1. Almudena Cathedral

The Almudena Cathedral, which has housed generations of noble families, has a fascinating history. Most of the time, for all the wrong reasons. The idea of building a cathedral in Madrid dates back to the 1500s. But, the discovery and development of the "new world" took precedence, and construction on the cathedral began in 1879. The beautiful cathedral was not completed until 1993 due to a variety of factors, the majority of which were related to the civil war. The Almudena Cathedral has two soaring bell towers and an intricately designed interior. It also houses the country's largest crypt, which is the final resting place for certain royal members, Cardinals, and Francisco de Cubas, the architect of the cathedral.

2. Bernabeu Stadium

There are two kinds of art: Renaissance art and sports art. In terms of the latter, Bernabeu Stadium provides an unforgettable experience. Seeing a football match at the home of Real Madrid, Europe's most successful football team, is on many athletic bucket lists. The stadium has a capacity of 85,000 people. El Clasico, the historic yearly meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona, immediately sells out at Bernabeu Stadium. If you can't witness Los Blancos live, you can still explore the spectacular stadium and visit the outstanding museum. Investigate the locker rooms, dugouts, and press area. Get up close and personal with trophies, relics, and fascinating displays at the museum.

3. Gran Via

The Gran Va is renowned as Madrid's Broadway because it is "the street that never sleeps." From Plaza de Espaa to Calle de Alcalá, the magnificent boulevard extends across central Madrid. Although the street today appears to be a vital part of the bustling capital, it is actually a relatively new addition to the metropolis. The Gran Va, which opened in 1910, is lined with hundreds of shops, cafés, and companies. The Telefónica Building, which was built in 1929 as Europe's tallest building, is the most notable structure on the street. A local landmark is the clock at the top of the Baroque-American style tower.

4. Madrid Río Park

Madrid Rio Park, a large public park along the Manzanares River, is a lovely green place with diverse flora and animals. Because of the park's 17 play spaces, it's a favourite gathering place for local people, particularly families. Madrid Rio Park also hosts a variety of cultural events such as exhibitions, music festivals, and live theatre. As the sun comes out, gather your supplies and head to the park for a nice afternoon picnic.

5. Mercado de San Miguel

The Mercado de San Miguel, located within walking distance of the Plaza Mayor, is a famous shopping destination for local goods and specialties. Its complex cast-iron construction incorporates glass walls that highlight items such as salted fish and oysters, as well as fresh pasta and desserts. Because the market is open until 2 a.m. on weekends, it has become a popular nightlife destination where travellers and locals alike may enjoy beverages and tapas, or appetisers. The venue also hosts events such as concerts, cooking lessons, and private parties.

6. Museo Arqueologico Nacional

The Museo Arqueological Nacional is a prominent museum in Madrid. The museum has a large collection of antiquities, art, and collections that depict life in the Mediterranean from prehistoric times to the nineteenth century. The Lady of Elche, an extraordinary bust that still sparks historical controversy, is one of the attractions of the archaeology museum. Zamora also has examples of Visigoth goldsmithing, ancient Greek vases, and ivory pots.

7. Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

Following the Prado, another outstanding art gallery is the Thyssen-Bornemisza. This art exhibition, located in Madrid's Golden Triangle, features masters from the German and English schools of art. View works by luminaries such as Han Holbein and Albrecht Durer. After you've finished with that section, the art fix continues with works by Renaissance masters. Walk by artwork by Rembrandt, Veronese, and Van Dyck, among others. To round out the experience, see the North American collection of abstract expressionism, as well as paintings by Monet, Degas, and Renoir.

8. Museo Reina Sofia

The Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofia was created as a contemporary adjunct to the ancient Prado Museum. Queen Sofia gave it its official opening in 1992. The museum, which was originally erected as a hospital, was enlarged in 2005 with a structure designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. The Museo Reina Sofia houses a diverse collection of works by Spanish painters, including substantial holdings of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dal. El Guernica, Picasso's masterwork that depicts the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War, is worth the price of admission on its own.

9. Museo Sorolla

The Museo Sorolla, located in the home of famed Spanish artist Joaquin Sorolla, is dedicated to the late artist's life and work. Joaquin lived on the land for 12 years before passing away in 1923. He resided with Elena, his wife and muse, who ultimately bequeathed the house and paintings to the state. The remarkable artwork of Joaquin Sorolla focused on the ever-changing light in our environment. The splendour of a fleeting moment, a flash of light before the clouds descended. His impressionist work has long been recognised locally and is now one of Madrid's major attractions.

