If you have not tasted yet the vibes of the Spanish capital, you definitely should! I can mention numerous reasons why, but let’s limit this post to 10 of them. Madrid is a fine, modern and classy city, a perfect Metropolis, with all the right characteristics of the ideal city to live.
VK Travel loves at Madrid
- The stunning Palacio Real and all its beyond – grace buildings.
Walking is the main thing you will do when in Madrid. Strolling around, even without a plan, will give you the chance to admire the Palace and all the stunning buildings that make this city so beautiful and imposing. The Cathedral de la Almudena standing in front of the Palacio Real, is a true beauty. You can spent some hours visiting both sights. Towards the center you will meet the amazing Plaza de Espana and the famous Cervantes monument, one of the landmarks of this wonderful city. The “graceful” buildings of Madrid are numerous, just rise your eyes and you will meet them in every corner! This city is the epitome of Grace!
2. The Gran via, and all the main shopping avenues
I recently visited Madrid after 10 whole years, and honesty I found the Gran Via, totally refreshed and more attractive. All the buildings and many hotels are renovated, the huge shops seem brand now, the vibe of the people walking along is so alive, that you can really spent a nice morning or afternoon shopping time here. Shopping streets like Fuencarral, and all nearby calle, are ideal for stylish shopping.
Bets paella tip: our favorite paella restaurants near Gran Via, La Baracca and La Paella de la Reina, both offer delicious paella choices, in a very stylish and traditional atmosphere, both located at via de la Reina, and the perfect choice after a shopping adventure at Gran Via! Check them out and make your reservations on time!
3. Las Huertas barrio and Plaza Santa Anna
Near the center but so amazingly unique, the barrio of Huertas is the perfect location for cocktails and dinner in a more special neighborhood. The old houses, the colourful doors, the young vibe at the bars with the most impressive cocktails and the Spanish wines…. We have 2 places to totally suggest at this extremely typical barrio: the bar Viva Madrid were we tried some wonderful cocktails and the atmosphere is really the old- fashions but modern Spanish at the same time, and the restaurant La Cabana, for meat lovers and not only!!
Plaza Santa Anna boosts its fame daily with numerous open bars, restaurants with local tastes and fun people all around! You are going to love it!
4. Amazing Hotels and our beautiful Uma Suites
Madrid offers undoubtedly a great variety of high quality hotels and suites. Central hotels especially those totally renovated are a real gem of the city! Stylish but rather expensive for the normal traveler. We were fortunate to discover and stay at Uma suites near the Atocha train station. Modern and classy, in walking distance to almost every part of the city, Uma suites are so comfy and ideal for a reasonable stay at Madrid. We loved the huge bed and the great bathroom, the view to the main Avenue and the hospitality in general. We walked to all museums and also the Plaza Mayor or Gran via, even Salamanca, so the location is unique!
5. The most amazing squares: Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol
Exquisite and really beautiful, Plaza Mayor is the most unique square you can visit. Designed in a square, it offers to the visitor an immense space to walk around, some great food options, nice food stores, the famous food hall Mercado San Miguel and generally it is the place to be! We just love the amazing, colorful buildings and hotels around the square, around every corner you can discover and admire so many beauties.
tip: visit the nearby famous San Gines churros, but be patient, the queues usually are long.
At Puerta del Sol, the crowds get together for celebrations or other popular moments of joy! Big deparment stores, the one and only El Cortes Ingles, which is everywhere in Madrid and so much more shopping options!
6. Exquisite Museums and Paseo del Prado
Madrid is a gem for museum lovers, mainly art lover. The Prado is one of a kind, filled with amazing masterpieces and world famous masterpieces. Meet the Guernica of Picasso and amazing paintings from Salvador Dali at Reina Sofia plus incredible collections of Goya, El Greco and others at Prado. Art lovers find their paradise in Paseo del Prado, no doubt about it!
Tip: both museums have some free entrance hours, so before you book your tickets, visit the official sites to be informed about it.
Undoubtedly, Madrid is the paradise of museum lovers, there are so many for almost everyone. Just make your search and visit the one that really catches your attention.
7. The loving life vibe: restaurants, bars and terraces
Oh yes it’s so true! Madrid is so lively and fun all hours of the day. Morning coffee or lunch at a plaza with a glass of cerveza, a walk around the center for churros, dinner with traditional paella or at a high end restaurant, and of course cocktails at one of the most vibrant bars? You can have it all!! The city literally never sleeps.
Terraces are many and some offer really breathtaking views of the city!!
TIP: if you really want to spent some time at a beautiful terrace for dinner or drinks, be patient! The queues to enter are usually long, so be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes. Riu Plaza hotel has one of the most incredible terraces and waiting time, too!
8. Salamanca: the stylish neighborhood
Need to buy or just do some window shopping of really luxury brands? This is the barrio for you! All elegant and stylish, elevated but yet so simple and easy to get around, Salamanca offers great boutiques, bars , nice hotels and some very interesting restaurants. All the famous designers are located here, boutiques are wonderful and so inspiring, splurge yourself and enjoy it!
Our choice: Except for the luxurious vibes of this barrio we loved 2 places: the Carmen bar and the small but so typical Mercado de la Paz! Do not miss them!
9. Botin Restaurant, the one and only
Casa Botín, founded in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records and a benchmark of Madrid’s best traditional cuisine. Forbes magazine gave the House third place in the list of the world’s top 10 classic restaurants, together with its two specialties, the delicious suckling pig and lamb roasted in the Castilian style.
The epitome of traditional Spanish cuisine, with the most genuine ingredients form all over the country… it’s a real myth, visit it with no doubts. We had an unforgettable lunch there and we really loved the hospitality and the service, the elegant decoration with pure spanish vibes and of course all the tastes.
10. The people: Undoubtedly the Spanish people are warm and friendly and the people of the capital are also elegant but simple, smiling but stylish, well mannered and educated. They will please you in any way, they will be helpful and give you the best advice to get around their city! Madrid, gracias! Until the next time!!
