Culture
Museums are a must in Madrid. El Prado, Reina Sofia & Museo Thyssen are the 3 best known museums in the city, but others such a Museo Sorolla or Museo Arqueologico, are definitely worth a visit…. If you don’t have much time to spend in Madrid, just make sure you go after 7 pm to the Reina Sofia, in Atocha. After 7 pm the entrance is for free and, even though you will not have much time to enjoy the museum, you will be able to admire at least the Guernica from Picasso. It’s a must.
Wine&Dine
Madrid is well known for its culinary diversity. Tapas, raciones, or full menus, don’t worry, during your visit to Madrid you will walk so much that you don’t need to count calories this time :)
Our favorites are: in the La Latina neighborhood in the streets Cava Alta o Cava Baja any bar will have a delicious tapa to be enjoyed with a 'chato de vino'. Walk these two small streets up and down and make several stops in their locals. Some tips would be, seafood at Orixe, or huevos estrellados at Casa Lucio. You better book a place in this last one.
It is very trendy lately to renovate old Markets into Gourmet experiences. Try Mercado de San Anton or Mercado de San Miguel. You will find from oysters to Burguers to Gin Tonics in the same space, trendy and Cosmopolitan!
In Calle Gran Via 14 the Mercado de la Reina. Nice tapas and pintxos. When you are done eating, just go to the back of the bar, and you enter the Gin Club for gin tonics... sweet deal uh?
Wanna enjoy a great Paella? Then go to la Barraca, Calle de la Reina, parallel to Gran Via very close to the Gin Club. Try to book in advance here.
In the north of the city, Bernabeu area, book a table at El Escondite – amazing burgers. If you are feeling like treating yourself for a full course menu, try the Txistu and/or Asador Donostiarra…… You find phones in the internet, mandatory to book in advance!
http://www.elesconditedevillanueva.com/
Madrid has no beach, but it has terraces. YOU MUST go to as many roof terraces as possible for drinks. In summer the party starts just here…..
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Terraza del Oscar
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Terraza del Circulo Bellas Artes
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Terraza del palacio de Cibeles
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Terraza del Melia at Santa Ana Square
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Terraza del Urba
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Terraza de Fortuny
Worth the views...and the mojitos ;)
Local Tips
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Be very careful with your belongings, pickpocketers there are very very skilled
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If you are taking a taxi from the airport remember it is fixed rate no matter where you go and it is 30 Euros
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Use Bus or Metro in the city. It goes anywhere for 1,50€
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Fancy a walk? Go the Principe Pio and walk along the river – Rio de Madrid and Casa de Campo. One of the biggest parks in Europe
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Fancy a musical? Check the events at the Gran Via / Callao
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Fancy going shopping? Apart from big shopping malls like El Corte Ingles, you will find thousands of small shops at Calle Fuencarral, Calle Gran Via, Calle Hortaleza
Madrid - city with mixed identity
Welcome to Madrid!! De Madrid al cielo…
The nicest time to visit Madrid is… anytime!! A vibrant city with events and loads of people all year around, no matter when you decide to visit Madrid, you will find plenty to do.
May is maybe the best month to enjoy the city. Whilst the rest of Europe is still waking up from the winter, Madrid is already looking to the summer. Temperatures in May are already above 20 C and the spring is already at its best. So leave the winter jacket home and don’t forget the sun glasses.
For staying we would recommend you the city center so that you are able to walk around and enjoy the city anytime.
Sightseeing from the City Center
Our tour starts at the Puerta del Sol, which is also the starting point for all the roads in Spain. The so called Kilometer 0 is a small plate on the floor and it is meant to be the center of the whole country! All roads start there, which is the reason for the Kilometer 0 name. From there we can walk in all directions and visit some of the oldest parts of the city. Here are some tips.
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WEST - Puerta del Sol - Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel - Calle Arenal y Plaza de Oriente, Opera, Palacio Real y Jardines de Sabatini. Must walk at night.
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EAST - Puerta del Sol - Plaza de Santa Ana - Barrio de las Letras, Congreso - Paseo del Prado, Parque de El Retiro. Have a Tinto de Verano in Santa Ana and rent a boat in the Retiro Park, take some pics at the Palacio de Cristal and enjoy the walk!
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NORTH WEST - Puerta del Sol, Callao, Gran Via, Plaza de España, Templo de Debob. Ancient Egyptian temple. Make sure you plan the visit at dawn to enjoy awesome sunset views
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NORTH - Puerta del Sol, Calle Alcala, Cibeles Fountain - Puerta de Alcala - Parque de El Retiro At Cibeles take any bus 27, 147, heading north and will take you to the direction Plaza Castilla and Santiago Berbabeu. Nice museum for football fans. Real Madrid is the only club in the world with 11 Champion Leagues.
