In Madrid, when the sun goes down is when the people wake up and go out. The night in Madrid is the beginning and not the end. Few capitals in the world can offer the same range of the most divers activities during the night. In the next post we will show you the best things to do in Madrid at night (but if you are a lark then you can do some of them during the day 🙂 )
It is a city with an incredible night life, and sometimes it even seems that it never sleeps. For the locals, the night begins about 9:00PM. Do you want to know what to do in Madrid at night? Here we go:
14 fun things to do in Madrid (Spain) at night
1. Visit the Reina Sofía Museum
From 7:00PM to 9:00PM (closed on Tuesdays) the entrance is free to this museum. Before your night adventures you can discover this fantastic building and its collection of art (it focuses mainly on Spanish contemporary and modern art) and see Picasso´s Guernica.
If you want to make the most out of this museum, we recommend you an evening private tour to the Reina Sofía Museum.
2. See a concert at Madrid’s National Auditorium
If you like classical music, then, one of the best things to do in Madrid by night is to visit the Auditorium. Almost every day of the year amazing classic music concerts take place here. Find out more about the concerts and the program here.
If you wish to see something more casual and fun we would recommend to visit the Circo Price or the Canal Theatre. There are normally contemporary dance or circus shows performed by international and Spanish artists.
Are you a Jazz lover? Then visit Cafe Central at Plaza del Angel.
3. Take some tapas at Cava Baja
While you are in Madrid you should definitely try some traditional tapas (small portions of food). In La Latina neighbourhood, which used to be the medieval Moorish district, all the small bars, terraces and restaurants open around 8:00PM. There you can have some delicious tapas, wines and vermuth. We recommend the Cava Baja street because of its unforgettable atmosphere. Make sure you don´t miss the Taberna Txacolí and La Perejila and their tasty pinchos (small snacks).
4. Take an evening city tour
One of the best things to do in Madrid by night is to take a tour and discover this city after the sunset. You will be able to see the most important highlights illuminated and you will learn about what Madrid was like in the middle age during the night.
The best neighborhoods to stroll around by night: La Latina, Las Letras and Madrid de los Austrias.
5. View the sunset from a rooftop bar
In Madrid, there are many amazing rooftop bars where you can watch the sunset and the wonderful views while sipping a cocktail. We recommend you the Terraza de Santo Domingo (open from April to November). It is an oasis in the middle of the city center. If you wish to have a dinner or a cocktail and have one of the best views of Madrid than you should visit the restaurant of the Hotel Dear or La Azotea at Círculo de Bellas Artes building.
El Jardín de Diana is also a nice and trendy choice for views and good drinks.
This years top rooftop bar with a 360* incredible view and a glass bridge at Hotel Riu´s Terrace. Entrance 5-10€.
6. Visit a flamenco show
There is never enough of flamenco. One of the best things to do in Madrid at night is to go out and watch an authentic flamenco show with a glass of red wine. We highly recommend you the flamenco show at Corral de la Morería (it is a show with a Michelin star dinner) other great show & drink options are Las Tablas or Cardamomo.
7. Visit one of the oldest cocktail bars
Option 1: Have a mojito and get ready for Madrid´s night life at Chicote night club. The Museo del Chicote is a legendary place in the centre of Madrid. It was open in 1940 and it was visited by Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Sofia Loren, Rita Hayworth among many others.
Option 2:If you wish to have a cocktail in one of the best cocktail bars in Madrid then go to the legendary Dry 1862 bar which won the “best Spanish Cocktail Bar award” in 2014. It is a classic style coctail club.
If you prefer a modern designed place: We love the fantastic cocktails at Quinto Elemento restaurant´s sky bar.
If you would love to discover a hidden cocktail bar in an apparently old fashioned book store? Try Jack´s Library but book in advance as it is a magical experience!
8. Walk along the Alcala street
On this street, you will find all the monumental buildings from the 19th century Madrid which look even more prestigious with the night illumination. Look at the astonishing Alcala City gate or the City Hall with the Cibeles fountain which is one of the symbols of Madrid. At the same square you can see the Bank of Spain, well known from the popular TV serie Money Heist.
The best itinerary for this Sol-Carrera San Jerónimo-Neptuno-Alfonso XI-Alcala Gate-Cibeles- and finish with el Circulo de Bellas Artes to have the best view of the illuminated city (or the sunset if you start here and do it the other way).
9. Visit a Michelin star restaurant in Madrid
In Madrid, you will never be hungry as there are thousands of good restaurants everywhere including many Michelin starred restaurants. In fact, every year there are more and more of them (at the moment 23), as chefs are so creative here! The only 3 Michelin starred restaurant is David Muñoz´s DiverXo, which is a highly recommended and unique experience (you need to book about 6 months in advance).
10. Go shopping to Gran Vía
In this avenue all shops are open until 10:00PM. It is a fun thing to do in Madrid to go shopping this time, and it is also as locals usually do. You can take advantage of this experience and see for instance H&M at Gran Vía 37 which used to be a classic Madrid cinema converted today to a store. It had also a famous dance hall where Ava Gardner or Gary Cooper used to dance. Other cool shopping street close to Gran vía is: calle Fuencarral (shops open until 9PM).
11. Visit the Amusement Park in Madrid
A really fun activity for a night in Madrid. During weekends at summertime Madrid´s Amusement Park is open until midnight! A good opportunity to escape from the summer heat and to amuse with your friends and the madrileños.
12. Relax in a Hammam bath
It is a modern version of the old Al Ándalus baths. Relax, water and complete silence in the center of the city. It is a great option to have a rest after a long day exploring Madrid. You can also get a massage in this Hammam (Atocha street 14. ) It is open until 11:30PM.
13. Go out in Madrid
Madrid is a city where you can go out anytime of the year, you will always find popular bars full of people as well as nightclubs which are all very different depending on the district. Following this, for example, the Salamanca district, where you can visit chic and quite expensive VIP clubs and luxurious restaurants such as the famous Gabana 1800 Club.
In Sol you can dance or learn salsa in the amazing and crowdy discos, such as El Son or La Negra Tomasa. In Lavapies or Malasaña you can meet with locals in cosy cafes (such as El Jardín Secreto), or pubs like El Corazon.
Here are the 3 best places (nightclubs) to go out in Madrid.
1., Kapitol Nightclub
This is the largest one in Spain with its 7 floors and different music styles such as funk, R&B, electronic music, indie, or pop-rock.
2., Fabrik Madrid
It is a bit outside the city but it internationally it is considered one of the best nightclubs in Madrid.
3., Riviera concert hall
It is an ideal place for small concerts. It houses different concerts from all type of music.
Other popular places are: Teatro Barcelo, Opium, or Bling Bling.
!!! Please note that nobody goes for a dance before 1:00AM in Madrid, as this is when people normally finish having dinner and drinks.
14. End your night with Churros & Chocolate
Churros & chocolate is almost Madrid´s brand. It is a must during the day or by night. Act as real madrileños do and finish your night in a churrería with a hot chocolate! Normally they open 24/7 so it is easy to do. We recommend San Ginés.
Whatever you pick from our “ 14 best things to do in Madrid at night” you will be amazed by the city’s energy and the hospitality of its locals. Would you like to get more ideas for fun things to do in Madrid by night?
Check our 5 best traditional bars in Madrid
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