Madrid is known as the city that never sleeps, its nightlife is very lively and I could experience it when I lived there in 2006/2007.
Besides being the capital of Spain, Madrid has the seat of government, the courts and the official residence of the kings of Spain. Surrounded by a lot of history, the trip to this city is incredible.
The best thing to do is book from 2 to 3 days to enjoy the local history and gastronomy. Madrid will certainly delight you in all seasons!
What to do in Madrid:
Retiro Park: built in the 17th century for the leisure of King Felipe IV, it is one of the main parks in Madrid. It has 291,584 acres and is in the center of the city. The park is beautiful and has many attractions, ranging from the crystal castle, exhibitions, musical attractions by local artists, rowing boat ride on the artificial lake, in addition to the statues tour, where we will find all the statues of the monarchs of Spain.
Plaza Maior: for many years it was the place of meetings and celebrations of a civil nature. Entering the square, which is in the center of the city, we can already see several commemorative plaques, monuments, as well as many restaurants and convenience stores. And if you are visiting Plaza Maior at Christmas time, you will be enchanted by the Christmas market.
La Puerta del sol: it is undoubtedly the most important square in Madrid, the meeting point for tourists, in addition to housing some of the most significant points and buildings in Madrid. In Puerta del sol you will find the bear statue, symbol of Madrid, the clock at the post office and the “Kilometer Zero”.
Gran Vía: this the perfect place to go shopping because in these streets we find the main stores and restaurants in the city. Also, this is the most famous street in Madrid.
Palacio Real de Madrid: it was the official address of the kings of Spain for many years, but today it is used only for ceremonies, receptions and official acts. The place is beautiful and is open for visits, a walk that I highly recommend! Oh, be sure to visit the castle gardens as well and watch the changing of the guard that happens every Wednesday at 11 am.
La Puerta de Alcalá: it is one of the most photographed monuments in Madrid and is located at the beginning of Alcalá Street. It was inaugurated in 1778 and this is nothing more than the first triumphal arch built in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Museo del Prado: in addition to being one of the best-known museums in Madrid, it is also one of the most important arts museums in the world. You will need at least an entire morning to visit the museum, so, if you love art, be sure to visit.
Santiago de Bernabéu Football Stadium: I used to live in the street of the stadium and witnessed how crazy this place was when Real Madrid was playing at Santiago de Bernabéu. Opened in 1947, the stadium is the perfect place for football lovers and is open for visits, but I advise you to arrive early because the line is huge during the day. Inside, besides the field, you can still visit the football museum and the accommodation of the players before they enter the field.