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An Overview of Madrid
Spain |
When you mention the name of a country, one of the first things
that you associate with it is its capital. Let’s take the country of
Spain as an example. Out of all the historic and beautiful cities in
this European country, the one which creates most of an impact is
Madrid – which is the capital and largest city of Spain.
Getting to Know Madrid is as Easy as 1, 2, 3!
Situated on the northeast part of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid is
where you can find some of the most popular spots in Spain including
Puerta del Sol, the Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Colon, Plaza Real and
popular streets like Paseo de la Castellana or Alcala Street.
Continental and dry is the best way to describe the climate in
Madrid – so the best times to visit are from between March to June
or September to October. July and August are the extremely hot
months so if you don’t want to expose yourself under the scorching
heat of the sun, it is best to avoid traveling to Madrid during
these times.
During your stay here, you can do as the locals do and indulge in
afternoon naps locally called siestas. Although the younger
generation have an increasing knowledge of English, most residents
only speak the local language. As such, it is best to brush up on
the most basic Spanish words and phrases to help you get by.
Top Tourist Attractions in the City
If you want a run-of-the-mill tour of the city, you should
definitely book for an Art Walk which covers the three most famous
museums in Madrid: the Prado, Reina Sofia Museum and the
Thyssen-Bornemisza. You can also pay Madrid’s oldest church a visit
by going to San Nicolas de los Servitas. Retiro Park is another
quaint place to visit where you can have a view of a Victorian
greenhouse and a small swan-filled man-made lake.
Puerto del Sol is the heart and one of the busiest places in Madrid.
Similar to New York’s Times Square is Grab Via which is a city that
almost never sleeps. La Casa de Campo is a park which used to belong
to the Royal Family. If you’re out and about with your family, you
can have a close encounter with pandas and lemurs at the Zoo
Aquarium Madrid.
What Else is in Store for Me When I Visit Madrid?
Aside from making pit stops at some of the most popular tourist
destinations, there are plenty of other fun activities that you can
indulge in during your stay. Although it is not for the faint of
heart, catching a bullfighting performance at Las Ventas is a great
way to spend your Sunday afternoon. The bullfighting season starts
from March and ends in October.
You can also sample the local cuisine and browse through the
souvenir items that you can take home with you by visiting the El
Rastro Flea Market, located between Plaza Mayor, Puerta de Toledo
and La Latina. Learn the phrase “Cuanto cuesta?” if you want to know
how much an item is, and be prepared to haggle.
Finally, lovers of the theatre can witness a sampling of the local
performing arts at the Teatro Real where you can watch a light opera
or zarzuela.
As compared to the more sophisticated cities in Europe, Madrid has a
Latin appeal, young charm and dynamism to it that is like no other.
If you’re out to visit this part of the world, you should definitely
include Madrid as part of your travel itinerary.Continue reading
through our site to learn more about what Madrid has to offer! |
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