20 Things To Do In Madrid At Night

There’s always something exciting happening in the Spanish capital of Madrid, regardless of when you decide to visit. Madrid is one of the liveliest and most vibrant cities in Europe, with historic architecture, bustling food markets, a royal family and various other attractions that make it a fun city to visit.

Once darkness falls, there is an attractive quality to the city that you will find no shortage of things to do in Madrid at night. It’s a city that rocks into the wee hours, and you’ll find excitement well into the night. So, here are 20 things to do at night in Madrid.

Madrid At Night

20 Things To Do In Madrid At Night

1- Visit The Royal Palace of Madrid

The majestic Royal Palace of Madrid is the Spanish royal family’s official residence, but most of the time, it’s used for state functions.

The palace is one of the largest European royal palaces and a grand 18th-century showcase of design and opulent decor.

It has 3400 rooms, a gallery space and a large parade ground in its central courtyard.

Discover paintings by famous Spanish painters as you wander through the numerous rooms and halls, including the Main Staircase, the Gasparini Room, the Royal Pharmacy and the Armoury.

With this skip-the-line ticket to the Royal Palace in Madrid, you can learn all about the fascinating history of the Spanish monarchy in style.

The Royal Palace of Madrid closes at 6 pm at C. de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid.

2- Visit The Prado Museum

Since its inception in 1819, the Prado Museum has amassed one of the world’s finest collections of European art, with works across the spectrum.

From paintings and sculptures to prints and drawings to decorative objects, the museum has it all.

The Prado Museum was established in 1785 as the National Museum of Painting and Sculpture to house the Spanish Royal Collection, which had previously been housed in the Royal Museum.

The collection currently contains over 80,000 artifacts, including 7,600 paintings, 1,000 sculptures, 4,800 prints, and 8,200 sketches.

Given the size of its collection, the Prado museum has created three itineraries that highlight its most important works from the Romanesque period to the nineteenth century.

With a direct entrance ticket, you can discover masterpieces of art and see works by Bartolomé Bermejo, Pedro Berruguete, Sánchez Coello, El Greco, Ribera, Zurbarán, Murillo, Alonso Cano, Velázquez, Goya, and many more.

The museum closes at 8 pm (Monday to Saturday) and 7 pm (Sunday).

Museo Nacional del Prado is at C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid.

3- Explore Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

A night visit to a museum is a terrific way to spend an evening in Madrid.

The Reina Sofa Museum is a must-see on Madrid’s world-famous Art Walk, and for a good reason: it houses an extensive collection of modern and contemporary Spanish art.

The neo-classical building was originally a hospital.

Named after Queen Sofia, the museum is home to Picasso’s signature masterpiece, “Guernica.”

In addition to Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, the Reina Sofia Museum houses around 22,400 modern and contemporary artworks from Spain, including works by Dal, Miró and Juan Gris.

Arriving at the Reina Sofia Museum early also allows you more opportunity to admire its stunning neo-classical architecture.

The Velázquez Palace and the Crystal Palace, both in Retiro Park, are the museum’s other two locations in Madrid.

They both feature temporary exhibitions and art pieces made specifically for these locations.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía closes at 9 pm (except Tuesday and Sunday) at C. de Sta. Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid.

You can skip the line and purchase a ticket to the Reina Sofía Museum here.

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4- Visit Atlantis Aquarium

Atlantis Aquarium Madrid is in Arroyomolinos in the Xanadu shopping mall and combines technology, education and environmental awareness in an experience for visitors of all ages.

At this Aquarium, over 10,000 specimens from 150 species, including turtles, penguins, sharks, tropical fish, rays, corals, and jellyfish, may be found in 20 aquariums.

Learn about the importance of sustainability and the conservation of aquatic ecosystems.

Each ecosystem, from mangroves to coral reefs to the deep waters to Antarctica and a virtual beach, is enhanced with a unique set of interactive tests.

Atlantis Aquarium Madrid is open until 8 pm (Monday to Thursday), 9 pm (Friday and Sunday) and 10 pm (Saturday) at C. Puerto de Navacerrada, 28939 Arroyomolinos.

