Queen Sofia Arts Center (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía)

#1 Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro) To the east of central Madrid, Parque del Buen Retiro(Retiro Park) can be translated as "Park of the Pleasant Retreat," and that's what it is – a sprawling ... Read more » Juan Jimenez / EyeEm / Getty Images

#2 Plaza Mayor This square, located in the heart of Madrid, is more a must-experience attraction than a must-see one. Surrounded by cafes and bars, Plaza Mayor practically begs passersby to take a ... Read more » Pvicens / Getty Images

#3 Prado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado) One of Madrid's most famous museums, the elegant Museo Nacional del Prado is consistently touted by travelers as a must-see. Opened in 1819 at the encouragement of Queen Maria ... Read more » Christian MartA-nez Kempin / Getty Images

#4 Gateway of the Sun (Puerta del Sol) The true center of Madrid – kilometer zero – Puerta del Sol fills with spurting fountains, shops, restaurants and lots of people. If you're looking for a place to rest your ... Read more » Emad Aljumah / Getty Images

#5 Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real) This royal palace housed the kings of Spain from the mid-1700s to 1900s. Although the royal family does not currently live in the palace, it is still considered their official ... Read more » fotoVoyager / Getty Images

#6 Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, named for the family from which the collection was bought, is housed in the intimate Villahermosa Palace. The museum has nearly 1,000 works of art, ranging ... Read more » Iris / Flickr

#7 Mercado San Miguel Mercado San Miguel, a market built of beautifully ornate glass and cast iron, is a popular stop for tourists to Madrid, especially since it is located right outside of Plaza ... Read more » Alex Segre / Getty Images

#8 Bernabeu Stadium (Estadio Santiago Bernabeu) The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, located north of central Madrid, is the city's main fútbol (or soccer) stadium and the domain of the city's most popular team: Real Madrid ... Read more » Segundo dol de Inter / Flickr

Joaquin Cortes/Roman Lores / Courtesy Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Image Source / Getty Images

#11 El Rastro Market Exit the La Latina metro station and wander down Calle de las Maldonadas to one of Spain's most popular flea markets, El Rastro. Dating back to the 15th century ... Read more » carterdayne / Getty Images

# Temple of Debod Read more » Westend61 / Getty Images

# Devour Madrid Food Tours Read more » Maik Schmalenberg / EyeEm / Getty Images

# Sorolla Museum (Museo Sorolla) Read more » Trevor Huxham / Flickr