Madrid, culture capital of Spain

PUERTA DE ALCALÁ, MADRID

Madrid, of course, is the capital of Spain and the largest city in Spain with some 3.4 million people.  The next biggest cities in Spain are Barcelona and Valencia.

Interestingly, Madrid is also the third biggest metropolitan area in the EU (with a population of some 6.2 million) after London and Paris and its importance within Spain as a cultural and commercial powerhouse should never be underestimated.  Most major Spanish companies have their headquarters in Madrid and the city is a major financial centre not just for Spain but also for Spain’s trade with South American countries.  Needless to say, the city houses the national parliament of Spain, the Royal Palace and some of the finest and most important museums in Spain.

Madrid environment

But what is Madrid like?  How does it compare to other major European cities?  What is there to see and do?

Well, by anyone’s standards the centre of Madrid (El Centro) is a beautiful place notable for its broad, tree lined boulevards and gorgeous buildings.  Indeed, one of the most striking things about the centre of Madrid is the un-spoilt nature of its architecture.  There are street after street of grand old buildings, most in very fine condition.  This is in contrast to many European cities, including London, where often a lovely street is spoilt by the clashing (and often deeply unsympathetic architecture) of ‘new’ buildings amidst the old.

ALMUDENA CATHEDRAL, MADRID

Of course, Madrid was fortunate in that it did not suffer the rampant bombing that so terribly destroyed many of Europe’s finest cities during the Second World War.  Whilst it is fair to say that there was some tough fighting in Madrid (held by the Republicans) during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) the damage to the centre of Madrid was minimal in real terms.  This was, thankfully, before heavy bombing had been ‘perfected’.

So, visually, central Madrid is quite stunning.  Indeed, so fine is it that you can easily spend a day or two just walking the streets and parks whilst enjoying the architecture and ambience.  The latter, of course, is made all the more attractive during warm (not over hot!) weather.  It is then that you can enjoy eating and drinking, al fresco, in one of the countless bars and restaurants that seem to be on every street and square.

CIBELES PALACE MADRID

Certainly, one of the things that make Madrid so attractive is its greenness – which can come as something of a surprise given that Madrid is situated in almost the dead centre of Spain, 650m high and subject to a reasonably harsh climate of very hot summers and cold (often below freezing) winters.

And yet there are trees everywhere and these are complemented by a number of parks and gardens, the most famous of which are the Parque de el Retiro (a smaller and more formalized version of London’s Hyde Park) and the gorgeous botanical gardens (Real Jardín Botánico) beside the Prado museum.  There are also wonderful gardens beside the royal palace of Spain (Palacio Real), the Jardines de Sabatini and the Jardines del Campo del Moro (the Gardens of the Moors) which are a memento of the Moors – who founded Madrid in the 9th Century.

Nightlife and shopping in Madrid

Of course, there is more to enjoy in Madrid than the lovely architecture and gardens!

PUERTA DEL SOL , MADRID

If you are into nightlife then Madrid is definitely for you.  In fact, Madrid is famous for its late nights, its bars, nightclubs, jazz clubs, tapas bars and restaurants.  These are complemented by one of the biggest gay areas in Europe (the Chueca neighbourhood in central Madrid) and the area around Alonso Martinez which is famous for its gatherings of teenagers and young people.  Meanwhile, there is always plenty of life around the Gran Via (a main artery road through central Madrid) and, of course, the Puerta del Sol which is the absolute centre of Spain for the purpose of measuring road distances to other parts of the country!

MADRID SHOPPING

If you like shopping then the centre of Madrid is a dream as it has every possible shop that you could imagine with these situated throughout the centre of Madrid but with a very high concentration around the Gran Via.  Here you could spend days scurrying from major stores to up-market boutiques – noticing that the Madrileños are extraordinarily well dressed, beautifully groomed and clearly not short of shopping choices!

Culture in Madrid

However, the greatness of Madrid as a terrific ‘must-see’ European city also lies in its profusion of top class culture.  Certainly, no-one could leave Madrid without having been to the Prado museum which houses one of the world’s top art collections.  Almost as famous are the Reina Sophia Museum (20th Century art) and, of course, the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum with its eclectic collection of art which was once the greatest privately owned art collection in the world, after the UK’s Royal Collection.

THE PRADO, MADRID

And then, if you are really into culture in Madrid there is the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, the National Archaeological Museum of Spain, the Museum of the Americas, the National Museum of Natural Sciences…

Meanwhile, whilst walking around the centre of Madrid, make sure you visit the Palacio Real (the royal palace) which is well worth the modest entry fee, which allows you to wind your way through the inside of the palace itself.  Opposite is the cathedral of Almudena which is worth a visit, before making your way through the Plaza Oriente towards the Plaza Mayor (the central square) – a route that is charming and surrounded by endless fine buildings, great restaurants and shops.

So, there is a lot to see and do in Madrid.  In fact, it would be hard to leave Madrid, whatever your interests are without finding something that has entranced you!

The perfect time to visit Madrid

When is the best time to go to Madrid?

Well, if you like your capital cities quiet then August is the time to visit Madrid as the Spanish population leave the city for the coasts of Spain.  One reason for this is that Madrid gets very hot indeed during August.  This, of course, is not conducive to sightseeing!  Meanwhile, in winter Madrid can be very cold (the interior of Spain suffers extremes of heat and cold depending upon the season).  So, if you are looking for kindly Mediterranean temperatures then you will be disappointed and you will need to take ample warm clothing – and be prepared for snow!

MADRID BOTANICAL GARDENS

Most people think that the ideal time to go to Madrid is in September as the ultra dry, scorching temperatures of summer have normally declined to a more gentle (and blissful) warmth.  For much the same reasons visiting Madrid in May and June can be delightful.

Accommodation in Madrid

Like most capital cities there is almost infinite accommodation in Madrid available to suit your budget from hostels (around 20 Euros a night) to five star hotels and Paradors.  There are often discounts available (Madrid has been far from immune to the economic crisis) and frequently you can find good value for money accommodation  The key, of course, is to find somewhere in the centre of Madrid (El Centro).  Although Madrid has a fine metro and bus service, there is nothing to beat staying in the middle of the city for ease of sightseeing – which makes any stay efficient, relaxed and pleasurable.

PALACIO REAL - THE ROYAL PALACE MADRID

Eating out in Madrid

Eating out in Madrid is, not surprisingly, more expensive than most other parts of Spain.  However, you can tailor this to your budget with targeting Menus de Dia an excellent way of getting great value for money.  These are set menus that are served at lunchtime (approx 13.00 hrs – 16.00 hrs) and generally have three courses with a drink included for a price of around 9-12 Euros.  So, if you want to save money then eat well at lunchtime and snack in the evening because a similar meal to a Menu del Dia will be far more expensive at night.

EATING OUT IN MADRID

In short, Madrid is a truly ‘great’ city and one that should be on everyone’s list to visit, at least once.  Without doubt, it ranks alongside London and Paris, Budapest and Rome for beauty, fun and intellectual stimulation…

Nick Snelling – Culture Spain