Madrid – The city without sleep
Madrid, the modern and bustling capital of Spain, is right in the center of the country. The heart of Madrid is open with great architecture and wide avenues. Being relatively compact, it is easy to explore and enjoy the environment in all its glory.
When visiting, we recommend that you be aware of the weather in Madrid. Sitting on a plateau with low mountains to the northwest, it doesn’t enjoy the best of climates. Locally, they claim to have three months of bad weather and the other nine months are horrible. This can be taken with a pinch of salt, especially if you are from colder regions, but winters are cold with strong winds, while summer heat is best avoided. Normally, most people from Madrid head to the coasts or mountains. Check your Madrid travel guide, but spring and fall are the best times to visit.
Whatever the weather, there is always a place to get away from it. With so many cafes, bars and restaurants to choose from, for all tastes and times of the day, you will need to plan your time well. Madrid, being cosmopolitan, is not famous for any particular regional dish, but this does not detract from the quality of what is offered and it certainly increases the variety. Restaurants in Madrid set a very good standard, so visit the side streets and discover small specialty tapas bars or hidden restaurants offering gastronomic delights.
The famous Prado Museum, which houses the best works of art in Spain, is complemented by the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the “Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía”, the Museo de Arte Moderno Reina Sofía.
The 18th century Prado built during the reign of Carlos III, is considered the best neoclassical building in Madrid. Its collection of paintings is one of the best in the world, housing the works of the great Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Murillo, Zurbarán, Rafael and Rubens, among others.
Behind the Prado is the enormous extension of the Retiro Park; perfect for walking and relaxing away from the heat and traffic. This is adjacent to the Royal Botanical Garden. Nearby, those traveling by train to or from Atocha station have the added pleasure of enjoying the covered botanical gardens.
The Royal Palace, “El Palacio Real” and the wonderful Sabatini Gardens are a must-see for many visitors, while the Plaza de la Cibeles is considered the heart of Madrid. It is a good point from which to orient yourself. Between the two, look for the Plaza Mayor with its statue of Felipe III on horseback in the center. It is next to Calle Major, near Puerta del Sol and, although it is large, some mysteriously overlook it.
Calle de Alcalá leads to the main shopping street, Gran Vía. What a spectacle and what a shopper’s paradise! The large and famous department stores, fashion houses, shoe stores mix with artisans and craft shops on this long avenue. With its surrounding streets and side alleys combined with long opening hours, Gran Via is a shopper’s dream. In Madrid there is nowhere to go other than Gran Vía. Look no further.
The great “Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas.”, The bullring, is the largest in Spain. Recently, the live broadcast of bullfighting has been withdrawn from television, but “amateurs” (fanatics) can enjoy their art from May to October.
Another great passion of the people of Madrid is, of course, their beloved Real Madrid and the visit to the gigantic Santiago Bernabéu stadium is a Mecca for many fans. Madrid caters for all tastes and younger visitors often prefer the Warner Bros-Madrid theme park, the famous Zoo-Aquarium, the Faunia theme park and the Wax Museum.
While walking around Madrid is the best way to see it, a city pass and the open-top bus will save your legs for night out. If you are too far from your hotel and a bit tired, the metro system is very easy to use even for a foreigner.
Hotels in Madrid offer the full range of accommodation as expected. From the luxurious five-star hotels to the most modest “hostels” or the simple private rooms: all budgets are covered. Note that “hostal” in Madrid is in fact a hotel name. However, don’t expect peace and quiet, except perhaps in the early hours or during your nap if you’re lucky. Spain is a noisy country and Madrid never sleeps.
Don’t be surprised either that the afternoons start later than in many places and going out at night is just that. That said, Madrid is a great city to be in the city. Flamenco, blues, salsa, and jazz compete with disco, rap, and techno as music emanates from every bar, restaurant, club, and corner. This is a city full of people having fun.
Flights to Madrid are made through Barajas International Airport, which is located 15 km east of the city. Transportation to the center of Madrid is by rental car (via the A-2 Barcelona route to the M-30 motorway), taxi, route 89 bus or the subway service of the metro that takes you to the heart of this wonderful city changing in Mar del Cristal.
You may leave Madrid exhausted, wondering if Madrilenians ever sleep, but you will surely remember your visit.