Spain · Europe

Discover Madrid with Rafeek

Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain.

Seeing Madrid without the story is only half the trip

The problem

Group tours run on someone else's clock, printed signs say too little, and searching for context on your phone pulls you out of the moment. Most travellers leave Madrid with photos but no sense of what they actually saw.

How Rafeek fixes it

Rafeek is a personal audio guide in your pocket. Press play at each landmark in Madrid, listen at your own pace, and keep your eyes on the place instead of a screen. Guides work offline, so no roaming or signal worries.

What you'll discover in Madrid

45 landmarks with their own audio guide — tap any one to read what you'll hear.

Almudena Cathedral

The principal cathedral of Madrid, located directly opposite the Royal Palace. Consecrated in 1993, it features a unique blend of Neoclassical, Neo-Gothic, and Neo-Romanesque styles with a strikingly colorful and modern interior.

Atocha Train Station

Madrid's largest railway station, renowned for the stunning tropical garden that fills its original 19th-century building. The garden contains thousands of plants and a pond with turtles, creating a unique and peaceful oasis for travelers.

CaixaForum Madrid

A modern cultural center and art gallery known for its striking architecture, including a lush vertical garden on its exterior wall. It hosts a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, concerts, and workshops.

Campo del Moro Gardens

Expansive English-style gardens situated on the west side of the Royal Palace, sloping down to the Manzanares River. Named after a 12th-century Moorish encampment, they provide a picturesque and romantic landscape with grand vistas of the palace.

Casa de Campo

The largest public park in Madrid, once a royal hunting estate. It offers a wide range of recreational facilities, including an amusement park (Parque de Atracciones), the Madrid Zoo Aquarium, a lake, and a cable car connection to the city center.

Cerralbo Museum

A former aristocratic mansion preserved as a house-museum, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Spanish elite in the late 19th century. The museum showcases the vast art and artifact collection of the Marquis of Cerralbo in its original opulent setting.

Circulo de Bellas Artes

A private, non-profit cultural organization housed in a monumental building on Calle de Alcala. It offers a rich program of exhibitions and events, and its rooftop terrace provides some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Madrid.

Civitas Metropolitano Stadium

The state-of-the-art home stadium of the Atletico de Madrid football club, known for its impressive architecture and vibrant atmosphere on match days. The stadium offers tours that give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the club's facilities.

El Rastro Market

Madrid's most famous open-air flea market, which takes place every Sunday and public holiday. Spanning numerous streets in the La Latina neighborhood, it is a bustling place to find everything from antiques to unique souvenirs.

El Retiro Park

A magnificent and expansive public park that once belonged to the Spanish monarchy, now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features a large boating lake, the stunning glass Crystal Palace, and numerous sculptures and gardens.

Faro de Moncloa

A 92-meter-high transmission tower with an observation deck that offers breathtaking 360-degree views of Madrid. From the top, visitors can see iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace and the modern Cuatro Torres skyscrapers.

Flamenco Tablaos

Intimate venues dedicated to showcasing the art of Flamenco, an expressive Spanish art form combining song, dance, and guitar. Madrid is home to some of the world's most famous tablaos, offering authentic and passionate performances nightly.

Four Towers Business Area

The modern business district of Madrid, defined by four towering skyscrapers that have reshaped the city's skyline. These buildings, Torre Cepsa, Torre de Cristal, Torre PwC, and Torre Espacio, are the tallest in Spain.

Gran Via

Madrid's most iconic and bustling street, often called the 'Spanish Broadway' for its numerous theaters. It is famous for its grand early 20th-century architecture, upscale shops, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.

Las Ventas Bullring

The largest and most prestigious bullring in Spain, considered the international center of bullfighting. Its impressive Neo-Mudejar architecture makes it a significant landmark, and it also hosts concerts and other events.

Lazaro Galdiano Museum

A museum housed in the former residence of collector Jose Lazaro Galdiano, displaying his impressive and eclectic private collection. It features masterpieces by artists such as Goya, El Greco, and Bosch, alongside decorative arts.

Liria Palace

The Madrid residence of the House of Alba, often referred to as the 'little brother of the Royal Palace'. It houses one of the most important private art collections in the world, with works by Goya, Velazquez, and Rubens.

Madrid Rio Park

A large urban park that stretches for several kilometers along the banks of the Manzanares River. This modern recreational area features pedestrian bridges, extensive cycling paths, playgrounds, and cultural facilities.

Matadero Madrid

A former municipal slaughterhouse complex that has been transformed into a major contemporary arts center. It hosts a wide range of cultural activities, including exhibitions, theater performances, design markets, and film screenings.

Monastery of the Royal Barefoot Nuns

A 16th-century cloistered convent that holds an astonishing collection of art and riches. Founded by Joanna of Austria, the monastery was endowed by noblewomen, resulting in a priceless collection of tapestries, sculptures, and paintings.

National Archaeological Museum

A museum dedicated to the history of the Iberian Peninsula, from prehistory to the modern age. Its collection includes major treasures such as the iconic Lady of Elche sculpture and artifacts from ancient Egypt and Greece.

Naval Museum of Madrid

A museum that showcases the history of the Spanish Navy from the 15th century to the present day. Its collection includes ship models, navigation instruments, the earliest preserved map of the Americas, and other historical artifacts.

