If you like art and history, in the center of Madrid you will find three of the best museums in all of Europe, and all just 15 minutes walk from each other. The Thyssen-Bornemisza was the largest private art collection in the world and was purchased by the Spanish government in the 1990s. The Reina Sofía houses among many other works the Guernica, the most famous work by Picasso. And all this is completed with the gigantic Prado Museum, the most famous and largest in all of Spain.
Explore the largest royal palace in Europe, the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Inside it you can stroll through its elegant halls such as the Royal Armory and the Crown Room and appreciate magnificent works of art by the most established painters. In total, this palace has about 199,000 m² and 3478 rooms, almost double that of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Versailles.
Known to Madrid as the Retiro, this gigantic urban park is a true green oasis in the middle of the metropolis. It was built in the first half of the 17th century within the landscape project developed for the Palacio del Buen Retir. Here, in addition to strolling through its gardens and green trails, you will be able to enjoy a large number of unique sculptures and buildings, including the Big Pond, the Royal Astronomical Observatory and finally the Crystal Palace, a 19th century greenhouse that is a true wonder of glass and metal.
Did you know that among the many things you can visit in Madrid is a 2,200-year-old Egyptian temple? This archaeological relic was a gift from Egypt to Spain in 1968 in compensation for Spanish aid following the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Its construction was dedicated to Debod the Egyptian god of creation under Pharaoh Ptolemy IV Philoptor. If you want to know how to get one of the best views of Madrid, we recommend visiting the exteriors of the temple during the fall of the afternoon when the entire temple is dyed orange with the last rays of light.
If you are a foodie traveler, don’t miss visiting the popular Madrid food markets. Let yourself be lost by its hundreds of stalls full of fresh food and finally, indulge in a finished plate of cooking in front of your eyes and accompany it with a glass of Riojan wine or a refreshing beer. Right next to the main square is the Mercado de San Miguel, an architectural gem from the last century where you can try endless tapas, tapas and sandwiches.
Prepare your castanets and enjoy an authentic Spanish flamenco show in one of the renowned Madrid tablaos. When the dancers take the stage and the show begins, you will notice that the passion of flamenco flows in each note and each tap. While the audience accompanies the show with their claps. While you enjoy the show you can try some of the local delicacies like paella or refreshing sangria. ¡Olé!
