Madrid Tourism

Ah, Madrid, a place of high fashion and a place where adults can enjoy adult time. That means, leave your kids with grandma and grandpa if you want to actually have a time that’s focused on culture and not on whiny children. This city has a number of museums and other cultural happenings that you can enjoy with a friend or a partner, enjoying the quietude (for once) and only arguing about what restaurant you should try the next night.

Things to See in Madrid

When you enter Madrid, it’s normal to be overwhelmed by all of the sights. The unique architecture allows you to feel as though you are in a new era, and you are. Once your sense of culture shock wears off, it might be a good idea to visit these popular attractions:

• El Rastro
• Prado Museum
• Reina Sofia Museum
• Retiro Park
• Palacio Real

El Rastro is a large outdoor market. This is a place where you can find foods to snack on or to cook, if you have the facilities to do so. You can also just move up and down the rows of vendors to see produce and other products that might be new to you. Enjoy the smells and the sounds of this market, where everyone shops.

The Prado Museum and Reina Sofia Museum are just two of the many historic museums in Madrid, and they are the most popular. By taking tours in this museum, you can gain a better understanding of the local famous artists, as well as of those who came to Madrid to create their pieces. Make sure to leave plenty of time to walk up and down the halls of these museums.

If you think you’re going to be visiting the museums often, you can purchase a museum pass that will allow you to get into 42 different museums in the Madrid area. This can make for a very full vacation schedule.

Other Ways to Save Money in Madrid

The sticker shock is another part of Madrid that might have kept you away before now. To make sure that you are saving as much money as possible, and leaving plenty for shopping and delicious meals, you will want to look into ways to eat less during the day. Stopping off for a coffee and some fruit will help to keep you fueled up for a day of sightseeing, but it will also help you to cut back on expenses. Try to find accommodations that are local as those can also be less expensive than the bigger chain hotels. You may also want to make Madrid a stop on your way to other cities, so that you only spend the day in the area, rather than staying in the city itself. Staying outside of the city can cut back on your expenses, but keep you in the vicinity of all that you want to see.

Madrid is an exciting city, one that you need to see to believe.