The Spanish Capital offers many activities and sights to see. Make sure to visit these historic districts. Which is the best neighborhood in Madrid? Find out the best places to visit in this historic, vibrant city.
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The Spanish Capital offers many activities and sights to see. Make sure to visit these historic districts. Which is the best neighborhood in Madrid? Find out the best places to visit in this historic, vibrant city.
Perhaps the most famous of Madrid's many football teams is Real Madrid, who call the 85,000 seater Santiago Bernabéu stadium home. If you cannot get tickets for a game, you can still visit the stadium for a tour, which takes in the stadium, dressing rooms, tunnel, dugout, and other areas. There is also the club museum, where you can learn about Real Madrid's illustrious history and marvel at their healthy collection of trophies.
Real Madrid’s cross-town rival, Atletico Madrid, plays their matches in Metropolitano Stadium, another huge stadium that seats tens of thousands of fans. This stadium has been the home of Atletico Madrid since 2017, and you can visit the stadium for a tour and more information about the football club. Metropolitano Stadium is in the Rosas neighborhood, one of the more picturesque and historic districts in Madrid.
Madrid boasts a superb array of galleries, some of which can be found in the 'Golden Triangle of Art', a historic neighborhood in Madrid. The Museo Del Prado is one of the triangle's best museums, showcasing an expansive collection of paintings, decorative art pieces, sculptures, and more. It has the world’s largest collection of Spanish paintings but also displays Italian, French, German, Dutch, and British paintings. The Prado has three specific routes that visitors can follow for one-, two-, and three-hour trips.
Picasso is one of the great Spanish artists, and the Reina Sofía Museum displays an excellent collection of his paintings, including the renowned Guernica. Its galleries additionally include works from González, Miró, and Dalí, among others. General admission is €10, while the temporary exhibitions can be accessed for an extra charge. Note that there are free admission days in April, May, October, and December - check the gallery's website or call to find out when.
Completing the triangle is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, a fabulous private collection of over 1,600 works. Encompassing a wide range of styles and periods, the collection includes a number of gems, spread over the gallery's three floors, making the Thyssen well worth a visit.
The Caixa Forum is a newer art gallery in Madrid. It is notable for its eccentric architecture, which encompasses a vertical garden façade with a multitude of plants on it. Inside, the museum's galleries showcase a wide range of contemporary art.
The Museum of America is also worth a visit, displaying an intriguing collection of artefacts from the American continent including ceramics, pottery, helmets and more. Entry here is a very reasonable €3.
Make sure you also visit Galería Colecciones Reales, with its constantly updated and impressive collection of artifacts sometimes thousands of years old.
Be sure to visit the Congreso de los Diputados as well, where Spain’s laws are created and debated. The building is a beautiful example of Spanish architecture. In the square facing the imposing legislature building, you’ll see a monument to one of Spain’s most famous authors, Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote. Other writers from Spain’s Golden Age, such as Lope de Vega and Quevedo, are honored with street names and engravings throughout the area.
The vibrant Plaza Santa Ana in the same area features the famous Teatro Español, along with a statue honoring the tragic life of the influential poet and playwright, Federico Garcia Lorca. Stop by the Cervecería Alemana, a German bar famous for serving American writer Ernest Hemingway while he stayed in Madrid.
A must-visit in Madrid has got to be the Royal Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, the cupola of which is rather impressive. It is built in the Neo-classical style and also houses many Spanish paintings. The area around the Basilica is one of the best neighborhoods in Madrid
The Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena, otherwise known as Madrid Cathedral, is the largest in the capital. Here Neo-classical and Gothic architectural features merge with interesting results.
Directly opposite is the Royal Palace, which includes the Royal Armoury. A visit here is highly recommended but leave plenty of time - it is vast! In addition to being open to the public, a number of cultural events also happen here, including classical concerts.
Loved by locals and visitors alike, Buen Retiro Park includes beautiful manicured gardens, the Rosaleda Rose Garden, the stunning Crystal Palace pavilion and a lake on which you can row hired paddle boats. There are even free concerts during the summer. The park is not only Madrid’s green lung but is also a multicultural space where many hidden gems can be found. The monument to King Alfonso XII next to the rowing lake is one of the many architectural delights of the park. The 19th Century Palacio de Cristal is used nowadays for temporary art exhibitions organized by the Museo Reina Sofía. Walking towards the Estatua del Ángel Caído, a powerful statue of the devil will lead you towards the tranquil walkway of Cuesta de Moyano where a second-hand book fair has been held every day since 1919.
Around the corner from the famous Casa Sobrino de Botin, the oldest restaurant in the world, is the Calle Cava Baja, which leads around to Calle Cava Alta. These two streets offer beautiful views of the city and house many options to get tapas or drinks while you stroll.
Another park you must visit is the Madrid Rio. The Madrid Rio runs parallel to the Manzanares River and offers an opportunity to stroll through some of the best neighborhoods in Madrid while enjoying the wildlife and natural splendor of the area. Along the path, you can visit some of the 17 play areas for children, or visit the Madrid Rio Beach, a top-notch place to cool off during the summer.
Las Letras is known as the Literary Quarter. It was the home of several great 17th-century writers, including Lope de Vega. You can visit Vega’s house in this neighborhood. The building is now a museum dedicated to the writer, his life, and his works.
