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5 Things Not To Miss In Madrid Spain

5 Things Not To Miss In Madrid Spain

If Madrid, Spain isn’t in your travel bucket-list, add it now. Before we got there we heard all about the dramatic bull fights, the fruit laden sangria, the amazing paella.

Of course, we learned once we arrived that most of those things are pretty much reserved for the tourists. But don’t let that deter you from visiting. Here are a few different reasons why Madrid is worthy of a visit.

1.  The Buen Retiro Park

This huge grand park will leave you wondering whether you had gone off track and ended up in France.

With its massive walkways surrounded by landscaped and wooded areas, the park was actually patterned after Tuscan and French gardens. It comes with a man-made lake. 

The Lake was installed so that King Philip IV could reconstruct naval battles where Spain would come out the victor, instead of what happened in reality, which was Spain’s loss of most of its empire under his rule.

Enough to lead anyone to require a little cheering up. Today, the only naval activity are hundreds of rowboats captained by Madrileños enjoying a day on the lake.

Buen Retiro Park Gardens - Things to Do in Madrid

Buen Retiro Park French and Italian inspired gardens

Buen Retiro Lake Madrid Spain - Things to Do in Madrid

Buen Retiro Lake in Madrid, Spain

2. Sample the Spanish Tapas

There are restaurants stuffed with these delicious snacks throughout Madrid. Legend has it that the king once ruled that all bars needed to serve a bit of food with each drink.

This decree came because poor field hands would return to work (or not) after spending their lunch money on drinks at the pub.

Now it’s very rare that you will get a drink without a small snack. Our favorite place for more elaborate Tapas is Orio Fuencarral.

In this Basque-style eatery you can pick out what you want yourself at the bar and save the toothpick from each. The server will count up the toothpicks at the end in order to figure your bill.

Orio Tapas Madrid Center - Things to See in Madrid

Orio Tapas

Inspired Spanish Tortilla at Orio Restaurant in Madrid - Things to Do in Madrid

Inspired Spanish Tortilla at Orio Restaurant in Madrid

 

3. Stroll down Calle Mayor to the Prado Museum

You’ll pass the Plaza del Sol, one of the gathering places for locals, and see amazing architecture along the way.

Beautiful buildings on either side of the street are adorned with statues in marble or bronze and are an amazing sight.

A favorite is the iconic Palacio de Cibeles that currently functions as the city hall.

Palacio De Cibeles Madrid Spain - Things to See in Madrid

Palacio de Cibeles

4. Enjoy the sights in the Plaza Mayor

This square used to be the major hub of activity in Madrid. Years ago, you could find anything here from meat and vegetable markets, to bull fights, to political debates, to public executions.

Hygiene in the 1500s left something to be desired, so you can imagine what it was like in this packed plaza during the summer.

Now it’s full of restaurants and some of the strangest street performers that I’ve encountered.

Fat Spidey In Plaza Mayor - Things to Do in Madrid

Fat Spidey In Plaza Mayor

5. Bring the Flavors of Spain Home with You

Taking a cooking class is one of my favorite ways to experience a place. I can always remind myself of a place I enjoyed by cooking a dish that I learned to make with a local chef.

Since our trip to Madrid both the Spanish Tortilla (a slow cooked egg dish with onion and potato) and Sangria have made their way onto our table. And the results: not bad if I do say myself.

Taking a cooking class in Madrid, as anywhere, requires no cooking experience and is a great way to meet other travelers who are passionate about food and travel. We’ve gotten some amazing recommendations that way!

Spanish Tortilla - Things to See in Madrid

Madrid Tapa – Spanish Tortilla Patata

Here are some related about travel in Spain that you might enjoy!

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Toledo Spain In Pictures

Madrid Tapas Cooking Class

Alex

Monday 13th of June 2016

You've whetted our appetite for our trip in August-I'll keep this post book marked! Nice blog!

Jen

Tuesday 14th of June 2016

Madrid is a beautiful city - I'm sure you will love it!

Revati

Monday 2nd of March 2015

Great list! Heard of some of these, and they're definitely pushing madrid higher up on the bucket list!

Elsat

Wednesday 11th of February 2015

One of my favourite cities! My favourite spot for lunch is the Mercado San Miguel, always buzzing! :-) Those pintxos at Orio seem very elaborate and yummie! And that cooking class must have been awesome!

Escape Hunter

Monday 9th of February 2015

Madrid is intriguing. I loved walking on the Gran Via, admiring the elegance of the architecture.

Brianna

Saturday 7th of February 2015

I have some fabulous memories of Madrid, especially Buen Retiro and sampling all the delicious tapas!