10. Palacio Real

The Palacio Real's most imposing characteristic is its immense size. The Royal Palace in Madrid has about 2,500 ornately furnished rooms. The palace was built in 1764 and served as the royal home beginning with Carlos III. In the early 1900s, Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenie were the last royals to live there. Although the palace is still used for formal occasions, 50 of its exquisite rooms, including an armoury, pharmacy, and the palace's opulent throne room, or "Salón del Trono," which boasts a ceiling painted by the Baroque artist Tiepolo, are open to the public. A fresco in the main dining hall depicts Christopher Columbus presenting King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella with presents from the New World.

11. Plaza de Cibeles

The Plaza de Cibeles, one of Madrid's most attractive plazas, is surrounded by several Neo-Classical buildings, including the spectacular Palacio de Cibeles, originally known as the Palacio de Comunicaciones, designed by architect Antonio Palacios. The Fuente de la Cibeles statue, located in the plaza's centre, is also regarded a city icon. The spectacular fountain represents Cybele, the Roman goddess, riding a chariot carried by lions. The fountain, which was sculpted in purple-colored marble by Francisco Gutiérrez and Roberto Michel in 1780, previously functioned as a source of domestic water for adjacent houses.

12. Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor, the most famous of Madrid's numerous magnificent plazas, dates back to 1619, when it was outside the city's boundaries and was used to conduct bullfights. Several alleged heretics were executed there during the Spanish Inquisition. The rectangular cobblestone plaza is surrounded on three sides by block-long rows of three-story flats built in the late 18th century. The structures are frescoed, have balconies enclosed with wrought-iron railings, and are crowned with exquisite slate spires. A statue of Philip III on horseback stands in the plaza's centre. The House de la Panadera, which faces the plaza, houses a tourist information centre.

13. Prado Museum

The Museo del Prado is one of Madrid's most renowned tourist attractions. The architect Juan de Villanueva-designed structure houses one of the world's finest art collections. The iconic museum's 2007 expansion makes it easier to navigate. But, with over 7,000 works of art spanning culture and history from the 12th to the early 19th centuries, seeing everything in a single visit is impossible. Visitors may prefer to concentrate on the museum's collection of Spanish artists, which includes Goya, El Greco, da Ribera, and Velázquez and is unquestionably the best collection of Spanish paintings in the world.

14. Puerta de Alcala

The majestic Puerta de Alcala, one of Madrid's most famous monuments, comes from the late 18th century. Unimpressed by the city's welcoming gate, King Charles the Third set about constructing one that did the city justice. The result is granite neoclassical arches, the first of their sort since the fall of the Roman Empire. The structure is even older than Paris' Arc de Triomphe. Each of the five arches of the Puerta de Alcala has a distinct design. The three spherical arches are likewise adorned with a lion's head.

15. Puerta del Sol

The Puerta del Sol, or "Gate of the Sun," in Madrid's centre, is a crossroads where thousands congregate each New Year's Eve to welcome in the new year. Recent square upgrades have reduced car traffic and changed the plaza into a place where people may wander and observe the architectural marvels. The clock that chimes in the new year in Casa de Correos, the city's governmental offices, is central to these. Kilometer Zero, a plaque in front of the structure, marks the starting point for measuring the national highway system. The Bear and Strawberry Tree statue, which stands on one side of Puerta del Sol, is considered a symbol of Madrid.

16. Retiro Park

The park, known as the Parque del Buen Retiro or El Retiro, is a 350-acre sprawl of gardens, fountains, and buildings on the outskirts of the city centre. In the 1500s, Retiro Park was founded as a monastery. When Phillip II relocated his court to Madrid in 1561, it was transformed into a royal park. It has been in the public domain since 1868. The park, which is popular with both visitors and locals, has a large artificial pond where people can hire kayaks and canoes. The Monument to Alfonso XII is an arcing colonnade construction on the east shore. The Statue Walk, also known as the Paseo de la Argentina, is adorned with statues from the Royal Palace commemorating Spanish kings over the ages.

17. Temple of Debod

One of the most remarkable attractions in Parque del Oeste, a park near the Royal Palace, is the Temple of Debod. On the banks of the Nile there stood a temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis. Because of the construction of Egypt's Great Dam of Aswan, some historical monuments had to be relocated to avoid flooding. Spain stepped in to help, and in return, the Egyptian government granted Spain the Temple of Debod in 1968. Bas-reliefs representing the gods Ammon and Isis adorn the four-thousand-year-old structure.