In comparison to beautiful, blonde haired, blue eyed, straight A student; Barcelona, Madrid is very much the unloved child of Spain. However, the city can only be described as an underestimated and unappreciated European wonder. This blog will provide you with the ultimate guide to getting the most out of your weekend away in my favourite European city
Source: Trip Advisor
Why listen to me?
I first visited the Spanish capital in 2015. Uneducated and unaware of what the city had to offer; the trip could only be described as ‘must try harder next time.’ You name a famous Madrid landmark and I missed it! I managed to travel around the whole city without seeing;
- El Ritiro Park
- Mercado de San Miguel
- Plaza Mayor and plenty of others!
How I hear you ask? Well, here is lesson one of Madrid. Most of its hidden gems are just that; hidden. This is rule number one when travelling to Madrid. The objective of this blog post is to help you on that search to find Madrid’s brilliance on your first trip. Otherwise you end up like me and have to visit on another two occasions…
Getting there and where to stay
On all three occasions I have flown from Dublin to Madrid Barajas Airport. Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus serve this route and the former often offer flights at very affordable fares. When one searches through Skyscanner, flights start at just €95 return in May 2020 (sounds like the perfect post-final exam trip to me!) Upon disembarking your 737 at Barajas, the quickest and easiest way to get into the city is the Metro. Madrid’s underground transport is system is the first of those hidden gems I mentioned earlier. In Madrid, there is very little need for Taxi’s. The metro runs every day between the hours of 6:30am and 2:30am. A single fare is usually €1.50 (with an additional €3 for the Airport link.) Here’s a link to the Metro website which offers a comprehensive guide to all routes, platforms and fares for whatever area of Madrid you want to explore. https://www.metromadrid.es/en
In relation to accommodation, you really have endless choices. I have had positive experiences in hotels, hostels and Airbnb apartments. For those readers who are looking for a basic and budget friendly hotel, I suggest the Hotel Indigo Madrid- Princesa on Calle del Marqués de Urquijo in the Arguelles district. It’s a stone’s throw away from the Arguelles Metro station and is surrounded by small, Spanish breakfast café’s for your Bocadillo y Café con leche por la manana. If you don’t mind splashing on a bit of (affordable) luxury, the Hotel Gran Versalles next to Alfonso Martinez Metro station will do the trick. I’ve included the links to both here.
Source: EsMadrid
Food
Source: TripAdvisor
Madrid is home to some of the finest Spanish cuisine on offer. Whether you’re looking for a small Tapas meal or a full dinner, the city centre offers a multitude of options by way of restaurants. Beware however, not all Madrid restaurants were created equally and there is a huge variance between the best and the worst. Remember rule number one? You see, when it comes to the Spanish capital, if the restaurant is off the beaten track and its employees aren’t screaming at you to get you in the door- you’re good to dine! Be careful, walking around Plaza Major can be hungry work. The temptation is to sit yourself down at one of its ‘fine’ looking food establishments and before you know it, you’ve paid through the nose for a below average meal. Guess what, you forgot rule number one and now have to book another visit to Madrid…like me! The trick is to resist the nice Spanish man or woman hounding to take a table in Plaza Major and, instead, search down one of its many little side streets. Here, you’ll find a number of quaint and traditionally Spanish restaurants where you will get a true taste of the country’s famous food. There are endless restaurant recommendations I could make but to name but a few, Sobrino De Botin is the oldest restaurant in the world. Its cochinillo asado or roast suckling pig is named in in the closing pages of Ernest Hemingway's novel The Sun Also Rises. It is situated just outside Plaza Mayor and is walking distance away from Puerto Del Sol.
However, if all you take from this blog is the next five lines, then your read will have been worthwhile. Three words. Rosi La Loca. Rosi’s is situated about four minutes away from Puerto Del Sol. It is without doubt the best restaurant in Madrid. Be sure to book a table as this place is popular! However, you won’t be disappointed. Again this place is slightly off the beaten track and up a tiny side street. However, Rosi’s is home to some brilliant food with a very friendly service. Its bright and colourful atmosphere is mirrored by the food too!
