Almudena Cathedral
10 Calle de Bailén, Centro, Madrid, 28013, Spain
Madrid was the capital of the most powerful Catholic empire in history for over four centuries, and for almost all of that time, it didn't have a cathedral.
Barrio de las Letras
Calle de las Huertas, Centro, Madrid, 28012, Spain
During the Spanish Golden Age, this small neighborhood contained the greatest concentration of literary genius in the history of the Spanish language — and most of them hated each other.
Basilica de San Isidro
37 Calle de Toledo, Centro, Madrid, 28005, Spain
Before the Almudena Cathedral was finally consecrated in 1993, this was effectively Madrid's cathedral — the acting seat of the archbishopric for nearly two centuries.
Calle Mayor
Calle Mayor, Centro, Madrid, 28005, Spain
This 600-meter street is the oldest spine of Madrid, tracing a medieval ridge between the Arenal and Segovia valleys that once served as the main road connecting the Moorish alcazar to the east.
El Rastro
Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores, Centro, Madrid, 28005, Spain
The name literally means "the trail" — and it refers to the bloody trail of animal carcasses that were dragged downhill from the old slaughterhouse in Plaza de Cascorro to the tanneries along the Ribera de Curtidores.
Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida
5 Glorieta de San Antonio de la Florida, Moncloa-Aravaca, Madrid, 28008, Spain
Goya is buried here, but his head is missing.
La Latina
Plaza Paja, Centro, Madrid, 28005, Spain
This is where Madrid began.
Malasaña & Plaza del Dos de Mayo
Centro, Madrid, Spain
The neighborhood is named after a fifteen-year-old seamstress who was killed by French soldiers.
Museo Cerralbo
17 Calle de Ventura Rodríguez, Moncloa-Aravaca, Madrid, 28008, Spain
If you've ever wondered what it was like to be obscenely wealthy in 19th-century Madrid, this is your answer.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor, Centro, Madrid, 28012, Spain
This grand rectangle of rust-red facades and slate rooftops has been the stage for some of Spain's most dramatic public spectacles — bullfights, royal coronations, theatrical performances, and executions by the Inquisition.
Puerta de Alcalá
Plaza de la Independencia, 28001 Madrid
This is the first modern triumphal arch built in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire — or at least, that's the claim Madrilenos love to make.
Puerta del Sol
Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, 28013 Madrid
Stand on the small bronze plaque in the pavement here and you're standing at the exact center of Spain.
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
Calle de Alcalá, 13, 28014 Madrid
Picasso studied here.
Real Jardín Botánico
Plaza de Murillo, 2, 28014 Madrid
Tucked right next to the Prado, this garden is one of Madrid's most overlooked treasures — millions of people walk past its walls every year on the way to the museum without ever stepping inside.
Royal Palace
Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid
With 3,418 rooms, the Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Europe — bigger than Buckingham Palace, bigger than Versailles in sheer room count.
Templo de Debod
Calle de Ferraz, 1, 28008 Madrid
There is a 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple sitting in a park in Madrid, and it got here by boat.
Explore history in Madrid
GPS-guided narration at every landmark. Tap a spot on the map, hear the story. Every fact verified.