Art

Velázquez, Goya, Titian, Rubens, Bosch, Rafael, Botticelli: the Prado contains gallery after gallery of masterworks.

What's on in Madrid

Festival de Otoño Festival de Otoño - © Jon Santa Cruz/Time Out

Europe's greatest party town hosts fiestas and fixtures all year round, including Metrorock (local and international bands), Festival de Otoño (theatre, dance, music – pictured), and Festival de Flamenco Caja Madrid.