Madrid, Spain’s central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and one of Europe’s finest collections of Spanish and Latin American art, spread throughout its museums and galleries. In many ways, Madrid is like any other international metropolitan city. Madrid is a vibrant and very laid-back city with beautiful architecture and lush green everywhere you go. The best time to visit Madrid is in the fall (September to November) or spring (March to May) when the weather is warm and sunny, but not boiling hot. Madrid is a perfect place for a weekend trip as well as to explore the nearby towns.
1. El Retiro Park
El Retiro is one of the largest parks in the city of Madrid, Spain. The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century when it became a public park. In 2021, Buen Retiro Park became part of a combined UNESCO World Heritage Site with Paseo del Prado. It is a beautiful garden to get lost in. You’ll find a large artificial lake where you can rent paddle boats, a monument of King Alfonso XII, a rose garden or the
crystal palace which occasionally it is being used to host art exhibitions.
2. Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is a major public space in the heart of Madrid, the capital of Spain. It was once the center of Old Madrid. It was first built (1580–1619) during the reign of Philip III. Only a few blocks away is another famous plaza, the Puerta del Sol. The name of the plaza has changed over time. It has been known as “Plaza del Arrabal”, “Plaza de la Constitución”, “Plaza Real”, “Plaza de la República” and now “Plaza Mayor”. These names reflect events, history, and reigns in Spanish history.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish royal family in the city of Madrid, although now used only for state ceremonies. The palace has 135,000 m² of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Spain’s national museum of 20th-century art. The museum was officially inaugurated on September 10, 1990, and is named Queen Sofía. The museum is mainly dedicated to Spanish art ad other new and upcoming modern artists. Highlights of the museum include excellent collections of Spain’s two greatest 20th-century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. You can visit the museum in the evenings times as well, as every day on weekdays the museum is offering free entrance between 6-7 pm. Make sure to make use of this great initiative!
The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple that was dismantled and rebuilt in the center of Madrid, Spain, in Parque de la Montaña. In 1960, due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam and the consequent threat posed by its reservoir to numerous monuments and archeological sites, UNESCO made an international call to save this rich historical legacy. As a sign of gratitude for the help provided by Spain in saving the Abu Simbel temples, the Egyptian state donated the Temple of Debod to Spain in 1968.
The Museum Sorolla features work by the artist Joaquín Sorolla, as well as members of his family such as his daughter Elena. The building was originally the artist’s house and was converted into a museum after the death of his widow.
7. Barrio de La Latina
On the site of a medieval Islamic fort, the lively barrio of La Latina is a maze of narrow lanes filled with tapas bars, and cantinas. Neighborhood landmarks here include the San Francisco el Grande Basilica, with its Goya paintings, and the towering Moorish San Pedro el Real church. On Sundays, crowds fill El Rastro flea market and seek out lunch at the area’s cafes and street-food stalls.
8. Gran Vía
Gran Vía street is a street in central Madrid, Spain. It leads from Calle de Alcalá, close to Plaza de Cibeles, to Plaza de España. It is a beautiful street with even more mesmerizing architecture filled with hotels, shops, and dining. The street is sometimes referred to as the “Spanish Broadway”.
9. Salamanca
The grand 19th-century boulevards of glamorous Salamanca are lined with fine-dining restaurants and designer boutiques, especially along the “Golden Mile.” Stylish locals frequent Platea Madrid, an upscale gourmet food market in a former theater building.
10. Puerta de Alcalá
The Puerta de Alcalá is a Neoclassical gate in the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid, Spain. It was a gate of the former Walls of Philip IV. It stands near the city center and several meters away from the main entrance to the Parque del Buen Retiro.
The Prado museum is housed in an imposing neoclassical building, completed in 1785. The museum is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It is widely considered to house one of the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art.
12. San Jerónimo el Real
A Roman Catholic church from the early 16th century in central Madrid. The church, which has undergone numerous remodelings and restorations over the centuries is the remaining structure of the Hieronymite monastery that once stood beside the royal palace of Buen Retiro, of which a portion now serves as the Prado museum.
Almudena Cathedral is a Catholic church in Madrid, Spain. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madrid. The cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993.
14. Plaza de España
Plaza de España is definitely not as impressive as the one in Sevilla. However, it is one of the largest squares in Madrid and it features a monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra and is adjacent to two of Madrid’s most prominent skyscrapers
BEST COFFEE SHOPS & DINING SPOTS
1. San Miguel Market
Opened back in May 1916 as a local food market, in 2009 the Mercado de San Miguel – one of the city’s finest examples of cast-iron architecture located a stone’s throw from Plaza Mayor – became Madrid’s first gourmet market.
EatMyTrip restaurants serve the coolest and the most creative breakfast, brunch & dinner in Barcelona & Madrid as well as top-notch specialty coffee, a chain of popular brunch places located in 2 different locations in the city.
3. Toma Café
Located in the cute Conde Duce neighborhood, Toma Cafe specializes in coffee and small bites.
4. Syra Coffee
Syra Coffee was launched in Barcelona in 2015 as a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop with the simple purpose to “Make good coffee everyone’s daily habit”. Now Syra Coffee has multiple locations across Barcelona and Madrid.
An innovative concept in food-based leisure, entertainment, and socializing, in the style of the street food markets found in London.
6. Bel Mondo
Bel Mondo is an Italian restaurant under the Big Mamma umbrella. Conceived as the perfect mix between a summer palazzo on the banks of Lake Garda and the bachelor pad of an 80’s cool kid, Bel Mondo is nestled between small nooks and crannies, near the fireplace for a romantic dinner or in front of the large open kitchen for larger tables.
Founded in 1894 & open 24 hours, this cafe is known for its chocolate with churros. Definitely worth the wait if you are around and want something sweet and local.
Casual, modern tavern decorated with Spanish movie posters, serving tapas dishes & raciones.
9. La Perejila
Small plates, mains & drinks in a compact tapas bar that has old-fashioned decor & a convivial vibe.
10. El miniBAR
Another local and casual place for some great tapas is the city of Madrid.
