Madrid
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11°
Time
1:52 PM
Madrid
In the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, surrounded by mountains and natural parks, Madrid is an irresistible destination full of cultural and leisure offers. Spain's largest city houses famous museums, art galleries, elegant buildings, and charming squares. Home to two world-class football teams, Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, the capital of the Kingdom of Spain also boasts unique neighbourhoods, bustling nightlife, and scrumptious cuisine. Packed with energy and character, Madrid is a city that will satisfy most travellers' desires.Find your trip
The Prado Museum, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is deservedly one of the most famous museums in the world. Since the gallery first opened two hundred years ago, its collections have grown to include over 7000 paintings (although only around 1500 are currently on display). The collection includes Spanish art from Velázquez and some dark works of Goya, as well as some works by several Flemish masters: Peter Paul Rubens, Pieter Bruegel, and Anton Van Dyck.
Plaza Mayor is the main square of Madrid, measuring approximately 130 by 95 meters. There are no less than nine entrances to this majestic plaza. It is a great place to sit down, have a coffee, and people watch.
In Spanish, this park is called "Jardines del Buen Retiro" or "Parque del Buen Retiro", which means "the park of pleasant retreat". It is, with its 350 acres, one of the largest parks in Madrid and became open to the public in the late 19th century—before that, it belonged to the Spanish royal family. Some of the things you can enjoy here, with the right timing, are puppet shows, book fairs, and free concerts. You can also rent a rowboat and paddle your way around the Estanque, or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage.
The third gallery in the Golden Triangle of Art, which includes the iconic Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Art Centre, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, is housed in an enormous former hospital dating from the mid-18th century and has since added striking glass and steel external lifts. The collection consists mainly of Spanish works from the 20th century—the most famous of which is, without doubt, Picasso's "Guernica".
The biggest royal palace in Europe, the Palacio Real de Madrid, has a whopping surface of 135,000 m2 and 3418 rooms. Not only is the building itself a beautiful attraction, but it also offers glorious gardens outside and beautiful frescoes, furniture, and paintings inside. This magnificent creation dating from 1764 was built to replace the Alcázar castle that had burned down thirty years before. Visitors are given access to almost the entire palace, including the Armoury and Pharmacy.
El Rastro is said to be the largest flea market in Europe with some 3,500 stalls covering the winding streets of the oldest residential part of Madrid. Remember that the real finds are mostly located on one of the side streets, and always keep a close eye on your belongings, as it is a popular area for pick-pockets.
Discover Madrid's vibrant culinary scene on a delicious tapas tour. Savour tasty traditional delights like Iberian ham, salted cod, and rich chickpea stew and sip excellent Spanish wines. All the while, you learn about the local ingredients from your expert guide.
Pay a visit to Mercado de San Miguel to experience the most significant flavours of Spanish cuisine. Just a few steps away from Plaza Mayor, this popular wholesale food market, now one of the most important in Europe, offers some of the city's best gourmet foods and delicacies, including wine, cheese, ham and cured meats, and is a great place to stop for afternoon tapas and a glass of wine.
The Prado Museum, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is deservedly one of the most famous museums in the world. Since the gallery first opened two hundred years ago, its collections have grown to include over 7000 paintings (although only around 1500 are currently on display). The collection includes Spanish art from Velázquez and some dark works of Goya, as well as some works by several Flemish masters: Peter Paul Rubens, Pieter Bruegel, and Anton Van Dyck.
Plaza Mayor is the main square of Madrid, measuring approximately 130 by 95 meters. There are no less than nine entrances to this majestic plaza. It is a great place to sit down, have a coffee, and people watch.
Delicious food is served at this establishment run by Oscar Velasco, apprentice to one of the giants of Catalonian cuisine, Santi Santamaria. His influence can be seen in dishes such as shrimp ravioli stuffed with ceps.
Botín is a restaurant that really does live up to the epithet "classic". With a history going back almost 300 years, it claims the title of the world's oldest restaurant in continuous operation. The food is also classical Spanish: lamb steak and roast suckling pig. This last one is mentioned in a Hemingway novel.
At Paco Roncero (formerly La Terraza del Casino), the chef of the same name has created an immersive venue—a so-called "emotion editor". Lights, screens and furniture change as guests can interact with the interior. The cuisine is international, featuring the classics of different cultures. You can choose between different multiple-course menus. Paco Roncero is located on the top floor of the Casino de Madrid.
"Mariscos" is Spanish for seafood, and it is absolutely essential to try it when you’re in Spain. Marisquería Ribeira do Miño is a great place to visit for some authentic Galician seafood. Specialities include Galician octopus and ham with Galician turnip. Pair your meal with some of Galicia's best wines: Albariño or Ribeiro.
Allard Madrid was initially a private club, and it wasn't until 2007 that it opened to the public. It has been awarded two Michelin stars, which suggests that the culinary delights in this restaurant are nothing short of fantastic.
Lúa (the Galician word for moon) has a menu that is based on two things: the first is the season, and the second is reliable recipes passed down for generations, given modern and creative twists. The results speak for themselves.
