Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain’s capital city, is located in the heart of the country. Madrid packs in a terrific mix of historic churches, glorious parks, a lavish royal palace, three world-class art museums, lively squares and a vibrant nightlife. Madrid practically buzzes with energy. You will be spoiled with choices of things to do here; there is definitely something for every interest in this city. It is impossible to list all the things to do and see here but I will attempt to hit on a few highlights and a few of my favorites.

When in a new city, I usually try to start in the historic city center, the old town square. You’ve heard me call this the ‘living room’ of a city. But for this particular trip, I decided to start west and work my way east. I started at the Royal Palace (Palacio Real), which is fabulous to look at. It kind of reminded me a bit of Buckingham Palace with the ornate fence in front and the architecture. My goal was to get there early, but the Palace was holding an official event that day, so I didn’t get to go in. By the way, the Palace holds a Changing of the Guard every Wednesday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so if that works for your schedule, consider it. The Guards on horseback look cool, and watching all the dignitaries’ cars roll in was neat, so for me, not a total loss. Literally, right across the entrance from the Royal Palace is the Cathedral de la Almudena. As churches go, this is a relatively new building, having just been consecrated in 1993. The current King and Queen of Spain were married here in 2004, and the cathedral looks bigger from the inside. There is no entrance fee for the cathedral, but a donation of €1 is requested. There is a museum upstairs, and tickets for that will cost €7. I recommend doing this because, at the end of the museum, you can go to the top of the dome. The cathedral was built on a hilltop, and the views from the roof over the city and Royal Palace are worth the ticket price.

My next stop was Real Basilica de San Francisco el Grande. It has the biggest dome in Spain and is one of Madrid’s most iconic churches. The showstopper here is the dome itself. It is a work of art divided into 8 panels with magnificent frescoes; truly beautiful. It has six side chapels, and the nave is unusual because it is round and directly beneath the dome. There are several corridors behind the altar displaying artwork, among other points of interest. The €5 entry ticket price is worth it.

Walking east, I made my way to Plaza Mayor. Arguably, Madrid’s most famous square, it is intended to impress, and it does. It is a tourist attraction first and foremost: a place for relaxing with a drink and watching tour groups and sightseers. When I was there, the place was pretty empty. Like most European cities, Madrid doesn’t rally get moving until after 11am (excluding cafés). However, Madrid seems to get moving a little slower in the morning then most places in Europe, don’t worry, their night life makes up for that.

Between Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol is a must-stop: Chocolatería San Ginés. You know I love my chocolate and aim to educate myself on all Europe has to offer. It is tucked away in a quaint little alley. This iconic café has been serving up delicious Spanish churros and thick hot chocolate since 1894. It is a popular place with locals and tourists alike. Don’t let the crowds deter you; they move fast here. Just order the churros and dipping chocolate; both served warm and so good, with a coffee, you will thank me later.

No stop to Madrid is complete without visiting Puerta del Sol, which means “the gate to the sun.” It is literally the center (Km 0) of the network of roads in Spain. There is a brass plaque in the square marking the spot. This public square in Madrid is very busy. You will see a variety of street performers here, including musicians, living statues, character impersonators, etc. Although the street entertainment adds to the atmosphere, don’t take their picture or pose with them for a picture without knowing that they will demand payment from you afterward. This square is also where you will find the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry tree, the symbol of Madrid. This symbol has been Madrid’s coat of arms since the 13th century. If you happen to start here, you can walk down the pedestrian-only street, Calle del Arenal, crammed with plenty of shops, all the way to the Royal Palace. If you decide to keep going west, you will get closer to a few of the world-class museums, including the Prado Museum, known for its vast collection of Spanish Golden Art.

If you’re looking for a little green space, keep going west. Please check out Parque del Retiro. Known as El Retiro, it is free to enter and use its restrooms. This park is the green lung of the city and a favorite retreat for locals and visitors alike. I know you’re thinking, “It’s a park, big deal.” No, it is more than that; it’s decorated with statues, fountains, and follies, a formal French garden, Crystal Palace, and a boating lake. There are lots of other amenities like a bandstand and puppet theatre; the park has almost a carnival atmosphere to it. The boating lake, Estanque, is one of the oldest features of the park and my personal favorite. Rowing boats are available to rent on the lake and are a unique experience you might want to try.

Madrid is one of the best cities in the world for partying. There are several lively areas, and some of Spain’s best nightclubs are here. In Madrid, it is possible to go out every night of the week. I’m not a nightclub kind of person, so I can’t really speak on it, but if you are, then Madrid is the place to be. Huertas, one of the liveliest and most famous parts of town (very close to Puerta del Sol), is very popular with tourists and students. In Madrid, dinner is typically eaten between 8 PM and 11 PM. Most restaurants won’t open even before 8 PM. This is much later than dinner times in other parts of Europe. Late nights and sleep-ins go hand in hand here, so adapting to the Spanish eating schedule can be a challenge if you are an early riser. So, why eat one breakfast when you can eat two? Then just make lunch, typically served from 2 PM to 4 PM, your biggest meal of the day, with a light snack or tapas a little later if needed.

How to get there. From the Madrid international airport (MAD) which is about 20-30 minutes outside Madrid’s city center, you can travel by taxi, bus, train or metro but the fastest and most convenient option is by taxi or private transfer. The Metro pink line from the airport is your fastest option taking about 20 minutes, runs from early morning to late night (not 24 hours) and will cost you €1-3. The suburban train is your cheapest option but only runs from 6am to midnight and will cost €1-3. The airport express bus is useful if you are arriving late at night. Line 203 takes about 47 minutes and tickets cost €2-7. But due to the location of my hotel in Madrid, I took an Uber. Price of your Uber will depend on the time of day and the demand.

Madrid has the perfect mix of culture, food, nightlife, and amazing weather. It is also one of the most affordable cities I’ve visited. Their food is super cheap, and the city itself is very walkable, so you don’t need to spend much on transportation. Is Madrid safe? The answer is yes, especially when compared to other major European cities. It is generally safe to walk at night too; just be alert and stick to well-lit streets. Madrid welcomes tourists with open arms and should be on your ‘Places to Visit’ list.