Madrid is a complex capital; full of art, history and the Spanish monarchy. There is quite a bit going on in this city yet Madrid doesn’t demand attention. Rather, Madrid is a quiet beauty, its’ colors soft and its’ designs subtle. While Madrid is the capital of Spain, it is compact and easily explored by foot. After passing through the The Puerta de Alcalá, I was immediately impressed by Madrid and ready to explore the city. 

Things To Do

Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is must visit on a trip to Madrid. This was my second time in Madrid and my second time back at the Royal Palace. I just couldn’t get enough of it on the first visit! The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family in the city of Madrid. However, the palace is only currently used for ceremonies. 

A ticket to the Royal Palace of Madrid will grant you access to the courtyard and the interior of the palace. The courtyard is open and allows you a close up view of the Palace’s exterior as well as sweeping views of greater Madrid. 

While a proper visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid is suggested, you can take in views of the Palace from the gardens. Jardines de Lepanto offers a glimpse of the Palace through the trees. Yet, the best viewpoint of the Royal Palace of Madrid is from Sabatini Gardens. Sabatini Gardens is a well manicured park that offers unparalleled views of the Royal Palace of Madrid. These gardens are lingered with tourists and locals alike, taking in the marvelous views of the Royal Palace of Madrid. 

Almudena Cathedral

After visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, make a stop at Almudena Cathedral. Almudena Cathedral is considered the main church of Spain’s archdiocese and is located adjacent to the Royal Palace. The baroque exterior is grand and equally as impressive as the Royal Palace. Yet, its’ interior is what really intrigued me. The interior of the cathedral is bright, bold and a complete surprise! 

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is a public square located in Old Madrid. This square is the heart of the city. Historically, Plaza Mayor played an important role; Everything from bullfights, pageants and executions took place in this square. Today, Plaza Mayor is the perfect spot to relax away from the hustle of the rest of the city. Plaza Mayor is surrounded on all sides by residential buildings, offering a bit of seclusion from the rest of the city.   

El Retiro Park

As city green spaces go, El Retiro Park is top notch. El Retiro originally belonged to the monarchy as a playground for the Royal Family. Later, it was transitioned into the public park it is today. El Retiro is considered to be the lungs of Madrid and it’s easy to see why. The park is huge and full of greenery. I spent the morning exploring the park yet I could’ve spent a day here.  

There are tree-lined paths and open spaces to enjoy the fresh air at El Retiro Park. Aside from the impressive amount of greenery, El Retiro has a few structures that can’t be missed; including the Monument of Alfonso XII, the Crystal Palace and the Velázquez Palace. Not only are these Palace’s beautiful, they are an extension of the Reina Sofia Museum and are free to the public.

The Crystal Palace was one of my favorite spots in the entire park. The early morning light poured through the windows, creating stunning rays of light. And the view of the Palace itself was just as beautiful. Every angle was beautiful but I was especially fond of the view from across the pond with row boats floating and children feeding ducks at the waters edge.  

Museums

Madrid is home to quite a few world class museums. During my visit in Madrid, I visited both the Prado Museum and Reina Sofia Museum. 

The Prado Museum is home to the World’s largest collection of Spanish art. Most notable artists include Velázquez and Goya. While this museum is impressive, I have to admit that it’s a bit overwhelming. We wandered around the museum for a couple hours, taking in some rather obscene paintings along the way. If you only see one painting in this museum, be sure to see Velázquez’s Las Meninas. There are Las Meninas souvenirs all over the city so it’s useful to see the inspiration behind these souvenirs first. (Tip: Free entry Monday – Saturday, 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.;  Sunday 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.)

The Reina Sofia Museum differs from the Prado Museum in that it’s a modern art museum. Reina Sofia is the best modern art museum I’ve ever visited. The museum is open, airy and easy to follow. Each room has a different theme which makes the pieces easier to grasp. (Tip: Free entry Monday & Wednesday after 7:00 p.m.; Sunday after 3:00 p.m.).

Temple Debod

Temple Debod is an authentic Egyptian temple in Parque del Oeste. This temple was built in the 2nd century B.C. and was gifted to Madrid by the Egyptian government. Temple Debod is one of the most unique things to see in Madrid. Aside from it’s interesting history, the temple and park is a peaceful retreat from the rest of Madrid.  

Gran Via

The Gran Via is a must visit for anyone who has an affection for shopping or beautiful architecture. Gran Via means “Great Way” and this street is in fact great. This street is a symbol of modern Madrid with its’ buildings constructed between the mid 1800s and early 1900s. The buildings are simply stunning and unlike anything else you will find in Madrid due to their scale and elaborate designs. Spend the afternoon shopping or just taking in the impressive architecture on the Gran Via. I window shopped as I walked along the Gran Via, darting my eyes back and forth from the luxury store fronts to the skyscrapers above. (Tip: For the best views of the Gran Via, head to Cirular Bella Artes for roof top drinks.)

