Madrid, Spain is one of the premiere cities in the world. It’s a vacation destination for tons of people from around the globe every year, and for good reason. From its architecture, to its gorgeous sites, to its amazing food and fantastic art museums, Madrid really is a wondrous place to spend time. And of course, as one of the world’s major metropolises, there are countless attractions to visit, and things to do. We couldn’t possibly fit anywhere close to all the things you should see in Madrid into one video. But in this video, we’re taking a look at a few select things that we think you shouldn’t miss in this incredible city. So stay tuned, as Viewcation presents: The Best Things to Do in Madrid, Spain!
The Prado Museum and others
If you’re a fan of art, Madrid is one city you’ll adore. It’s full of amazing galleries that host historic and incredible works of art. Plus, a lot of them don’t cost anything to enter. And the ones that do charge often have certain days or times that they don’t. So you really can check out a ton of great art for not a lot of money. There’s no more famous art museum in Madrid than the Museo del Prado. As Madrid’s top art gallery, it welcomes the most visitors of any of Madrid’s many attractions. And for good reason. It has 100 rooms worth of art, and more than 2300 pieces that fill up those rooms. They’ve managed to secure works from some of the masters, and walking the Prado is like a journey through time, as you check out some of the most acclaimed masterpieces of all time. Of course, you’ll want to grab tickets beforehand, online, which will allow you to skip some of the long lines.
And if the Prado is a little too crowded for your liking, there are plenty of other great museums in the city. The Reina Sofia museum is almost as famous as the Prado, and is considered Spain’s national art museum for art from the 1900’s. So that’s a must visit, regardless of whether you see the art at the Prado. In fact, the Reina Sofia and Prado are considered two parts of the “Golden Triangle of Art” in Madrid. The final piece to that triangle is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which holds contemporary and historic pieces, and is a wonder in and of itself. Clearly you can’t go wrong if you’re an art lover in Madrid.
Palacio de Cristal
The Palacio de Cristal, which translates to Crystal Palace, sits in Buen Retiro Park, and is quite the site to behold. It was constructed in 1887, and was based on a structure in London that had been built a few decades earlier. The Crystal Palace is a tremendous piece of art itself, and it was built as an exhibition space to house other art inside it. Though originally it was thought that the Crystal Palace would be more of a greenhouse than and art museum. As such, the first exhibit it held was a group of exotic plants from Vietnam that were imported specifically for the Palace’s opening. But over the years, it has expanded in function to hold other types of art inside it. This baroque structure is a wonder to look at, with glass walls and a glass dome sitting on top of a red brick base. As you look at it, and wander around the outside, you’ll get reflections of the lush greenery that surrounds it in the park, as well as an easy glimpse into the art that it contains inside. There’s a cool looking boat landing on the nearby lake, and the palace’s entrance is enhanced by gorgeous columns. All in all, it’s a fascinating building that shouldn’t be missed. You can go any time of year to enjoy it, though in the fall it’s particularly beautiful amongst the changing leaves of the surrounding trees.
Before we tell you more about the best things to do in Madrid, be sure to give this video a like, and subscribe to Viewcation if you haven’t already!
Royal Palace
This grand palace used to house the Spanish Royal Family, and that meant it was the home of kings from Charles III to Alfonso XIII. And it wasn’t a humble abode either. It has 3000 rooms, for example. These days it’s strictly used for official government ceremonies and as a tourist attraction. So that means it’s a perfect place to visit when you’re in Madrid!
It’s a vast and impressive building, but even before you get to it, you’ll love the expansive courtyard outside it as well as the iron gate that protects it. And then you’ll enjoy the interior even more. It’s ornate interior is a wonder to behold, and features like a huge entryway staircase only add to its glamour and mystique. You can walk around and check out great art displayed in the Painting Gallery too. And be sure not to miss the Royal Armory. It’s a interesting look back at the history of Spanish weaponry, as it displays weapons and armor from back to the 1200’s. As you make your way towards the back of the building, you’ll be treated with an incredible view of a countryside vista. Since this is a popular attraction, you should expect to wait in line for a bit, though you can avoid them by booking a guided tour. And if you happen to be in town on a Wednesday, you should plan your visit around the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which is a cool thing to watch.
The Rocker Grandma
It’s not every day that you get to see a grandmother proudly holding up the metal horns sign. And it’s even more rare to see a bronze statue of it. In the 1980’s, a woman named Ángeles Rodríguez Hidalgo decided to go with her grandson to a local heavy metal concert. At age 70, she’d never heard heavy metal before, but figured she’d be supportive of her grandson’s burgeoning musical tastes. Plus, the neighborhood where they lived, Vallecas, was developing a blossoming heavy metal scene in those years. But instead of simply gritting her teeth and getting through the night, it turns out she loved it. She instantly became a huge heavy metal fan, and for the rest of her years, never missed a chance to hit up a local show. So much so, she became a local celebrity in the rock and roll scene in Madrid in the ‘80s. She earned the nickname “la abuela rockera” or “the rocker grandma.” TV and radio shows collaborated with her, and she ended up writing a music column in the magazine “Heavy Rock.” She earned ultimate cool points when heavy metal band Panzer put her on their album cover. She was clad in all leather and sticking out her hand in the classic metal horns.
So when she died in the 1990’s, a local artist wanted to memorialize her. Artist Carmen Jorba built a bronze version of the rocker grandma, which copied the stance she had on the Panzer cover. It’s a really cool and unlikely attraction that you should check out in the neighborhood of Vallecas.
El Rastro
A great way to experience Madrid is to check out a local flea market for some authentic and homemade Spanish goods. And there’s no better one in Madrid than El Rastro. It happens on Sunday mornings right next to La Latina metro station. It’s a glorious array of booths and vendors selling a huge variety of goods. You’ll find everything from toys and clothes, to Spanish souvenirs to bring home from your trips, to flamenco fans. And lots of food! It’s an excellent way to support the local economy, since a large percentage of the good and food items are made by the vendors.
Bernabeu Stadium
If you know anything about world football (that’s soccer, if you’re an American) then you’ve heard of the legendary team, Real Madrid. They play at the Bernabeu Stadium, which is a sight to behold. For starters, if you can manage to snag tickets to a game, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. The passion of the Madrid fans is unrivaled, and given that Real Madrid is a perennial world powerhouse, you’ll likely see them win, which is even more fun. But even if you don’t see a game, you can check out the stadium. They offer daily tours that will take you into the team’s dressing room and the presidential box, as well as around the stadium. You’ll even be able to check out the “Best Club in History” room, as well as a gorgeous view of the field. What’s amazing is that they even do tours on game days. So if you manage to snag a ticket, you can do your tour before the game, and then stick around to root on the home team!
Obviously this list is just a drop in the bucket when it comes to the amazing things to do and see in Madrid. It’s one of the top cities to visit in the world, and we can’t recommend it enough. Now it’s time to hear from you. Have you ever been to Madrid, Spain? If not, do you think you’ll ever visit there? Let us know in the comments section below. And before you go, be sure to give this video a like, and subscribe to Facts Verse if you haven’t already. Click the bell icon to stay updated on all our latest content!