When planning a trip to Spain, several cities will immediately capture your attentio
n. Madrid, undoubtedly will be one of them, and for good reason. It has a reputation as a city that you want to experience for yourself. But before you book your tickets you’re probably wondering “Is Madrid worth visiting”?
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IS MADRID WORTH A VISIT
Yes, Madrid is most definitely worth a visit. The capital of Spain is such a unique and magnificent city with so much to enjoy. The history and food are reasons enough to visit it. But there is so much more to the city.
It’s a city that appeals to all types of people whether you’re looking for a nice place for a family vacation, culture and history or if you’re looking for a more modern European city, Madrid has it all. I’ve found that there are a lot of reasons to visit Madrid. Here are just a few.
WHY VISIT MADRID
Weather
Madrid has a dry climate and approximately 350 sunny days per year. This means that whenever you visit there’s a good chance you’ll get a beautiful sunny day.
In addition to that, there is minimal chance of rain with only about 63 days per year getting some form of precipitation. This greatly increases the chance that you’ll have beautiful weather during your stay.
Food
When you come to Madrid you better come prepared to eat. Madrid is a foodie’s dream. There is so much to try and it’s so good. Some of the more popular dishes are paella, iberico ham, tapas, gazpacho, croquettes, tortilla espanola and of course churros.
The good thing about many of these dishes especially the paella, Iberico ham, and tapas is that you can find them everywhere, so no matter where you are in Madrid there’s a good chance you’ll get to have some.
Museums
Madrid is home to what is called the Golden Triangle. This refers to its world-class set of museums; the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofia. You know something is good if it’s included in a Golden Triangle. If you’re looking for art and culture then this is a great reason to visit Madrid.
All three museums are conveniently located within walking distance of each other and they’re each worth a visit.
This area borders central Madrid. Each museum has its specialty, the Prado features classical European art, the Reina Sofia features modern and contemporary Spanish art including the famous piece Guernica, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza boasts an expansive collection of European art.
Royal Palace of Madrid
If you want to see the largest palace in Western Europe, you’ll have to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid. Even though just a portion of this massive landmark is available to tour, it’s worth it to visit.
Before you even get into the palace you’ll be amazed by the expansive courtyard. It’s worth it to spend some time taking pics wandering the grounds before starting your tour.
The rooms that you can enter are all that you would expect from a royal residence and this includes the throne room. Entering the palace and being able to go from room to room was an awesome experience in Spanish history and culture.
Easy to get around (metro, central Madrid)
For tourists, so much of what you’ll want to see is centrally located. There is a lot that is within walking distance and the area of Centro Madrid.
A lot of this area is relatively flat which makes walking easy. Whatever you don’t want to walk to, you can use the metro. The metro is clean, easy to use, and safe. Several lines service the central area of Madrid where so many of the best boutique hotels are located.
This means that you can fit a lot of the must-sees in your itinerary and make the most of your time in Madrid.
Retiro Park
This park boasts some 350 acres of natural beauty and is a great place to visit while in Madrid. Some of the main features include the Great Pond which allows for row boat rides, the Crystal Palace, as well as numerous fountains and gardens.
It’s a great place to go for a walk or to grab a treat and sit and relax. There’s naturally a lot of open space so there’s plenty of room for kids to run and play and is one of the best places for families to visit while in Madrid.
Markets
Madrid is a city of markets. There are so many to choose from. The most popular is the San Miguel market near Plaza Mayor. It’s always busy and has quite a vibe and beautiful architecture.
There are many more including Mercado de la Cebada, Mercado de San Anton, and Mercado de Anton Martin. Mercado is by far the most touristy, but the others can provide a more authentic Madrid experience.
Churros
You probably shouldn’t book a full vacation to Madrid just to try out their famous dessert treat, but I don’t think anyone would blame you if you did. These delectable snacks are the pride of Spain and you can find them all over Madrid. The treat is fine by itself, but when dipped into thick “hot chocolate” it ascends to a higher level.
Madrid is a central spot for day trips
While you make sure that you have enough time to spend in Madrid, you can also make space in your itinerary for a day trip.
There are several options to choose from. Taking a train, you can easily make it to Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, and even Barcelona. This means that you can not only enjoy Madrid but get a little extra to go with the fun experience of being in the Spanish capital.
Home of Real Madrid
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is one of the most famous stadiums in the world and the home of one of the most famous sports teams in the world.
Fortunately for soccer (football to the rest of the world) lovers, the highly anticipated renovation is nearly completed and tours of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will be available soon. The stadium sits just outside Centro Madrid and is easily accessed by metro. Fans can tour the stadium and the team shop for the full experience.
Fundacion Telefonica
Inside what was once the tallest building in Europe resides several floors of scientific and technological displays and exhibits. It’s free to enter and conveniently situated right on the Calle Gran Via.
Several of the exhibits are interactive and are sure to capture the attention of the whole family. You’ll likely find it to be a surprising and compelling spot to visit.
Templo Debod
Do you want to visit an Egyptian temple, but haven’t been able to make it to Egypt? Then you have a great reason to visit Madrid! Madrid is the home to an ancient reconstructed Egyptian temple.
This structure was originally built and stood in Egypt, but was later taken apart and methodically put back together in Madrid as a gift from the Egyptian people. You can walk all around the building and even spend some time inside.
YOUR VISIT TO MADRID
A visit to Madrid can be a fun and varied experience even if you only have a day to spend. Between the food, the culture and the history, Madrid has it all. Start planning your family trip to Madrid now with our comprehensive guide as well as our itinerary and guide on best areas to stay when visiting Madrid. Safe travels!