Source: TripAdvisor
Things to do
The most brilliant aspect of Madrid is the fact that there is something for everyone. Whether you’re a football fan, a history nerd, or a culture fanatic, there is something to do in Madrid.
General Sightseeing
Source:EsMadrid
Madrid has two Red Bus City Tour routes. Route one serves the historical route and gives passengers a taste of a Madrid gone by. Route two offers a glimpse of a more modern Madrid. Both routes are hop on-hop off. Tickets cost around €25 and can be used for two days but offer the best way to get a full picture of Madrid.
Sport
Source: Real Madrid CF
A trip to Madrid isn’t complete without a tour of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium- the home of football giants Real Madrid. The best way to get there is by getting off the red bus route two at stop seven. The tour itself can only be described as an experience of a life time for any sports fan. The club is steeped in history and their museum allows visitors to gain an appreciation of the clubs lineage of success. The stadium has successfully kept its historic feel, despite the club brand being one of modernity and financial prowess.
For the football fan who passionately despises the large clubs of this world, Atletico Madrid (The city’s second football team) have recently moved to the Estadio Metropolitano which offers fans a glimpse of the future of football stadia around the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsEOB015lzA
Art
Source: Lonely Planet
Madrid’s Prado museum is a must for all fans of art. Situated in central Madrid, The Prado is home to one of the finest collections of European Art. There you will find 8,200 drawings, 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, and 1,000 sculptures. Getting there is easy. If travelling by metro, you will want to get off at Atocha. However, the Prado is within walking distance from the central hub of Madrid too if you fancy a bit of exercise.
Food on the go
Source: EsMadrid
The San Miguel market is situated just outside Plaza Mayor and offers a taste of real, quintessential Spanish tapas. There is a vast array of tapas on offer and all will set you back only a couple of Euro. The market was originally built in 1916 but was purchased by private investors in 2003 who renovated the building and re-opened it in 2009. This is the ideal place to go when the temperature dial notches just above the level you’re comfortable at as it is the ideal spot to cool off in while having a small bite to eat…and maybe a glass of wine; whatever you’re having yourself!
Royal Palace
Source: TripAdvisor
How many rooms does the Madrid Royal Palace hold? This is the million dollar question? Hint: its 3418! The Palace is no longer home to the Spanish royal family, but its interior offers an insight to visitors of the historical Spanish aristocracy and a Spain of times gone by. Opera is the nearest metro station should you choose to visit.
El Retiro Park
Source: EsMadrid
Very close to Puerta De Alcala, Retiro became a public park in the 19th century. It had been previously the property of the Spanish royal family. There are a myriad of activities to do at the park, from cycling and rowboats to exercising areas and book fairs. Getting here is as easy as getting off at the Retiro metro stop and is definitely worth a visit for all fitness fanatics and outdoors-types.
The Gran Via
Source: EsMadrid
Madrid is home to a number of clothes shops and you’ll find them on the Gran Via. It is a five minute walk from Puerto Del Sol and you’ll find all the brands your looking for.
General Advice
Some Important Do’s
Buy plenty of water if travelling during the hotter months. It gets hot! Madrid is small enough to walk to the majority of its landmarks and things to do. However, some make the mistake of not having enough water to hand!
Try your hand at Spanish. The locals will appreciate even the basic, learnt off Google translate phrases! They will generally go the extra mile to help you if you make the effort.
Explore! As I said at the beginning of the blog I said most of Madrid’s really special aspects were hidden off the beaten track. With the size of the city and the proximity of metro stations, it’s very hard to get lost. Should you do so, use Puerto Del Sol as your base!
My Secret Extra Tip!
Search these guys up, book a tour and thank me later: https://www.madrid-segway.com/en/?gclid=CjwKCAiAy9jyBRA6EiwAeclQhN3Qx63-onV1ZIUMh_fQSJb-ULRsIvhgis8BqFtPm0NDndOplXyhJhoC4ykQAvD_BwE
I opened this blog with the reason you should listen to me. I said you had to understand the hidden nature of its brilliance- otherwise you’ll have to return on multiple occasions. However, the reality is that Madrid is a city you can return on multiple occasions and still love it as much as the first.
Enjoy what the Spanish capital has to offer!
