Spain’s capital city of Madrid is a true melting pot known for its distinctive architecture, large parks, amazing food, arts & culture, and a bustling nightlife. The charm of the old quarters, the exquisite sierra light, the superb art collections, and the vibrancy of the long, long nights are just a few reasons Madrid attracts millions of visitors every year.

Prado Museum

Located in the famous Paseo del Arte, the Prado is a world-class art museum. The large galleries hold over 8 thousand paintings, with famous pieces from the Spanish, Flemish, and other European artists, including 700 sculptures.

Reina Sofia Museum

One of three museums at Paseo del Arte, this museum is home to famous artists like Picasso, Dali, Miro, and Juan Gris. There are several collections that encompass modern Spanish art history as well.

Royal Palace

The official residence of Spain’s royalty, the Royal Family no longer live at the palace, and now is open to visitors. The building is set in a large square, and its design is said to have been based upon Bernini’s sketches for the Louvre in Paris.

Buen Retiro Park

Established in the 1600s, this is the perfect spot for quiet contemplation within this bustling urban city. With 120 hectares of green parkland, the Buen Retiro Park will make you forget that you are in the middle of a huge city.

Flamenco Dance

Flamenco is probably Spain’s most famous art form and although Madrid is not the traditional home of flamenco, as the capital city, it attracts the best performers from around the country. Corral de la Moreria is the most famous venue for Flamenco in Madrid.

It’s all about the food

Spaniards organize their lives around meal times, and el aperitivo is not really about the food or drink itself, it’s about the charla (chat) and the social aspect of it.

Many popular dishes…

There are dishes that blend simple yet good-tasting stew pot cooking (cocido madrileño is a fine example) with Moorish flavours (almond soup) and dishes from the Christian tradition (Lenten recipes). Local baking is a blend of Sephardic and Mozarabic traditions, hence the widespread use of almond and honey. Barquillos (wafers) and bartolillos (cream-filled puff pastries) are extremely popular.

Make sure you’re familiar with the tapa…

A tapas is a small snack or appetizer served with a glass of beer, wine – it’s served at bars and restaurants. Legend has it that back in the 13th century, Alfonso the Wise, king of Castile and Leon, ordered owners of taverns to serve glasses of wine with small bites of food so that patrons wouldn’t get intoxicated. With time, tapas have become a veritable culinary art and a feast for the senses.

A Guidester favorite…

Opened in 1725, Sobrino de Botin, near the central square of Plaza Mayor, holds the Guinness World Record as the oldest restaurant in the world. Although there are restaurants in the world which are much older, Sobrino de Botin received the distinction because it remains in its original building with the same interior. The food is delicious, the staff is amazing, and the building itself is beautiful.

Centro is the geographical and historical heart of Madrid with a maze of old streets and amazing architecture surrounding the main square, Plaza Mayor. This is a great area for first timers and those with limited schedules.

Retiro with its grand park and world renown art museums also has some of Madrid’s grandest hotels. This area is very much a working-day neighborhood which means it’s bustling by day and very quiet by night. This is a popular area for tourists looking for higher end hotels, more nature, and a quiet nightlife.