Spain’s capital, Madrid, is an exciting city. Bustling with life moving through its shaded, narrow streets, the city is constantly in motion. While it might be rather rough around the edges, Madrid is filled with exquisite offerings, from art to fabric stores and its many phenomenal bars and restaurants.
Take In the Architectural Views
Take in this great city one street at a time. Every curving building carries history embedded into its intricate architectural details, some better preserved than others. A more focused cultural epicenter is on the shores of the Manzanares River. First, you will spot the Monument to Felipe IV in the Plaza de Oriente. Standing on its back two legs, this sculptural masterpiece by Pietro Tacca has been looking over the plaza since the 17th century.
Loop around the Royal Palace of Madrid through the Campo del Moro gardens before spending an hour or two at the Galería de las Colecciones Reales. Then stop by the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena to remark on the colorful geometric ceiling design before visiting the Cripta Parroquia.
The opposite side of the city is lined with another green space, El Retiro Park, framed with Puerta de Alcalá, the ancient Roman gate, set in the center of the Plaza de la Independencia roundabout.
Make Time for Flamenco
No visit to Spain is complete without a flamenco experience, and Madrid has several options. For a more intimate experience, reserve seats at Tablao Flamenco 1911 or Flamenco Essential. The posters around the city, though, will send you to its biggest flamenco venue, Teatro Flamenco Madrid, where the nightly cast includes three dancers.
Enjoy the Flavors of Spain, One Bite at a Time
The best way to maximize your culinary journey through Spain is by tasting pintxos: one-bite or two-bite dishes you might know as tapas. Plan to spend at least an hour at Mercado de San Miguel, taking multiple ordering trips from various merchants.
Plenty of pintxos are served in restaurants and vibrant bodegas throughout the city, but one must leave space for a paella. Served from late afternoon into the evening, this dish will take time to make and time to enjoy. Many restaurants around the city serve them, but one of the most recommended is D’stapa. With recipes refined over the years, this family restaurant has a rich menu of meat and fish-forward paellas to enjoy with a glass of Spanish wine. Reservations are recommended for most places, so check the paella menu at La Taberna de Peñalver
Madrid’s liveliness carries well into the evening, offering delicious and intricate sips throughout its many wine and cocktail bars. Madrid Angelita offers both wine on the street level and craft cocktails below ground in a dimly lit, moody atmosphere.
Cap off the night with an artfully made cocktail at the Glass Bar (Hotel Urban) or the more casual 1862 Dry Bar, where the lower level is set in a brick cave.
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