Places to visit in Madrid

Madrid, as well as being the capital of Spain, is known for being a cultural and gastronomic hotspot. One of the most charismatic cities in Spain, let us take you on a tour of the best places to visit in Madrid.

Cultural places to visit in Madrid

First of all, if you decide to plan a cultural visit in Madrid, you must stop by the art museums. The city has three of the most famous in Europe, El Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Here you can see some classical Spanish artwork, as well as more modern pieces by Picasso and Dali. These museums have permanent exhibitions as well as temporary ones, all of which can suit every taste. Any cultural visit in Madrid should take these artistic highlights into account.

Madrid also has some excellent permanent theatre performances. The longest-running is The Lion King, which can be found along the eponymous Gran Via. Going to the theatre is a popular pastime among locals, and it is not hard to find a decent theatre to visit in Madrid. The Teatro Compac in Gran Via is one of the oldest and has a multitude of performances, from dance to opera.

All this may have led you to work up an appetite. No visit in Madrid is complete without stopping for chocolate and churros. It is often argued over which cafeteria serves the best, but those close to Plaza Mayor and Sol frequently win. Order the larger porra and prepare to dunk it straight into a steaming cup of thick chocolate.

After eating your fill, take a meander down to Sol and visit El Oso y El Madroño. This is one of the most famous statues in Madrid and is part of local history. Sol is the geographical centre of Spain and the bear statue appears on the city coat of arms.

Breathtaking places to visit in Madrid

If shopping is more your style, it is absolutely necessary to visit El Rastro on Sunday mornings. This is one of the largest markets in Europe and sells almost everything you can think of. The entire district of La Latina, where the Rastro is housed, is a fantastic neighbourhood to visit in Madrid. The typically working class area is filled to the brim with bars where you can enjoy tapas.

After, take a walk towards Plaza Mayor, one of the most spectacular sites to visit in Madrid. There are plenty of terraced cafes to enjoy a coffee, or simply to people watch and stroll around. This square displays architecture associated with Madrid. It is also a perfect example of the traditional buildings of old Madrid.

The Royal Palace is also another worthwhile place to visit in Madrid. Touring the public rooms allows an important glimpse into the opulent style of the Spanish royal family over the years. The view over the gardens is also the perfect spot to stop and take a selfie. Plaza del Oriente is one of the most beautiful squares to visit in Madrid.  It´s close location to the palace makes it an enjoyable plaza to enjoy a glass of wine as the sun sets over the palace.

To round off your visit in Madrid, why not relax under a tree in Retiro park? This is one of the largest green spaces in Madrid and is truly stunning. The park has art exhibitions, a boating lake, picnic areas and often live music. The perfect place to visit in Madrid that will allow you to relax and breathe in this wonderful city.

For more information on city breaks, please visit Iberinbound for details.