35 Best things to see & do in Madrid

With two weeks in May and June of foodie events from tapas crawls to cooking workshops, this internationally-renowned food festival features 450 participating establishments offering over 550 food-related activities.

Grab your camera for Europe’s largest photography festival, with events at museums, galleries and bookshops all over the city.

Our summary of the typical food ingredients and flavours, cooking styles, dining scene and best foodie experiences in Madrid.

The biggest stars, the greatest shows. Madrid is the epicentre of this flamboyant, uplifting traditional Andalusian dance. Unmissable.

Join the locals to celebrate the city’s patron saint with a week of street parties, concerts, processions and bullfights, culminating in fireworks over the lake in Retiro Park.

Home to the three of the world’s greatest art museums and a whole slew of masterpieces, Madrid justifies its rank as one of the world’s greatest art cities.

Away from the tourist crowds between the Chueca and Malasana districts, this street market is designed for socialising. It covers three floors, with two terraces and 20 wildly diverse stands and bars; it frequently hosts events.

This royal convent was founded by the daughter of Emperor Charles V in 1559 – it’s now packed full of Golden Age art, priceless masterpieces and valuable religious relics, all paid for by the dowries of former nuns accumulated over the centuries.

Spain’s oldest cocktail bar, founded in 1931; along with bucketloads of atmosphere is a wall of photos of the movie stars (Sinatra, Grace Kelley etc.) who once sipped drinks here. Go for Sunday afternoon brunch with a DJ.

Founded in 1858. Spain has long been one of the greatest producers of abanicos – traditional hand fans. This small studio upholds that tradition. The highest quality hand-made fans – with handles made from wood, ebony or bone – are made on site. Each one is a unique, gorgeous work of art.