Madrid, Spain — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Madrid
Steeped in history, Madrid is a sightseeing paradise with the arts taking center stage. It will take visitors several days to explore Spain's energetic capital and see all the historical landmarks, museums, art galleries, and parks the city has to offer.
The Paseo del Arte (Art Walk) links the three art museums that make up Madrid's famous 'Golden Triangle', namely Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornomisza, where the works of such Spanish masters as Picasso can be viewed. The Times Square of Spain, Puerta del Sol is the official center of Madrid and a must see, where visitors can take in such famous landmarks as the El Oso y El Madroño, a 20-ton statue of a bear eating fruits off a Madrono tree and a large equestrian statue of King Carlos III. Take a stroll through Calle and Plaza Mayor (medieval Madrid), lined with beautiful old buildings and impressively ornate churches and visit Goya's tomb at the Panteon de Goya.
The best, and most old-fashioned way to see the city is by foot as there are so many tucked away places to explore as well as many to appreciate en route to the next attraction, and with plenty of green lungs dotted throughout Madrid, exhausted sightseers can relax and rest their legs on a park bench and watch the world go by.
Visitors to Madrid are advised to purchase the Madrid Card which offers free entry to more than 40 museums, and discounts in many shops and restaurants, as well as free public transport. It is available from tourist offices from a period of 24 hours and a cost of EUR42.
Shopping in Madrid
Madrid offers arguably some of the best shopping in not only Spain but also Europe, and with so many districts all touting their own shopping genre, visitors can find just about anything and everything! From exploring the small, specialized stores, boutiques and antique shops to the slightly bigger department stores and bustling food markets, Madrid is a shopper's paradise.
The city's answer to Bond Street and dubbed 'the golden mile', Salamanca is one of the city's most glamorous places to indulge yourself and stretch your credit card's legs, while Chueca is filled with trendy fashion stores. El Corte Ingles at Sol is by far the most convenient place for shopaholics to get their fix, selling all kinds of goods from high fashion to regional foods such as Chorizo(spicy sausage) and Turron(a kind of nougat). One of the most popular markets is Rastro, pulling Madrileños and tourists alike. It has become famous for its antique stalls, second hand goods, jewelry and unreliable electrical goods and is held every Sunday from morning until mid-afternoon.
Most shops close on Saturday afternoons and in July and August some small shops close completely. On Sunday, a handful of shops open their doors as well as some of the larger stores and small cake shops. Practically everything in Spain closes for siesta for at least two hours during the hottest part of the day and the usual reopening hours are from around 4.30 - 8pm.
Tourists from outside the EU can apply for a tax refund on good bought within Spain. A sales tax (VAT) of 16 percent is levied on most goods and services in the country and the specified minimum amount spent before claiming a refund is EUR90.16 in Spain. Shoppers can also purchase goods from shops participating in the 'Europe Tax-free Shopping' program and they should look out for the ETS logo displayed in shops' windows.
Madrid Nightlife
The nightlife in Madrid is varied and exciting with many cafés, tascas(cheap bars), theaters, movie houses and nightclubs to keep visitors entertained. El terraceo(terrace-hopping) is a way of life in Madrid. Most people only start partying at around 11pm and no one enters a nightclub before 1pm. Many places stay open till the next morning. Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía and Chueca are some of the trendiest nightlife areas.
Viva Madrid and Los Gabrieles are two of the most popular bars, but there are also many old tavernasaround Los Austrias to explore. Plaza Santa Ana and the surrounding streets have a few good spots and the seven-floor Kapital has a great rooftop bar. For clubbing, the Room is fantastic but only open Fridays, Joy Eslava Disco comes highly recommended and Lavapiés is popular with the bohemian crowd. There are wonderful flamenco performances at Casa Patas, and the Lope de Vega theater has excellent shows. Tapas and coffee bars are also very popular in Madrid.
There are various Madrid nightlife coach tours offered, a good way to avoid queues and entrance fees at certain venues. Children are admitted in many bars, cafeterias and restaurants, as well as some pubs. There are flyers available from most hotels which list bar, club and concert information and discounts, as does the Guía del Ocio (available at news stands).
Attractions for Kids
Madrid has endless fun and entertainment to offer kids on vacation. While it is a bustling city, known for its art galleries and nightlife, it is also very family-friendly. The variety of children's attractions in Madrid is profuse, enough to keep everyone happy (parents included!). Attractions range from palaces and markets to parks and playgrounds. One of the favorite palaces to visit is Palacio Real, with its vast treasure collection, and kids also love seeing Santiago Bernabéu stadium, home to another of Spain's 'treasures' - the Real Madrid football team. The Teleférico, a cable car from Paseo del Pintor Rosales to the Casa de Campo, is another exciting Madrid adventure for children. The best time to take kids on vacation to Madrid is in spring or autumn, when the weather is at its most pleasant and there aren't too many tourists around. However, in May there are a couple of events that attract quite a crowd and families may need to book accommodation and hire cars well in advance.
