Madrid is a great place to stay for a few nights extra at the start or end of your tour, particularly if you are flying in and out of the city. Spain's capital is a charming city with a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you want to explore the historic monuments, or
simply relax with a copa and some tapas - Madrid is a good option.
Below are just a few of the highlights that you can visit in the city:
Royal Palace
Madrid's Royal Palace is part of a large complex together with the city's cathedral and the Campo del Moro gardens. Built in the 18th century as a royal residence for the Bourbon kings, the palace is imposing from the outside and lavishly decorated inside.
You can only visit a few of the 2,000 rooms inside, but it is enough to get a feel for the grandeur of the building. The popularity of the monarchy has declined sharply in Spain in recent decades, but the palace is a vivid reminder of a period when the king exuded significant power and authority.
Art Museums
Madrid is home to some of the finest art galleries in the world. The Prado is the most celebrated and hosts works by many of Europe's great painters, including Raphael, Bosch, Titian, Velazquez and Monet. It is a huge building that can take days to fully explore, but you can view the highlights in a few hours if you are short on time.
Star of the show are the paintings by Francisco de Goya, which depict the gruesome siege of Madrid by Napoleonic forces in the early 19th century (the above photo).
Near to the Prado is the Reina Sofia museum, which focuses more on modern art. Here you can find many original works by Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso - including the evocative painting Guernica.
Bars & Bodegas
One of the highlights of a trip to Madrid is wandering around the old town and visiting the various bars, tabernas and bodegas that line the streets. Plaza Mayor, in the heart of the city is a great place to start and soak up the relaxed, but lively atmosphere
that is so characteristic of Madrid.
Local specialities include the squid sandwich (Bocata de Calamares); Iberian ham (jamón Ibérico) and Manchego cheese. Drinks also flow freely, with Vermouth a particular favourite of Madrileños.
City Parks
Madrid is full of large and beautiful parks, which are great for strolling around after a meal, or simply relaxing in the warm sunshine. The most well known is Retiro; the entrance to which is marked by the impressive arch pictured above.
Retiro Park is home to attractive walkways, fountains, pavilions and labyrinths. It's large enough that, even in a city as large as Madrid, its easy to find a spot of tranquility and calm.
Elsewhere in the city, there is an excellent series of parks and footpaths along the Manzanares river. To the west of the Royal Palace, the Casa de Campo is another interesting park. This was historic hunting grounds of the royal family, and today is a large forested park which is popular with runners and hikers.
Real Madrid Football Club
A little to the north of the main city center is the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. This is the home of Real Madrid football club; the most successful team in European competitions, and one of the largest sports institutions in the world.
You can visit the impressive museum at the stadium, or go to see a game if they are playing at home. Real Madrid is an institution not just in the city, but throughout Spain and they tend to be either loved or hated by almost all Spaniards.
Some of the finest football players throughout history have graced the stadium, including Alfredo di Stefano, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
If you are a sports fan and prefer to support more of an underdog, there are several other teams in Madrid who are all worth a watch. Atletico Madrid's impressive new stadium is on the edge of the city, while smaller clubs like Rayo Vallecano, Getafe and Leganes tend to be supported by individual barrios in Madrid.
San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Situated in the Madrid province, around 40 miles to the west of Madrid, San Lorenzo de El Escorial is home to a magnificent royal palace dating from the 16th century. Constructed under the king Philip II - who was one of the most powerful monarchs in European history - the palace in El Escorial was purpose built to be the nerve center of the expanding Spanish empire.
The UNESCO World Heritage listed building is hugely impressive in its architecture and decoration. In particular, the library complete with fresco paintings of great philosophers and historical figures is a remarkable room.
If you are spending several days in Madrid, it is well worth the day trip out, to learn more about Spain at the peak of its Golden Age.
If you wish to add an extension to your tour, please enter the details on the tour reservation form, or contact us to discuss your options.
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