Madrid is one of the premier cities of Spain – indeed, it is the capital city. Despite that though, it is not always the first choice of tourists.
Many of them are drawn instead towards Barcelona; perhaps attracted by its many beaches. Madrid may not be able to offer sun, sea and sand, but it does have plenty to make up for that.
If you pay a visit to the city, you will find historic culture, exciting nightlife and great eating and drinking. Madrid has everything a holidaymaker could possibly want.
Check out the article below for a guide to all you should see and do during a trip to Madrid.
Why Pick Madrid?
Spain is not short of fabulous destinations for a trip, so why pick Madrid in particular? It is not even a coastal city, meaning there are no golden sands to laze on and no deep blue ocean to swim in.
That does not stop millions of people from visiting the city every year though; so there is clearly more to life than sunbathing and swimming. Madrid compensates for the absence of those things with a wealth of other attractions.
Nightlife
Let us start by looking at what you can do in Madrid once the sun goes down. You would expect the capital city of Spain to have a healthy nightlife and you would not be disappointed.
One of the options that Madrid offers is a visit to a casino. That has become a more popular pursuit in recent years, thanks to public enthusiasm for online casino.
People have been playing games like Fishin Frenzy at those sites, before moving on to try out land-based casinos. And Madrid has venues that are really worth trying out
A good place to start is the Casino Gran Via, which can be found in the district of the same name. It promotes itself as the city’s finest casino; a boast you may well agree with after you have tried it.
There is an impressive choice of games, including slot machines, punto banco, blackjack and American roulette. There is also a separate poker room, which has tables with cash games as well as regular tournaments.
It is not just about the gaming at this venue though, you can enjoy fine dining too. The Circulo Mercantil Restaurant has four dining rooms and a menu that offers the best in Iberian cuisine.
Of course, casino gaming may not be your thing, but don’t worry – Madrid has plenty of other nightlife options. It is home to a vibrant bar and club scene where the party often goes on until dawn.
One great bar to visit is Santos y Desamparados, which has won awards for its food and atmosphere. The playlist is focused on alternative rock, while the menu is full of classic Spanish favourites.
For a more retro vibe, why not try Harvey’s Cocktail Bar. This has 1950s-style decor and a soundtrack consisting vintage rock and blues.
Cultural Attractions
If you want to explore the history and culture of Madrid, spend a day wandering around its many museums. Some that you really must visit are the Reina Sofia and the Prado Museum.
The latter dates back to 1819 and it is the single most famous museum in Madrid. It houses some truly extraordinary works of art, such as the Black Paintings by Goya and Las Meninas by Velazquez. It also has the Royal Botanic Gardens, which are found in its backyard.
The Reina Sofia Museum is just as impressive, with a collection of art from 20th century Spain. That means works by Picasso and Dali among others – including the celebrated Guernica.
Madrid has less well-known cultural treasures too, for example the Museo del Romanticismo. Here you will find pieces that were created during the Romanticism era of the 19th century.
It is not just paintings either; the collection includes art objects and furniture too, like a billiards table and a desk with detailed carvings.
Sightseeing
There are plenty of sights to see on the streets of Madrid. Retiro Park is made entirely of glass, reminiscent of the old Crystal Palace in London. Then there is Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple incongruously situated right in the heart of Spain.
You can stroll around the city with ease, taking in Puerta del Sol, with its street performances, while you do. There are so many reasons why Madrid is a city that you need to visit.
Hopefully this article has given you an insight into all that Madrid has to offer. It is a glorious city that no adventurous traveller can afford to miss out.
