Don’t miss these 10 tourist wonders on your next trip to Madrid
Spain is one the most popular destinations in the world, especially for those non-Spanish speaking tourists. Hispanic vibes, delicious food, and the charming sound of language are reasons people are attracted to this beautiful land.
Spain’s geographical and cultural diversity offers awesome sceneries to please all types of visitors. Castles, mountains, beaches, islands, rivers, monuments, and contemporary cities, are the magnet elements of Spanish tourism.
Madrid, the capital city, is the principal spot chosen for experiencing the hippest Spain lifestyle. The ostentatious city displays a combination of old-style infrastructure and modern architecture.
Madrid is all about venturing since it is renowned as the amusement centre in Spain. Tourism offerings vary from first-class museums, historic buildings, theme parks, and local markets, to distinctive cafes and restaurants.
Planning a trip to Madrid
If you prefer favourable climate conditions, the best time to travel to Madrid is during fall, from September to November. Spring is also an ideal time to go to this fun city.
But if you don’t have preferences regarding the weather conditions, you can go all year round. In this case, you should take advantage of when hotels start to make promotions and reduce their rates in some periods of the year. You can have a unique travel experience while saving some money.
Before the year ends, there are excellent deals for the Black Friday period. At www.barcelo.com/en-gb/offers/black-friday/ you will find attractive discounts on the hotels in Madrid belonging to the Barceló Group. All of them show imposing designs in a strategic location in the city. Don’t miss the discounts for Black Friday.
The money saved on lodging can be well invested in the city’s tourist attractions. For making the most of it, a good idea is to plan all the activities you will do in stunning Madrid. Good planning gives you the chance to enjoy it all.
Deciding what to do in the city is arduous. You can start by choosing the attractions according to your taste, or be bold, and try new and different activities.
The best places to go in Madrid
Madrid has something for everyone. It is difficult to get bored in this colourful city.
The most popular places to visit in Madrid include:
- Museo del Prado: A two-building art gallery containing more than 8,000 works of art. Be delighted by collections that show the work of Spanish artists like El Greco, Goya, Velázquez and da Ribera.
- Puerta del Sol: It is the most visited crossroad in the city. It is the perfect place for having a relaxing time strolling and admiring the architectural nearby buildings. Besides, you can admire the famous symbol of the city; The statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree.
- Madrid’s Plaza Mayor: It is the largest and most famous square in Madrid. This rectangular cobblestone square is surrounded by historical buildings dating from the 18th century. Plaza Mayor offers the best spot for enjoying this building’s decorations with frescoes, balconies bordered with wrought-iron railings and elegant slate spires.
- Palacio Real: This huge construction houses approximately 2,500 richly ornamented rooms, of which only 50 are open to the public. It was a royal residence, and today it is used for official ceremonies. The areas for visiting include an old pharmacy, the palace’s lavish throne, and armoury, among others.
- Estadio Santiago Bernabéu: Whether you are a football fan or not, you cannot miss the opportunity of visiting the home of Real Madrid Football Club. You can take a tour inside this huge complex and see dressing rooms, press areas, dugouts, and the popular Real Madrid Museum.
- Casa de Campo: It is considered the great green lung of Madrid and the biggest park in the city. Its 1,535 hectares allow you to have a lot of fun. There are several trails for walking, running, biking, or simply seeing wildlife animals like rabbits, deer, and birds. You can also entertain in the Parque de Atracciones de Madrid and the Madrid Zoo.
- Mercado de San Miguel: In this market, near Plaza Mayor, you can buy local ingredients and delicacies. It is an uncommon covered market built in an iron structure. It’s a place loved by tourists because there are typical restaurants where you can eat gourmet tapas, hams and drink beers, wine or champagne.
- Museo Reina Sofía: It was built as a hospital; then restored and turned into a museum. It’s a very popular place in Madrid where you can enjoy both antique works and modern art. The arts from Salvador Dali, Picasso, Francis Bacon and Miro, are in permanent collections there.
- Gran Via: It’s a vibrant boulevard where you can have an unforgettable time by visiting popular cinemas, theatres, restaurants, hip shops, and so many places. Here, you can also find the Telefónica building, the first skyscraper of the city and the tallest in Europe.
- Buen Retiro: Known as the Palacio de Cristal del Retiro, this public park houses the oldest tree in Spain: The Cypress. It comprises 15,000 trees and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In its 125 hectares, you will find several gardens and monuments.