Madrid—What to See and Do!

The capital of Spain, Madrid, offers it all. It’s difficult, however, to pick and choose what you would like to do in this bustling city in a short period of time. Between the beautiful cathedrals, renowned museums, and colorful markets and restaurants, here are a couple of our favorite things to do and see while you make the trip to Madrid.

1. Casa de Campo

This park is the biggest in all of Madrid, and it spans 5 times larger than New York’s Central Park. The Spanish name translates to “country house” because at one point in time, it was in fact a royal hunting estate. The park is a perfect place for families to take an afternoon stroll and enjoy the diverse wildlife. It also offers a grand lake where people can kayak, an amusement park, the Madrid zoo, cable cars, and an ample number of restaurants.

2. Museo del Prado

The building that holds this famous museum was constructed in 1785 by Juan de Villanueva for King Carlos III, with his original intention being for it to become a natural sciences museum. However, by its opening in 1819, the Museo del Prado started up as a royal art museum. Today, it contains some of the finest European art in the world. This national museum is a true gem, including thousands of stunning paintings, sculptures, and drawings, with one of the most important paintings being Diego Velázquez’s “Las Meninas”. Make sure to plan on spending a day’s worth of time at the Prado, for you are sure to get caught up in it’s beauty for hours.

3. Almudena Cathedral

This famous church is known for being the largest and most important Cathedral in all of Madrid. It is the only Spanish Cathedral consecrated by a Pope, Pope John Paul II in this case. The church’s construction began in 1883 but was shockingly not completed until 1993 and is devoted to Santa Maria de la Almudena. The architectural detailing of the church is enough to want to visit. The main materials include marble and granite, with a Neo-Gothic interior and Neo-Classical exterior.

4. El Rastro

Located on the Calle de la Ribera de Curtidores, Madrid’s largest open air flee market, El Rastro is held every Sunday of the year from 9 am to 3 pm. Translating to “the trail”, this market is one of the largest tourist attractions around the globe. The stalls offer anything you could want, ranging from souvenirs, antiques, artwork, second-hand clothing, vinyl records, and so on. Don’t forget, never take anything for it’s asking price here! Bargaining is an essential part of El Rastro, and the merchants always expect counter-offers.