Weekends in Madrid

Madrid is a surprisingly compact and accessible city for visitors that can be negotiated on foot for most of its major attractions and entertainment. It features a small number of illustrious palaces and monuments of significant historic importance and some of Europe's most outstanding art collections. For many visitors however it is the vivacious character and sophistication of the city that endears itself to so many each year. Weekends in Madrid will experience an intriguing blend of cosmopolitan attractions such as shopping and entertainment along with a relatively relaxing ambience that makes it so easy to soak up its refreshing continental atmosphere.

 

The city is home to several world class arts venues of which the vast Prado is the undoubted highlight. It houses a veritable goldmine of priceless art from every artistic period since the middle ages. Short breaks in Madrid can include visits to museums dedicated to military history, tapestries and the natural world. The real heart of Madrid life is the vibrant Plaza Mayor which features a colourful collection of pavement cafes, markets and hosts regular concerts and festivals. It offers up a vivid picture of real Spanish life and the ideal place to relax and watch people at work and play. Adjacent to here lies Madrid's inviting shopping districts featuring high class fashion boutiques, quaint family run specialist shops and the famous Rastro weekend street bazaar.

 

During summer long weekends in Madrid can find relief from the intense heat in the numerous attractive city parks and gardens. Popular Retiro Park has a series of serene boating lakes, fountains and shaded woodland walks and the picturesque Royal Botanic Gardens offers 20 delightful acres of lush greenery and tropical plants in a calm and tranquil setting. Just as enjoyable is the sophisticated cafe culture of the city's most trendy districts in Cava Baja and La Latina. Late night dining and low key socialising is punctuated by the sounds of street musicians and 24 hour market traders offering a rich tapestry of local colour. For many people this is one of the real uncomplicated delights of a weekend away in Madrid.