My guide to Madrid
*All work including photos and writing on this page is my own, except the link to the Tourism video, freely available on Youtube.
Madrid or as the Arabs called it Magerit (Land rich in water) is a major transfer hub. Many of us have transited through here, but this year I got a chance to actually spend a few days here and it is worth a brief stopover.
Madrid is the capital of Spain and the third largest city in the EU after London and Berlin. It sits elegantly on the river Manzanares. It doesn't feel like a capital city to me, with trees and parks everywhere, the highest number of trees per inhabitant in Europe and you can eat out fairly cheaply, with excellent wines, such as my favourite, Rioja.
The weather ranges from a low of around 3C in January to 40C in July/August. The main sport here of course is football, the home to two world class teams, Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid, but basketball, cycling and tennis are also very popular.
The main city centre as a plethura of shops and restaurants, with stores to suit the whole family. Classy bakeries and sweet shops are also in abundance in the Plaza Mayor area.
The road and rail links out of Madrid are excellent and we drove to Granada in four hours, so I would recommend that you explore other parts of Spain too, to really experience what Spain has to offer.
Madrid or as the Arabs called it Magerit (Land rich in water) is a major transfer hub. Many of us have transited through here, but this year I got a chance to actually spend a few days here and it is worth a brief stopover.
Madrid is the capital of Spain and the third largest city in the EU after London and Berlin. It sits elegantly on the river Manzanares. It doesn't feel like a capital city to me, with trees and parks everywhere, the highest number of trees per inhabitant in Europe and you can eat out fairly cheaply, with excellent wines, such as my favourite, Rioja.
The weather ranges from a low of around 3C in January to 40C in July/August. The main sport here of course is football, the home to two world class teams, Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid, but basketball, cycling and tennis are also very popular.
The main city centre as a plethura of shops and restaurants, with stores to suit the whole family. Classy bakeries and sweet shops are also in abundance in the Plaza Mayor area.
The road and rail links out of Madrid are excellent and we drove to Granada in four hours, so I would recommend that you explore other parts of Spain too, to really experience what Spain has to offer.
My suggestions for the top attractions in Madrid.
1) The Royal Palace and Cathedral of Madrid
2) Prado Museum, a world famous art gallery.
3) Plaza Mayor, The main town square. Below is a photo I took in December with the Christmas market in full swing!
3) Plaza Mayor, The main town square. Below is a photo I took in December with the Christmas market in full swing!
4) Relax or go for a stroll around the Retiro Park.
Transport
Public transport is very good in Madrid, there is a train from Terminal 4 at Madrid airport to the city centre very reasonably priced. The metro system is also very good, but you do need to buy a metro card and you can only use that on the metro system, which isn't really worth just making one or two trips on the metro. Use it a lot or not at all.
Transport
Public transport is very good in Madrid, there is a train from Terminal 4 at Madrid airport to the city centre very reasonably priced. The metro system is also very good, but you do need to buy a metro card and you can only use that on the metro system, which isn't really worth just making one or two trips on the metro. Use it a lot or not at all.
Safety
Madrid is a very safe capital city and Spain as a whole is a safe tourist destination. However as with many cities there are pickpockets, especially at Metro stations and tourist areas, so be aware of this and wear a money belt if possible.
The healthcare in Madrid is excellent, we needed to visit a doctor in December for my daughter, who luckily speaks Spanish and it was very efficient. There are walk in centres everywhere, we went in, took a ticket and waited for the triage nurse to assess her and she was then referred to a Dr who checked her and gave her a prescription for some antibiotics and other medication. She did need to show her UK passport and EHIC card to receive free treatment. They didn't speak English so I would recommend using a phone translation app if you don't speak Spanish and need treatment. We were all impressed with the quality of care and time taken to treat her though.
The healthcare in Madrid is excellent, we needed to visit a doctor in December for my daughter, who luckily speaks Spanish and it was very efficient. There are walk in centres everywhere, we went in, took a ticket and waited for the triage nurse to assess her and she was then referred to a Dr who checked her and gave her a prescription for some antibiotics and other medication. She did need to show her UK passport and EHIC card to receive free treatment. They didn't speak English so I would recommend using a phone translation app if you don't speak Spanish and need treatment. We were all impressed with the quality of care and time taken to treat her though.
