Cities We Love: Madrid
If you tell me you want to visit Spain, I’m going to recommend that you spend some time in Madrid.
Even though I really love so many cities in Spain, Madrid is the one that truly captured my heart. However, I was probably a little biased before I even arrived. I’m a big fan of the film director Pedro Almodovar who lives in Madrid and has shot many of his films there. So I was very interested in seeing his city in the flesh and exploring the little neighborhoods and quarters that make up the city.
I spent a full week in Madrid and managed to walk a lot and eat a lot. I took in the history, the culture, lots of food and wine, explored the city’s beautiful parks, and cooled off in its famous art museums. And I managed to get outside the city to wander around Toledo for a day.
Madrid is a big city and perhaps I am partial to big cities as a former resident of Chicago and NYC. But I found that there is so much to see and experience in this city…even when you go in August and it’s very hot (!) and most of the city’s residents have left town for vacation. If I have the opportunity to wander through neighborhoods and stumble upon flea markets, cozy wine bars, or unique shops, I’m a happy traveler.
What to Do
There’s an endless amount of things to keep you busy and entertained while you are in Madrid - depending on what your interests are, you will find it.
Stroll through Retiro Park (i went running here a few mornings during my stay in Madrid - it’s a stunning city park worth your time)
Madrid has many famous art museums (and works of art) so spend some time at the “Big Three”: The Prado, Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. The Prado has many works by Goya and El Greco. Reina Sofia houses more contemporary art with a number of special exhibits and is also where you can see Picasso’s Guernica. The Thyssen is smaller and more manageable to see in a shorter time!
I also recommend the Sorolla Museum - it’s located in the artist’s former home (which is gorgeous) and quite different from the other museums in Madrid. Spend some time just hanging out in the gardens after your visit.
Take a food tour to learn more about Madrid’s history and culture, and find some of the city’s hidden gems you’d likely never stumble upon on your own.
Explore the neighborhoods. Wander around Malasaña, Chueca, and Las Huertas. Find an empty table in a plaza, get a drink, and just hang out.
There are plenty of options for easy day trips out of Madrid including Toledo, Segovia, El Ascorial Monastery, Avila, Aranjuez. Many of the destinations are accessible by train and within an hour or less of travel time.
Catch a bullfight or a football match, if that’s your thing. The bullfighting season runs from mid-May through October, while La Liga, Spain’s premier soccer league, runs from August through May.
Don’t forget to try the chocolate con churros at the 24-hour Chocolatería San Ginés.
Where to stay
You’ll find plenty of luxe accommodations in Madrid; we can help you identify the right hotel depending on your preferences and what you want to experience while you are there. If you do opt to visit Madrid in the summertime, finding a hotel with a pool and/or rooftop bar is a must. You will also likely want to be centrally located to the city’s sights and restaurants - Madrid is a very walkable city (with great transit) and the best way to get to know the city is on foot.
Consider:
Incredible rooftop pool views at The Thompson Madrid
Boutique option in the heart of Chueca - Only You Boutique Hotel
Luxe relaxation at the Rosewood Villa Magna
Style & sophistication in a historic landmark at the Four Seasons Madrid
Stay close to the action on Paseo del Prado & Retiro Park at the iconic Mandarin Oriental Ritz
Planning your Trip
Madrid is a great destination all on its own, but if you’re traveling to the middle of Spain, you may want to add on to your trip. Consider combining a stay in Madrid with a few nights in San Sebastian and in Rioja, or add on time in Seville and the southern coast. Madrid also works well with Portugal - it’s easy to fly direct from the US to Madrid and then travel to Porto or Lisbon from there.
Now let us help you plan your own trip for tapas and more in the heart of Spain!