Madrid, Spain

Travel date August 2022

Capital of Spain

Bienvenidos a Madrid! As you step foot in Spain’s capital, be sure to pack your walking shoes. Get ready to explore one of Spain’s most cultural cities.

Exploring the Attractions

There is a lot to see and do in Madrid, but luckily everything is located relatively close together in the city center. That’s not to say that you won’t be walking at least 15,000 steps a day. But no need to fear. Madrid is also connected by subways and buses. All you need is a transportation card (which you can buy at any subway station).

For the museum enthusiasts

Madrid is Spain’s hub of museums. If you’re like me, you may find museums a bit of a drag. But, there are plenty of options to attract all of your interests. So, if you happen to have a rainy day in Madrid, or you are looking to absorb artistic culture, check out these options.

  • Museo del Prado (famous art museum in Spain known especially for its Velázquez paintings)

  • Museo de Reina Sofía (contemporary art museum)

TIP: If you are a student or teacher, check for discounts! And always travel with your student or teacher ID

For those who enjoy strolls in the park

Like many European cities, Madrid is filled with parks, both big and small, to spend a nice afternoon.

  • El Retiro: huge park near the Prado museum. Be sure to bring your walking shoes. You can spend hours roaming around the park. There is even a small pond inside if you’d like to rent a paddle boat

  • Campo del Moro: Beautiful garden behind the Royal Palace.

  • Mirador de la Montaña de Príncipe Pío: This is a beautiful lookout over the city of Madrid. There is also a park to walk through and the temple of Debod (Spain’s only Egyptian temple) which you can visit. A great place to see the sunset!

Check that off the list

Of course, you can’t leave Madrid without hitting a few of the famous tourist locations.

  • Plaza Mayor

  • Palacio Real de Madrid

Palacio Real de Madrid
Palacio Real de Madrid

  • Gran Vía (Center of shopping in Madrid)

  • La Puerta del Sol (Madrid’s central square)

The Cultural Hub of Food

The best part about capital cities is that they often offer the biggest variety of food options in the country. Madrid is no different. Whatever food category that you are looking for, you will most likely find it in Madrid. There are plenty of restaurants, tapas bars, and cafes to satisfy your cravings.

  • La Desayunaría: An American breakfast restaurant. Try their FANTASTIC pancakes.

  • Almalibre Açaí House Madrid: Make your own Açaí bowls. YUM!