Madrid Travel Guide - CX Travels

There were so many aspects of Spain that just left me in awe and wanting to go back for more. Beforehand, I honestly did not know what to expect before my trip. I think the only things I had associated with the country were Gaudi, the Cheetah Girls movie in Barcelona (my childhood favorite!), and paella. Very expansive knowledge there right:’) But as I walked around Madrid and did some more research, I really got to see the influence of Spanish culture and history. I only had time to fit in Madrid, a day trip to Toledo, and Barcelona, but you KNOW I am already planning things to do for my next trip (whenever that is)! For now, I want to share some of my recommendations on things to do and places to eat in this Madrid travel guide!

Things to know

Currency

Like the rest of the European Union, Spain uses euros. While credit cards are widely accepted around the city, it is helpful to have some euros on hand for smaller purchases such as souvenirs or cheap meals.

Transportation

Madrid is a very walkable city. The city center (or at least where most of the sights are) is not very big, but you can also easily take the metro to your destination. Metro tickets will cost anywhere between 1.50 – 2 euros. At the ticket machine, just put in your destination station, and it will automatially find the shortest route. We initially had some trouble purchasing the metro tickets as pricing is based on the specific zones you are riding to, however; the attendants located around the station were patient and kind in helping us navigate the machines!

Language

Spanish! Many locals here speak English, especially if they’re younger. The older generation may not have as many English speakers but they’ll definitely try to guide you the best they can! I think it helps to learn some basic words to help you get around, or use google translate! While google may not be the most accurate, it helped us at least figure out menus and what ingredients were in certain dishes!

Things to do

Palacio Real (Royal Palace)

The palace is the largest functioning royal palace in Europe with over 3400 rooms! Fun fact: it’s actually the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family but now it’s mainly used for state ceremonies. If you’ve been to the Palace of Versailles, you’ll feel that some elements seem pretty similar. The rooms are opulent and highly detailed. Frescoes can be found on many ceilings and gold embellishments can be found through out the palace. Be sure to book tickets ahead of time and tour this beautiful baroque palace.

Catedral de la Almudena

This large cathedral sits right across from the Palacio Real. It’s beautiful architecture features a mix of neoclassical elements on the exterior and a gothic interior.

Plaza Mayor

This large public square is super lively and a must visit in Madrid! The plaza is surrounded by three-story residential buildings that have beautiful architecture! It’s located in the oldest part of the city with many cafes and shops lining the streets surrounding it. Just be aware that the restaurants in and near the plaza will be more expensive due to the area’s touristy nature, but it’s great if you want to enjoy views of the square & people watch. Many events are also held in the square, including the Christmas Market in December!

Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun)

This plaza is another famous & bustling square found in central Madrid. From here you can easily see historic sites or go shopping! There are so many restaurants and well known shopping brands nearby. Some well known landmarks in the square include:

Old Post Office – now office of the President of Madrid; the post office is also home of the famous clock that marks the Spanish New Year tradition of the eating of the 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve
Statue of The Bear and the Strawberry Tree – represents the coat of arms of Madrid
Kilometer 0 – the starting point for all major radial roads in Spain, located on the pavement in front of the Old Post Office

Plaza de Cibeles

Plaza de Cibeles has become an emblematic symbol of Madrid with the Cibeles Fountain sitting in the center of several famous buildings including the Cybele Palace (formerly the Palace of Communications), Bank of Spain, and HQ of the Spanish Army. I thought the white marble sculptures in the center of the fountain and palace were stunning!

Retiro Park

Retiro Park is a must visit when in Madrid! There are so many things to see like lakes, galleries, and beautiful buildings, but also numerous activities that are perfect to do with friends and families. I absolutely loved this park and found myself strolling around on my last few days just watching people pedal boats and kids running around while the saxophonist jammed out on a corner. This is probably one of my favorite memories from my trip.

Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace)

Located within Retiro Park, Palacio de Cristal faces a small artificial lake and houses rotating contemporary exhibitions. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a great example of Madrid’s cast-iron architecture.

Cuesta de Moyano

Right outside Retiro Park, there’s a small street lined with small book stands. Each stand is piled high with books of all kinds, mostly in Spanish of course, but it’s still charming getting to browse the different tables. And who knows, maybe you’ll find a new read or just a book to remember your trip by!

Address: Cuesta de Moyano, C. Claudio Moyano, 19, 28014 Madrid, Spain

La Gran Vía

This is considered to be Madrid’s most famous street. Not only is it a famous shopping street, Gran Vía is also home to numerous restaurants, bars (one of the streets with the most nightlife in the city), and famous buildings.

Watch a flamenco show

This was a last minute decision we made on our trip, and I’m so glad we got to experience it! I really recommend finding a show near you wherever you are in Spain. It’s a beautiful art form based on the traditional folklore music native to southern Spain, and it’s every bit as exciting as you would imagine it to be. We found this place that also happened to offer a tapas dinner along with the flamenco show!

Places to eat

Mercado de San Miguel

Be sure to stop by this 100+ year old market featuring cast-iron architecture. This market is perfect for those that are indecisive or those that love to try many dishes all at once (like me hehe)! There are so many stands to choose from, and each one offers dishes/ tapas from different regions across Spain. We ordered Sangria, Paella, Empanadas, seafood toast tapas, and different skewers! Fill up for lunch and walk it all off as you explore the rest of the city.

Matador

This was the first restaurant we ate at in Madrid, and boy did it really set the bar high. We indulged in various tapas dishes such as Jamón ibérico (Iberian Ham), Gallician cooked ham, and the Tortilla de Patatas (spanish omelette)!

Mas al Sur/ El sur

These 2 restaurants also served AMAZING tapas and other classic Spanish dishes. I especially loved the seafood paella and shrimp in olive oil! They give really good size portions and prices here are not too expensive.

Sobrino de Botín

This restaurant is listed as the oldest restaurant in the world according to Guinness World Records. It’s known to be one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite restaurants and is famous for its Castilian style cuisine, especially their roast suckling pig and roast lamb.

Chocolatería San Ginés

This café has been open since 1894 and serves up the city’s most famous hot chocolate and churros. The hot chocolate isn’t too sweet and is thick enough to dip the churros in!

Acid Café

I always love finding coffee shops in any city I go to and Madrid was no different. We stumbled upon Acid Café on our way to Atocha train station the morning we headed to Toledo and I’m so glad we did! It has an industrial/ minimalist feel inside and they serve various pastries and toasts. The cappuccino was smooth and I loved it with my Swedish cardamom bun.

Hola Coffee

This was another café I visited on my last day in Madrid. I thought it was such a cute place with great pastries and even better coffee. Their croissant was so flaky!!

Salmon Guru

Listed as number 24 on the list of The World’s 50 best bars, Salmon Guru serves unique drinks and international dishes in a retro-style bar. While I didn’t get the chance to check out this bar, it’s definitely on the top of my list for my next trip!