Casco Antiguo Travel Guide
Madrid
Visit Casco Antiguo
Popular places to visit
Gran Via
Madrid’s famous shopping strip has boutiques and international brands, an exciting nightlife and an impressive display of early 20th-century architecture.
Bernabéu Stadium
Cheer on the superstar players of one of the world’s most successful soccer clubs and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the colossal 81,000-capacity stadium.
Puerta del Sol
Stand at the very center of Madrid and feel the buzz as thousands of people meet and greet before a night out, gather for protests, or start out on a tour of the city.
Plaza Mayor
This square has seen everything from markets and public celebrations to bullfights and executions. Today you’ll find street performers, artists and plenty of shops.
National Prado Museum
An art museum to rival the Louvre or the British National Gallery, this is the place to see some of the finest art Europe has to offer.
El Retiro Park
Relax by the pond, walk through landscaped gardens, and admire the elegant statues and buildings in one of Madrid’s biggest and most popular parks.
Things to do
Madrid City Tour – Hop On Hop Off Bus
Madrid: Royal Palace Expert Guided Tour with Optional Tapas
Madrid: Prado Museum with Optonal Tapas or E-bike Tour
Skip-the-Line Guided Tour Royal Palace
Go City: Madrid All-Inclusive Pass with 20+ attractions, tours and museums
Toledo Express Half-Day Tour from Madrid
Top hotels in Casco Antiguo
Hotel Riu Plaza España
Breakfast was great. Salad, fruit, eggs, was what i ate but they had meat, cheese, beans. Fresh and delicious. I looked forward to breakfast every morning. Service was efficient
Reviewed on 7 May 2026
Novotel Madrid Center
Overall, my stay at the property was great. First the good things, the location is good close to most of the major attractions. The rooms are very nice. The breakfast buffet is amazing and the food in the restaurant is as good as any of the restaurants in the city, there was only two things that ...
Reviewed on 8 May 2026
Hotel Regina
Had an incredible view. The breakfast was very good, though the room had too much of a "cafeteria vibe."
Reviewed on 9 May 2026
Senator Barajas Hotel
Noisy room
Reviewed on 9 May 2026
Hotel Emperador
Clean room, attentive staff, great location and we loved the roof bar (although would have been nice to apply the 20% discount to alcoholic drinks!).
Reviewed on 8 May 2026
Live It Gran Via
16 hour without water , bedbugs in the mattress
Reviewed on 29 Apr 2026
Other neighbourhoods around Casco Antiguo
Barrio de La Latina
While you're in Barrio de La Latina, take in top sights like Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande and jump on the metro at La Latina Station to see more of the city.
Austrias
Travellers to Austrias praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Oriente.
Lavapiés
Lavapiés is highly notable for its fascinating museums, and you might want to visit top sights like Teatro Nuevo Apolo and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. See more of Madrid by jumping on the metro at Lavapies Station or Embajadores Station.
Sol
If you're spending time in Sol, check out sights like Puerta del Sol or Gran Via and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Sol Station or Callao Station.
Madrid Centro
Known for its fascinating museums and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Madrid Centro. Check out top attractions like Puerta del Sol and Gran Via, and jump on the metro at Sol Station or Gran Via Station to see more of the city.
Barrio de las Letras
Known for its fantastic nightlife and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Barrio de las Letras. Check out top attractions like Puerta del Sol and National Prado Museum, and jump on the metro at Sol Station or Anton Martin Station to see more of the city.
