Madrid has always been a hotbed of culture. Many are not aware that the name of the city has its roots in Moorish culture, or that its famous nighttime marchas are inspired by the gypsy and flamenco culture of Spain. Visiting the city, you will be surprised at just how many layers there really are to Madrid.
Where to Start
The first key is looking past the effects of Franco. Many people complain about the sterility of Madrid compared to Barcelona or Sevilla, but they aren’t looking beyond the downtown business district, which was mostly built in an authoritarian style. To see more of the city’s soul, it’s best to visit the art.
Arts and Museums
Coming out of the Atocha Renfe station, you will want to cross over to the Museo del Prado. Housed in a former royal palace, this museum is home to the best of traditional Spanish art. From El Greco to looted Dutch masters, you will be able appreciate the taste of the Spanish rulers over the centuries.
From there, you can see modern art at the nearby Reina Sofia. Picasso’s Guernica hangs here, as well as a rotating set of installations by up and coming artists. Insiders know that the interior courtyard is a great place to have a quiet coffee and watch the city’s independent art students unwind and sketch.
Gypsy Markets
Insiders also know to spend their Tuesday and Saturday afternoons haggling at the gypsy markets known as the Rostro in the Lavanderias neighborhood. It has a mixed reputation after dark, but it is perfectly safe in the day time. You will be able to see the immigrant and gypsy traders of Madrid displaying all the goods that make the city a business exchange capital, and pick up some truly remarkable leather and copper goods made by master craftsmen.
Dining and Entertainment
From there, you will want to head for your early evening coffee. Madrid’s many small café’s will beckon you every step of the way, as part of the tapas culture that has thrived here for centuries. However, you will want to hold out for evening coffee at the colorful Plaza del Dos Mayo, where the young and interesting come out to stroll before heading out to Madrid’s many nightclubs.
You can check out your options in the Puerta del Sol Area before committing to a nightlife destination. Snack on Jamon Serrano and prepare yourself for dancing by doing what all of the locals do. Get some sleep!
Hotels
Take a quick nap back at your hotel before heading out for the evening. Since many Madrid hotels are in converted homes and former palaces, they each have their own special characters. Sometimes this means thin and creaking walls, so napping early is a great way to ensure you are rested enough to last through the night, even if all of the guests don’t return back to the hotel until the wee hours of the morning. However, even if you are tired from a big night out on the town, the chocolate y churros most hotels offer in the morning will be a perfect way to wake up!
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Madrid.
(Photo:Fotolia/Nuka)