Find a mix between adventure and education in a fun and enjoyable experience for the entire family with an entry ticket to the Atlantis Aquarium.

5- Bend Your Mind At The Museum Of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions in Madrid, located between Lavapiés and the Puerta del Sol, provides a fascinating look into the hidden world of illusions.

The Museum of Illusions is a fun experience where each trick is designed to catch you off guard and demonstrate how we sometimes view things differently than they truly are.

When you step inside, you’ll see some hilarious and mind-blowing tricks that teach you about vision, perception and the human brain.

Test your visual perception, have fun, and get good laughs as you discover the mind-blowing exhibits. Skip the line and get your tickets to the museum here.

The Museum of Illusions is open until 10 pm (Friday and Saturday) and 9 pm on other days at Cine Ideal, Calle del Dr Cortezo, 8, 28012 Madrid.

6- Go On A Tapas Bar Crawl

A tapas crawl is one of the best ways to sample the delicious Spanish food and drink in Madrid at night.

Avoid the tourist traps on this tapas crawl that introduces you to tasty tapas in four quality tapas bars that locals love to frequent.

Stops include a market cuisine restaurant, a popular ice-cold beer bar, a new slow-food tavern and a century-old bodega.

Sample traditional Madrid food from real locals and learn from guides who will share their knowledge obtained from living in the neighbourhood for many years.

Better still, the guides are friendly with the families that run the businesses and can provide insights into what makes their tapas unique.

7- Tour The Santiago Bernabeu

Santiago Bernabéu stadium of Real Madrid is one of the world’s most famous stadiums, so it makes sense to go on the Bernabéu Stadium Tour to learn more about one of the world’s most successful football clubs.

Relive the club’s golden nights through its extensive memorabilia collection, including 14 Champions League trophies.

View footage of historic moments on the many interactive screens positioned around the Santiago Bernabéu and browse a collection of the team’s kits, boots, and other equipment.

The tour provides a panoramic view of the stadium, giving you a feel of the club’s greatness.

For a good time in Madrid at night, look no further than the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Tours are available until 7 pm (Monday to Saturday) and you can attend football and basketball matches at night.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is at Av. de Concha Espina, 1, 28036 Madrid.

8- Explore Calle Cava Baja

Numerous restaurants in Madrid serve tasty food, and you can explore the city’s dynamic culinary scene on a walking tour.

Calle Cava Baja has many restaurants and bars serving tapas, making it easy to try various dishes.

Enjoy a wine tasting and famous Spanish delicacies such as Iberian ham, salted cod and creamy chickpea stew.

On this intimate wine and tapas walking tour, walk through the evening-lit streets with a guide and sample tasty tapas dishes at popular restaurants while learning about Spanish cuisine in Madrid and the local ingredients used in tapas dishes.

9- Go On A Guided Bike Tour

A guided bike tour is ideal for active travellers who want to visit the top attractions of Madrid in a fun and relaxed way.

On this guided bike tour through Madrid, you will see some of Madrid’s most iconic monuments, landmarks, squares, and parks, like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Retiro Park.

The trip is tailored to your specific interests and preferences to make the most of your time in Madrid.

There are lots of photo opportunities and stops where you’ll learn about the history of Madrid’s landmarks, as well as the culture and food of the area. Find out more here.

10- See A Flamenco Show

If you want to see a traditional flamenco dance, Madrid is where you should go and there are daily flamenco performances throughout the city.

With this entry ticket, you’ll experience the passion of flamenco music and dancing at the historical Torres Bermejas tablao.

The flamenco performers will leave you in awe with their spectacular artistic interpretations as you admire the beautiful tiles, wood-carved ceilings and walls of Arabic motifs.

Other great places to enjoy good authentic Flamenco shows include the Corral de la Morera, one of Madrid’s oldest tablaos, right next to the Plaza Mayor and the renowned Café de Chinitas in the city’s historic district between the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Gran Va.

Cardamomo is another popular flamenco venue in the city’s centre, while Casa Patas is a top-notch flamenco tablao between Atocha station and Sol.

11- View The Sunset From A Rooftop Bar

A visit to one of the city’s numerous rooftop bars to soak in the spectacular views is one of the best things to do in Madrid at night.

