Madrid

Although Madrid is known for its colorful heritage, impressive architecture dating back hundreds of years and traditional gastronomy, the city is open to change and welcomes modern infrastructures with open arms. The epitome of the past merging with present day can be seen in ancient buildings, such as the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, which regularly hosts new and contemporary art exhibitions inside its ancient walls.

Visitors travel to Madrid to learn about the culture and history of the city, but the city also learns a lot from these visitors. Trends and new customs are unknowingly brought into Madrid by these visitors where they catch on and are adopted by the locals.

Whether you’re in the mood for some traditional Spanish cuisine or want something modern and contemporary, when it comes to dining in Madrid, you’ll always be able to have just what you fancy. The gastronomy is a strong reflection on the city itself, with many traditional recipes which have been the basis of Spanish cooking for years. Top chefs in avant-garde restaurants are known for taking typical recipes such as caracoles a la madrileña or cocido madrileño and adding their own unique twist to bring the dish straight into the 21st century. Although Madrid is known as the place where Spanish chefs go to eat, many dishes contain ingredients such as tripe, which may be tough for tourists to stomach.

One of the main characteristics of dining in Madrid is the timing. Breakfast is generally eaten at around 9am and is rarely anything more than a coffee and maybe a pastry or a small filled baguette. Lunch is usually enjoyed between 2 and 4pm, followed by a very late dinner at around 9-10pm. You’ll struggle to find anywhere to eat before 8pm and it’s very common to see large families with children eating as late as 11pm, even on a school night.

Madrid really is a culture vulture’s paradise. Packed with staggeringly beautiful architecture, fascinating museums and breathtaking art galleries at every corner, Madrid never disappoints those in search of mind-broadening experiences. The Triangle of Art is at the top of many visitors’ to-do lists and includes the Prado Museum, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – all of which can be easily reached by a subway ride.

You can barely make out the streets on a map of Madrid for the huge number of sights and attractions marked. Here you’ll find an intoxicating blend of old plazas and ancient statues mixing with modern exhibitions and new constructions. Not only is the choice of museums, art galleries and attractions impressive, but the transportation connecting them all is second-to-none, thanks to the comprehensive subway system.

Although Madrid is known for its unbeatable art and culture scene, there is plenty to do for families with children of all ages. Because Spain places a huge importance on family life, even the littlest tots are welcome in pretty much all bars and restaurants whatever the time in Madrid. Navigating the public transport system with a stroller can be a nightmare during rush hour, however locals are usually happy to help – they know how much of a pain it can be.

When most people think of Madrid, they think of a busy city with tall buildings and very few green spaces. This couldn’t be further from the truth – Madrid has the greatest number of trees and green surface per inhabitant in Europe and the second highest number of aligned trees in the world. There are parks and gardens scattered throughout the city, providing the ideal places for workers to take a break from office life and tourists to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the streets.

Madrid is one of the top locations in Spain for shopping, but because it’s such a large city, you’ll need to know your stuff before you go to avoid wasting hours wandering cluelessly around the streets. The city boasts a number of shopping districts filled with something to suit every type of shopper.

Here you can find a fair share of well-known department stores, popular high-street chains and pricey boutiques, not to mention a large number of street markets, artisan shops and food courts. Whether you’re after the latest fashionable accessories, a traditional souvenir, a unique piece of art or some local food, you’ll be able to find whatever you’re searching for in Madrid.

Pleasantly quiet cafés during the day transform into buzzing hotspots come nightfall, where locals come out in herds to drink beer, cocktails and mixed drinks. Just like dining, nightlife in Madrid goes on later than you might be used to. Nightclubs rarely open before midnight, with the atmosphere just starting to get good at around the 1-2am mark. If you’re thinking about going for a night out in Madrid, don’t make plans for the next morning – chances are you won’t be going home until 5am at the earliest.

During the summer months, it’s common to see people drifting from terrace to terrace as they enjoy the warm nights. Come the winter months, it’s often too cold to do this, so locals huddle into small bars or opt for the larger indoor nightclubs.