A visit to Madrid would be incomplete without feasting on tapas. Estado Puro serves up tapas classics with contemporary flair, with dishes including parmesan ice cream and lobster gazpacho. The wide variety of mouth-watering plates means that all tastes are catered to, whilst the tapas tasting menu, priced at €45 per person, is a great option for those wishing to sample more of the delectable creations. Head to Tablafina in the NH Nacional to sample a menu based on the fundamental pillars of Spanish tapas, quality products with protected designation of origin. Enjoy excellent cuisine with regional influences and modern touches with the best cocktails at Restaurant DOMO Abascal at NH Collection Madrid Abascal.
For excellent fine dining with a modern twist, try the Michelin starred Diverxo at NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding Alternatively, with four outposts around the city, 99 Sushi Bar is a great place to get expertly prepared Japanese cuisine.
Casa Suecia, the restaurant within the NH Collection Madrid Suecia, delights guests with its unique blend of Mediterranean and international cuisine. Also, keep in mind that a visit to the Mercado de San Miguel is never forgotten, with its striking metal and glass exterior and home to some of the best gourmet tapas in town.
For excellent fine dining with a modern twist, try the Michelin starred Diverxo on Calle de Padre Damiàn. Alternatively, with four outposts around the city, 99 Sushi Bar is a great place to get expertly prepared Japanese cuisine.
Madrid is served by the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. The fourth terminal at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas connects with the commuter train that goes to Chamartín and Atocha stations. Metro Line 8 links the airport with Nuevos Ministerios. There are also shuttle services from the airport to the various districts of the city.
Be sure to experience flamenco dancers and world-class stagecraft at one of the many theaters on the Gran Via. The Gran Via is the heart of Madrid and features world-renowned shopping for almost anything you desire. It is from here that you can connect with the Madrid subway system, which is perfect for visiting the best neighborhoods in Madrid.
Planning your trip to Madrid? Check out our favorite downtown hotels in Madrid.
You should start with the Gran Via, one of the main streets in Madrid that runs for two miles in the heart of the city. It features a wide array of high-end shops on par with shopping districts around the world.
Madrid is committed to providing many green spaces where people can relax and enjoy Madrid’s usually accommodating weather. A can’t-miss park is El Parque De Retino, which features a sculpture garden as well as entertainment for kids and adults.
Madrid boasts a robust public transit system, highlighted by the beautiful Atocha train station, where you can get around the city and take excursions to towns nearby such as Toledo.
Front Desk Agent at NH Collection Madrid Suecia
I am passionate about Madrid. During the pandemic, I started a personal project called “Madrid on Foot” to showcase the city. This involves creating routes and stopping at various points to rest and admire the city. I wanted to know: Who lived here? What was here before? Despite Madrid’s many legends, which aren’t always the best news, there are numerous charming places and spaces. These allow us to step back in time and say, “I was there.” To facilitate this, I built a website. However, when I realized it wasn’t reaching the audience I desired, I decided to approach it from the perspective of 8- and 10-year-old children (my own kids). I believe this approach will help sustain my project. Collaborating with travel guides and authors, I hope to reach many people and ignite their interest in visiting Madrid and our NH Collection Madrid Suecia.
The NH Collection Madrid Suecia hotel, formerly known as NH Madrid Suecia, is in the heart of the city’s historic center. A chic hotel on Madrid's Broadway, Gran Vía, it's ideal for shopping and musicals alike. Renovated in 2016, the hotel was originally opened in 1956.
The NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding hotel is a stylish retreat in the city’s financial district. Re-opened in September 2014; it’s considered one of the best hotels in Europe for business or leisure, and is also home to the only three Michelin starred restaurant in Madrid, DiverXO.
The NH Collection Madrid Colón hotel enjoys one of the best locations in Madrid, in the heart of the well-heeled Salamanca district. It’s footsteps from the high-end shops and restaurants along the ‘Golden Mile’ and the city’s best museums and galleries are within easy walking distance, too.
The NH Madrid Nacional hotel has a central spot on one of Madrid’s most prestigious avenues, the Paseo del Prado. It’s in the Art Triangle, home to 3 world-famous art museums. The 1920s building itself is beautiful too, designed by architect Modesto López Otero.
You could spend weeks exploring Madrid, but look a little further than the city and you will find that the region offers much more, including ruins, picturesque towns and quaint villages.
Madrid is a great destination for families. With a wide array of cultural and historical attractions, as well as more modern activities and open, green spaces, the whole family will be kept entertained.
As much a part of the city’s nightlife scene as cocktails and nightclubs, going out for tapas in Madrid is a great of way of experiencing a slice of Spanish culture, socialise and of course, feast on mouth-watering Spanish cuisine
The Museo del Prado is the national art gallery of Spain. Spain's answer to the Louvre boasts a fine collection of European art, with galleries include paintings, sculptures and much more.
With the building dating back to the 18th century, the Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the Spanish capital's top attractions, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the country's royal past.
Real Madrid is one of Spain's greatest football clubs and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is its home ground. One of Spain's largest football stadiums, the Bernabéu also includes guided tours and a museum.
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