Many of them are restaurants and bars that serve cocktails and tapas, such as the relaxed, modern, and spacious Le Tavernier rooftop bar on the 8th floor of the INNSIDE hotel by Meliá.

The 360º Rooftop Bar, built on top of the freshly remodelled Hotel Riu Plaza España, offers incredible views of the Spanish capital and a glass walkway where those who dare can walk on air.

Ginko is a stylish rooftop restaurant and bar that combines Japanese inspiration with vintage touches, delivering Mediterranean meals with Asian influences and a wide range of creative and carefully made cocktails.

There’s a choice of rooftop bars in Madrid that you will love. Check out this tapas and wine tour with a view.

12- Party At Teatro Kapital

Located in a former theatre, Teatro Kapital is Madrid’s largest nightclub and one of its most popular nightlife spots.

With seven stories, including a rooftop, this large club is a refuge for nighttime enthusiasts, delivering all kinds of music, from House to Hip Hop to Latin music, and keeping visitors on their feet till the early hours.

Each of the club’s dance floors has its distinct sound and mood, but the main dance floor is a work of art, where hundreds of people dance the night away as acrobats spin overhead.

The diverse crowd at Teatro Kapital ensures nightly entertainment, and weekends here are among the most memorable for locals and visitors to Madrid.

How about singing at the karaoke bar if you don’t feel like dancing? Or just chill out in one of the more relaxing lounges.

Teatro Kapital is the hotspot at night in Madrid if you’re searching for a vibrant clubbing experience.

Teatro Kapital is at C. de Atocha, 125, 28012 Madrid.

13- Explore Circulo de Bellas Artes

In the heart of Madrid, near the Banco de Espana metro stop, Circulo de Bellas Artes sits alongside some of the most iconic museums in Europe.

It was founded in 1880 by a small group of artists committed to exploring new avenues in the visual arts, literature, science, philosophy and performing arts.

About 3,000 books and historical records are housed at the Circulo de Bellas Artes de Madrid, in addition to the more than 1,200 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, engravings, and furniture.

The principal focus of this museum is the promotion of diverse creative and cultural manifestations, which is why it conducts a plethora of events like exhibitions, conferences, workshops, concerts and publications.

For those visiting the Circulo de Bellas Artes, there is an added attraction at night as at the top of the building is one of the best rooftop bars with breathtaking views of the Madrid skyline.

Exhibitions are open until 9 pm (Tuesday to Sunday) and the rooftop bar buzzes until 1 am on weeknights and 2 am (Friday and Saturday).

Circulo de Bellas Artes is at C. de Alcalá, 42, 28014 Madrid.

14- See A Performance At Teatro Real

Teatro Real in Madrid is not just one of Europe’s most prominent opera theatres but also one of the city’s most iconic buildings.

It’s a venue for the public to discover contemporary artists and creators and attracts new audiences with initiatives like exposing opera to young people.

The theatre can seat between 1,800 and 2,000 people, and its remarkable stage house has moveable platforms that allow the several stages to be merged for more impressive shows.

Visitors to this elegant building can explore the various hallways and rooms while listening to an audio guide with insightful pre-recorded commentary in English and other languages.

Wander up to the terrace to admire the magnificent views of the Royal Palace and the Plaza de Oriente.

When it comes to music and theatre, Teatro Real is the most important cultural institution in Spain.

Its resident choir and orchestra, cutting-edge technology, and long-running productions of the highest creative standard have made it a key player on stages worldwide.

Teatro Real is at Pl. de Isabel II, s/n, 28013 Madrid. A one or two-day hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour is a great way to see this sight and others. Buses run until 10 pm during high season.

15- Parque Warner Madrid Theme Park

For a fun day and night with the kids, visiting Madrid’s best theme park is a terrific option.

Parque Warner, located around 20 km (12 miles) south of Madrid, is a family-friendly theme park with several activities, restaurants and stores scattered across five distinct areas.

Visitors of all ages will enjoy five themed areas of the park.

The park is home to various entertaining pursuits, such as free shows, delicious dining options, thrilling rides and souvenir shopping.

