The Atlas Obscura Guide To Madrid

165 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Madrid, Spain

Updated October 23, 2026

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Unusual Attractions in Madrid

Sobrino de Botin

Madrid, Spain

Sobrino de Botin

The oldest restaurant in the world is this old-world Spanish eatery, still known for its suckling pig.

Madrid, Spain

Palacio de Cristal

Madrid's romantically ornate crystal palace has been offering shelter to plants and art for over a century.

The temple by night

Madrid, Spain

Templo de Debod

An ancient Egyptian temple in the middle of Madrid, Spain.

Jardín Tropical Estación de Atocha.

Madrid, Spain

Atocha Station Tropical Garden

A lush indoor jungle fills this bustling Madrid transportation hub.

Old map

Madrid, Spain

Chamberí Ghost Station

Abandoned for decades, trains still pass through the now-restored remains of one of Madrid's first metro stations.

Fountain of the Fallen Angel

Madrid, Spain

Fountain of the Fallen Angel

Commonly acknowledged as the only public monument to the Devil himself.

Pretty stunning for 250 years old

Madrid, Spain

Real Jardin Botanico

Over two centuries old and counting, Madrid's massive botanical garden contains one of Europe's only desert environments.

See All 165 Things To Do in Madrid

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Madrid

Sobrino de Botin

Madrid, Spain

Sobrino de Botin

The oldest restaurant in the world is this old-world Spanish eatery, still known for its suckling pig.

Ring the bell and you may be rewarded with these blessed treats.

Madrid, Spain

Secret Nun Cookies at Monasterio del Corpus Christi

Order cookies baked by cloistered nuns in a 400-year-old monastery.

Madrid, Spain

Kiosko de Horchata Miguel y José

Madrid's last horchata kiosk is a blue-and-white beacon of refreshment.

See all 6 Places to Eat in Madrid

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Madrid, Spain

Architecture 23

History & Culture 23

Museums 21

Art 19

Statues 16

Sculptures 13

Archaeology 10

Architectural Oddities 8

Monuments 7

Ruins 7

Public Art 6

History 6

Subways 6

Sacred Spaces 5

Parks 5

War History 5

Hidden 5

Transportation 5

Royalty 5

Fountains 4

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wants to go to Frontón Beti-Jai
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has been to Fisherman's House
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has been to 'Día y Noche' (Day and Night)
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wants to go to Acueducto de La Partida

Stories About Madrid

Ready for vacation!

It's the Moment to Explore Your Backyard

And an excuse to go to places with names like ¨Bread & Puppet¨ and ¨Light Club Lamp Shop¨

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Paco the dog on the streets of Madrid.

Was Paco the First Celebrity Dog?

Roaming Madrid in the 1880s, Paco the dog was a friend to artists and writers who chronicled his adventures in the newspapers.

by The Podcast Team, Atlas Obscura

The Rodin portrait correctly identified by Luis Pastor.

Solved: A Case of Mistaken Identity in a Madrid Art Museum

Auguste Rodin takes his rightful place in the portrait gallery, evicting King Leopold II of Belgium.

by Matthew Taub, Atlas Obscura

What do the lines mean?

There's a Secret Code Hiding on These Madrid Security Bollards

It took the power of the internet to crack it.

by Juan Pablo Garnham, Atlas Obscura

November 21, 2018