If you’re planning a trip to Madrid, you’ve probably already found a list of tourist attractions. But Madrid has a lot more to offer than just museums and landmarks. Here are some places where you can get lost and soak up the atmosphere of Madrid.
Location of Madrid
The city is located in the heart of Spain and is directly and efficiently connected to all other cities in the country. Madrid’s atmosphere, cultural attractions and geographical location make it a great destination to visit. For example, there are numerous flights to Madrid.
Every year, millions of tourists come to the Spanish capital. Compared to other cities in the country or islands (Ibiza or Mallorca, for example), Madrid is full of tourists all year round. It doesn’t matter if it’s winter, summer or spring. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or hot. Madrid is always full of people.
Tourism is different: people don’t want to party so much, they want culture, museums, good music, etc.
So walking down Gran Vía is never a relaxing experience: tourists and locals alike are constantly walking around in the city’s large urban center.
What are the best places to visit in Madrid?
Malasaña
Malasaña is special. The little streets. The bars and vintage clothing stores. The people and cafes. Everything is special and charming.
There is nothing to do in Malasaña, but you can do it all. It’s a place to get lost and wander around. Experience the hipster and 80s style. Look at the graffitied walls and enjoy the phrases written on them.
Bounded by Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana and Paseo de Carranza, Malasaña is one of the most characteristic areas of Madrid: it’s a neighbourhood where you can wander around at any time and not feel like you’re being hindered by hordes of tourists – and that’s what makes it so unique.
Debod Temple
This temple is a magical place. The energy that surrounds this place makes it unique. And it definitely has the best sunsets in Madrid. The temple was donated to Spain by the Egyptian government to prevent it from being flooded after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
La Latina
This is one of the oldest and most charming neighbourhoods in Madrid, and there’s something totally different about this area: its streets still retain the charm of years past, and getting lost in its alleys is a special experience.
It is slowly regaining popularity and today you can find many bars and places to go for tapas. The neighbourhood has a special atmosphere that is contagious. As with Malasaña, there is no particular place to go when you arrive in La Latina, but you can wander the streets, discover its hidden treasures and enjoy its architecture and charm.
Retiro Park
Retiro Park is a place that transports you to another dimension. You arrive at Puerta de Alcalá, caught up in the whirlpool of the capital’s hectic, frantic pace. But as soon as you pass through the gates that lead to Retiro Park, everything changes. You step into another dimension.
You can stay there for hours – the lake is special with all the little boats coming and going and all the street shows that take place along the lakeside.
There’s not much to see in Retiro Park other than the Crystal Palace, the park itself is a highlight, so grab a book, sit back and enjoy the people and the time passing by.
Madrid is small enough that you can explore it all on foot – and it’s worth it, just to see its diversity, the different buildings, the accents of the people, the everyday conversation and the hustle and bustle of the capital. You’ll discover incredible things when you walk through the city.
