Vibrant, bewitching and festive, Madrid delights fiesta enthusiasts such as art lovers, gourmets as much as shopaholics, trendy and alters. A welcoming city, hedonistic and open to all, with a vibrant nightlife. Madrid has a lot of barrios (neighborhoods) rich in entertainment, like that of Lavapiés. And the banks of the Manzanares, a river that crosses this capital city, are not to be outdone.

Many cafes, tapas bars, or restaurants welcome people from Madrid and thirsty or hungry visitors everywhere, while places of entertainment and certain bistros invite you to listen to flamenco, rock or other modern music, or even zarzuelas, typical Spanish operetta type.

Capital of Spain, Madrid is also a city of history and culture. Exciting visits await you, in the streets and over the monuments of the historic center, or in the captivating museums of the city. And to rest from a good fiesta, nothing better than going green. Beautiful parks, such as that of the Retiro, are also part of Madrid’s assets, especially since they bring you a little freshness, welcome during the hottest periods.

Nothing is missing in this city with intense and very contrasting flavors. Discover our favorites to savor the best of Madrid.

The Royal Palace and the Madrid de los Austrias

Ready for a trip back in time? Then towards Los Austrias, a neighborhood that began to develop when the monarchs of the House of Habsburg, a native of Austria, reigned in Spain – the first of them was Charles V (16th century). Hence the name “Los Austrias”

In this particularly elegant district, several palaces or religious buildings, for example around the prestigious Plaza Mayor, punctuate the walk

Highlight of the walk, the huge Palacio Real was built in the 18th century. The visit of some of its more than 3,000 pieces is spectacular (throne room, works of art, porcelain, musical instruments, weapons and armor), even if you have little chance of crossing paths the king, who no longer lives here these days.

The Golden Triangle of Museums
Madrid is one of the cultural capitals of Europe, in particular thanks to three extraordinary museums. Due to their proximity, they form a world famous “golden triangle”, where masterpieces abound.

Among these museums, the Museo Centro de Arte Reina Sofía focuses on modern and contemporary arts with major works by Joan Miro, Salvador Dali, Antoni Tapies and Juan Gris. Its centerpiece is Picasso’s Guernica, a world-famous painting on the bombing of the village of the same name in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War.

Also, worth seeing: The Naval Museum, which immerses you in particular during the time of the discoveries and conquests of the Golden Age.

Retiro Park
Located near the center of Madrid, it is the most famous park in the city and one of its green lungs. It dates back to 16th century.

Drawn to 16 eses, the Retiro Park is a large (118 ha) and sumptuous place to walk where we walk along small or wide aisles. One of them is bordered by statues bearing the effigy of Spanish monarchs, on the edge of a large pond, or even in the heart of a rose garden.

Beautiful buildings, including a Crystal Palace, punctuate the walk in the Retiro. These constructions add charm to this green space appreciated by Madrid residents, ideal for cycling.

The Lavapiés district
An essential visit to discover local life, off the beaten track. In this popular district of medieval origin, it is a Madrid that is both authentic and trendy that gives itself to see. Close to the center, Lavapiés is an alternative and cosmopolitan district, where bohemian artists, old Madrid residents and foreign immigrants rub shoulders.

Lavapiés is indeed home to places of entertainment and culture, such as the beautiful Cine Doré which presents films from the Filmoteca Española collection. Another nice aspect of Lavapiés: bars or grocery stores and restaurants where you can taste all the flavors of the world.

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