Holidays in Madrid City

Welcome to Spain's capital city. When holidaying in Madrid, you can be part of one of the most cosmopolitan places in Europe, experience some of the finest Spanish cuisine and see some of the finest sights. Affected by many different cultures over the years, including French and Roman, the city has become a diverse and exciting place. 

It is vibrant and very welcoming to holidaymakers and travellers alike. An added bonus of this city is that it does away with much of the hustle and bustle that other urban areas are built around. In Madrid, you are welcome to relax, even in the city centre. And for those in need of warmer climates, July and August are the perfect time to go, with temperatures reaching between 30 and 35 degrees. Around the end of August is festival season, which brings the city to its peak as many people from all over Spain flock here to join the party.

As the 3^rd largest city in the European Union, Madrid is home to much of the world’s most famous art and architecture, including the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, and the Museo del Prado. In fact, the city hosts many fantastic museums, such as the Thyssen-Bornemisza (home to some of Monet’s works), the Sorolla Museum and the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Spain’s National History Museum). You can even take rooftop-walking tours on many of Spain’s most famous buildings. But you don’t have to go up high to see some great sights, Madrid is also home to the Casa de Campo park and Madrid Zoo. As a place of life and energy, Madrid is an exciting holiday destination. So, get ready to open your eyes and take in the culture. 

Top Madrid resorts

Centro

Located in one of the oldest parts of the city, Centro is also one of the liveliest. Many of the rural inns that cover this area have been converted into chic bars and restaurants.  It is very close to the Plaza Mayor square, the boutique shops of  Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace itself.

Salamanca

The upmarket district of Salamanca is located in the centre of Madrid city. It hosts a variety of 4 and 5 star hotels and is very close to many of the main cultural attractions. This is the perfect place for a luxury holiday with the chance to easily explore the rest of Madrid by tube.

Gran Via

The Gran Via is the place to experience a much more modern holiday. Here, you are placed right in one of the city’s main shopping areas. There are many restaurants to choose from and the nightlife is always bustling. You’ll be happy to know that many of the hotels here have excellent soundproofing, so don’t worry about the noise.

Exploring Madrid...

El Oso y el Madroño

The El Oso y el Madroño (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree) is iconic in Madrid. It is a meeting place for old friends, lovers and tourists heading out of the town. It is a photo hotspot for visitors and locals alike, so don’t shy away from taking a few holiday snaps while you're there.

Plaza Mayor

The famous square is possibly the heart of Madrid’s historical district. Originally, it was home to the Plaza del Arrabal, the most popular market of the late 15th century. Now, it is the headquarters of Madrid’s tourism centre, which is handy for first time explorers. It is a fantastic piece of Spanish architecture with 9 different entrances that are all equally as inspiring to look at.

Madrid Arena

Located just a few minutes from the city centre, the Madrid Arena is housed inside of the Casa de Campo complex. It seats just over 12,000 people and hosts a variety of sporting events and high profile concerts. If you are in the cultural hub of Madrid, why not go and see a show? You won’t regret it.

El Rastro

On every Sunday, it seems as though the people of Madrid all come to one place. El Rastro is a giant market that sells almost everything that you could imagine. It is the most famous and oldest flea market in Madrid, so there is no telling what you might find.

Food and drink in Madrid

Madrid’s Cuisine

As with many capital cities, you can find food from all over the globe. However, Madrid does have some of its own signature dishes that you should try during your visit. The cuisine is much heavier and more meat and potato based than the rest of Spain. In the winter, many people enjoy some Cocido Madrileño, a traditional Spanish stew that is slow cooked for several hours. Another favourite is the Bocadillo de Calamares, a fried squid sandwich that is served all year round. Traditionally, the city offers a glass of sangria or a Cafe con Leche to wash down your meal of the moment. However, the city has a wide variety of beers and wines to offer if these aren’t to your liking.

Madrid’s restaurants

In recent years, Madrid has decided to serve mainly gourmet style foods. Although the meals here are a little pricier than the rest of Spain, it is much cheaper than most of Europe’s capital cities. The Botin is a must when in Madrid, as the city’s oldest eatery, they have had many years to perfect their craft. However, there are plenty of excellent tapas bars and traditional Spanish restaurants dotted throughout. And many of the café-bars in Madrid offer exceptional food much more cheaply than the restaurants. 

Going to Madrid with easyJet holidays

A city break to Madrid is the perfect cosmopolitan holiday. The city is spirited, inviting and brimming with life. And booking with easyJet holidays is affordable, flexible and easy. Go for as long or as short as you like, and when you book your flight and hotel together you can make a considerable saving. Just what you need when you are going to Spain’s capital city.