The capital of Spain, the city of football, and home to one of the biggest Primark stores in the world. But aside from that, there is so much culture to absorb and sites to see, making Madrid a great getaway for a short city break.
If you are planning trip to Madrid, there are a few places you simply cannot leave without visiting. When I visited, I went there blind and had to figure out my way around the city with google maps and recommendations from friends. To avoid getting yourself in the same muddle I did, here is my guide to seeing the best of Madrid.
El Retiro Park
Possibly my favourite part of Madrid, El Retiro park was absolutely gorgeous. One of the city's largest parks, you will find a gorgeous lake, fountains, greenery and even Palacio de Cristal, a stunning glass structure. It's worth giving yourself a few hours to see the park, not just because of it's size, but you might also want to try some of the activities available, like taking a rowing boat for a spin on the water. Top tip, be prepared to take a few Instagram photos here, the scenery is incredible.
Royal Palace of Madrid
Time for a bit of culture. Madrid is home to the Spanish royalty's official residence. As they don't actually live there full time, rather they use it for events and special gatherings, you can buy tickets to see inside the royal building. The huge white palace is surrounded by extravagant black and gold gates, which alone make the landmark worth visiting, even if you don't go inside.
The Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is essentially the main square in Madrid. If you go at the right time, it will be filled with market stalls and authentic Spanish cuisine to get the full Madrid experience. The square is surrounded by one very large residential structure, which is also home to many cafe's and restaurants on the ground floor. This is a great place to go for lunch, and is walking distance from Madrid's centre. There is also a statue of King Phillip III here, gifted by the Duke of Florence, which is one of the many tourist favourites in the city. If you are visiting at Christmas time, they have incredible Christmas markets to find some unique gifts for your loved ones.
Real Jardín Botánico
Like many cities, Madrid has its own botanical gardens. More of a must visit place for those travelling to Madrid in the summer season, Real Jardín Botánico is filled with a variety of flowers, plants and vegetation boasting bright colours and a gorgeous backdrop. There is a small fee to enter the gardens, but all money goes towards the upkeep and maintenance of the gardens. You can still visit them all year round, but summer is the time to see it when it's flourishing.
Calle Gran Vía
You can't go to Madrid without squeezing in some shopping time. The main high street in Madrid has every shop you can dream of, from Primark and Zara, to Stradivarius and Topshop. Even better, Calle Gran Via is like a high street on steroids; every shop is ginormous. You are sure to find some amazing outfits and accessories here, so leave space in your suitcase for all your new fashion finds.
You can't go to Madrid without squeezing in some shopping time. The main high street in Madrid has every shop you can dream of, from Primark and Zara, to Stradivarius and Topshop. Even better, Calle Gran Via is like a high street on steroids; every shop is ginormous. You are sure to find some amazing outfits and accessories here, so leave space in your suitcase for all your new fashion finds.
Of course there is a lot more to do in the city of Madrid, but these are just a few of my favourites I had chance to experience. To sum it up, indulge in the Spanish cuisine, absorb the culture, and shop until you can't shop any more. And most importantly, have fun. You're on holiday after all.
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