MADRID
by Ritika Nandkeolyar
Madrid may not be as historic or charming as other
Spanish cities, but it is certainly not without its
own attractions. The city has three of the world’s top
art museums and several great people-watching
opportunities. Madrid is also a great place to go out and many
bars and clubs open until dawn or later. Listed below are our
favorite Madrid activities and sites. madrid hotels
The Prado
The collection contains over 7000 works of art and
includes several paintings from famous Italian and
Flemish masters including Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto,
Veronese, Rubens, van Dyck and Bosch. However, the
stars of the show are definitely the Spanish artists
Velázquez, El Greco and Goya. The museum has free
entry every Sunday.
http://museoprado.mcu.es/home.html
The Thyseen-Bornemisza
The Spanish government bought the private collection
of the German-Hungarian Thyseen-Bornemisza family in
1993. There are over 800 works of (mostly) European
art, including paintings by Holbein, Raphael, Rubens,
van Gogh and Manet.
http://www.museothyssen.org/
Parque del Buen Retiro
Located east of the city center and the Prado Museum,
the Retiro is Madrid’s largest and most popular park.
Originally the grounds of Retiro palace, the formal
French gardens date back to the early 17th century.
Only two of the palace buildings survive, one
currently houses an army museum and the other contains
19th and 20th Spanish century paintings. Visitors can
rent paddle boats for use in the large artificial
lake. The park is also great for people-watching.
Plaza Mayor
This Madrid square, dating from the 17th-century, is the
heart of imperial Madrid. Although surrounded by fine
buildings and featuring a large equestrian statue, the
square’s best attraction is its many cafes. Most cater
to tourists, but they are still ideal for a leisurely
cafe con leche and newspaper.
Palacio Real
The palace is an official residence of the King of
Spain. Though no royalty actually lives here and only
50 of the palace’s 2800 rooms are open to the public,
this Italianate baroque palace is still impressive.
Visitors can tour the royal pharmacy, armory and
several formal salons, including one that features a
two-ton crystal chandelier.
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/preal/preal.htm
(Spanish)
El Rastro Flea Market
Every weekend, the El Rastro area is taken over by a
gigantic flea market. Vendors sell used goods,
antiques, furniture, paintings, clothes, food and
drink. There are also street performers including
flamenco dancers and musicians. While there are fewer
vendors, you might prefer visiting the Rastro on
Saturday. Crowds, which can number in the thousands,
can be overwhelming on Sunday.
Spectator Sports in Madrid
The two biggest spectator sports in Madrid are
football (soccer) and bullfighting. Be warned: neither
sport is for the squeamish. Soccer fans should head to
Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeo. Tickets range
from 20-115 Euros. While Hemingway may have made
bullfighting in Andalusia famous, Madrid’s La Plaza de
Toros de Las Ventas is considered the most important
bull ring in the world and attracts loyal fans and top
matadors. The most important bullfights are held
during the San Isidro festival in May and June.
http://www.realmadrid.com
Tapas
Tapas are little dishes of food that you have with a
drink and share between friends. They are a great way
to sample Spanish food in Madrid (or any other Spanish
city). It is quite common for customers to order one
or two specialties at one restaurant/bar and then move
to another bar for more tapas to finish their meal.
Traditional tapas include cheese, ham, fish and egg
dishes and many bars also several bocadillos
(sandwiches). In most bars you won’t actually see the
word tapas on the menu, you will generally order a
racion or canape.
Bibiloteca Nacional and Museo del Libro (National
Library and Book Museum)
The Library is one of the most outstanding public
buildings in Madrid. Inside, the book museum houses
many old Arabic texts, illuminated manuscripts and
Torahs. Museum entry is free.
http://www.bne.es/
by Ritika Nandkeolyar
Madrid may not be as historic or charming as other
Spanish cities, but it is certainly not without its
own attractions. The city has three of the world’s top
art museums and several great people-watching
opportunities. Madrid is also a great place to go out and many
bars and clubs open until dawn or later. Listed below are our
favorite Madrid activities and sites. madrid hotels
The Prado
The collection contains over 7000 works of art and
includes several paintings from famous Italian and
Flemish masters including Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto,
Veronese, Rubens, van Dyck and Bosch. However, the
stars of the show are definitely the Spanish artists
Velázquez, El Greco and Goya. The museum has free
entry every Sunday.
http://museoprado.mcu.es/home.html
The Thyseen-Bornemisza
The Spanish government bought the private collection
of the German-Hungarian Thyseen-Bornemisza family in
1993. There are over 800 works of (mostly) European
art, including paintings by Holbein, Raphael, Rubens,
van Gogh and Manet.
http://www.museothyssen.org/
Parque del Buen Retiro
Located east of the city center and the Prado Museum,
the Retiro is Madrid’s largest and most popular park.
Originally the grounds of Retiro palace, the formal
French gardens date back to the early 17th century.
Only two of the palace buildings survive, one
currently houses an army museum and the other contains
19th and 20th Spanish century paintings. Visitors can
rent paddle boats for use in the large artificial
lake. The park is also great for people-watching.
Plaza Mayor
This Madrid square, dating from the 17th-century, is the
heart of imperial Madrid. Although surrounded by fine
buildings and featuring a large equestrian statue, the
square’s best attraction is its many cafes. Most cater
to tourists, but they are still ideal for a leisurely
cafe con leche and newspaper.
Palacio Real
The palace is an official residence of the King of
Spain. Though no royalty actually lives here and only
50 of the palace’s 2800 rooms are open to the public,
this Italianate baroque palace is still impressive.
Visitors can tour the royal pharmacy, armory and
several formal salons, including one that features a
two-ton crystal chandelier.
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/preal/preal.htm
(Spanish)
El Rastro Flea Market
Every weekend, the El Rastro area is taken over by a
gigantic flea market. Vendors sell used goods,
antiques, furniture, paintings, clothes, food and
drink. There are also street performers including
flamenco dancers and musicians. While there are fewer
vendors, you might prefer visiting the Rastro on
Saturday. Crowds, which can number in the thousands,
can be overwhelming on Sunday.
Spectator Sports in Madrid
The two biggest spectator sports in Madrid are
football (soccer) and bullfighting. Be warned: neither
sport is for the squeamish. Soccer fans should head to
Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeo. Tickets range
from 20-115 Euros. While Hemingway may have made
bullfighting in Andalusia famous, Madrid’s La Plaza de
Toros de Las Ventas is considered the most important
bull ring in the world and attracts loyal fans and top
matadors. The most important bullfights are held
during the San Isidro festival in May and June.
http://www.realmadrid.com
Tapas
Tapas are little dishes of food that you have with a
drink and share between friends. They are a great way
to sample Spanish food in Madrid (or any other Spanish
city). It is quite common for customers to order one
or two specialties at one restaurant/bar and then move
to another bar for more tapas to finish their meal.
Traditional tapas include cheese, ham, fish and egg
dishes and many bars also several bocadillos
(sandwiches). In most bars you won’t actually see the
word tapas on the menu, you will generally order a
racion or canape.
Bibiloteca Nacional and Museo del Libro (National
Library and Book Museum)
The Library is one of the most outstanding public
buildings in Madrid. Inside, the book museum houses
many old Arabic texts, illuminated manuscripts and
Torahs. Museum entry is free.
http://www.bne.es/
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