MADRID Madrid finds a balance between constant, frenetic motion and dedicated leisure.

A mecca for lovers of food, art, and culture.

Madrid finds a balance between constant, frenetic motion and dedicated leisure. The residents are always either on the go or taking long, leisurely breaks to just enjoy life.

It’s easy to get caught up in all this historic city has to offer. World renowned art collections abound. Castillian, Basque, and Galacian dishes tempt the palette in a stream of exquisite neighborhood restaurants. Monuments, performances, museums… it’s a lot to take in!

Take a cue from the Spanish, and make time to just relax and enjoy the city. Park yourself at a café and people watch. Linger in a park. Savor a leisurely walk.

In warm weather, when Madrid’s bars, cafés, and restaurants open their terrazas, Madrileños indulge a favorite pastime: sharing banter and tapas alfresco. Summertime also ushers in a busy cultural calendar, with music in Retiro Park and concerts, film screenings, and more at the Royal Palace’s Sabatini Gardens. For edgier options, head to Matadero, a former slaughterhouse turned arts center.

We suggest you plan some time to explore the older sections of town on foot. Wander Calle Mayor and Plaza Mayor, which are lined by beautiful and historic buildings. Explore the many narrow and winding streets south and west of Puerta del Sol and make sure to visit Palacio Real, the royal palace full of art treasures and crown jewels

And of course, plan a significant chunk of time for museums. You could spend days in the halls of the Prado alone. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is a spectacular modern art museum whose centerpiece is Picasso’s enormous masterpiece, Guernica. You’ll find the works of the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection at the Villahermosa Palace.

Pro Tip:

Visit the Egyptian Templo de Debod at dusk to enjoy the most gorgeous sunset Madrid has to offer.