Madrid, one of the top fashion destinations in Europe, is sure to give you the best of both historical attractions and modern fun. This cosmopolitan city is famous for high-end fashion boutiques, world class restaurants, many art galleries and a host of other attractions.
If you love art, your first stop should be the Prado Museum, which has a very wide collection of traditional and modern pieces from around the world. You can also stop by the Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza galleries that host a large collection of European and American masterpieces.
The Puerta del Sol is the hub of the city where people meet, shop and live. Numerous choices of hotels and Madrid apartments will place travelers in the center of city. It gives easy access to Plaza Mayor, the Opera and the Royal Palace, the Spanish Parliament and Plaza Santa Ana. The statue of el Oso y el Madrono is a bear eating from an evergreen tree and is the main meeting place for Madrid’s youth.
History comes alive in Madrid through a number of magnificent historical monuments. One of the most popular one is the Temple of Debod. This is an ancient Egyptian temple that was initially built alongside the River Nile and dedicated to Isis, an Egyptian goddess. The temple was donated by Egypt to Spain in 1968 and was renovated in Madrid. Get into the ancient Egyptian world right at the heart of Europe in Madrid!
For those who would like some seaside fun, the Parque del Buen Retiro is the place to be. This is a scenic oasis park that is located right at the heart of Madrid. The park has a lake and you can hire a rowing boat to experience some water adventure. If you have kids, enjoy a puppet show at the park.
Football fans should not miss the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium- the home of one of the best football clubs in the world – Real Madrid. If you are lucky, you can catch a game of this top European team over the weekend.
After a long day of sightseeing and visiting different monuments, relax at one of the many parks in Madrid. The Plaza Mayor, Plaza Santa Ana and Plaza de Cibeles are great places to stroll or just relax as the day fades away. The night life is also unequaled in the world. The evening meal will never be before 9:30, and Madrid has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants and bars per capita in the world. The city is just as busy at 4:00am as it is at 10:00am. Huertas street and the streets nearby have many small restaurants and bars with a variety of Spanish and international music along with flamenco.
La Latina is an area south of the Plaza Mayor where there are Madrid’s most famous restaurants and tapas bars. Botin is the oldest restaurant in the world where Hemmingway sat for long hours and included in his novels. Along with all of this are cinemas, theaters, ballet, flamenco, nightclubs and opera.
A visit to Madrid is one that you will never forget. Hard press to see the city in one day, one should plan on several days to truly enjoy this magnificent city. Travelers will find the choices of accommodation in Madrid plentiful, with a wide price range that will meet everyone's budget.
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