Moms Travel TipsTravel Tips and Vacation Ideas for the Whole Family

Madrid it the political centre of Spain, as well as the capital and the largest city. The city has a population of roughly 3.2 million and the urban area around 5.1 million.

The City’s Climate

Madrid is known for its Continental Mediterranean Climate. Madrid winters are cold and are well known for its sporadic snowfalls and minimum temperatures below 0 °C. Summers tend to be hot with temperatures rising above 30 °C, even 40 °C in July. Precipitation levels are low, but rain can be expected throughout the year, even more so in autumn and spring.

The Culture

The city is renowned for its large variety of cultural attractions, making it a very popular destination, these attractions include:

Galleries

Concerning art museums, Madrid is considered one of Europe’s top destinations. The best known art museums are The Golden Triangle of Art and the Prado Museum. The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum are other famous art museums in the city.

Museums

Madrid is home to 13 great museums, namely:

• Museo del Prado (El Prado Museum)
• National Archaeological Museum of Spain
• Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
• Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
• Museum of the Americas
• Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
• Naval Museum
• Casa-Museo José Padilla
• Casa-Museo Manuel Benedito
• Museo de Antropologia Médica
• Museo De La Farmacia Hispana
• Museo Del Reloj Grassy
• Museo Lazaro Galdiano

Nightlife & Festivals

Madrid is well known for its busy nightclubs and lively nightlife where the youth of the city often dance throughout the night. Bands and concerts are often held at these clubs and pubs and the Gran Via is one of Europe’s most renowned festivities places. Some of the most popular night destinations can be found in the neighbourhoods of: Bilbao, Tribunal, Alonso Martinez or Moncloa. Puerta del Sol area and Huertas are destinations which are also filled with tourists day and night.

Some of the most famous festivals in Madrid are:

• May 15, San Isidro Labrador (Madrid’s patron saint).
• June 13, San Antonio de la Florida.
• July 16-25, Virgen del Carmen festivities (Patron saint of the sea).
• August 6-14, Virgen de la Paloma festivities (Madrid’s patron saint)
• August 7, San Cayetano (Cascorro neighbourhood’s patron saint).
• August 10, San Lorenzo (Lavapiés neighbourhood’s patron saint).
• November 9, Virgen de la Almudena festivities (Madrid’s patron saint).

Bullfighting

Madrid hosts the largest bullring (Plaza de Toros) in Spain and it has a seating capacity of 25,000. March to October is known as the bullfighting season. The bullfighting festival, The San Isidro, starts in March until June and bullfights are then held on a daily basis.

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The Spanish called it the “Gate of the Sun” and for visitors to Spain’s Puerta del Sol, they’ll know exactly what the Spaniards were talking about.

The gates used to be the entrance to the city of Madrid. In the 15th century, like numerous medieval towns, Madrid was surrounded by a wall to protect it, and people could only go in through the gates. The name of the gate became well known through out the trading world because Spain at one time was the center of the known world. Even after the fall of Madrid’s walls, the gates remained a place for tradesmen and dignitaries alike to meet. As a matter of fact, it remains the major meeting point in Madrid even today.

Breathtaking examples of architecture are found throughout the area, as well as numerous statues and monuments, including a famous sculpture of a bear eating some fruit from a madrone tree, which is what the name “Madrid” is derived from; the bear is also a very powerful symbol for the people of Madrid.

The House of the Post Office, is one of Madrid’s most important buildings, and it is the main point for the celebrations of the New Year. There is also a slab of paving that marks the area that the six major highways come from, that go around Spain. That means it’s not just a good place to start exploring the city, but the whole country.

Just a short distance away from Puerta del Sol you can visit other tourist attractions, like the Plaza Mayor or the Palacio Real; the Royal Palace. The city’s governmental body, Parliament, is also a short distance away. You can board a train at the Metro station and visit this location.

Dozens of side streets house shops, restaurants and other attractions, so at least half a day should be set aside for a visit. But Madrid and Puerta del Sol are not just places to visit during the daylight hours. At night is when the real fun begins; as bars and cantinas and cafes become packed with tourists and residents, the street performers come out and entertain all.

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The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) located in Madrid is known for its astounding classical architecture, and for the wondrous statues, monuments, and lavish gardens that adorn the area. Up until 1931 a series of Spanish rulers occupied Palacio Real, which was under construction for 25 years, and was at one time the mecca of power for a dynasty that reigned half the known world in the 1700s.

Even with 90 percent of the palace being closed off from public viewing, the remaining portion is still far larger than anyone could see in one day. In its splendor, the palace is made up of nearly 3,000 rooms with 240 balconies and over forty staircases, and one can behold its grand furniture, extravagant decorations, and grandiose ornaments all throughout.

You’ll see the Throne Room, from which the plans and strategies of what was once the world’s greatest superpower were formulated, and the Royal Armory, which displays a number of weapons and armor, along with a range of medieval torture implements used in the Spanish Inquisition.

In the palace you will also experience the Royal Pharmacy, where you will learn more about past medical customs; The Royal Library, where numerous first editions of critical Spanish literature are retained; and an impressive banquet hall, where many of the most legendary European rulers have feasted.

Outside of Palacio Real, you can walk through the Royal Gardens (which are the most famous in Madrid), enjoy the sight of the Manzanares River, and watch the changing of the guards.

To see all the sights and take in all the history of Palacio Real, a two-hour guided tour is the way to go. These $30 tours sell out quickly, mostly during the summer, and it is best if they are reserved ahead of time. You cannot take pictures at the Palacio Real, but you can buy postcards and books at the end of the tour as souvenirs.

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The Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s main tourist attractions and draws in millions of visitors a year.

The Plaza is not a forefront in architectural art, however the pleasant atmosphere here will surely lead to a pleasant experience. It’s an amazing place to experience the culture first hand, both Spanish locals and tourists frequent the area.

The Plaza Mayor was established hundreds of years ago, but a fire in 1790 contributed to its current shape. Political debates, bullfights, beheadings and festivals have all taken place in the The Plaza Mayor which was widely used as a public gathering. Reading up on it’s history prior to visiting it, or even whilst there, will make a trip there even more worthwhile.

Measuring 100m on each side and being nearly square, it may not be exceptionally large, but it has the capacity to hold 50,000 people at once. Throughout the summer season, the Plaza is particularly packed. To live a true Spanish experience you’ll want to visit The Plaza Mayor during one of the many festivals which are held there all year round.

It is perfect for having a drink or getting a bite to eat – or just sit back and relax – as there are several bars, cafes, and restaurants to visit there. A plethora of classic Spanish meals can be ordered, often at prices that are reasonable. Many different shops are in the area to visit, so be sure to pick up some souvenirs.

Buildings that encircle the Plaza are convenient places for looking down upon events that are taking place down below. These spots are most definitely worth the time and effort to reach, as you will be able to get above and away from the chaos and stress of being present in a large crowd, thus enabling you to have a better chance at watching the events taking place below.

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