Madrid: Spain’s Dense and Action-packed Capital
October 27, 2009 | Francis Nicholls-Wunder
Plaza Mayor
Most of Western Europe’s capitals are an essential stop if you visit that particular country. They’re usually home to some of the most impressive museums, ancient architecture and developed cultures. Spain’s Madrid is no exception.
Being such a large city, there are endless sights and areas through Madrid that are well worth a look. Simply strolling through the city centre, with its Spanish cobbled streets and busy market squares, could occupy anyone for days on end. The large open spaces are littered with street performers and you are never far from a typical Spanish bar with all the premium Spanish wine, beer and tapas you could desire.
Plaza Mayor is a fantastic and very central example of the combination of Spain’s love for street performance, the infamous wide open squares of Europe and some fantastic (if slightly overpriced) restaurants and bars that have chairs and tables cascading forth into the open air; allowing you to enjoy the beautiful Spanish weather.
Madrid itself is also in a reasonably central part of Spain, allowing you to easily travel to all different parts of the country. I personally visited Madrid as a stopover between Seville and Barcelona. With regular international flights going to and from the city, it can be a good place to enter Spain if you are travelling by air.
Great post! I absolutely adored Madrid when I visited and would love to go back. Having gone to Barcelona, which is a city easy to like, and then Madrid right after, I can easily say Madrid stole my heart quickly. Wonderful city with wonderful people and food.