Madrid holidays

Popular holidays

Madrid city breaks are made for culture vultures – flamenco shows, tapas-tasting and museum-hopping top the to-do list.

City breaks to Madrid

You’ll get a double-helping of Spanish culture when you visit Madrid – the country’s capital. The city’s bursting with tradition and charm, from its all-singing-all-dancing flamenco bars to the labyrinth-like streets of the medieval quarter. It’s got a modern side, too. Sprawling art galleries, swanky shopping streets and a couple of world-class football stadiums are just some of the things that keep visitors coming back for more.

Tapas, flamenco and sangria

Spanish entertainment is available on tap in Madrid. In fact, flamenco shows are on the roster seven days a week. And you can kick off your night with a table full of traditional tapas while you sip sangria and watch the sunset. The city’s known for its huge crop of bars, and there’s no shortage of swish rooftop numbers in the mix.

The golden triangle

If there’s another thing Madrid’s known for, it’s its art scene. The city’s top three galleries – the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – have become known as the Golden Triangle of Art. There’s a huge nine thousand pieces on display inside the Prado Museum alone, so seeing it all is no mean feat, even for the biggest of art fans.

Popular hotels in Madrid

Top things to see and do in Madrid

Shopping

Bargain buys

Madrid’s biggest flea market is called El Rastro, and it’s on every Sunday in Plaza Cascorro. All of the usual wares are on offer here – think vintage clothes, electronics and antiques. So, if you fancy hunting down a bargain or two, it’s not to be missed.

Mid-range buys

For a spot of retail therapy, there’s no better place than Gran Via. As Madrid’s most famous street, all your go-to high street brands have set up shop here, including Primark, H&M and Zara. They’re interlaced with a huge crop of bars and eateries, so you’ll have no shortage of places to refuel, either.

Designer buys

Calle de Serrano is a three-kilometre-long street that’s attracted a bunch of designer brands. Stores in the southern stretch of this street include Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Some are tucked away inside upmarket shopping malls, while others have their own storefronts.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

There are loads of bars in Madrid, and for a laidback night out, the city’s rooftop spots come calling. Whichever one you pick, you’ll be able to watch the sun set over the capital’s picturesque skyline with a glass of sangria in-hand.

Lively evenings

If you fancy a boogie, why not give flamenco a go? You can make like the locals do and party the night away in one of the city’s traditional tablaos, or catch a show at a theatre. Performances usually play out every night of the week.

Food & drink

Huevos rotos

Huevos rotos means broken eggs, so it’s fairly self-explanatory. The dish usually starts with fried potatoes – the lightly-sizzled eggs are placed on top, followed by a sprinkling of chorizo or ham. You’ll find this delicious snack on many of Madrid’s tapas menus.

Churros

This Spanish dessert is a hit all around the globe, and nowhere more so than in Madrid. The deep-fried dough strips are most often served with a pot of hot melted chocolate for dipping. You can grab a portion from a street food truck for a mid-afternoon snack, too.

Tortilla de patatas

This potato omelette takes up a spot on tapas menus all across Madrid. There are plenty of different variations on offer – spicy sausage, caramelised onion and diced pepper are some of the most popular additions.

Cocido Madrileño

If you’re after some classic Spanish comfort food, this should be your order. The dish is essentially a pork stew, paired with vegetables, chickpeas and chorizo. It’s a popular winter warmer, but you should be able to get hold of it year-round if you fancy giving it a try.

Bocadillo de calamares

Bocadillo de calamares is Madrid’s most famous sandwich. It’s super simple, consisting of only crusty bread and deep-fried squid. If you want to add a topping, garlic mayonnaise or smoky paprika ketchup are popular choices.