Madrid, Spain
When people consider visiting Spain, their first thought is usually the city of Barcelona. And who could blame them?! However, I want to urge you to think about the beautiful city of Madrid too, because the people who live in this destination really know how to live life to the fullest! Whether you are looking for extraordinary culture, thrilling nightlife, delicious cuisine, or intricate architecture, you will find it all in this incredible city.
Weather in Madrid
The summer is very short in Madrid, so if you choose to visit during that hot and dry time of year, you must plan your trip carefully. The winters are very cold, which makes the spring and the fall the best time to visit if you want warmer weather and to avoid the crowds at the same time. As for precipitation, you can expect it to fall in larger quantities from September all the way through June.
Things to Do in Madrid
One of the first things you must do when you arrive in Madrid is explore the Royal Palace. This is the largest palace within Western Europe and it is filled with works of art, tapestries, porcelain, and watches.
Retiro Park is an excellent place to take a walk or let little ones get their wiggles out in the middle of the afternoon. The pavilion that is home to the Philippine Exhibition and the paddling opportunities on the Grand Pond are two thrilling things to do at the park, but you might be more impressed by the oldest tree in the city. The tree is a Montezuma Cypress and it has been around since it was planted in 1633.
Other places to explore and see in Madrid include the Prado, the National Archaeological Museum, Gran Via, and Plaza Mayor.
Unique Facts About Madrid
The name Madrid is derived from the Arabic word, magerit, which means place of many streams.
Some of the tapas recipes in this city date all the way back to the 13th century.
Mealtimes are not as specific as they are in other countries around the world. Lunch can be eaten at three in the afternoon and dinner can be at ten if that is what you want.
The taxis in this city disappear at the first sign of rain. Not what you want if you get caught in a downpour!
Madrid is a city and a state in the country of Spain.
There is a bear and a tree on the coat of arms.
There are three art galleries within what is considered the Golden Triangle.
Madrid is such an amazing city, which is why it is always on my list when I travel to Spain. If you have the time, I urge you to spend a little time here and in Barcelona, so you can compare the two destinations for yourself and then choose your favorite. You may be surprised by your decision, but at least you will know that it is your favorite from the time you personally spent there and not someone else telling you to love it that much!
