The Spanish capital, Madrid has more to offer apart from tapas, flamenco or bullfighting. Madrid is known for the Golden Triangle of Art, the oldest restaurant in the world, and the flamenco club. The city’s history dates back to centuries and you have ample places to explore its rich heritage and gorgeous architecture.
When it comes to shopping you would fall in love with the kind of options and varieties this place has on offer. If you are a party lover, there are amazing places where you can enjoy the city’s nightlife. A famous European capital that is filled with fine art, delicious tapas, excellent wine and different variations of street performances.
Must Do Things In Madrid
You have a number of things to do when in Madrid. From the city’s bars to the nightclubs that stride after midnight, it’s one of the most happening places in Spain. The city follows the Central European time zone which is 6 hours ahead of the Eastern Time.
- Have a drink at Rio Madrid - A beautiful outdoor space located on the Gran Via street near Salamanca district
- Madrid was reconstructed after the Spanish Civil War, this resulted in some remarkable architecture with buildings designed by renowned architects such as Rafael Moneo and Ricardo Bofill.
- In Madrid you can find a good selection of art galleries, museums and exhibitions
- There is an annual carnival in February that features typical Spanish dishes, masks and costumes designed to represent a specific theme or event
- The Barrio de las Letras has traditionally been a centre for writers such as Federico Garcia Lorca, Jorge Luis Borges and Nobel prize winner Camilo Jose Cela
- In modern times it has become a tourist destination for its literary and artistic heritage
- Go on a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour & explore the city
Attractions of Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain and it is very well-known for its historical sites. Tourists are attracted by the great art, culture and history of this city.
Museums
- Prado Museum and Goya Museum: These two museums are in the same complex which is a few minutes from Puerta del Sol, one of the most popular squares in Madrid. These museums have collections of paintings by the most important artists, including Goya and Velazaquez. The Prado Museum is open until 10 pm on Wednesdays whereas the Goya Museum is open until 2 pm on Sundays, so it could be good to plan your visit accordingly if you want to see both museums during your stay in Madrid, because you don't want to miss anything!
- El Retiro Park: This park was originally created for King Philip II as a hunting ground but has since been transformed into a beautiful park where people can go for picnics, exercise, and stroll hand-in-hand.
- Bilbao Museum: The museum's collection includes sculptures from the Guggenheim Collection as well as a giant hand made out of coal and steel.
- Guggenheim Museum: This museum was designed by the architect Frank Gehry and is one of the world's most famous museums.
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, formerly known as the Museo Nacional del Prado)
Plaza Mayor: The Plaza is the heart of Madrid’s old town, with plenty of restaurants, tapas bars and traditional shops situated around it.
Gran Via: This street is one of the most famous places in Madrid. It offers many shops, cafés and grand buildings that will make you feel like you're on a Hollywood set!
Parque del Buen Retiro: A beautiful park filled with lakes, fountains, sculptures and a world-famous art museum called Museo de Arte de Reina Sofía just down the street.
Príncipe Pio: This is the largest square in Madrid, and has many statues of historical figures. It's also a great place for people watching and enjoying the sun.
Plaza de España: The plaza is very close to Plaza Mayor and lies in a quieter part of town where you can find more architectural landmarks such as palace buildings and churches. There are so many great places to visit in Madrid - make sure you see them all!
Mudéjar Architecture: Mudéjar Architecture Madrid, an architectural walking tour. The tour offers an introduction to the architectural styles of Madrid's most beautiful buildings, with a special focus on Mudéjar-style architecture. The Mudéjar Architecture of Madrid is a style of architecture that describes the Islamic influences on Spanish Christian buildings.
San Miguel Market: San Miguel Market is one of the most famous food markets in Madrid. This market is not just a place for people to buy food, but it is also a place where people can find souvenirs and other products. San Miguel Market offers a variety of foods and products that include: fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses, fresh juices, sweets, olives and olive oils. This market also has traditional Spanish tapas available such as: salads, ham croquetas, patatas bravas (fried potatoes), fried egg dishes and more.
Retiro Park: Retiro Park is one of Madrid's largest, oldest, and most well-known parks. It was designed by the French architect Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps, and inaugurated in 1867. The Retiro Park Madrid is one of the city’s largest parks. Originally designed by French architect Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps in 1867 and inaugurated the same year, it continued to be a popular recreation area until it went into a long decline after General Franco rose to power in 1939 and dedicated his energy to rebuilding Barcelona.
Retiro Park is located just north of Paseo de la Castellana. The park covers an area of 206 hectares or about 543 acres. It has four sectors - Northern Sector, Central Sector (also called 'Old Sector'), Southern Sector (also called 'New Sector') and Eastern sector - with wide walking areas lined with chestnut trees.
Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid): The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the most iconic buildings in Madrid. It is also the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain, who live there with their family. The Royal Palace of Madrid, often called by its former name Palacio Real, is a royal palace located in Madrid, at the end of our Paseo de la Castellana. It was originally built as a fortress to guard against attacks from pirates and later became a royal residence. The palace was used for this purpose until it was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
The palace has been reconstructed since then and now operates as a museum with ten historical rooms that showcase various aspects of life at the time. The king's throne room, Queen Sofia's recreated 18th-century boudoir, and more are all open to visitors.
Casa de Campo: Located in the city of Las Rozas de Madrid, the Casa de Campo Madrid is a luxurious and opulent hotel.
Casa de Campo is located in the heart of Madrid. With its nearness to different points of interest, it makes for an excellent choice for business travelers and tourists alike. It is a luxury hotel with various exquisite services such as: shopping, restaurants, golf courses, poolside bars and much more.
El Rastro Market (Mercado El Rastro): El Rastro Market (Mercado El Rastro) is one of the most popular markets in Madrid and is a destination for locals as well as tourists. The market was built in 1835 and has been operating since then. This market used to be a slaughterhouse before it became a full-fledged market. It remains a favorite to this day with vendors selling their wares from clothes, ceramics, fruits, vegetables, nuts and so on. The El Rastro Market (Mercado El Rastro) is open every day except for Mondays and Thursdays.
Museo Lázaro Galdiano: The museum, which is located in the pedestrian street "Cuesta de la Vega" next to the “Paseo de la Castellana”, was inaugurated on May 31, 1923. The reconstruction project was executed by architect Manuel Sánchez Arcas.
The Museum offers a tour comprising three levels:
- Level 1: “Buenaventura Durieu” room
- Level 2: “Cuesta de la Vega Room” with works by Carlos de Haes, José Gutiérrez Solana, Luis García Alarcón or Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida
- Level 3: "Intellectual Space" including rooms for temporary exhibitions such as "New York" (2015), "Paris Dressed Up" (2016) and "China
Useful Tips When Travelling to Madrid
These are some general tips for visiting Madrid:
- Get your travel insurance sorted before travelling! It is important to be prepared in case something happens. Which is why it's also worth doing your research on what kinds of activities might not come as standard with your insurance
- Remember that many restaurants and shops close at 10pm so do your research before heading out for dinner or drinks - Take cash out before arriving at the airport as it can be expensive to withdraw cash from ATMs there
- If you're staying out late, take a taxi home - it may be more expensive than taking public transport but it’s safer too!
Best Time to Visit Madrid
Las Fallas is one of the most famous festivals in Madrid and usually happens in March. It’s a week-long celebration that’s known for its sardanas, fireworks, and bonfires.
The time to visit Madrid is not just about the weather, but also about what you want to do. So, if you are looking for a great party and want to see some of the coolest celebrations in Europe, then March would be your best bet!
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