Madrid Cultural capital
Both in the capital city and its wider region, Madrid offers a holistic view of Spain at its best.
When tackling Madrid, there’s plenty to be said for starting on the inside and working your way outwards. The capital city tells the nation’s vivid and fiery story through art, history and architecture, while at night it invites all walks of life to come together in the savouring of simple pleasures. But what makes the Community of Madrid more than just a city break is the celebrated surrounding countryside. Here you’ll find a contrasting, but equally rich, picture of Spain, revealing remote villages, mountain trails, impressive biodiversity, and opportunities to explore via outdoor pursuits. Read on to discover how to experience the best of both.
In the art world, Madrid’s status is akin to royalty, with a collection of masterpieces that has visitors returning again and again. The city is home to world famous works by the great artists Picasso, Velázquez and Goya that are well worth seeing in the flesh. The most renowned galleries are the Museo del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen Bornemisza but you’ll come across plenty of smaller museums and galleries as you wander the honey hued streets.
Something of an Instagram hot spot, Madrid has more excellent views than you can shake a (selfie) stick at. But its architecture is not just pretty to look at it sets a wonderful scene of Spanish culture. In fact, the city is like an exhibition in itself, with medieval mansions, quaint apartment blocks adorned with balconies, royal palaces, grand Baroque buildings and inviting plazas from all different periods in history.
The labyrinth of streets that makes up the centre of Madrid will inevitably lead you to the grand central square of Plaza Mayor, one of the few truly open spaces in a city used to coexisting at close quarters. Also worth seeking out for a break from the crowds is the Parque del Buen Retiro, where you can admire marble monuments from the comfort of the landscaped lawns, take a rowing boat out onto the lake at sunset, and people watch over a refreshing drink at one of the open air cafés.
Madrid’s menu is an irresistible blend of tastes, traditions and techniques. Discover the bold creativity behind Spain’s gastronomic revolution, the culinary personalities of different regions and the flavours of Spanish staples as you join the locals in appreciating the luxury of a fine tapeo (bar hopping in search of the best tapas) in the company of others.
With a slew of bars paying tribute to different eras from the history of drinking, Madrid has certainly earned its reputation for mesmerising nightlife. With a tide of fellow revellers enticing you from barrio to dancefloor, all you need to do is choose your tipple and try to keep in time with the beat.
Away from the infectious energy of Spain’s capital, you’ll find sanctuary in the region’s rural landscapes and protected natural areas. Lose yourself in the ancient and enchanting forest of Hayedo de Montejo, a Unesco World Heritage site, or go on the lookout for the protected species that live in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. Within the Peñalara Summit, Cirque and Lakes Nature Reserve is the highest point in the entire region, while the Cuenca Alta del Río Manzanares Biosphere Reserve is a Specially Protected Bird Area with a wonderful regional park inside it.
Arguably the best way to make the most of Madrid’s naturally diverse and captivating scenery is to immerse yourself in it through the many activities on offer. In addition to countless hiking trails and 480 miles of signposted cycling routes, you can try your hand at skiing or paragliding in the Guadarrama Mountains, climbing in La Pedriza, water sports in the San Juan Reservoir, or even climb aboard a hot air balloon.