Madrid Centro Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Puerta del Sol showing street scenes, a sunset and a city
Puerta del Sol showing street scenes, a sunset and a city
Sobrino de Botin which includes street scenes as well as a couple
Circulo de Bellas Artes featuring landscape views, a city and a sunset
Puerta del Sol featuring a city and signage

Popular places to visit

Gran Via showing a city, landscape views and street scenes

Gran Via

Madrid’s famous shopping strip has boutiques and international brands, an exciting nightlife and an impressive display of early 20th-century architecture.

Gran Via
Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol

Serving as the capital's focal point, no visit to Madrid is complete without a trip to this central square.

Puerta del Sol
Plaza Mayor showing a square or plaza, a monument and a statue or sculpture

Plaza Mayor

Make your way to Madrid's iconic cobbled square and stroll past artists' stalls, listen to local street musicians, or sit down in the porticos to enjoy a coffee.

Plaza Mayor
Royal Palace showing a castle, a city and a park

Royal Palace of Madrid

Come and take a walk around one of the largest palaces in Western Europe...and try not to get lost!

Royal Palace of Madrid
Plaza de Espana which includes flowers, a pond and a city

Plaza de España - Princesa

Pay homage to Miguel de Cervantes, Spain's most famous writer, or find some shade under a tree and kick back right in the heart of the city centre.

Plaza de España - Princesa
Reina Sofia Museum showing modern architecture and a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Journey by means of modern art through the key political and social moments of recent times.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Activities

Red double-decker hop-on hop-off bus in Madrid

Madrid City Tour – Hop On Hop Off Bus

AU$44
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Madrid City Tour – Hop On Hop Off Bus
From Madrid: 3 Cities in 1 Day – Segovia, Ávila & Toledo

From Madrid: 3 Cities in 1 Day – Segovia, Ávila & Toledo Guided Tour

AU$158
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
From Madrid: 3 Cities in 1 Day – Segovia, Ávila & Toledo Guided Tour
Skip-the-Line with Madrid’s Royal Palace Expert Guided Tour

Madrid: Royal Palace Expert Guided Tour with Optional Tapas

AU$59
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Madrid: Royal Palace Expert Guided Tour with Optional Tapas
From Madrid: Avila and Segovia Full-Day Tour

From Madrid: Avila and Segovia Full-Day Tour

AU$68
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
From Madrid: Avila and Segovia Full-Day Tour
Toledo Express

Toledo Express Half-Day Tour from Madrid

AU$45
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Toledo Express Half-Day Tour from Madrid
Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid

Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid

AU$65
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Essential Flamenco: Pure Flamenco Show in the Heart of Madrid
See all activities in Madrid

Our pick of the best Madrid Centro Hotel Deals

Hotel Riu Plaza España

Hotel Riu Plaza España

4 out of 5
C/ Gran Via, 84 Madrid
The price is AU$314 per night from 8 Mar to 9 Mar
AU$314
8 Mar - 9 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (4,682 reviews)
Excelente servicio y el hotel muy bonito

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza España
Hotel Regina

Hotel Regina

4 out of 5
Alcala 19 Madrid Madrid
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$331 per night from 3 Mar to 4 Mar
AU$331
3 Mar - 4 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (2,267 reviews)
The two double beds were huge, and the staff was super helpful. Central location.

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

Hotel Regina
Hotel Emperador

Hotel Emperador

4 out of 5
Gran Via 53 Madrid Madrid
The price is AU$296 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
AU$296
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,003 reviews)
pleasant, nice staff, very helpful, great location

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Hotel Emperador
Barceló Torre de Madrid

Barceló Torre de Madrid

5 out of 5
Plaza de España, 18 Madrid
The price is AU$363 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
AU$363
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,358 reviews)
The staff is absolutely amazing with excellent customer service, clean rooms, great location and fantastic amenities. I highly recommend the hotel and enjoyed my stay very much.

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Barceló Torre de Madrid
Live It Gran Via

Live It Gran Via

2.5 out of 5
Calle Gran Vía 36 Madrid
The price is AU$92 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
AU$92
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and housekeeping. Popular attractions Gran Via and Puerta del Sol are located nearby.
7/10 Good! (315 reviews)
There was no heater in the room, no blanket.

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

Live It Gran Via
SLEEP’N Atocha – B Corp Certified

SLEEP’N Atocha – B Corp Certified

2 out of 5
Calle Doctor Drumen, 4 Madrid Madrid
The price is AU$224 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
AU$224
2 Mar - 3 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hostal in Madrid. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,664 reviews)
Great location, great staff!

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2026

SLEEP’N Atocha – B Corp Certified
See all 2,579 properties in Madrid Centro
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Other neighbourhoods around Madrid Centro

Así pintaba Sol el 31-E, con la Marcha del Cambio - VIII

Sol

If you're spending time in Sol, check out sights like Puerta del Sol or Gran Via and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Sol Station or Callao Station.

Sol
EyeEm Custom Shoots Q4 2018

Huertas

5/5(23 area reviews)

Congress of Deputies and Plaza de Santa Ana are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Huertas. Travellers also love the fantastic nightlife, fascinating museums and popular shops.

Huertas
Circulo de Bellas Artes is one of the most popular and biggest of the rooftops in Madrid. The entrance fee is 4 euros but the view at night is definitely worth it.

Cortes

While you're in Cortes, take in top sights like Gran Via and jump on the metro at Sevilla Station to see more of the city.

Cortes
El Rastro showing markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people

Embajadores

Teatro Nuevo Apolo and El Rastro are top sights in Embajadores, and you should be sure to explore the fascinating museums. Hop aboard the metro at Lavapies Station or Tirso de Molina Station to see more sights in the area.

Embajadores
Chueca featuring café lifestyle and a city as well as a large group of people

Chueca

5/5(8 area reviews)

If you're spending time in Chueca, you might enjoy attractions like Gran Via and Plaza de Chueca. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Chueca Station to see more of the city.

Chueca
plaza de espana madrid spain

Austrias

Travellers to Austrias praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Oriente.

Austrias

Madrid Centro Travel Guide

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