Bull Fighting

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend watching a bull fight, nor have I ever seen one. However, bull fighting is a huge part of Spanish heritage. Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, located in the outskirts of Madrid is known to be one of the most beautiful bull fighting rings in Spain. While I didn’t have a chance to visit Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas on my recent trip to Madrid, I remember it vividly from my first trip. The jewel toned color and detail of Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas are a site to see. It is worth a visit just to see the bull fighting ring in itself. 

Get Lost in the Streets

While I could probably say this about every European city (and probably will), one of the best ways to experience Madrid is to allow yourself to get lost in its’ streets. I wandered around the streets of Madrid for hours on end, taking in the small alley ways and the city’s many squares. Somehow no matter how far I walked, I always found my way back to the city center.

What to Eat

Chocolatería San Ginés

A visit to Chocolatería San Ginés should be on the top of you list when visiting Madrid. Churros and hot chocolate are a staple in Spain, yet San Ginés takes it to the next level. This cafe, located in old Madrid is filled with people all day. The line extends into the passage way outside the cafe. The line is worth the wait for this quintessential experience.

 

After waiting in line and ordering, we were ready for our churros and hot chocolate experience. The churros came out hot and we dosed them in powdered sugar. The hot chocolate is much thicker than I imagined and I was surprised to see a lot of people drinking it out of the cup. Yet, I fully played into to the experience, dipping my churros and drinking some of the excess hot chocolate. I finished every bite, yet I would’ve been better off splitting an order. 

Bocadillo de Calamares

Bocadillo de Calamares is a fried calamari sandwich. The best place to find Bocadillo de Calamares is from the bar’s around Plaza Mayor. These calamari sandwiches are perfect for any meal and are budget friendly; Prices don’t exceed more than €3.50. The bars outside of Plaza Mayor are crowded with people enjoying Bocadillo de Calamares. The sandwiches are fresh yet not the most flavorful. I ended up adding some of my own personal hot sauce to the sandwich. 

Market of San Miguel 

Marcedo de San Miguel is an example of an iron market in Madrid. The market is located in Old Madrid behind Plaza Mayor. The Marcedo de San Miguel is the perfect place to stop for tapas at any time in the day. While this isn’t necessarily the largest market in Spain, it is beautiful and in an ideal location. 

The market has a variety of tapas to choose from. This is the perfect place to go if you want to sample a bit of everything or unsure what you’re ordering. It’s great to see what you’re getting before you buy it. There’s so much to choose from, including Spanish rice, various empanadas, cheeses and even sea urchins. 

Círculo de Bellas Artes

Visiting Círculo de Bellas Artes is a must for anyone who craves a good view, ambiance or drink. Círculo de Bellas Artes hosts a rooftop bar overlooking the Gran Via. It cost € 4 to access the rooftop of Círculo de Bellas Artes. From what I’ve heard, people line up to access this rooftop bar. However when I went, there was no line at all. Yet, be sure to arrive early if you want to catch the sunrise. 

We came to Círculo de Bellas Artes on our last night in Madrid and it was the perfect way to commemorate our time in the city. Before grabbing a drink, I walked the parameter of the roof top, taking in the impressive views, including the Gran Via. The view of the Gran Via is one of the most incredible views I have ever seen. 

After checking out all the views, we grabbed a glass of reasonably priced wine. (It was €4 for a glass of wine at a rooftop bar!) It was a cinematographic moment; wine in-hand, watching the sunset on Madrid. 

Where to Stay

Doubletree by Hilton Prado

The Doubletree by Hilton Prado was an absolute delight to stay at. This hotel is located in the perfect location, a side street in the Bourban Madrid, across from the infamous Westin Palace Hotel. It is the perfect central location to explore Madrid. All the main sites in Madrid are no more than a 15 minute walk from the Doubletree Hilton Prado.

Aside from its’ perfect location, the Doubletree by Hilton Prado is a trendy new hotel. I loved its’ modern yet warm interior, its’ rain showers and impressive breakfast spread.

Westin Palace Hotel

While I didn’t have a chance to stay at the Westin Palace Hotel, I can say with upmost confidence that this is the hotel to stay at in Madrid. Its’ central location is ideal. Yet its’ grandeur makes this hotel such a great place to stay. I couldn’t help taking a quick peak at the interior of the Westin Palace Hotel. Its’ Rotonda Hall lounge has a colorful glass dome roof which I couldn’t take my eyes off.