Things to do in Madrid

One cannot visit Madrid without going out for tapas and long meals. Enjoy a fabulous meal at a tablao, where spectacular flamenco dances are performed. A popular option is El Corral de la Moreria. Visit the newly renovated Mercado de San Miguel, which offers numerous gourmet delicacies. If you are looking for an unforgettable meal, try the oldest restaurant in the world: Botín, near the Plaza Mayor. The La Latina neighbourhood is lively on Sundays, with all the small bars, terraces and restaurants filled with people.

Shopping in Madrid is simply unforgettable. The main brands have established themselves in large shops on the long Gran Vía. Down the streets of Fuencarral or Goya, you will also find numerous high-street shops. The luxury brands are found in the Salamanca neighbourhood. Whether it is Chanel or Loewe you are looking for, this is the district to shop in. For something special, shop in the Mercado de Fuencarral where you will find young designers with avant-garde styles, or bargain at the El Rastro; a crowded flea market on Sunday mornings.

Make the most of Madrid’s parks. The Retiro Park is 130 hectares large offering a combination of a French-style layout with naturally grown plants. The most stunning part is the lake in front of the Alfonso XII monument, where many people gather on weekends. Visit the Botanical Garden close to the Prado Museum to get to see beautiful flora from the Americas, the Pacific and Europe. The Casa de Campo is the biggest public park in Madrid with 1,700 hectares. If you are travelling with children, visit the Zoo or the amusement park within this fantastic parkland. For the business traveller, it is here you will find IFEMA and the multipurpose pavilion of Madrid.

For a different tour of the city, start at the Parque de la Montaña, where the authentic Egyptian temple of Debod is found, and head towards the Royal Palace, passing by the Plaza de España and reaching the Plaza de Oriente.

Assist one of the several shows that happen on Gran Vía; there will most probably be a famous Flamenco performance going on. If you get a chance, watch a bullfight in the Las Ventas bullring during the bullfighting season. After a great show and a fantastic dinner, head to the Chueca neighbourhood, where you will find hundreds of different bars and pubs. Live music is common in many bars and the Alonso Martínez area also provides a wide choice of bars and small discos; the reputable Pacha is found here.