When the city of Madrid hits your itinerary, visiting famous landmarks like Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum, and the Royal Palace is already a given.
However, you won’t be satisfied with the usual tourist attractions if you’re like me.
You’re probably craving for unique things to do in Madrid when you travel Spain. Experiences that will stick with you for a lifetime in this diverse and never-sleeping city.
After living in Madrid for more than two years, it’s about time that I share with you the things that the average tourist doesn’t get to see.
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Overview: Unique Things to do in Madrid
- Explore El Capricho Park
- Attend a Real Madrid game
- Go on a secret tapas tour
- Join a local cooking class
- Discover art in Lavapiés
Table of Contents
1. Visit the Temple of Debod
Though not as frequently visited, the Temple of Debod is considered one of the most famous landmarks in Spain.
The history of this temple is fascinating.
Its construction began in the 2nd century BC in Egypt. In the 20th century, the Egyptian government gifted the temple to the city of Madrid, which rebuilt it stone by stone to protect it from floods.
Crazy, right?
Despite being in Spain, the Temple of Debod is considered an authentic Egyptian temple.
Apart from enjoying the view (and, of course, history) of the temple itself, as a bonus, you’ll find very picturesque views of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and other famous buildings surrounding it.
You’ll also get to explore the rest of Cuartel de la Montaña Park, which is itself considered one of the coolest places in Madrid!
Be sure to be patient when visiting the Temple of Debod. We waited 30 minutes in line to enter the temple, but some of my friends had to do so for hours.
2. Explore the Secret Garden of El Capricho
The Secret Garden of El Capricho is one of the best-hidden gems of Madrid.
It feels like a fairytale setting brought to real life, especially since it’s not too popular among the tourists (yet).
The garden was built for a Spanish duchess during the late 1700s.
Since it was built to mimic nature, the garden is full of contrasts and beautiful disorders, creating a convincing illusion that humans did not make it.
The garden is packed with vibrant plantlife, weaving with water features and charming architecture. It is the perfect scenery for a relaxing weekend in Madrid.
Make sure to take your time strolling this garden.
Every time we visit, we find new things in the garden, whether a new pond, a storybook-like house, or even a small palace!
Visiting the Secret Garden of El Capricho is undoubtedly one of my go-to secret things to do in Madrid. Just make sure to eat your fill before visiting, as eating is discouraged inside.
3. Experience the Hidden Bunker in El Capricho Park
If you’re the type to love touring museums in Madrid, you’ll also fall in love with the Hidden Bunker at the El Capricho Parko.
A living piece of the not-so-peaceful Spanish history.
This fifteen-meter-deep bunker was created as a defense shelter during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.
Now, it opens its doors to one of the most exciting things to do in Madrid: exploring a bunker in person (underneath a beautiful park).
We joined a 30-minute guided tour to visit this bunker. As expected, it didn’t disappoint.
The bunker was surprisingly spacious and still equipped with toilets, electricity, and offices.
Plus, interestingly, every room’s floor looked different. Apparently, military officers back in the day could know where they are at any moment.
The tour guide shared many other cool facts (in Spanish), so visiting the bunker was one of the most enlightening and cool things to do in Madrid.
4. Attend a Real Madrid Game at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Apart from its beautiful locations and thriving culture, what is Spain known for?
The number one answer football (or soccer).
If you’re just spending 24 hours in Madrid, attending a football game won’t usually be the first thing on your mind.
But, if you’re planning to explore the city for longer and want to experience the best local things to do in Madrid, check out a Real Madrid game in action.
It’s one of the more unique things to do in Madrid for tourists. But it’s extremely fun!
When I visited the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for the first time, I was honestly shocked at how electrifying its atmosphere was.
I was surrounded by Madridistas (Real Madrid’s fans), and half an hour into watching the game, I also found myself cheering and shouting at every goal and miss!
After the match, my newly found friends invited me for a post-game celebration at a nearby bar.
And literally, everyone in that bar was talking about the game.
If you’re interested in buying tickets for a game, check out Real Madrid’s official website. Snacks and drinks (even spirits) are served on-site, so pack light for a stress-free experience!
5. Take a Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour
It’s about time I talk about what to eat in Madrid.
At the top of that list, I’ll always recommend tapas– small Spanish appetizer-like dishes that are best paired with wine.
That said, why not just take a tapas and wine-tasting tour? It’s one of the top unique things to do in Madrid.
You’ll get to explore and eat snacks from Spain simultaneously. Believe me, the experience is 100% worth it.
With our local tour guide, we visited four tapas bars, where we tasted 12 tapas and 4 drinks (one at each bar). I honestly lost count of how many wines we tasted on-site!
We started the tour from Plaza de Santa Ana and ended it on Plaza Mayor, so there was never a dull minute on that particular tour!
