Sunshine and soul in the heart of Spain
Madrid, Spain
Madrid stands head and shoulders above other capitals. Not only because of its world-class art museums, buzzing nightlife and phenomenal tapas bars, but also because it’s up at 650 metres above sea level. That makes it the highest capital city in the EU. Home to not one but two world-famous football clubs, the Spanish metropolis is also about bullfighting, people-watching and boutique shopping. But it’s the Madrilenians themselves that really make this inland city, and Cosa can help you enjoy the capital of Spain like a local.
Magnificent museums
Madrilenians love their city’s big three museums: the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia, aka the Golden Triangle of Art. They’re located along the tree-lined Paseo Del Prado, and offer a trip through Western art history. The trio can get crowded – as global icons often do – but Cosa can arrange for you to visit at a quieter time.
Park pleasures
A leisurely stroll in El Retiro park, which belonged to Spanish royals until the 19th century, is a time-honoured Madrid tradition. Alternatively, if you want to work off some of the tapas and cocido madrileño (a famous Madrid chickpea stew) you’ve been devouring, hire bikes or row a boat around the lake. Or just watch the world go by.
Football fans
Football isn’t just a game in the Spanish capital, it’s a religion. And a visit to Real Madrid’s space-age Santiago Bernabeu stadium is akin to visiting a theatre – fans arrive expecting to be entertained by their players on the pitch and don’t hesitate to wave white handkerchiefs to signal their disapproval at a decision or a defeat.
Magical markets
Shopping for vintage tea sets and antiques at El Rastro is an institution. Madrid’s biggest flea market takes place every Sunday in the traditional neighbourhood of La Latina, and we can take you to the best secret little stalls. Food more your thing? At Mercado de San Miguel, tuck into classic delights like Spanish stacks of Piquillo peppers and plump olives.
Essential Madrid
The capital of Spain since the 17th century, Madrid is one of Europe’s sunniest cities with more than 300 days of sunshine each year. English isn’t too widely spoken in Madrid, making it the perfect place to practise your Spanish over a few plates of tapas. But don’t arrive early: lunch in Madrid rarely begins before 2pm and is followed by a siesta, while dinner starts around 10pm. Summer can be brutally hot so that even many of the city’s 3.5 million inhabitants escape.
Where it is
Southern Europe
When to go
September to June
Why go there
Art
Tapas
Nightlife
What to see
The Golden Triangle
El Retiro Park
Mercado de San Miguel
