About Madrid |
Palacio Real |
Q. How big is Madrid?
The biggest city in Spain at a size of 607 km² (234.4 sq mi) right in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. Madrid is the third largest city in Europe after London and Berlin.
Q. How many people inhabit it?
3.2million people, or Madrileños, make up the capital of Spain
Q. What are the language and currency?
You'll have to brush up on your Spanish and order some Euro (unless you're European of course).
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Things to See |
Estadio Bernabeu |
Q. What are Madrids top attractions?
Madrid is known for being a great cultural and artistic centre and this is reflected in the following triad of world famous art museums within a stones throw of one another:
Museum Del Prado (Paseo del Prado)
Home to one of the finest art collections in the world, including many of Spain's most famous classical pieces, this huge museum also boasts works by Rembrandt, Goya, Titian, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Dürer… and many more!. Open Tue - Sun, 9am - 8pm; admission €6. Free entry Tue - Sat from 6pm - 8pm and all day Sunday.
Reina Sofía National Museum (c/Santa Isabel 52)
Houses Madrids collection of modern art including many of Pablo Picassos most revered pieces including his famous Guernica. Open Mon - Sat, 10am - 9pm; admission €6. Free after 14:30 on Saturdays, and all day Sunday; 10am - 2:30pm.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Paseo del Prado, 8)
Here you'll see works by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Picasso and Van Gogh among others. Open Mon - Sun, 10am - 7pm; admission €6.
Q. Other than Museums, what else is there to do?
The breathtaking Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is the official residence of the King of Spain and is the largest royal palace in Western Europe with over 2,800 rooms. Certain sections (50 rooms) are open to tourists except for when there's official business taking place. Located in downtown Madrid it's accessible from the Ópera metro station. Also, The Almudena Cathedral is located behind the palace and is well worth checking out.
If you really want to soak up the atmosphere of Madrid then you can't do much better than sitting down in one of the cities numerous plazas, ordering some light lunch and watch the city buzz around you. Like most of Europes major cities a great a café culture exists here so make sure you experience it! Plaza Mayor has lots of cafes to choose from. And Puerta del Sol and Plaza Espana are great for sitting by fountains or on park benchs.
The city has two main football teams each with very differing histories: Real Madrid are one of the worlds most famous and successful teams and play in front of 80,000 fans in the amazing Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. The other team is Atlético Madrid, seemingly forever living in Real Madrids shadow but boasting a passionate following that pack the 60,000 seat Estadio Vicente Calderón.
Q. Anything else I need to know?
Dotted around the city are some immaculate gardens and parks, most of which are free to visit. Madrid can get extremely warm so taking a break every now and then from the buzz of the streets is a must and parks such as the Campo del Moro provide the perfect location for a midday picnic! Close to the Museum del Prado you can also find what is probably the cities most popular park, the Parque del Buen Retiro. Here you can find many gardens, fountains, monuments, a little lake with row boats and the Palacio de Cristal. And don't forget about the Real Jardin Botánico (Botanical Gardens) where all kinds of botanical life are on show.
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Going Out |
Plaza de Santa Ana |
Q. Where can you find most of Madrid's bars?
You'll find a good selection of bars and clubs around the Alonso Martinez Metro station. Streets such as Calle de Pelayo and Calle de Campoamor are usually heaving with late night revellers.
The cities large squares are also popular centres for night owls and the Plaza de Santa Ana, with bars such as Cerveceria Alemana and La Moderna, is as good a place to go as any. Just around the corner there's Calle de las Huertas packed with many more late night joints.
If you're feeling up for it, and would like to see as much of the cities nightlife as possible, then you could partake in a Madrid pub crawl. One of the best is called MADride Pub Crawl and leaves from 'The Bear' statue in Puerta del Sol every Wednesday and Sunday at 23:00.
Q. What about clubs? Madrid is know as a location for some wild nights out.
Madrid's nightlife is legendary so don't expect to keep up with the locals without some training in advance! Once the bars are winding down the perfect place to round off the night is at one of Madrid's nightclubs and Kapital (c/Atocha, 125) is one of your best options. Spanning 7 floors and with a huge variety of music from dance to salsa to a karaoke floor you'll happily dance into the wee hours of the morning.
