Mad about Madrid
There are many great cities in the world, but Madrid is certainly among some of the best. Not only does it have a rich history dating back to the 9th century, but it’s also one of the finest cities for culinary experiences, art, architecture, and nightlife.
We’re simply mad about Madrid and, without further ado, we’ll tell you why…
Food, glorious food
Every good conversation starts with food, so you can be sure that you’ll have many good conversations in this city! Madrid has become one of the top culinary capitals of Europe and even though you can easily find international food options, it boasts many lip-smacking local meals.
Some must-try meals include:
- Cocido Madrileño: traditional Spanish stew which consists of a flavourful broth of vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo sausage, and pork;
- Huevos Rotos: literally translated to “broken eggs”, this typical dish consists of potatoes fried in Spanish olive oil, tossed with sea salt, and topped with perfect over-easy eggs;
- Pincho de Tortilla:a tortilla is basically a Spanish omelet and is not only a staple food in Spain but also one of the most typical foods in Madrid;
- Bocadillo de calamares: crusty, fresh bread loaded with flour-coated, deep-fried squid rings. The central Plaza Mayor is where you’ll find these delicious sandwiches in abundance.
Art and architecture
From Puerta del Sol with its number of well-known sights such as the old Post Office, to galleries and 17th and 18th century Baroque-style churches, Madrid has mesmerising architecture and buildings all over the place. It is also one of the cities with the most precious art from Spanish artists such as Goya and Velázquez as well as Flemish and Italian favourites.
One of the most popular areas for art is called Paseo del Arte. Along this one-kilometre stretch you can find the Prado Museum (with works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian, Rubens and Hieronymus Bosch), the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (displaying seven centuries of art with works by El Greco, Canaletto, Monet, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Hopper, Picasso, Dalí and Chagall); and the Reina Sofía Museum (with one of the finest collections of contemporary art in the world, including Picasso’s Guernica), among other places well worth a visit.
Flamenco and football
Last but not least, this is also the city for flamenco and football, of course! Even though some say Flamenco originated in the southern regions of Spain, Madrid is known as the Flamenco capital of the world. It hosts the annual Suma Flamenca Festival in June which attracts some of the best flamenco performers in the country. Performances take place at various venues within the city, as well as in smaller surrounding towns and neighborhoods.
If you find yourself in the Spanish capital (and you’re a football fan), you cannot pass up the opportunity to visit at least one of the great football stadiums such as Santiago Bernabéu (home of Real Madrid CF); Wanda Metropolitano (home of Atlético Madrid which has undergone a major renovation); and Vallecas Stadium (home of Rayo Vallecano).