Parque de El Capricho

A hidden gem among Madrid's parks, located in the Alameda de Osuna district. Created in the 18th century, it is a beautiful and romantic garden featuring English, French, and Italian landscaping styles, a labyrinth, and small temples.

Plaza de Cibeles

An iconic square in Madrid, famous for its magnificent fountain depicting the Roman goddess Cybele on a chariot drawn by lions. The square is surrounded by impressive buildings, including the grand Cibeles Palace, which now serves as City Hall.

Plaza de Espana

A large and prominent square in central Madrid, featuring a monument to the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes. The monument includes bronze sculptures of his famous literary creations, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

Plaza de la Villa

One of Madrid's best-preserved historical squares, located in the heart of the old city. It is flanked by three significant buildings from different centuries: the Casa de la Villa (former town hall), the Casa de Cisneros, and the Lujanes Tower.

Plaza Mayor

The grand, rectangular central square of Madrid, enclosed by historic three-story residential buildings with wrought-iron balconies. For centuries, it has been the heart of the city, hosting markets, bullfights, public executions, and festivities.

Prado Museum

Spain's main national art museum, housing one of the world's finest collections of European art from the 12th century to the early 20th century. It is particularly renowned for its masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, and El Greco.

Puerta de Alcala

A grand Neoclassical triumphal arch located in the Plaza de la Independencia, next to Retiro Park. Built in the 18th century, it was once one of the five royal gates that gave access to the city.

Puerta del Sol

One of the busiest squares in Madrid, considered the very center (Kilometre Zero) of Spain's road network. It is home to the famous statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, the city's official symbol.

Reina Sofia Museum

Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, forming part of Madrid's 'Golden Triangle of Art'. Its most famous masterpiece is Pablo Picasso's monumental anti-war painting, 'Guernica'.

Royal Basilica of Saint Francis the Great

A prominent Neoclassical church in Madrid, notable for having the third-largest dome in Christianity. Its interior is lavishly decorated and contains several important paintings, including works by Goya and Zurbaran.

Royal Botanical Garden

A beautiful and serene 20-acre botanical garden located next to the Prado Museum. Founded in the 18th century, it houses an extensive collection of plants from around the world, organized into different terraces.

Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida

A small Neoclassical chapel that is a must-see for art lovers, as it houses magnificent frescoes by Francisco Goya. The artist himself is buried here, beneath the stunning dome he painted depicting the miracle of St. Anthony.

Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

A vast and imposing historical residence of the King of Spain, located just outside Madrid and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex includes a royal palace, a basilica, a pantheon, a library, and a monastery.

Royal Palace of Aranjuez

A lavish royal estate and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in a town just south of Madrid. The palace is renowned for its opulent rooms, such as the Porcelain Room, and its extensive, beautiful gardens along the Tagus River.

Royal Palace of Madrid

The official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, although now used only for state ceremonies. It is the largest functioning royal palace in Europe, boasting over 3,000 rooms filled with priceless art and historical artifacts.

Sabatini Gardens

Formal Neoclassical gardens located on the north side of the Royal Palace, named after the 18th-century architect Francesco Sabatini. They offer a tranquil space with geometric hedges, fountains, and stunning views of the palace facade.

San Miguel Market

A historic iron-and-glass market located near the Plaza Mayor, transformed into a modern gourmet destination. It is filled with vibrant stalls offering a wide variety of high-quality Spanish tapas, wines, and desserts.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The legendary home stadium of the Real Madrid football club, one of the most successful teams in the world. Visitors can take a tour to see the pitch, presidential box, dressing rooms, and the extensive trophy museum.

Sorolla Museum

The former home and studio of the celebrated Spanish painter Joaquin Sorolla, now a museum dedicated to his work. The beautifully preserved house contains the largest collection of his paintings, mostly featuring light-filled portraits and landscapes.

Teatro Real

Madrid's premier opera house, located in the Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace. After extensive renovations, it reopened in 1997 as one of the most modern and technologically advanced theaters in Europe.

Teleferico de Madrid

A cable car system that provides a scenic journey between the Parque del Oeste and the heart of the Casa de Campo park. It offers spectacular aerial views of the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral, and the city's skyline.

Temple of Debod

An authentic ancient Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC, gifted to Spain and rebuilt in Madrid's Parque del Oeste. It offers a unique sight, especially at sunset when it is beautifully illuminated against the sky.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

An extraordinary art museum that completes the 'Golden Triangle of Art' along with the Prado and Reina Sofia. Its vast collection traces the history of Western art from the 13th century to the late 20th century.

How Rafeek works in Madrid

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Browse the landmarks nearby and choose the ones you want.

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Listen as you go, at your own pace, online or offline.

About Madrid

Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. It had a population of over 3.4 million in the city proper in 2025, and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.8 million. Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), after Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the second-largest in the EU, after Paris. The municipality covers an area of 605.77 square kilometres (233.89 sq mi). Madrid lies on the River Manzanares in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula at about 660 metres (2,170 ft) above mean sea level. The capital city of both Spain and the surrounding autonomous community of Madrid, it is the political, economic and cultural centre of the country.