Day 1: Madrid

Tips:

• Many of Madrid’s museums and galleries are free on certain days, so it’s worth checking ahead of your visit.
• The centre of Madrid is very accessible on foot, so wear comfy shoes!
• The Metro is a fast and comfortable way to travel, running from 6am to 1.30am.
• You can get to and from the airport by Metro or bus – takes around 40 minutes.
• Don’t stress about tipping in Madrid, the waiters can be laid-back and aren’t terribly attentive, so leaving a few coins for a meal service is usually sufficient.
• Madrid is generally safe, but petty theft is plentiful so be wary of your belongings, especially on the Metro as pickpockets aren’t shy about targeting tourists.

Day 1: Exploring Madrid

Madrid is a city of many sides with a great energy and vibrancy that offers clusters of artistic culture, glorious green spaces and Spanish traditions such as bull fighting.

Whether you’re a sun seeker, culture lover, foodie (or all of the above), you won’t regret a visit here because what it lacks in coastline it makes up for in art galleries, tapas bars and an atmosphere that never dwindles no matter the time of day, week or month.

You can easily make the most of exploring Madrid on a budget – expect to find cobbled streets, bustling squares and historical architecture hidden around every corner.

It’s a city that has retained a quaint Spanish vibe despite revamping its infrastructure, making it an old-hearted town with a fresh juvenile spirit.

Puerta del Sol:

Sol is considered to be the beating heart of Madrid – it’s the city’s busiest and most famous square. There are numerous downtown streets surrounding the plaza, leading to the Gran Vía. Named as the official centre point of Spain, it’s known as “Gate of the Sun.”

It’s a great space to people watch, with street performers, food stalls and an buzzing atmosphere…

Here you’ll also find the most famous emblem of Madrid: a 20 ton statue of a bear eating fruits from a tree. This is known as “the bear and the strawberry tree”, standing tall to and reminding visitors that Madrid used to be home to grizzly bears in the Middle Ages.

Mercado San Miguel:

For the perfect tasty tapas pit stop whilst feasting your eyes on beautiful architecture is at the Mercado San Miguel, head to this traditional cast iron market with a modern twist.

The beautiful building is located next to the Plaza Mayor, and dates back to 1916.

I’ve read a lot that says the best part of Madrid was the food, and this place does not disappoint – it’s top of my list for the things people must experience in Madrid!

You can order mouth-watering tapas plates from the wide variety of food vendors selling local hams, olives, cheeses, caviar, chocolate and calamari.

Open from 10am-12am every weekday and until 2am at weekends – there’s always the chance to enjoy a morning pastry or late-night tapas treat from dawn until after dusk.

Hop on/Hop off bus:

An excellent way to discover the sights across the vast city of Madrid is to take an introductory “Madrid City” bus tour that passes through the main attractions.

If you have time it’s worth taking a loop of the city (which takes around 90 minutes) in order to get an overview of the landscape just moments after arriving.

Keep your eyes peeled for quirky features and fantastic architecture….

I recommend purchasing a ticket that spans across two days (€25pp) as this works out only €4 more than a one-day pass.

The buses run frequently from around 9am until about 10pm during summer season.

You have the option of two lines – line one travels through historic Madrid stopping at sights including; Museo del Prado, Palacio Real, Templo de Debod, Jardín Botánico, Plaza Sol and Plaza Mayor. Whilst line two moves around the more modern parts of Madrid including a trip to the Real Madrid Stadium and upmarket Salamanca shopping district.

Círculo de Bellas Artes:

Head to Círculo de Bellas Arte in the early afternoon to experience the best panoramic view across the entire city. There are two bars, lounge music and many spaces to relax….

You normally have to wait in line (as there is often queue to take the lift to the 7th floor). But I only had to wait around 10 minutes, and it’s definitely worth the €4 entrance fee to watch the sun go down across the city landscape with an afternoon apéritif in hand.

You can almost reach the Edificio Metrópolis dome as you look out against the Gran Vía.

Evening meal: Corral de la Moreria

A trip to Madrid isn’t complete without a trip to see a flamenco show and as recommended in the book “1000 Places to See Before You Die”, this show is a must-see!

Located near to the Royal Palace and roughly a ten-minute walk from the Plaza Mayor.

Over its 50 year history it has played host to some of the best flamenco dancers and singers – you can see which celebrities have visited here from the photos hanging inside.

As soon as the lights were dimmed, silence filled the space followed by a deep, strong sound from the male vocalists. The singing is powerful and the dancing is captivating – the clicks of the shoes move faster and faster, whilst the singing becomes more intense.

The show is expensive, but worth it from the spectacle and passion given back from everyone on stage. They put their hearts and efforts in showcasing what a real flamenco show is all about – the whole evening offers the perfect Spanish experience!