You’ll discover everything from the glitz of Hollywood Boulevard to the magic of Cartoon Village, from the live shows at DC Superheroes World and Warner Bros. Studios to the action in the Old West Territory.

It’s the best spot to relive your childhood for a while, meet your favourite characters, and generally have a good time.

Parque Warner Madrid Theme Park is at A-4, salida 22, 28330 San Martín de la Vega, Madrid. Skip the line and reserve your entry ticket here.

16- Explore Plaza del Angel

Plaza del Angel in Madrid is a dynamic public square that spills out of Las Musas and into the Centro area.

The area has blended its old roots with a modern vibe, and it is home to various shops ranging from secondhand bookshops to fashion stores, concept art workshops and late-night bars.

With its many cafés and bars, this area becomes a hive of activity at night, and finding a spot at one of the pavement tables is a surefire way to take in the surroundings.

Drink cocktails and listen to folk and jazz at Café Central, which is a good location for a relaxing atmosphere with live music.

The Argentine steakhouse Mu! El Placer De La Carne, the Spanish vegetarian restaurant El Sur de Huertas, and the Indian restaurants and odd photography museums of Lavapies are also popular.

17- Visit The National Music Auditorium In Madrid

The National Music Auditorium is a cultural institution in the Chamartin district, opened in 1988 to improve the quality of Spain’s musical infrastructure.

It’s one of the best places to listen to classical music as it has several performance spaces.

It’s home to the National Centre for Musical Diffusion, as well as the Spanish National Orchestra, Choir and Youth Orchestra.

There are two concert halls where you can hear these performances: the Symphony Hall and the Chamber Concert Hall.

With the capacity of the Symphonic and Chamber halls at 2,338 and 688, respectively, the venue can host up to four concerts per day, split between the afternoon and evening.

There’s also a shop and two cafeterias that are open during concerts.

National Music Auditorium is at Calle del Príncipe de Vergara, 146 28002.

18- Spend Time At Mercado De San Miguel

Wandering around Mercado de San Miguel is a fantastic way to spend an evening in Madrid.

The Mercado de San Miguel has been open for business as a food market for over a century and is now home to one of the world’s most popular food markets, as it offers an authentic taste of Spain from every region.

This covered market in the heart of Madrid is a must-see at any time of day or night.

Once the sun goes down, it becomes an excellent location for sampling traditional Spanish cuisine.

From the finest Iberian ham to regular deliveries of fresh seafood from Galicia to the finest Mediterranean rice dishes and Basque cheeses, Spain’s cuisine is famous for its variety and quality.

The market offers a wide selection of cafes, pizzerias and other food vendors, allowing you to sample local seafood, tapas and Spanish wine.

It’s open until midnight (Sunday to Thursday) and 1 am (Saturday).

Mercado de San Miguel is at Pl. de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid.

19- Relax At Hammam Al Andalus

There’s no better way to unwind than to soak your body and relax your mind in absolute solitude in the city’s heart.

Take a free tour of the Arab Bath, which features three separate baths of varying temperatures, providing a relaxing feel and improved blood flow to visitors.

In the Aromas section, select the ideal aroma for your relaxing massage from options like rose, lavender, violet and red amber.

For a more soothing experience, you may take a steam in the steam room or drink some mint tea.

After your spa treatment, you’ll have access to a shower, body lotion, shampoo, hair dryer, straightening iron, and other amenities.

A visit to the baths is a terrific way to unwind after a long day of touring or partying in Madrid.

Hammam Al Andalus Madrid is at C. de Atocha, 14, 28012 Madrid.

20- Go On An Evening City Tour

A walking tour in Madrid at night offers the chance to see major attractions and monuments like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor and Gran Va.

Include stops at some fabulous restaurants to sample excellent Spanish wine and delicious cuisine.

You can also go to a flamenco cultural centre and watch a traditional live performance, tour a bustling neighbourhood, or bar hop through some of the city’s coolest bars.

Start at Puerta del Sol in the centre of Madrid, where you will find one of the busiest metro stops and the gateway to many of the bars and restaurants in the area. A great way to tour is on the hop-on hop-off bus.

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