10 best things to do in Madrid
Visit a big city like Madrid and get to see everything it has to offer is not an easy task. From the many museums to tapas bars and restaurants, every corner attracted my eyes and my curiosity! I visited for the first time this beautiful European capital a couple of weekends ago, thanks to my boyfriend who organized me a surprise trip for my birthday! Here’s my selection of 10 things not to miss in a weekend in Madrid!
1. Plaza Mayor. It’s one of the main squares of Madrid: located right in the city center, a few minutes walking from Puerta del Sol. I stopped for a refreshing break at one of the many bars that are located under the arches that line the square, astonished by the amount of passers-by, tourists and locals alike, going through it!
2. Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. The Royal Palace has left me breathless! It’s the largest building in Madrid and also the most beautiful, in my opinion. It is also the largest of the royal palaces in Western Europe. Exactly at its side it is located the magnificent Cathedral, where Felipe de Borbón and Letizia Ortiz got married.
3. El Retiro Park. Although I had been in Madrid just for a couple of days, I could not miss a visit to the most famous park of the city. Sunday is populated by people, while remaining a quiet and pleasant place, away from the buzz of the Gran Via. I recommend you do the boat ride to the lake and, if you can, to organize a picnic!
4. Crystal Palace. It is located within the park El Retiro and, as the name implies, it is a structure entirely made of glass and metal, enhanced by the context of being surrounded by nature. From outside it is wonderful and even inside is no exception, although it is empty (it is only used occasionally for art exhibitions or events).
5. San Miguel Market. If you like going to markets, I recommend you do not miss the one in San Miguel. And, if you can, to pass around lunch time. It will be so hard to choose between fresh fish, paella, jamon iberico and serrano cones… But you can try a bit of everything! To drink I suggest you to enjoy a juice: I got a very fresh lemonade!
6. Prado National Museum and Reina Sofia museum. Madrid is home to some world famous museums. The most famous is certainly the Prado Museum, which boasts the presence of more than a thousand works ranging from the twelfth century to the contemporary avant-garde movements of the early nineteenth century. Shortly nearby is another great museum, the Reina Sofia, which instead features contemporary and modern art. Also here is Picasso’s famous Guernica, that both me and my boyfriend could not wait to see live in all its majesty!
7. El Rastro. One of the largest flea markets in Europe, very charming and quaint. There are hundreds of stalls selling vintage clothes and accessories, but also antiques. To be noted that it is open only on Sundays (I recommend you go there in the morning, before it fills too much with people and before that the most beautiful pieces are sold)!
8. Hot chocolates and churros. The typical dessert of Madrid, that you have to try even if you go there in the summer and there are more than 30°C! The most famous chocolate shop in which you find it is San Gines, located a few steps from Puerta del Sol and founded in 1894. Churros consist in fried batter sticks to be put into a hot chocolate! Delightful!
9. Plaza de Espana. Another famous square to visit in Madrid is the Plaza de Espana, which you can easily recognize because of the large fountain and statue of Cervantes (author of Don Quixote)… From here starts the Gran Via, the famous shopping street of Madrid!
10. Barrio de La Latina. The perfect place to experience the real nightlife of Madrid. We came here at the happy hour: for Manu a cagna (a local beer) and for me a red sangria!
Have you already been in Madrid? What do you think of my list of 10 things to do?
I wish you all a happy Tuesday!
OUTFIT 1
ABITO A RIGHE BLU – BLUE STRIPED DRESS: AINEA
BORSA – BAG: Florian London
SCARPE – SHOES: Converse via Sarenza
OUTFIT 2
ABITO PAISLEY – PAISLEY DRESS: AINEA
BORSA – BAG: Chanel
SCARPE – SHOES: Converse via Sarenza
OUTFIT 2
ABITO A RIGHE ROSSE – RED STRIPED DRESS: AINEA
BORSA – BAG: Chanel
SCARPE – SHOES: Converse via Sarenza
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