Madrid is characterized by plenty of cultural and artistic activity and like many Spanish cities, exudes a very lively nightlife. The capital of Spain is a large cosmopolitan city with many things to see and do. While this is not an extensive list, it is a great starting point for tourists who are visiting the city for the first time.
Madrid's Main Tourist Hub for Shopping and Restaurants
Puerta del Sol is located in the center of Madrid. It is the heart of tourist activity and boasts plenty of shopping. The large plaza includes plenty of bars and restaurants where you can indulge in food and drinks.
Nearby, Plaza Mayor is another large plaza that sits in the midst of cafes, abuzz with tourists and street performers. Plaza Mayor is surrounded by narrow stone-paved streets, which tourists love to explore. This is a must-see place to wander when you set out on a tour of Madrid.
When you walk across Puerta del Sol, you will discover newer streets for shopping, which also restrict the entry of traffic.
Walking down these streets will lead you to the Gran Via, which is among the biggest streets for shopping in Madrid. It has a great variety of chain restaurants and department stores alongside sex shops and strip clubs. Gran Via is most lively among all the streets of Madrid and worth visiting.
Local Madrid Art Museums
Reina Sofia is an art museum that includes the works of Dali, Picasso and a number of other famous artists. Unless you are an art connoisseur, you will be able to cover the whole museum in a couple of hours. No entry fee is charged on Saturdays.
Prado is a more famous and older museum filled with classic paintings of Spain. Inside, works of Rembrandt and other Old Masters decorate the walls. Entry to Prado is free on Sundays.
On the same street is the Thyssen-Bornemisza, which was once a remarkable 18th century palace. Since all of these museums are close to each other, you could easily visit them in a day.
Madrid's Central Park
Retiro is a huge park with a French theme and is considered Madrid’s Central Park. Nice weather encourages many activities in the park. Large groups often come here to play soccer, juggle, or simply hang out. Young people can be seen gathering around the large statue of a person riding a horse. You will find a Bohemian crowd here. If you go there on a Sunday afternoon, you might come across drum circles surrounding the statue.
Embrace the Beauty of Palacio Real or The Royal Palace
Government functions are hosted at Palacio Real, Spain's royal palace. The building has an impressive façade and fine interior rooms for visitors to roam.
If you have been to Versailles, you could skip touring this palace as both are very similar. It is worth checking out the external architecture if you don't want to pay the admission to go inside. There is also a magnificent cathedral next to the Palacio Real, which you can visit for free.
Shopping at the Market
El Rastro is a huge flea market near the metro stop of La Latina. The best day to visit it is Sunday. You will get souvenirs as well as other junk for cheap here, but the goods may not be the best quality. Step into a cafe if you want to escape the teeming crowds of El Rastro.
Must Participate in the Nightlife
Spain is known for its late night festivities, and Madrid is not exempt from this reputation. While there are plenty of museums and shopping to do during the day, visitors should find time to enjoy the nightlife while they are in this late night capital city.
While you are at it, be sure to please your palate and start your night with tapas and end your club adventures munching on chocolate con churros.
While there are a lot more sights to check out while you are in Madrid, these places offer a beginning point to spend your time while visiting the capital of Spain.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
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