A relaxed yet lively atmosphere and creative cooking with exotic flavours have made this restaurant a local favourite. There is also a great rotating selection of wines by the glass, which perfectly complement your meal. Located closely to Plaza Mayor, you can either choose a tasting menu, gluten-free dishes, or from their regular menu.
Casa Lucas is a small tapas restaurant in the Latin district. Don't be discouraged at first glance, because a lot of the people you see might be there to socialize and have a drink standing up. It is definitely an experience to eat here, and you won't be sorry. Grab a few cold and warm tapas as well as a glass of wine and start mingling.
Delicious food is served at this establishment run by Oscar Velasco, apprentice to one of the giants of Catalonian cuisine, Santi Santamaria. His influence can be seen in dishes such as shrimp ravioli stuffed with ceps.
Botín is a restaurant that really does live up to the epithet "classic". With a history going back almost 300 years, it claims the title of the world's oldest restaurant in continuous operation. The food is also classical Spanish: lamb steak and roast suckling pig. This last one is mentioned in a Hemingway novel.
Spain's department store colossus is both loved and hated, but successfully performs the main task of a department store, which is to offer most things to most people. Designer fashions, their own low and medium-priced lines, enormous perfumery and make-up departments, accessories, toys, children's and baby's clothes, art materials, souvenirs, food and delicatessen, household furniture and decorations, electrical goods, books, and a range of services can be found here.
Finish off your shopping trip at ABC Serrano in Salamanca, an eight-floor shopping centre with four floors devoted just to fashion. Here, hot new designers such as Amaya Arzuaga rub shoulders with reliable brands like Zara. There are also cafes, restaurants, and a gym.
Mercado de La Paz is Madrid’s most mouth-watering fresh produce market. The best-selling stalls are the ones with Serrano ham and amazing local cheese varieties, but there is plenty more to choose from.
Lavinia is the self-proclaimed "biggest wine shop in Europe". They are true connoisseurs of their craft and offer a bewildering selection of wines and distilled drinks from around Spain and the world.
El Rastro is said to be the largest flea market in Europe with some 3,500 stalls covering the winding streets of the oldest residential part of Madrid. Remember that the real finds are mostly located on one of the side streets, and always keep a close eye on your belongings, as it is a popular area for pick-pockets.
The history of this Spanish brand has its roots way back in the 1950s. Today, there are shops all over Spain and also worldwide. The clothes, bags, and shoes designed by Adolfo Domínguez are stylish and elegant, and there are extensive collections for men, women, and kids. Their flagship store even features a coffee lounge.
Spain's department store colossus is both loved and hated, but successfully performs the main task of a department store, which is to offer most things to most people. Designer fashions, their own low and medium-priced lines, enormous perfumery and make-up departments, accessories, toys, children's and baby's clothes, art materials, souvenirs, food and delicatessen, household furniture and decorations, electrical goods, books, and a range of services can be found here.
Finish off your shopping trip at ABC Serrano in Salamanca, an eight-floor shopping centre with four floors devoted just to fashion. Here, hot new designers such as Amaya Arzuaga rub shoulders with reliable brands like Zara. There are also cafes, restaurants, and a gym.
Madrid’s airport, Barajas (MAD), lies a little over ten kilometres northeast of the city. The cheapest way to get to Madrid is by metro: line 8 goes to Nuevos Ministerios (the journey takes about 30 minutes). A taxi ride costs more at night and on Sundays, and takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Numerous car rental companies are also available at the airport.
Spain can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Madrid offers a generally dry climate, as it is located in the heart of Spain. There is little rain or snowfall—you can consider a trip all year round. During the summer months, the city can be quite crowded with tourists, while the locals flee the heat for the shores. Spring and autumn offer both mild temperatures and lower accommodation prices.
Madrid’s metro system consists of 16 lines that serve both the city and its suburbs. The metro is also the most efficient way of getting around and runs from 6am to 2am daily. The EMT bus network is made up of about a hundred lines, including a useful “circle route” (the buses are marked with a C). Buses run from 6am to 11:30pm daily, with some night buses running later.
When taxis are available for hire, this is indicated by a “Libre” sign in the front windshield and a green light on the roof. Radio-Taxi Asociación Gremial +34 914 475 180 www.radiotaxigremial.com Radio-Taxi Independiente +34 914 051 213 www.radiotaxindependiente.com/rti/ Tele Taxi +34 913 712131 www.tele-taxi.es
Most post offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 8:30pm and on Saturdays from 9:30am to 1pm. The main post office on Plaza de Cibeles, stays open until 9:30am on weekdays and from 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.
All chemists have a list or a sign in the window with details of the pharmacies on duty each night, with the nearest one highlighted. There are two chemists that are open at all times: Farmacia Central Paseo de Santa Maria de la Cabeza 64, Madrid +34 914 730 672 Farmacia Lastra Calle del Conde de Peñalver 27, Madrid +34 914 024 272
Madrid’s airport, Barajas (MAD), lies a little over ten kilometres northeast of the city. The cheapest way to get to Madrid is by metro: line 8 goes to Nuevos Ministerios (the journey takes about 30 minutes). A taxi ride costs more at night and on Sundays, and takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic. Numerous car rental companies are also available at the airport.
Spain can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