But if huge clubs are not your thing and you would prefer something a little bit smaller but just as fun, then keep a look out for the many late night clubs that are dotted around the city. Most will have a cover charge but this normally comes with a voucher for a free drink.
Q. Is there anything to do which is not alcohol related?
There is the usual array of theatre, opera and other entertainment but for a real taste of Spanish culture there is Las Ventas, Spains largest bullring. Bullfighting season lasts from March to October and bullfights are usually on every Sunday. Out of season the arena is used for music events and seats 25,000 spectators.
Q. Anything else?
A night out in Madrid starts late and then just keeps going! Most bars are deserted before midnight and stay open until about 03:00. Clubs will only start to get busy around that time with doors closing between 06:00 and 08:00. In short; the youth of Madrid aren't too fond of sleeping.
Drinking on the streets is illegal and it's advisable to always carry some form of i.d. with you for entry into bars and clubs.
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Eating Out |
Tapas |
Q. Is it expensive to eat out in Madrid?
The city is a huge tourist destination so make sure to shop around and try not to eat in central Madrid (Plaza Mayor and Plaza Santa Ana) as prices do tend to be inflated and lacking in quality.
Q. What types of restaurants can I expect to find?
Like most of Europe's major cities Madrid is home to a very broad spectrum of international cuisines, but it also retains a very Spanish core full of wonderful seafood and of course tapas.
Madrid is known for its meat dishes, understandable given its location, and menus are dominated by ham, beef and pork. These dishes can be a little heavy, especially in warm weather, but you should try at least one during your visit. Ham in particular is very close to Madrileños hearts and its quality and variations are treated very similarly to how the French view their wine. Beef should also be sampled as it is considered some of the best in the world, coming from free range cows high in the mountains.
Q. What are Tapas?
Tapas are a selection of small savoury dishes that are either eaten on their own as a snack or collectively as a meal. Examples would be calamari (deep-fried squid), Spanish ham, sundried tomatoes, sardines, croquettes, meatballs, potatoes… the list goes on! Madrid is laced with tapas bars and prices start off at about €2.50. There are many tapas restaurants to choose from around the city, but if you are looking for a quick snack with a drink, then bear in mind that many bars serve tapas also and some give little plates of tapas free when you buy a drink.
Q. What times do restaurants serve?
As with the rest of Spain dining times are very particular. Lunch is served from 13:00 to 15:00 and dinner doesn't begin until 21:00. If you stick to these times and avoid tourist focused restaurants that may open earlier you'll be rewarded with a far greater selection of dishes. For snacks during the day you can always go to a generic fast food chain but my advice would be to find a supermarket and stock up on some fresh, healthy snacks!
Q. Anything else I need to know?
This may come as a surprise, considering its landlocked location, but Madrid is also considered the "Best port is Spain" with the finest selection of seafood anywhere in the country. The age-old need to supply fresh produce to the capital lives on and many consider Madrid home to the best seafood in Europe.
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Transport |
Metro |
Q. What is the best way to get around the city?
The metro is the way to go for two reasons; the first being that it is a very efficient system and the second is that it means you get to escape the Madrid sun for a short time! Single journey tickets will cost you €1.
If you're planning on using a lot of public transport then you should think about getting a Metrobús ticket giving 10 rides for €7.40 which is valid on both metro and bus (the red buses only!). Pick up a Metro map on arrival and you will have no trouble finding your way around the city.
Q. Anything else I should know?
Be careful using the tourist bus to make your way around the city as there is no air conditioning and people have been known to melt on very hot days (slight exaggeration).
Don't be afraid to get taxis in Madrid thinking you'll pay over the odds, they are cheaper here than in most other European cities and very well regulated.
And if you can use your two feet then do! Madrid is a beautiful city to walk around and allows you to take in a lot more of the buildings and streets.
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