If you enjoy mingling the best of old-world art, architecture, and culture with modern accommodations, entertainment, and adventure, Madrid is the place for you! As the capital of Spain, Madrid is home to great architecture, art, and history. It is also fabulously sunny most of the year and the place to find the best tapas on the planet! There are so many marvelous reasons to travel to Madrid that I can’t begin to cover them all, but here are our top 5!
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1. Several Cities in One
One of the best reasons to travel to Madrid is to see the many uniquely different barrios (neighborhoods) that make up the city. Each barrio has its own history, culture, and landmarks. You will also find that barrio life centers around the many squares in the city. These squares are the central gathering place to dine, socialize, and shop. No matter your background or interest, there is a barrio for you to call home! Take a day (or ten) to explore each barrio to find the many different facets of Madrid. Here are a few of my favorite barrios to spend time in:
La Latina
The old world meets the new in La Latina. This vibrant neighborhood is filled with cultural centers and tapas bars. Built atop a medieval Islamic fort, this teaming neighborhood is home to the Basilica de San Francisco El Grande and the Iglesia de San Andrés. Check out the many cultural centers in the area and frequent as many different tapas bars as time allows! La Latina is also the place to shop El Rastro, one of the most famous Sunday markets in the country.
Malsana
You will find great street art in Malsana. This student-friendly neighborhood is filled with coffee shops, bakeries, and vintage clothing shops. The historic Plaza del 2 de Mayo is a popular meeting spot with lively bars and weekend markets. This is the place to go at night if you are looking for edgy dance clubs with live bands and DJs.
Lavapies
Lavapies is easily known as Madrid’s most intercontinental area. Here you can enjoy a host of musical genres from across the globe and feast at one of the many restaurants lining the steep medieval streets. No matter your craving, you are sure to find what you are looking for in Lavapies global food scene.
Barrio de las Letras
No lover of literature will want to miss the Barrio de las Letras. This lively literary center is located in the heart of Madrid. In the 17th century’s Golden Age of Spanish Literature, the Barrio de las Letras was home to the budding masters. The neighborhood has continued to attract authors and literary lovers alike through the centuries. The streets are filled with bookstores where you can find texts ranging from the ancient to modern-day tomes. There are also many antique and interior design stores. Don’t miss the Ranas Market, held the first Saturday of each month.
2. Art & Architecture
Lovers of art and architecture will thrive when in Madrid where the architecture is, in fact, art. Not only is the architecture art itself, but some of the most stunning venues in Madrid are also filled with art – and many times even covered in art!
Art
Madrid is home to some of the most famous art museums and galleries in the world. An art lover can spend a month in the city and still not see it all – much less take time to contemplate the pieces. If you don’t have that much time when you travel to Madrid, consider at least taking time to visit one or two of these venues.
- The Museo del Prado is known for its collection of religious and Renaissance art. The Prado contains a collection by Francisco Goya and features paintings by Velazquez and Bosch.
- Visit the Ermita (Hermitage) de San Antonio de a Florida to view the stunning frescoes by Francisco Goya. The frescoes illustrate the miracle of St. Anthony as well everyday life in Madrid.
- The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza displays nearly 1000 pieces in various genres and on a variety of topics. The museum includes pieces by Rubens, El Greco, Degas, Picasso, Van Gogh, and others.
- The Museo de Romanticismo (National Museum of Romanticism) not only features a variety of 19th century paintings, but also hosts a superb collection of jewelry, ceramics, furniture, and dolls.
- If you are into modern art, check out the Reina Sofia with its pieces by Picasso and Dali. You can also catch some great views of Madrid here.
Street Art
Some say graffiti – but in Madrid you say Art with a capital “A”! Some of the most captivating works in Madrid exist along the city streets. Thought-provoking statement pieces add color and grandeur to the city streets. Madrid is a haven for street artists and their followers. Even those of us with a short level of patience in a traditional art gallery can’t get enough of the magnificent Madrid street art scene.
Keep your eyes open and your head up (and out of the phone or guidebook) so you don’t miss the masterpiece around the next corner. Even if you walked that street just the other day, you can find yourself pleasantly surprised by a sudden change of scenery!
Architecture
Madrid is the place to go if you love to see amazing architecture when you travel. Here you will find 18th century palaces, Art Deco skyscrapers, and modernist blocks sitting side by side with modern glass and steel structures. Madrid has a shorter architectural history than many other European cities, but its’ haphazard growth creates a hodgepodge of varying architectural types within steps of each other. There are way too many sites to list them all, but here are a few favorites
- The Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace) has been the official residence of the Kings of Spain since the 18th century. The neoclassical granite and white Colmenar stone façade feature a balustrade with statues of the Spanish kings. The adjacent gardens date back to Philip II and are landscaped in the French style.
- The Basilica de San Francisco el Grande was built as a Franciscan friary in 1761. It features a 58-meter dome and masterpieces by the Spanish old masters adorn the chapels.
- The Palacio de Cibeles is an example of modernist Spanish architecture. The Palacio first opened in 1919 as a distribution point for postal, telegraph, and telephone services. It is currently used for municipal offices. Despite this rather mundane use, the building is architecturally stunning inside and out. Also, the Fuentes des Cibeles (Cybele’s fountain), located in front of the Palacio has often been used as an emblem for the city. The Palacio de Cibeles also includes an area for the “CentroCentro” (Cultural Center).
For a more modern twist, check out the Gate of Europe towers. Also known as the falling towers due to their definite inward slant, these 26 floor monoliths are the most famous feature of the Madrid skyline.
