Madrid Travel Guide – Hola Madrid!

Since the 16th century, Madrid has stood as the capital of Spain, emerging as one of Europe’s foremost centers for finance, history, entertainment, and art. When I was living in Portugal, I decided to embark on a three-day journey to Madrid in the month of April.

Madrid Travel Guide: Transportation

Madrid Airport boasts four terminals, each offering seamless metro connectivity to the city center. Opting for a five-use metro card upon our arrival facilitated our movement around the city. Given our preference for exploring on foot, the five-use card proved more than sufficient for our three-day visit.

Madrid Travel Guide: Accommodation

We secured lodgings at the centrally located Youth Hostel, a typical hostel where one can enjoy complimentary breakfast and an evening happy hour with Sangria, mingling with individuals from various nationalities. The surrounding area offered numerous budget-friendly accommodation options. I recommend staying in an area between Puerto del Sol square and El Retiro Park. This way you can explore many places on foot. You can check the hotel options in the city here.

Madrid Travel Guide: Internet

If you want to avoid any internet inconveniences while exploring, you can purchase an e-sim from Airalo here. When making your first e-sim purchase on Airalo, use the code IAMONT3974 to receive a $3 discount. 🙂

Madrid Travel Guide: Places to Visit

Puerto del Sol

On our first day in Madrid, after having breakfast at the hostel, we found ourselves wandering towards the famous Puerto del Sol. Translating to “Sun Gate,” this square stands as Madrid’s most significant and bustling hub. Unbeknownst to us, it was a special day with a Galatasaray and Real Madrid match taking place. The square was teeming with Galatasaray supporters, providing us with a vivid experience of the square’s festive atmosphere.

El Oso y el Madroño

Within the picturesque Puerto del Sol square, surrounded by splendid buildings, stands a symbol of Madrid and Spain, the sculpture of El Oso y el Madroño, translating to “The Bear and the Strawberry Tree.” This 22-ton sculpture has symbolized the country since the 13th century. Surprisingly, I found the sculpture smaller than anticipated. It’s somewhat overshadowed by other statues in the square.

El Retiro Park

Continuing from the square, we strolled through Madrid’s well-organized streets, flanked by beautiful architectural wonders, until we reached El Retiro Park. While the World Health Organization recommends 10 square meters of green space per person in a city, Madrid offers a generous 16 square meters. Consequently, it boasts the highest green space per capita in Europe. The renowned El Retiro Park, established in the 17th century, features stunning sculptures, monuments, and a picturesque lake.

Palacio de Cristal

One of my favorite spots in the park was Palacio de Cristal. An impressive crystal palace constructed in the 19th century entirely from glass. Adjacent to it lies a small lake. I highly recommend a visit to this enchanting site in El Retiro.

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Plaza de Canalejas

Embarking on our second day, we explored the streets around the hostel. Plaza de Canalejas greeted us with its charming surroundings and beautiful buildings.

Madrid Travel Guide: Plaza Mayor

Dating back to the 16th century, this rectangular grand square sits at the heart of the city. Surrounded by splendid buildings, it features a statue of Philip III in the center. The square boasts ten entrances and has witnessed historical events, from executions to bullfights. Now, it stands open to the public, hosting a Christmas Market during winter.

Arco de Cuchilleros

Exiting through the famous Arco de Cuchilleros, the most renowned exit from the square, we ventured forward. Along this street, we encountered Restaurante Botin. It’s recognized as the world’s oldest restaurant, operating continuously since 1725. It was a surreal experience to witness a place with such historical significance.

Madrid Travel Guide: Mercado do San Miguel

For lunch, we reached Mercado do San Miguel, a sizable gastronomic market offering a variety of dishes, tapas, beers, sangrias, and fruits. The abundance of options left me indecisive, but the prices were more reasonable compared to restaurants. Even if you’re not planning to eat, a visit to soak in the atmosphere is highly recommended.

Plaza de Villa

Plaza de Villa, home to Madrid’s oldest buildings, welcomed us next. Dating back to the 15th century, it houses Casa de los Lujanes, Casa de Cisneros, and Casa de la Villa de Madrid. In the center stands a statue of the renowned admiral Álvaro de Bazán. Witnessing these centuries-old structures still in use was truly astonishing.