I totally recommend tasting the eggplant with honey dish for a more unique flavor and the sizzling garlic prawns for a familiar yet delightful treat.
6. Join a Cooking Class with a Local Chef
One of my go-to unusual things to do in Madrid is to join a cooking class.
You won’t usually hear this recommendation when visiting a new country or city.
But trust me, it may seem like one of those weird things to do in Madrid, but it’s worth it, especially if you’re a foodie like me!
You’ll learn practical cooking skills, the history behind iconic dishes in the city, and even how to distinguish fresh ingredients from those not.
Best of all, you’ll learn to cook traditional Spanish dishes (often tapas)!
This means you can still relish your favorite Madrid delights when you return home.
I highly recommend opting for smaller classes (12 people or below), as you can get short yet valuable one-on-one sessions from the chef.
I joined a popular cooking class, and it was incredibly fun to learn how to make sangria, paella, and gazpacho (I still cook them routinely to this day). It was one of the most memorable, unique things to do in Madrid.
7. Row a Boat in Retiro Park
Retiro Park, one of the most beautiful places in Spain, is home to many exciting activities.
You can explore the Crystal Palace, relax in many of the park’s gardens, and attend free concerts (usually available during summer).
But my favorite thing to do in Retiro Park is to row a boat on El Estanque Lake.
The lake is in the heart of the park, so anywhere you look, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful scenery perfect for that IG-feed-worthy shot.
And, of course, there’s nothing more fun than skillfully (or awkwardly) rowing a boat in the middle of this bustling and historically significant park.
You don’t need to book tickets in advance to try this activity, but I recommend doing so (through the Madrid Móvil app) to avoid waiting in line like we did.
Fun fact: Retiro is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Madrid, so you may want to book your accommodation nearby.
8. Visit the Rooftop Terrace of Círculo de Bellas Artes
Círculo de Bellas Artes is already a renowned, significant cultural center in Europe.
Since its founding in 1880, it has supported artists by featuring their paintings, sculptures, books, and more.
Currently, it’s home to thousands of artworks and books, making it one of the city’s most culturally important places to visit.
But aside from the beauty of the Círculo de Bellas Artes itself, its rooftop is an attraction in itself.
There, you’ll find stunning panoramic views of Madrid while chilling out in rooftop bars with nice music.
Visit in the morning to avoid crowds, during sunset for the best skygazing experience, and at night for the area’s nightlife.
This rooftop terrace is one of Madrid, Spain’s best, cool places. It’s “cool” during colder months, though, so dress warmly if needed.
9. Shop at El Rastro Flea Market
For obvious reasons, locals don’t consider shopping at a flea market one of the “unique experiences in Madrid.”
But for tourists, most of the time, it is.
So, if you’re looking for unique things to do in Madrid, make sure to drop by the El Rastro Flea Market (AKA the Rastro).
Every Sunday (or holiday), over 100,000 people visit this open-air market to explore over 700 stalls and shops by locals.
Here, you can find anything from a flea market, ranging from clothes, handbags, jewelry, furniture, and antiques.
Get your wallet ready when visiting the Rastro (cash is your safest bet).
After all, indeed, you won’t be able to resist buying cool things in Madrid, whether from the pop-up stalls or shops lining the streets.
Wanna visit the Rastro by metro?
Get off at the La Latina station or Puerta de Toledo station, as the flea market spans across these two stations.
Few tourist-friendly tips when visiting the Rastro:
- To avoid most of the crowd, visit anywhere from 9 AM to 10 AM.
- Try bargaining if the price exceeds your budget, as many vendors are willing to drop their prices.
- You’ll likely be walking a lot, so wear comfortable shoes.
Also, watch out for possible pickpockets.
10. Discover Street Art in Lavapiés
The Lavapiés district is one of my favorite cool places to go in Madrid.
It’s where you’ll see the most of the city’s thriving street art landscape.
The place where previously unnoticed buildings were transformed into thought-provoking and picture-worthy murals by artists.
How to explore Lavapiés?
You can DIY the adventure like we did, or for ease-of-the-experience or book a tour, where you’ll learn the hidden stories of the art in Madrid.
It’s much like a museum tour but held in the heart of the city’s outdoor urban scene.
Look out for art by artists like Aryz (renowned for large-scale murals) and Muelle (one of the pioneers of Madrid’s street art scene).
Book a tour of Lavapiés district
My final thoughts on unique things to do in Madrid
Most of my best experiences in Madrid weren’t from mainstream activities.
They were usually from unique things I did that seemed like no one else was doing!
At first, I was just mimicking how locals spent their weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Later, I realized it’s worth exploring and recommending the most unique things to do in Madrid!
Trust me, Madrid’s beauty lies beyond the tourist hotspots that every tourist visits.
So, don’t be afraid of trying unique, unusual, or even weird adventures.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Spain or are interested in alternative things to do in Madrid, check out more of my posts!
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
