10 things you must do in Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. It is the third-most populous municipality in the European Union after Greater London and Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the fourth-most populous urban area in the European Union after Paris, London, and the Ruhr Area.
Madrid is located a little north east from the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, in the middle of the Spanish central Castillian plateau (Meseta central), at an average altitude of 650m. Nearly all of the most famous tourist areas are located in the historical center of Madrid, middle south of the city: Puerta del Sol in the middle, Plaza Mayor a bit to the south, Palacio Real to the west, and Plaza de Colón to the north-east. Some of those hot spots spread up past the Gran Via, which is one of the main streets in Madrid (the largest one being Alcalá Street, followed by the Paseo de la Castellana).
10 things you must do in Madrid
Get lost in the Museo del Prado.
Go shopping in Calle Fuencarral (trendy) or Salamanca district (posh)… it’s up to you!
Eat a bocadillo de calamares (squid sandwich) near Plaza Mayor.
Struggle among the crowds in El Rastro on a sunny Sunday morning.
Go to a theater on Gran Via and enjoy a musical show.
Go for some tapas in La Latina (don’t forget patatas bravas).
Spend an afternoon in El Retiro.
Get back to 16th century in Plaza de la Paja and surroundings.
See a sunset at the Templo de Debod.
Have a drink and dance in Malasaña district until dawn, then have a chocolate con churros breakfast.
Madrid is the gateway to Spain and overnighting at a Spanish Hotel is recommended. You can find a list of Madrid Hoteles here.
