This week, I’m traveling yet again! But instead of a new place, I’m going to a place I’ve already been before and loved – Madrid.
This is a piece of graffiti near my friend’s apartment that I really liked. The whole wall was covered in colorful graffiti, and it was really fun to look at. Afterward, we went and looked at some more traditional art in the Museo Reina Sofia (which has pieces like Picasso’s Guernica).
Madrid is very cool, but completely different from Barcelona. I can’t wait to see the Royal Palace and the Egyptian temple (the Temple of Debod), neither of which I’ve ever seen. I’m also pretty excited about hitting up the giant street market El Rastro again, as well as eating some delicious food.
Does anyone have any suggestions for things to do in Madrid?
Besos!
-Jess
San Ginés for churros. Puerta del Sol: check out the kilómetro zero in the ground, the point from which all roads are measured in Spain. Also el oso y el madroño statue in Sol, emblem of Madrid. wander the streets around Sol and Plaza Mayor, lots of cool shops and buildings. and of course check out Plaza Mayor. I think you will like the palacio real. Enjoy!!
Ooh thank you so much, my sister was looking for a churro place!
Definitely visit the Royal Palace and Templo de Debod–one of the best places to watch the sunset in Madrid. I’m assuming you’ve done the Plaza Mayor-Sol-Mercado San Miguel route. If you can do any day trips, El Escorial/Aranjuez/Toledo/Segovia, I forget where you’ve been and haven’t been!
You’ve probably been to Retiro already so I suggest checking out Casa de Campo, Parque del Oeste (next to Templo de Debod) and my favorite park in Madrid Campo del Moro (near the Royal Palace). Also check out the Joaquin Sorolla museum. I went a few months ago and I thought it was awesome. It’s free on Saturdays after 2 PM!
I hope you enjoy my adopted city as much as I do!
Also I’m gonna disagree over San Gines for churros–I went there and had the churros. They were okay, nothing special in my opinion.
Awesome, thank you so much for your suggestions! I wish I had time for day trips this time, but I sadly don’t (though I have been to Segovia). I’m so excited to go to Madrid again.
Hi Jess, you have to visit Casa Alberto (c/ Huertas,18). Fantastic old (since 1827!) tapas bar full of locals. I popped in one day and ended up going back every day. Great food, great staff, great atmosphere and a beautiful bar. http://www.casaalberto.es
Sounds delicious – thank you!
Casa Alberto also has great croquettes!
“…Tavern founded in 1827 in the same building where Miguel de Cervantes lived and wrote his two masterpieces: the second part of ‘Don Quixote’ and ‘The Travels of Persiles and Segismunda’. In times of Ferdinand the Seventh, the people of Madrid would come to Casa Alberto to have a glass of wine with a boiled egg and a serving of cod.”
http://www.esmadrid.com/en/cargarAplicacionRestaurante.do?identificador=35
Haha I heard allll about those from my parents – they went without me! They gave it a rave review, so I’m definitely going next time I’m in Madrid.
I love Templo de Debod / Parque del Oeste. If you’re out that direction you should take the teleferico from Parque del Oeste to Casa del Campo. It’s a different view of Madrid!
Oh cool, I had no idea Madrid had a teleferico!
Oh, I love Madrid. Don’t forget, and sorry of someone already mentioned it, Chueca near la Gran Via. It’s a more hip place to hang out and shop. Or Serrano if you want something more upscale. Also I like the new highrises around north Madrid and the Puerta de Europa towers.
Awesome, thanks for the suggestions!
Enjoy your trip to Madrid!
I was there two weeks ago, but just for 4 hours on my way back home. I made the most of the layover to visit around Atocha.
I’m not qualified though to give you some interesting suggestions…
Thanks, I had a great time. At least the area around Atocha is cool!
Hey Jessica! Here’s my round-up of my favorite places/things to do in Madrid from my time there!
http://thatsg.com/2011/06/25/destination-madrid/
Awesome, I definitely used that! Plaza Santa Ana was so cool.
Awesome! I love it there – it’s so pretty at night with the purple lights on the ME hotel. Enjoy your travels!
I adore checking out new countries as well it is really difficult to ever get enough learing new cultures. I extremely want to experience all that this amazing earth has to offer. The really different cultures is my favortie thing of exploring the world.
I enjoy checking out new places too it is really hard to get enough seeing the world. I really crave to see everything that this phenominal world has to offer. The really starnge cultures is most fasicinating part of seeing the world.