Things to do in Madrid

Madrid has often been over shadowed by its Catalan neighbour. Having lived in Madrid for over a year and having spent numerous weekends in Barcelona I can honestly say that Madrid has attractions that are above and beyond what Barcelona has to offer. The capital has a some amazing sights,a great night life, one of the most comprehensive art collections in the world and Europe's biggest park. Its young vibrant population ensures that Madrid is constantly reinventing itself. Every time you walk through the cities funky streets you are sure to be entertained and inspired. Below are some of my favorite sites in Madrid.

Retiro Park

There’s nothing quite like Retiro Park on a warm Sunday afternoon. Madrid’s main park is always packed with things to do and see. From renting a boat and rowing in the lake to checking out one of the many exhibitions that take place within the park or simply just lying on the grass enjoying the sunshine. Retiro Park never fails to help you escape from the city and relax.

La Latina on a Sunday night

La Latina will always entertain but Sunday night is known as La Latino night among Madrilenos. The barrios plazas are packed with Madrid’s youth “making a bottelon" (street party) and impromptu jam sessions burst to life at every corner. The barrios bars are also some of Madrid’s finest with great tapas and beer. Plaza de la Paja behind the church has a host of vegetarian restaurants that can be enjoyed any night of the week.

Plaza Santa Ana

Like all Spanish cities Madrid has lots of great plazas packed with restaurants and bars. The oldest and probably most spectacular is Plaza mayor, located in the heart of the city. However this can be very touristy and overpriced. In my opinion every visitor to Madrid should check out plaza Santa Ana. Only a few minutes walk from Sol and Plaza mayor it has the best selection of bars and restaurants in the city. It also plays host to various events throughout the year, if you want to see the modern side of life in Madrid check out plaza Santa Ana.

Calle Malasaña on a Saturday night

This is just off the trendy Tribunal district and is probably the best known Madrid party street. It is full of clubs and bars with music varying from hard rock to house. You are pretty much guaranteed to find something to entertain you here on a Saturday night. The Madrid nightlife is probably one of the world’s best, but be warned clubs don’t start to fill up until about 1 and don’t close till the small hours of the morning.

Templo de Debod at sunset

The Egyptian temple is only a few hundred meters from the Royal Palace and literally opposite Plaza Espana and is the best place in the city to watch the sunset.It was built in the 4^th century and moved to Madrid in 1971.The Egyptian government gave the temple to Spain in gratitude for helping it save Abu Simbel one of Egypt’s many UNESCO world heritage sites. Pick up some Tinto de verano and ice in the nearest shop and find yourself a good spot on the grass to watch the sunset spectacularly over the city.

Art,art,art,art

Madrid is famous for its museums.Although I personally don’t like spending afternoons wandering through museums the delights of Madrid’s arts scene cannot be ignored. Your sure to hear about Museo del Prado and the Reino Sofia while your there but there’s also some lesser known museums that have some very interesting exhibitions. Check out the Caixa Forum and la casa encendida both are free to enter and always have something interesting to see.