Located in the center of Spain, Madrid is a city that visitors will be able to explore during a trip to Spain. The city has many cultural attractions and there are several historical towns nearby.
The Museums
Many decide to spend a holiday in Madrid for its cultural attractions. Some of the city’s most visited places include the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen Bornemisza museums. Visitors will be able to spend an afternoon exploring Goya’s paintings in the Prado, Picasso’s famous Guernica in the Reina Sofia and many permanent and temporary exhibits in the Thyssen Bornemisza. Families travelling with children can visit the Natural History Museum, the Coin Museum and the Railway Museum, this one located near a train station filled with many trains.
The Markets
Madrid is a city for foodies. Visitors will be able to taste many local delicacies, ranging from a wide variety of tapas to more traditional dishes, including cocido thick broth. The main markets are located in the city center, and are filled with colourful stalls selling local products and tapas bars. The Mercado de San Miguel is located next to the Puerta de Sol and offers several gourmet tapas bars and organic stalls. The Anton Martin market is located closer to the Atocha main train station and the San Anton market is located in the trendy Malasaña area, close to some of the city’s most popular bars and clubs. Adults and children will be able to enjoy the city’s street food, including the famous doughy churros served with cocoa and sugar.
The Squares
In the city center visitors will be able to explore many squares. The Puerta de Sol is the city’s main square, where the city’s symbol, the statue of a bar and a madroño tree, is located. The more traditional Plaza Mayor is located steps away, and is filled with markets and terraces. Another main square is Plaza de España, a popular meeting spot. This square is a park decorated with several fountains and statues, including the fountain dedicated to Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Next to this square, in a nearby park, visitors will find the Debod Temple, an ancient Egyptian temple that was brought to Madrid from the Nubia region. There are hieroglyphics on the walls of the temple.
Historical Towns
There are many historical towns located a short distance away from the city. The town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial can be reached by bus, car and train. This town, located north of the city near the mountains, is known for the El Escorial Monastery. Another popular town is Segovia, located farther north. This town has an ancient Roman aqueduct and many traditional restaurants where visitors will be able to taste the city’s most popular dishes, cochinillo, suckling pig, and cordero asado, lamb.
Parks
There are many parks in this city. Families travelling with children will be able to spend an afternoon in the central Retiro park, which has many paths decorated with flowers, plants, fountains and statues. A pond is located in the center of the park, and families will be able to rent boats. Another main park, this one located on the grounds of an ancient hunting estate west of the city, is the Casa de Campo. Families will be able to visit the Parque de Atracciones theme park, which has many rides and roller coasters. There is an aquarium, a lake and a zoo on the park grounds. This park can be reached by car, transit and a cable car that has views towards the city center.
image is from Wikipedia
Madrid is one of the places I want to visit in the future – thanks for sharing these top places.
it is also included in my travel bucket list! hopefully, we all get to go there someday!
I wish I could visit Madrid someday!
one of the places i’d love to visit, too!
I would love to see the Madrid market and check out what products are popular.