This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
One day I would love to visit Spain. Everything looks so beautiful. Another reason I really want to visit is because I already speak Spanish!
Spain’s historic capital certainly doesn’t cut corners when it comes to art, culture and cuisine. Madrid will easily sweep you away with the energy on its streets and the exuberant atmosphere, but keep your feet on the ground and your eyes open to enjoy some amazing sightseeing opportunities.
Grand palaces, beautiful city parks and neighborhoods dedicated to dining out, this city is built for exploration. Check it out on city breaks in Madrid.
Sightseeing favorites
The Royal Palace is the capital’s largest building and, quite possibly, its most beautiful one too. The building dates back to the early 19thcentury and features a staggering 870 windows, 240 balconies and 44 staircases as well as a collection of important works of art and a royal armory. Another favorite in this busy city is the 350 acre Buen Retiro Park, which dates back to 1640 and features a tranquil boating pond and many sculptures, monuments and galleries. The Temple of Debod is another unique site located not far from the Royal Palace and this 4,000 year old temple once stood on the banks of Egypt’s River Nile before being dismantled and rebuilt in Madrid to save it from flooding.
A bite to eat
When the sun’s out, there’s nothing like a glass of wine or a beer on the terraces of the cafes. However, this city has many dining areas where you can sample traditional cuisine or simply snack on some tapas. The La Latina neighborhood is located in one of the oldest areas in the city and has several squares and colorful medieval streets, and lays claim to having the most bars per square meter than any other area in the city. Streets such as Cava Baja and Cava Alta are lined with bars and restaurants which are busy at the weekends. Don’t miss the El Rastro street market that takes place every Sunday before stopping for a glass of beer.
Take in some art
The Spanish certainly respect art. Some of their best works can be seen at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, located in what was once an 18th century hospital. The panoramic, dual glass elevators offer interesting views but this museum contains masterpieces by Picasso, Dali and Miro as well as boasting two floors of frequently changing exhibits. The Prado Museum is another popular Madrid visitor attractions and again, the 18thcentury building is impressive enough in itself. However, once inside the Prado you’ll find over 7,000 works of art spanning the 9thand 19thcentury, and it will take a few visits before you could possible view all of the collections located here.
Of course there’s a lot more to do and see in this city but you should be able to pack in a few of these highlights even on city breaks in Madrid. This city deserves more than one visit, however, if only once again to experience one of the world’s most atmospheric destinations.
Image by Hernan Piñera, used under Creative Commons license