10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Madrid

The Plaza de Cibeles houses a number of incredible sites and a variety of shopping, dining and observation decks. The grand Palacio de Cibeles (or Cybele's Palace) named for the ancient Minoan goddess houses a cultural center that hosts workshops, concerts, speakers and art exhibits all year long. Inside, you can visit a casual café and an elegant upscale dining establishment.

From the Mirador observation deck you can get vast panoramic views of the city. On the ground, the Fuente de Cibeles depicts a statue of the goddess in her lion-drawn chariot. It was created in the 18th century to provide public water. Today, it's an artistic icon located in the heart of the city centre.

The Museo Sorolla is a unique museum that focuses on the life and art of Joaquín Sorolla, the famed Impressionist artist who made his life here. The museum's collection includes more than 1,200 of his works, including paintings and drawings, and documents and information about his life. This museum should be a must-visit for any art enthusiast.

After you're finished looking over the paintings and exhibits in the museum, spend some time on the gorgeous grounds. Located in the heart of the city centre, this museum is famed for its elegant and well-tended garden full of native flora, which the artist also designed and is maintained as part of his legacy.

The Museo Lázaro Galdiano is the 30-room mansion of the Madrid-based financier and dedicated to preserving and presenting the private collection. The collection includes sculptures, paintings, drawings, armor, coins, jewelry, tapestries, Baroque-era crystal and medals, encompassing around 9,000 artifacts. You'll also see period furnishings throughout the mansion.

The museum's collection boasts works by Goya, Zurbarán, Velázquez, Ribara, Murillo, and many other masters, including a number of certified masterpiece originals. The museum is located just 20 minutes northeast of the city centre.

Món Llibre is a famed children's literary festival that offers hundreds of new publications for young readers. With a name that translates to 'books of the world', adults and kids of every age can escape to new worlds filled with fantastic characters and dreams, worlds of fantasy, science and imagination. The festival also incorporates many workshops and activities, as well as the chance to meet your favorite children's and young-adult authors.

More than 50 publishing houses and a slew of authors take part in this massive festival. Kids can take part in storytelling, workshops and guest speaker exhibits for all different age groups. The festival is held at various locations all over the city.

The Sabatini Gardens are classical gardens in front of the Royal Palace that feature stunning ornamental and architectural styling and magnificent flora. Originally designed and built in the 1930s, the sculptures were created by the famed artist for whom the gardens are named, and the overall garden area has been named as one of the most beautiful in the city.

To get the most from these gardens, time your visit for dusk, when the sunset gleams off of the reflecting pond at the garden's center to illuminate the entire surrounding area. The garden is located just a few minutes west of the city centre.

Parque del Oeste covers almost 100 hectares of green space, trees, viewing platforms, gardens and outdoor entertainment for all to enjoy. Here, you can ride a aerial cableway through the elegant gardens, visit a school of ceramics and attend an annual rose competition. You can see an authentic 2nd-century BC Egyptian temple, a gift to the city from the Egyptian government, or walk nature trails surrounded by military remnants.

The rose garden alone encompasses 15,000 square meters, and the entire park follows the outline of English gardens with winding paths and multiple levels. The park is located in the heart of the city centre.

The Campo del Moro gardens are a tranquil space with elegant paths and endless multicolored flora. Commissioned by Queen Maria Cristina in the 19th century, the gardens offer astounding views of the Royal Palace beyond a vast green tapestry with huge fountains and shaded garden paths. You can view the Neoclassical Fountain of the Tritons and Palace of the Shells.

The gardens were declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in the 1930s and are named for an incident wherein Muslim forces camped in the area during a military campaign. The gardens are located in the heart of the city centre.

San Antonio de la Florida Chapel is an elegant and stunning masterpiece of Spanish architecture and art. The chapel was built by Francisco de Fontana in the late 18th century and boasts a floor plan in the shape of a Greek cross. Decorated by famed artist Francisco Goya, the chapel is a fine example of Baroque construction and aesthetics.

Declared a National Monument in 1905, the chapel serves as a museum dedicated to Goya and features staggering frescoes and the tomb of Goya himself. You can find the chapel just 10 minutes west of the city centre.

Lavapiés is a historic neighbourhood centered around a public plaza and offering a multicultural experience with street art, vibrant nightlife and bohemian vibe. The neighbourhood has undergone a major revitalization in recent years, becoming the center of an arts and cultural scene. You'll find a variety of hip bars and cafes along the street, alternate bars and subculture meetings, shisha bars and a distinct vibe of rebellion.

Here, you can find old Spanish taverns juxtaposed with Indian restaurants. You can catch edgy events and modern art shows and museums, and visit arts and crafts markets. The neighbourhood is just about 15 minutes south of the city centre.

Plaza de Olavide is one of the most welcoming and friendly neighborhoods in the city and offers park benches, playgrounds for kids, casual cocktail bars and sidewalk cafes. Originally a covered public market in the 1930s, the plaza was replaced by the current plaza in 1974 after a controlled explosion that was a spectator event in the city.

The story of the plaza is told in pictures in one of the bars in the area. You can stop in, have a drink, relax and check out the photos all along the wall. The plaza is located in the heart of the Madrid city centre.