Almudena Cathedral

Navigating through charming streets, we made our way to Almudena Cathedral. It’s Madrid’s largest cathedral and the venue for royal weddings. Construction began in 1875, but it didn’t open to the public until 1993. The cathedral, with its Gothic architecture, left a profound impact both inside and out.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Adjacent to Almudena Cathedral lies the Royal Palace of Madrid, the grandiose residence of the Spanish Royal Family. With around 3,500 rooms, it stands as one of Europe’s largest palaces. Originally built in the 10th century, subsequent monarchs expanded and renovated it. A fire in 1734 destroyed much of the palace, including over 500 artworks. Despite the royal family not residing there, the palace is still used for state affairs. Visitors can explore the palace by purchasing tickets, and those without a card can enter for a fee of 13 Euros. Fortunately, I entered for free with my Portuguese residence visa.

Plaza de España

Our next stop, Plaza de España, conveniently located near the palace. It features a large statue of Cervantes and sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. With a small lake and the backdrop of Madrid’s two iconic skyscrapers, it serves as a delightful resting spot. We opted to take the metro from Plaza de España back to our hostel, as our energy levels were depleted.

Estación de Madrid

On our final day, we visited Estación de Madrid, the main train station. While restoration work limited our access to the interior, the exterior showcased the station’s reputed beauty.

Prado Museum

Madrid hosts several of Europe’s finest museums, including the Prado Museum, Thyssen Museum, and Reina Sofia Museum. They’re all within a few minutes’ walk to each other. We deemed it imperative to visit the Prado Museum, renowned as the National Spanish Museum. Spending approximately two hours here, we marveled at its exceptional collection. Admission prices can be checked here. Sunday visits between 3-5 pm were free. In front of the museum stands a statue of the famous Spanish painter Velázquez, holding a palette.

Madrid City Hall

Exiting the museum, we proceeded to Madrid City Hall. While we didn’t enter, the external architecture presented a striking visual. The area around the City Hall boasts notable landmarks such as Fuente de Cibeles, the Bank of Spain, the iconic Metropolis Building, and the Cervantes Institute. It serves as a photogenic point where one can admire some of the city’s most prominent buildings simultaneously.

Puerta de Alcalá

Continuing along Alcala Street, we reached Puerta de Alcalá, one of Madrid’s five gates leading to the city. This gate, located near El Retiro Park, derives its name from the road connecting Madrid to the nearby city of Alcala.

Gran Via Street

Subsequently, we explored the renowned Gran Via Street, experiencing the tranquility that comes with having seen everything the city has to offer. Given Spain’s association with major fashion brands like Zara, Bershka, and Stradivarius, I briefly checked out the stores behind Puerto del Sol, but the prices were comparable. Our culinary adventure led us to Taberna El Fontan, where we indulged in seafood paella. Though the paella was delectable and complemented by Sangria, I found the prices somewhat steep.

Madrid Travel Guide: Activities

There are many activities you can do in Madrid and the surrounding areas. You can explore different cities near Madrid with a daily tour or visit the important historical landmarks in Madrid with a tour guide. You can check the details and prices of activities on the platform below.

Madrid Travel Guide: Nightlife

Venturing out into the night, we wandered through Calle de la Cruz and its surrounding streets, discovering a vibrant area, especially bustling on Friday and Saturday nights. Along these streets, we found establishments offering free entry for women and complimentary first drinks. Exploring multiple venues, we enjoyed a lively night without spending a dime. What more could one ask for?

Madrid Travel Guide: Notes & Recommendations & Conclusion

• I meticulously pinned the places to visit and restaurants on Google Maps for convenient navigation. Save the map below to access locations even without an internet connection.
• Madrid, in my experience, stands out as one of the most orderly cities, appealing to the eye with its diverse architecture and rich historical ambiance. With a plethora of small parks at every corner, Madrid is a city to be explored by foot. Its people, cuisine, and culture make it a must-visit destination.
• Explore more of my articles on Spain here.