3. Be a Matador for a Day!
What kid didn’t pretend – at least once – to face down a bull with only a red blanket as protection? If you didn’t, then you must not have lived in the world of fantasy and “playing pretend” that I lived in. Madrid is the perfect place to go if you wish to see a real bull-fight with a true matador.
Bulls are greatly revered in Spanish culture, but if you are concerned about the use of bulls in this time-honored sport, visit Campo Toro. Here you can see where and how the bulls are bred and raised. You will also have the opportunity to see real bull-fighters in action.
If you are REALLY adventurous, you could participate in the running of the bulls at San Sebastián de los Reyes. This bull run has taken place since 1525 and is second only to the July run in Pamplona.
4. Live the Good Life
One of the best things about Madrid is the relaxed atmosphere. Culturally, they believe one should take time to savor life. I am not saying that the locals do not work – quite the contrary – but overall they take a more balanced approach to work. By law, Spanish citizens enjoy a 40-hour work week with a required 12 hours between work days. Also, employees are restricted to 80 hours of overtime in a single year (unless there is collective agreement).
The days start a little later and most Madrileans still observe a long 3-hour lunch and siesta period so they can take time to relax and spend with family. While many shops and eateries are open throughout the day, shops with more limited hours open at 10 a.m. and close for lunch at 2 p.m. Then they will reopen at 5:00 and remain open until 8:30. So, early birds need to sleep in a bit, and know that the dinner hour is typically closer to 9:00 p.m. than 6:00 p.m.
Life in the Square
Those who stay in town for lunch or dinner will find a host of restaurants, bars and other entertainment in the many plazas and squares around town. These plazas serve as the social hub for their various neighborhoods. They are also the location of many of the weekly and monthly markets. While there are numerous plazas throughout the city, visitors will likely visit the Plaza Mayor (Main Plaza) and Puerta del Sol the most.
Plaza Mayor has served as the central gathering place in Madrid since the 17th century. This expansive square is surrounded by outdoor cafes, restaurants, and tapas bars. You will often find street performers and vendors here to keep you entertained. Nearby you will find the absolute best hot chocolate and churros on the planet at Chocolateria San Gines. It is worth the trip just to enjoy this tasty treat.
Puerta del Sol, located I the heart of the city is one of the busiest squares in Madrid. This historic town square aligns with the rising sun. Puerta del Sol is also “kilometer zero” for all directions of the Spain’s road network and a transportation hub for the city. Lined with shops and cafes, it is a great place to enjoy a meal, find the perfect souvenir, and simply spend the day drinking in the sights and sounds of Madrid.
5. Gorge Like a Gourmand
If you are a connoisseur of good food, then you definitely must travel to Madrid. There are so many wonderful tastes to tempt any pallet. Madrid has restaurants galore to cater to even the most discerning of gourmands. Here are a few favorites if you wish to eat like a true Madrilean:
When we think of food in Madrid, tapas immediately come to mind. Tapas literally means “small plates” of food that were traditionally served for free when you order a drink at a bar. Unfortunately, tapas no longer always come for free – but they do not always require a drink order either. Tapas can range from a small bowl of olives to thinly sliced ham, mushrooms, or even tiny bowls of shrimp and other dishes. Tapas make the perfect afternoon (or late night) snack!
Other Than Tapas…
In the summer, order a cup of tasty gazpacho (cold soup) but in winter you definitely want to try callos. It sounds questionable, but callos is a savory stew made with beef tripe, chorizo, and blood sausage. This dish dates back to the 16th century and remains a favorite winter dish today.
Huevos rotos (broken eggs) is a steaming hot dish of potatoes freshly fried in Spanish olive oil, with a dash of sea salt, topped with an egg fried over easy. This tasty dish is made even better with a bit of cured jamon (ham) or chorizo.
Other great foods include huevos rellenos (Spanish-style deviled eggs), pisto, croquetas, and bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich). Or, if you are really daring, you could try oreha a la plancha (pan-seared pigs’ ear). Whatever your comfort level, the food in Madrid is worth the trip!
The Sweet Stuff
Yummmm! Churros con chocolate are a Madrid late night necessity. These churros, with a cup of thick hot chocolate, are actually great any time time of the day. And, of course flan is a favorite of the locals as well. These treats definitely rate as top reasons to travel to Madrid!
Hotel and Transportation
One of the nicest things about Madrid is that it is much more affordable than other European cities you may travel to. That said, Madrid still has luxury hotels and high-end shops to tempt those with a bit more cash flow when they travel. The Artiem Madrid is a clean and affordable option located in the heart of the city. It is a great jumping off point for all the places we wanted to visit while in Madrid.
Madrid is one of the easiest cities to see on foot but there are still plenty of taxis (or other modes of transport) when your feet have had enough. There are also busses servicing the city and you can always request an Uber, Lyft, or other ride-share. For those who truly cannot walk from site to site, there is a hop-on/hop-off bus. But keep in mind that most of the stops are REALLY close together.
Start Planning Your Travel to Madrid Today
I loved the time I spent in Madrid and I can’t wait to travel back! There are so many wonderful things to do, great places to eat, and lovely sites to see (and that is without even leaving Plaza del Sol)! Before you go, consider investing in a GoCity Madrid Pass. There are all-inclusive passes or you can select the number of sites you want to see and just buy a pass to cover those. Either way, a GoCity Madrid Pass can save you time and money!
Have you traveled to Madrid?
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