Madrid Holidays

As with any city break, it’d be a shame not to make time to tick off the major sights. Madrid is choc-a-block with monuments, landmarks and architectural highlights to see, so why not make a day of it? Take a sunset stroll to Puerta de Alcala and be sure to stop by the Royal Palace and the Catedral de la Almudena.

Try out the Tapas Walking Tour trailing through Madrid’s traditional bars and restaurants and indulge in the hearty Madrileño cuisine. Treat yourself to a taste of Andalusian sherry, cider from Asturias, chorizo in cider, octopus from Galicia and a variety of regional specialities. If you’re still feeling peckish, try the 'tostadas' and great meats, cheeses, salads and tapas.

With weather this good, make your way to the beautful Casa de Campo park. Crowned as Madrid’s biggest park this picturesque piece of land is a whopping five times larger than Central Park and you’ll find Madrid Zoo, Madrid Arena and sports facilities amongst its luscious landscaped gardens. You can ever hire boats on its lake.

Feast your eyes on flashes of colourful silk and sequins as you watch the fiery flamenco dancers in the city’s tablaos and theatre shows. If you’re looking for a lively evening, some of the best Flamenco dancing can be seen at the Corral de la Moreria “tablao” restaurant, known for its excellent Spanish food and talented Flamenco performers.

Visiting Madrid? Flock to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and settle for an afternoon watching the mighty Real Madrid in action if you're lucky enough to get tickets in season. If not, there is always the fantastic stadium tour to enjoy. It's advisable to book tickets to the tour in advance online.

Situated just a short distance from the city centre, the theme park offers over 36 attractions, six live shows, 17 restaurants and other fun family events. Whether you’re aiming for adrenaline pumping-rides or a film at the 4D cinema, the Parque de Atraaciones de Madrid is a big hit with families.

If you’re staying in Madrid over a weekend, the El Rastro flea market runs every Sunday and offers an incredible vibe, even if you choose not to buy anything from the stalls. Dozens of vendors turn up selling a jumble of goodies from vinyl to jewellery, and if you’re a vintage lover, you’ll no doubt fall upon a bargain or two.

Head to Madrid’s alluring Art Triangle to see three of the city’s major museums and galleries, Museo del Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Once you’ve dedicated time to this trio, CaixaForum and the National Archaeological Museum sit nearby or head for the shopping districts and the lively food markets to pick up some treats for the folks back home.