MADRID knows how to live. This city has a reputation of being one of the most alive cities in the world. Its beautiful architecture and thousands of museums and theatres make it the capital of culture.
Iconic dish
Cocido Madrileño (2 courses, soup and chickpeas with chorizo and other meats) and Callos (pork meat).
In the city
Visit Circulo de Bellas Artes and enjoy the views from the roof for 4€, there is also bar where you can relax. For a more didactic activity visit Museo del Prado which was ranked in 2017 as the best Spanish museum and the 9th in the world.
Kids
Go on a fun trip in a cable car. This goes from Paseo Pintor Rosales to the biggest park (forest) in Madrid Casa de Campo. We recommend a return ticket (6€) as there is no communication links from this park.
Stroll around the boroughs of the city centre such as Malasaña, Tribunal and Chueca for great restaurants and tapas bars. The area that surrounds Plaza Mayor is a great stop in your sightseeing, we recommend Fatigas del querer.
Charge your batteries
Outside the city
El Escorial Monastery historic residence of Spanish Kings. El Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the fallen) is a beautiful architecture where Franco, Spanish dictator, is buried. Aranjuez, a small city in the border with Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as well as Alcala de Henares where Miguel de Cervantes, El Quixote writer, was born.
May
events
Between the 11th and 15th Madrid honours, San Isidro, with a programme of events featuring concerts, shows and an endless activities for all ages. Tradition meets modernity in the week-long festivities that see dance chotis in the streets, enjoy picnics in the Pradera de San Isidro Park and follow the oprocession that winds through the city centre.
From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, thousands of people flock to the city to attend the numerous processions that take place on the streets of Madrid. The atmosphere created by the rolling drums, trumpets and the hundreds of religious worshippers' in bright and colourful attire is the hallmark of Easter in Madrid.
April events
Madrid has its own international airport which is really well communicated to the city centre by bus, metro, train and taxi. We recommend to spend 3 days in Madrid, even better if these days fall in a weekend. If you are a party person then you might need more days and if you want to discover the region at least 5 days.