Food in Madrid
Breakfast in Madrid and Spain generally is a very low key event, usually just toast. Spanish people rarely eat out for breakfast either.
Lunch is taken around 1400 and can really be anything.
Dinner is taken around 2100+ with few restaurants opening before 2030, as most locals will only go out for drinks until at least 2100 hrs, with 2130/2200 the busiest time for dinner in Spain.
The popular foods in Madrid are Tortilla, A Spanish Omlette with potatoes, olives, Paella, Cocido Madrileno and other soups, Bocata de calamares (baguette with calamari), Iberian ham and of course a Tapas (sharing meal.) Churros dipped in chocolate are the main sweet.
Coffee is of very good quality in Madrid and everywhere we have been in Spain, although outside of Madrid and major cities it is rarely a take away items and service stations expect you to sit in and enjoy your coffee and do not provide take away cups.
Popular restaurants:
-Los Montes de Galicia, International/Galician
- La Vaca Argentina, Steakhouse
- Kathmandu Tandoori house, Indian
- Peppe Fusco, Italian
- Sibuya Urban Sushi, Japanese
- Astor, International
-Entre Santos Madrid, Mediterranean
-Sakale, Mexican
Where to stay
Avoid The Holiday Inn as we stayed there and the A/C didn't work and it was too hot, unless you check with them that it is working now! For accommodation, somewhere close to Plaza Mayor would be sensible, to have lots of cafes and restaurants within walking distance, but of course it is cheaper to stay further out and use the metro.
These areas are popular:
Sol, Malasana, Retiro and Centro are my recommendations of places to stay.
Popular hotels in Madrid:
The Pavilions
Only You boutique hotel
The Principal
Only You hotel Atocha
Relais & Chateaux Heritage
Room Mate Alba
Bless Hotel
Palacio de los Duques Gran Melia
Ayala 63
Barcelo Imagine
Plaza de Espana Skyline
Gran Hotel Ingles
Artiem
Lunch is taken around 1400 and can really be anything.
Dinner is taken around 2100+ with few restaurants opening before 2030, as most locals will only go out for drinks until at least 2100 hrs, with 2130/2200 the busiest time for dinner in Spain.
The popular foods in Madrid are Tortilla, A Spanish Omlette with potatoes, olives, Paella, Cocido Madrileno and other soups, Bocata de calamares (baguette with calamari), Iberian ham and of course a Tapas (sharing meal.) Churros dipped in chocolate are the main sweet.
Coffee is of very good quality in Madrid and everywhere we have been in Spain, although outside of Madrid and major cities it is rarely a take away items and service stations expect you to sit in and enjoy your coffee and do not provide take away cups.
Popular restaurants:
-Los Montes de Galicia, International/Galician
- La Vaca Argentina, Steakhouse
- Kathmandu Tandoori house, Indian
- Peppe Fusco, Italian
- Sibuya Urban Sushi, Japanese
- Astor, International
-Entre Santos Madrid, Mediterranean
-Sakale, Mexican
Where to stay
Avoid The Holiday Inn as we stayed there and the A/C didn't work and it was too hot, unless you check with them that it is working now! For accommodation, somewhere close to Plaza Mayor would be sensible, to have lots of cafes and restaurants within walking distance, but of course it is cheaper to stay further out and use the metro.
These areas are popular:
Sol, Malasana, Retiro and Centro are my recommendations of places to stay.
Popular hotels in Madrid:
The Pavilions
Only You boutique hotel
The Principal
Only You hotel Atocha
Relais & Chateaux Heritage
Room Mate Alba
Bless Hotel
Palacio de los Duques Gran Melia
Ayala 63
Barcelo Imagine
Plaza de Espana Skyline
Gran Hotel Ingles
Artiem
For more information on Madrid, here is the tourist information website.