pdif1emMadrid - Spain Travel Guide

Romantic, exciting and intoxicating, that's Madrid.


Museums galore, tapas to die for and a buzzing cafe and club culture.



•Madrid: Sexy, stylish, sophisticated Madrid. This cosmopolitan and historic Spanish city oozes charm and Latin style.

•It is the capital city of Spain and is home to the Spanish royal family.

•The traditional narrow streets, the Belle Epoque architecture, the quiet historic squares and the lovely parks are just some of the reasons that make weekend breaks in Madrid so enjoyable.

•The Madrilenos know how to live. So when in Madrid, adopt their style and get your sightseeing done in the AM , and then enjoy a long lunch spent people watching from one of the city's many lovely cafes. The bustling street culture is infectious and with the backdrop of ancient buildings and sparkling fountains, you could be forgiven if you don't manage to visit any of the museums. However, Madrid's museums are definitely worth visiting and you will find many world famous works of art on display.

•Ideal for couples as well as families with older children.

•Sightseeing in Madrid: Madrid has its own 'culture mile' which includes the three main museums; Museo del Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Art Centre. There are however, over a dozen more museums to visit

•The Royal family no longer live there but a visit the Royal Palace, the Palacio Real, is a popular excursion with many rooms open to the public.

•The Puerta de Alcalá is lit up at night and is a great spot to relax on a summer evening.

•Top Sightseeing in Madrid Tip According to our holidaymakers, "the Gran Via and Plaza Mayor are definitely worth going to see. Venti Bullring not too far away is worth seeing."

•Shopping in Madrid Artisan crafts such as jewellery, paintings and leather goods can be found throughout the city. For a more modern shopping experience visit Principe Pio shopping centre where you'll find the incredibly popular Zara and Mango stores. There are also lots of markets to explore.

•Go and see Real Madrid play at the Real Madrid Stadium. Book your tickets ahead of time!

•When is the best time to visit Madrid? Anytime. The weather in Madrid is mild in the winter and hot in the summer. Spring and Autumn in Madrid are great.

•Madrid's May Fiesta: May is party time with Madrid's biggest fiesta. It is really important to book ahead for the fiesta as it attracts travellers from around the world and accommodation gets booked up very quickly.

•Eating Out in Madrid: Unsurprisingly there is a superb choice of Tapas bars and restaurants serving traditional Spanish cuisine such as suckling pig.There are many restaurants that serve international cuisine. You'll find Indian restaurants, Chinese, Thai and pizzerias scattered throughout the city.

•Top Eating out in Madrid Tip: Look out for restaurants in Madrid serving the menu del dia (menu of the day). These are usually great value, popular with locals, include a glass of wine and provide the opportunity to try some local cuisine.

•Nightlife in Madrid: Get some early nights, before you go. This is a city that is permanently set to party mode and has some excellent clubs offering live music, jazz, flamenco, world music, salsa and a hip Latin scene. You may never come home.

•Top Clubs in Madrid Tip: Stella, at Calla Arbalan, hosts many international djs at its popular Friday night party.

•Bars in Madrid: There are so many lovely bars to visit, and it's not just for those under 25.

•The Plaza de Santa Anna is a good place to start and you can choose from a wide selection of bars also in La Latina and Malsana.

•Chueca, traditionally the gay area of the city, has become more mainstream and is home to some very cool bars and clubs.

•Top Madrid Nightlife Tip: Going clubbing? Go to the Sol square. You will probably find vouchers for special offers and free entry.

•Flamenco in Madrid: The best place for authentic Flamenco is the theatre at Casa Patas on Calla Canizares.

•Hotels in Madrid: We have an excellent choice of hotels in Madrid; all with our lowest prices guarantee.

•Our customer favourite hotels in Madrid include the fabulous Westin Palace Hotel which is in a wonderful spot on the Plaza De Las Cortes and has rooms overlooking the Prado Museum and the Neptune Fountain. It has an amazing history and was built on the instructions of King Alfonso XII to entertain Madrid's great and good and visiting royalty. A superb example of Belle Epoque architecture, it is perfect for a lavish break with a distinctly authentic Spanish flavour. It has proved a big hit with our travellers garnering a 5/5 by everyone who has stayed there. If you want to go in style, this is the way to do it.

•Cheap Flights to Madrid: We have cheap flights to Madrid with all your favourite airlines and operators. The flight takes just over 2 hours 30 minutes from UK airports.

•Cheap Holidays to Madrid: Choose your cheap flights and hotels with us and plan your holiday to Madrid Spain

•Transfers to Madrid: We can book your transfers to your hotel in Madrid by either shuttle or private taxi. We can also book UK airport car parks online, plus travel insurance and currency exchange for your holiday.

Did you know? Residents are called Madrileños.

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