5 essential places to visit in Madrid

The Royal Palace in Madrid shows what living like a king truly means. Although it’s not currently home to a monarch, the entrance’s sweeping staircase, the palace’s many halls, the king's dressing room and the resplendent armoury will transport you to the eighteenth-century heart of the Spanish monarchy. Our tip? Visit on a Wednesday or Saturday morning to watch the captivating changing of the guard.

Just 30 minutes from Las Rozas Villge and forming one point of Madrid’s ‘golden triangle’ of art – alongside the Prado and the Reina Sofia galleries – the Thyssen is home to a breath-taking collection. From Zurbarán's Santa Casilda to Edgar Degas's In the Hat Shop, the collection of more than 700 works is a real lesson in the history of Western art. For fashion fans, stop by the ‘Art Meets Fashion’ exhibition; a journey through 15 works charting garb from the fourteenth century to the present day. You can even explore the Village to discover more of the exhibition.

Sweetening the Spanish capital since 1852, La Pajarita in Madrid has seen six generations of the Aznárez family make delectable confections with traditional methods. Named after the author, educator and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno, La Pajarita (The Bow Tie) is renowned for its authentic and unique recipes. We recommend the chocolate bonbons and classic sweets in 17 different flavours, recognisable all over the world for their colourful wrappers.

Included in Patricia Schultz’s 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and recognised as the best flamenco tablao (show) in the world, Madrid’s Corral de la Morería is an obligatory stop. This flamenco tablao has played host to world champion flamenco artists and Hollywood stars alike – including Ava Gardner, Paul Newman and Jennifer Anniston. As well as exceptional performances, delight in a gourmet experience at the restaurant, where you’ll find emotive, delectable dishes from chef David García.

Open 363 days of the year, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is home to Real Madrid football club and the heart of ‘madridismo’. Explore the stadium’s interactive screens to discover historic moments, panoramic and priceless objects, including its 14 Champions League titles. The new Bernabéu, planned for 2024, will see the return of fans at grass level, complete with a 360-degree video scoreboard and steel façade to enhance the ‘Los Merengues’ experience during matches. Image: https://www.realmadrid.com/en