Madrid is Spain‘s bustling capital city, and is very popular among tourists…for good reason! There is so much to see and do in the city, that visiting can seem a little daunting. Here are my top 6 favorite experiences in Madrid.
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Indulge in Chocolate and Churros at San Gines
San Gines is Madrid’s oldest chocolaterÃa, serving their famous chocolate and churros since 1894. During peak hours, you can recognize the shop by the long line of customers out the front door!
I waited in the quickly moving line, and I can honestly say that the thick chocolate and hot churros are WORTH IT! It was some of the best food I have ever eaten!
The chocolaterÃa is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I came during peak tourist time, around 8 or 9 pm. However, you can enjoy the most famous chocolate and churros in Madrid after a night of partying with the locals around 3 or 4 am. The cafe also sells coffee, tea, and other snacks if you wish to experience the historic building, but not the traditional chocolate and churros.
Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid is a massive, beautiful, historic building that contains over 3,000 rooms. Although the royal family no longer resides in the palace, the building is still used for state ceremonies.
Visitors can pay to take a tour of the palace and its grounds. However, I was content viewing the palace and available grounds from the outside, and admire the intricate architecture. Those who are interested in the history of Madrid and Spanish history would love to take an extended tour of the interior of the palace. Just be sure to book tickets early!
The Royal Palace of Madrid is surrounded by well-kept gardens, fountains, and statuaries. It is also extremely close to Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, other popular Madrid tourist destinations.
Explore Madrid’s Plazas
Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol are two popular plazas in Madrid with tourists and locals alike. Both plazas are central locations for food, shopping, and transportation. They each have their own unique recognizable features.
Plaza Mayor is recognized by its symmetrical and uniform architecture around the square, as well as the large bronze statue of King Phillips III in the center. The Plaza has multiple traditional cafes and shops, and is a great place to people-watch while snacking on traditional Spanish food!
Puerta del Sol, located only a couple of blocks from Plaza Mayor, is the most central square in Madrid. It is recognized by its semi-circle shape, with a large clock tower that Spaniards will recognize on their televisions every New Year’s Eve. The plaza also contains the famous statue The Bear and the Strawberry Tree, among others. Puerta del Sol is a vibrant part of the city, with many centrally located bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to find the best of Madrid’s nightlife!
Spend a Day in Madrid’s Art Museums
Madrid has two of Europe’s most famous art museums: the Prado, and the Reina SofÃa. The Prado displays the royal art collection and contains famous traditional pieces such as Las Meninas and The Garden of Earthly Delights. Meanwhile, the Reina SofÃa is an ever-changing museum full of modern and contemporary art. Multiple revolving exhibits ensure that you will never tire of the museum. It also features multiple paintings by Picasso and DalÃ.
During my visit, I only had the time to visit these two museums. However, the city of Madrid has dozens of interesting art, science, and technology museums worth exploring. It contains the famous Golden Triangle of Art, featuring the Prado, Reina SofÃa, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums.
Tip: Many of these museums can be accessed for free using a student ID, and have free entrance during specific days and times. You can find those times here!
Discover an Ancient Egyptian Temple
As a kid, I was always obsessed with ancient Egypt, reading every book I could. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that Madrid has its very own piece of ancient Egypt: The Temple of Debod.
The temple was originally built in Egypt in the 2nd century BC in honor of the Egyptian gods Amun and Isis. In the 20th century AD, the temple was in danger of being ruined due to construction on the nearby dam. The city of Madrid helped save the temple, and it was ultimately donated to and rebuilt in Madrid in thanks. The temple is oriented in the same way (East to West), and has a huge amount of history behind it.
Grab a Drink at a Rooftop Bar
Madrid has multiple rooftop bars that are an absolute must when visiting the city. My favorite bar that I visited was the Azotea del CÃrculo, on top of the CÃrculo de Bellas Artes museum. The rooftop bar has a small admission fee but offers incredible views of the city. They have a fun bar with multiple drink offerings, and played great music when I visited!
Madrid, Spain has a huge amount of art and history worth visiting. The buildings give off a feeling of proudness in the history they’ve witnessed around them. It is definitely one of my favorite cities in Europe!
What’s your favorite thing about Madrid?
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This trip looks amazing! I would for sure not want to miss those churros, and then would need to walk them off for sure! Thank you for sharing. :)
Thanks for your comment! The churros were absolutely amazing!