Open today: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
The Spanish capital is not all hustle and bustle; nibble tapas in a cobbled square, visit ancient churches, or relax in one of Madrid’s spacious parks.
The royal city of Madrid
is the capital city of Spain and home to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real) which houses three thousand
rooms bedecked with priceless paintings. It is the highest capital
in Europe therefore its climate is somewhat extreme with steaming hot summers
and bitterly cold winters.
Madrid is a haven for all lovers of art and culture. The museums of the "golden triangle", namely the
Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza, are home to an incredible array of
paintings ranging from Old Masters to modern surrealists. And the rest of the
city is just as rich in cultural icons and architecture.
At the northern end of the
Paseo de la Castellana you will find the 'leaning towers' of the Puerta de
Europa (Gateway of Europe), a bold display of architecture symbolising the
city's confidence in its future.
The medieval quarter of
the city is a labyrinth of narrow streets which sharply contrasts with the
grand boulevards of the 18th and 19th centuries. Each area
has its own distinctive atmosphere - Lavapiés, Malasaña and Chueca are the
oldest and most interesting. The central area, known as Madrid of the Austrias is
situated roughly between the Palacio Real and the Puerta del Sol, Madrid's
'mile zero'. It is only a short walk from here to the city's main street, the Gran
Vía, lined with shops, banks, offices, bars and cinemas.
When you are ready to take
a break from art, you may want to visit the Plaza de Toros, Spain's largest
bullring, where regular bullfights are still held. For sports enthusiasts who
prefer something less bloodthirsty they can watch Real Madrid, or Atletico de
Madrid, Spain's most famous football teams.
Once the sun goes down Madrid starts to come to life. The area of Malasaña is
packed with bars and restaurants that stay open until dawn and rival anything Barcelona has to offer.
The climate of Madrid is
dry, warm and pleasant however it’s high altitude and proximity to mountains
causes some wide variations in winter and summer temperatures. During the
summer the heat at midday can be intense, with pleasantly cool evenings. In the
winters temperatures can drop to just below freezing.
The average monthly
temperatures are:
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Day |
9 |
12 |
15 |
18 |
22 |
28 |
32 |
32 |
27 |
21 |
14 |
9 |
Night |
2 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
10 |
14 |
17 |
17 |
14 |
9 |
5 |
2 |
Madrid is one of Europe’s
greatest shopping destinations and will keep even the most ardent shopperholic
satisfied.
The most exclusive area is
Salamanca with all manner of well know designer names. For trendy clothes, head
for Chueca. Other excellent areas are Calle Almirante (great for Spanish
designer clothes), Calle Serrano and between Sol and Gran Via along the Calle
Preciados.
The covered market in
Calle Fuencarral is a very trendy area but if you prefer everything under one
roof, you will find Spain’s largest department store, El Corte Ingles at Sol.
To experience a piece of
true Madrid, head for Rastro a market held every Sunday. It is famous for its
antiques but you will also find second hand goods, new clothes and jewellery.
If your shopping cravings
still haven’t been satisfied after exhausting Madrid, 45 minutes out of the
capital is the Las Rozas Outlet Village.
Great buys are Cava,
Rioja, Serrano ham, chorizo and turron. Being Spain, leather goods are another
excellent buy especially at Lepanto on Plaza Ramales.
El Olivo Resturant
Taberna Del Alabardero Resturant
Vinoteca Maestro villa Restaurant
Casa Lucio Restaurant
Botin Restaurant
Casa Mingo Restaurant
Zen Bamboo Restaurant
Parrilla El Gaucho Restaurant
Restaurante El Amparo
There really is something
for everyone in Madrid. It is a city that stays awake long into the early hours
of the morning. Whether you enjoy music, theatre, clubbing or sport you will
find the perfect entertainment:
Music:
Theatre:
Flamenco:
Football:
Bullfighting:
Nightlife:
If you are looking for the
area where the young and trendy bar crowd hang out, head for Malasaña. For something
a bit more up market got to Gran Via and Chueca is where the trendy clubs are
found. Here are a few names to look out for:
January
February
March
April
May
August
December
Despite its beauty and
boundless opportunities for sight seeing, you may decide to see a bit more of
this stunning area of Spain. Below is a list of some of the towns and sights
near by that are well worth a visit:
The tap water (and that
from street fountains) is safe to drink. Health facilities are excellent in
Madrid but you should ensure you always have sufficient health insurance in
place before travelling.
The incidence of crime is
generally low in Spain however you should exercise the usual precautions with
your valuables especially when in crowded areas.