Even though it’s the capital of Spain, Madrid might not be your first thought when choosing a Spanish holiday destination . However, for a city break, it’s a strong choice for the interesting things to see and do, amazing food and drink, welcoming Spanish hospitality, rich culture and history, and for being the home of some top-class sport. So what are the most interesting things to do? How much do things cost? When’s the best time to visit? Let’s take a look.
Top sights in Madrid
Gran Vía
There’s a lot happening on Madrid’s Gran Vía — Shutterstock
Located slap-bang in the middle of the city, the Gran Vía is, indeed, a very grand street. From the Church of San José at its eastern end, it runs for over a kilometer to the Plaza de España at the other. A wide, elegant boulevard bustling with people, some of the shops are, oddly, located inside old cinemas that haven’t shown a film for years.
Círculo de Bellas Artes
The Círculo de Bellas Artes — near the Gran Vía — is a cultural center with a patio affording an incredible view of the city center — Shutterstock But if seeing the city purely at ground level isn’t enough, there are many places to ascend and see the skyline. If you head up the Círculo de Bellas Artes, there’s a huge patio from which you can look over one of the most attractive views in Spain. For even more of a bird’s eye view, you can ride on the Teleférico
— a 2.5-kilometer cable car ride that’ll take you over the Casa de Campo and the Parque del Oeste, giving beautiful sightlines to the Royal Palace.
Real Madrid’s stadium (and other football)
Go on a tour of the home of one of the world’s biggest sporting institutions — Shutterstock Real Madrid is one of the world’s most famous sporting institutions, and with good reason. At the time of writing, the club has won almost 100 major trophies (depending on your definition of ‘major’), and was previously home to preening, strutting brand-merchant and now-occasional footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Tours of their Santiago Bernabéu Stadium take around 90 minutes (but of course) and cost from €25. This includes a visit to a section entitled ‘The Best Club in History’ — just another example of the humility and self-effacement that’s made them so universally respected and adored. The alternative is Atletico Madrid, or you could do the right thing and go and watch Rayo Vallecano instead.
Parks and gardens
El Retiro is a huge green space filled with 19th-century architecture and sculptures — Shutterstock Like London
, for all its traffic and hurry, Madrid is a remarkably green city. The Casa de Campo park is five times bigger than Central Park in New York City
and includes within its boundaries the Madrid Zoo, a boating lake, and various sports facilities. Outside the central district, you can’t walk very far without encountering some parkland. El Retiro, for example, is a handsome, sculpted park, rich in 19th-century elegance and graceful architecture. No matter where you go, you’ll find something to suit your taste.
Hidden gems in Madrid
Hammam Al Ándalus baths
These baths offer pools of various temperatures, steam rooms, and massages to help you unwind for a few hours after tramping through the city. Mostly frequented by locals, they’re decorated in an Arabic style and full of the scent of aromatherapy oils. Take a dip, have a cup of herbal tea, and let your worries wash away.
Chamberí Metro station
This hidden Metro Station is now a museum — Tim Adams from Madrid, CC BY 2.0
, via Wikimedia Commons The Chamberí Metro station was closed in 1966 and fell somewhat into disrepair, but the trains weren’t rerouted, so passengers got a glimpse of ripped, fluttering posters and a grimy platform as they were whisked to their destination. But in 2006, the station was reopened as a museum of the history of the Madrid Metro. It looks as it did when it opened in 1919, complete with vintage posters and mosaic tiles. And, of course, every couple of minutes, a train still passes through!
Mercado de Motores
More trains, and not two things that necessarily go together, but Mercado de Motores is a market for antiques, furniture, clothes, jewelry and food that’s located in Madrid’s railway museum, the Museo del Ferrocarril . It’s a hipster’s paradise.
Invisible nun cakes at the Monasterio del Corpus Christi
Buzz the door underneath this statue, and you might be in for a free cake baked by an invisible nun — Zarateman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Invisible nun cakes. Now, those are three words I never thought I’d type together, but at the Monasterio del Corpus Christi, there is a large door marked with the number eight. Ring the buzzer and ask “tienes galletas”? If they have cakes, the door will open and you’ll walk down a corridor to a table with a menu on it. If you ask the wall for your order, a voice from the other side (of the wall, not of the conscious realm) will confirm your order, and the cakes will appear on a turntable in front of you. You won’t ever see the nuns who bake them.
Typical budget for Madrid
It’s a large European capital, so it’s not going to be cheap, but it’s not quite as pricey as, say, London or Paris. Here’s a rough guide to how much things cost in Madrid. Local currency: euro Coffee: €2.20 0.5l local beer: €3.50 — €5 Lunch: €12 Dinner in a mid-range restaurant: €30 Hostel for one night: from around €30 3-star hotel for one night: from around €70 with breakfast
DAILY BUDGET (excluding accommodation): €90 — €120
When’s the best time to visit Madrid?
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are probably the two best times of year to visit Madrid. Summers can get very sticky (up to the mid-30s°C, and getting hotter every year), meanwhile, the shoulder seasons mean cooler weather and gentle breezes. You could visit in winter for reduced hotel prices, but the city tends to be rather gray and wet. In summary, the best times to visit are spring and fall, or summer if you don’t mind the heat. Whenever you decide to visit Madrid, book with Kiwi.com for flexible travel options at great prices! Visit Kiwi.com Stories for more great destination tips.
