Capital of Kingdom of Spain and the biggest Spanish city
WHERE
604, 3square kilometers in autonomous Community of Madrid.
WHY
You won’t feel city’s grandiosity due to its relaxed way of life with much to offer (and tapas bars every 50 meters 😉 )
WHEN TO GO
All year round
Summer can be very hot, around 35 ˚C, but due low humidity temperature feels much lower. Autumn and spring temperatures are around 13 ˚C, with average of 13 rainy days. Winter temperatures are between 5 and 10 ˚C with 5 fours of daylight
Big Spanish sales “rebajas” start on 7th of January and 1st of July, and last till end of February and August. Last period of sale is called “ultimas rebajas” with prices down to 70% off
INTERESTING FACTS
Madrileños have a rehearsal of New Year’s Eve. YesJ . It’s exactly as „the day“but without countdown, so basically, they celebrate New Year for two days, on 30th and 31st of December. One day before Three Kings Day (El Día de los Reyes) they organize a big carnival and exchange gifts.
WHAT I LOVE THE MOST
The fact Madrileño seem to enjoy life the best they can, bohemian life and smiling faces. The city itself is much cheaper than Barcelona.
HOW TO GET TO MADRID
By plane. The airport is sixth the busiest in EU, and by size like Charles De Gaulle in Paris, with direct flights to most of EU’s capitals.
By train, from any Spanish city, TGV from Paris and fast train from Lisbon.
Airport taxis are available 24/7, with fixed price of 30 € to city center. Metro operates every day from 6 a.m. till 2 a.m. EMT buses operate from 6 a.m. till 23:30 p.m., and night buses,”buhos”, operate from 23: 45 p.m. till 6 a.m.
BEST ATRACTIONS AND PLACES KNOW BY LOCALS
Museo Nacional Del Prado, Reina Sofia Centro de Artes, Plaza Mayor, Plaza del Sol, Palacio Real de Madrid, Catedral de Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena, Plaza Espanola, Puerta de Europa, Santiago Bernabeu Estadio, Catellana, Parque de El Retiro, Palacio de Cristal, Casa de Campo, Parque del Oeste, Templo de Debod, Madrid Rio park, Calle de Alcala, Plaza de Cibeles , Puerta de Alcala, Plaza de Colon, Plaza de Torosu de las Ventas.
BEST ACTIVITIES
Walking, walking and walking.
Walking through the city center and stopping for some tapas in many restaurants, including famous Museo del Jamon, San Gines chocolateria and many more
My favourite tapas bar is Indalo Tapas and Puerto Rico restaturnt
Take a metro to Salamanca, go back to Teleferico near Templo de Debod and go to Casa de Campo park
WHERE DO LOCALS GO
Penalaire, Calle: Embajadores 21
Museo del Jamon, Calle Gran Via 72, Calle Mayor 7, Paseo Prado 44, Calle Atocha 52
Puerto Rico restaurant, Calle Chincilla 2
Indalo Tapas, Calle Perez Galdoz 7, Calle de la Princesa 5, Calle de Atocha 14
El Corte Ingles, especially during sales period with discount uf to 70% off + additional discount card for nonresidents!
BEST ACCOMODATION
Any hotel in the city center, but I prefer Airbnb
BEST EATS
Restaurant Puerto Rico, Calle Chincilla 2. Odlična, jeftina hrana!
San Gines, Pasaje San Gines 5 – you can buy hot chocolate with churros here
La Mallorquina pasteleria, Calle Mayor 2 – tasty cakes and sweets
VISAS AND DOCUMENTS
Valid passport or ID for EU citizens
HEALTH AND SECURITY
Nothing to worry about
MONEY
Euro, ATMs are all over the city
WEB:
https://www.madridtourist.info/
http://atomic-temporary-142727302.wpcomstaging.com/2018/02/27/searching-for-creme-brulee/