Whether you’re here for the mouth-watering tapas, the dazzling art or the enduring passion of flamenco – the Spanish capital promises to leave you spellbound.
Showcasing some of Spain’s best-loved customs and
traditions, Madrid is an inspiring destination for an immersive city break in
Iberia. If you’re thinking of adding a visit to the city to your upcoming Douro
river cruise, let our comprehensive Madrid city guide make your decision a
whole lot easier.
Madrid’s unique history is evident in its evocative and
beautiful architecture. Here, we explore a handful of the city’s finest
buildings.
Serving as the official residence of the royal family for
hundreds of years, Madrid’s Royal Palace is the epicentre of Spanish history
and identity. Established by Emir Mohamed I as an Islamic fortress, the
building became the official royal palace when Charles I came to power in the
early 16th century. Much of the original palace was destroyed by a
fire in 1734, but was later rebuilt according to the designs of acclaimed
architect Juan Bautista Sachetti. The present design of the palace was
reputedly inspired by the Louvre in Paris, with the main building surrounding a
large palace and parade ground, which still hosts a regular Changing of the
Guard. While it no longer serves as the permanent home of Spain’s royal family,
it is still classed as their official residence.
Located slap-bang in the centre of Madrid, Puerto del Sol is the geographic and cultural heart of the Spanish capital, with ‘Kilometre 0’ marked by a historic stone slab in the centre of the square. All of Madrid’s main trunk roads lead away from this historic plaza, including the Calle Alcalá, one of the city’s longest and oldest thoroughfares. The square itself is an impressive architectural spectacle, with the famous clock face of the Casa de Correos building being one of the main focal points of the city, and an icon of Madrid’s NYE celebrations. This is also where you’ll find the Teatro Real opera house, which recently reopened after being closed for 41 years.
Defined as Spanish opera, zarzuela is a music genre that’s associated with Spain’s traditional working classes, and is particularly prevalent in Madrid. This type of performance emerged in the 18th century, and quickly developed into a kind of theatrical play brimming with musical acts. Actors take on roles which represent the working classes, including chulos (working men), nannies, ratas (thieves) and policemen. Zarzuela performances all but disappeared in the 19th century, but have since been re-established for their cultural value and honest representation of working-class life in Madrid. Be sure to visit the city’s official tourism website to find out where you can experience Zarzuela.
More than just a style of food, tapas, or tapeo, has become a way of life for the
people of Madrid. The word tapeo means
going to bars where you can enjoy bite-sized tapas food with a glass of beer or
wine, and it’s become one of the best-known of Spain’s eating habits.
Typically, tapas are enjoyed with a caña,
or glass of beer, with Madrileños customarily standing at the bar to enjoy
their food. Famous tapeo delicacies include patatas
bravas (spicy potatoes flavoured with paprika), bocata de calamares (small fried squid sandwiches) and chopitos (tiny fried cuttlefish). Madrid
is home to hundreds of tapas bars, with some of the best found in the districts
of Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Santa Ana.
Madrid is awash with traditional pastry shops serving up everything from barquillos (Spanish wafers) to bartolillos (cream-filled puff pastries). But, if you only try one sweet treat on your visit to the city, it should be churros. Made with water, flour, olive oil and salt and generously sprinkled with sugar, these slender strips of deep-fried pastry make a delicious snack anytime of the day. Madrileños eat these wonderful treats for breakfast, lunch or after a night out, often with a warming hot chocolate (dunking is encouraged).
Where to find it
If you only have time to eat in one of Madrid’s tapas bars, make it La Ardosa. Founded in 1892, it’s one of the oldest and best-loved wine bars in Madrid, and is beloved for its colourful choice of fresh tapas dishes.
La Ardosa
Where to find it
Founded in 1894, San Ginés is a traditional chocolatier that’s famous throughout Spain. Here, you can enjoy the very finest churros washed down with a delicious and creamy hot chocolate, served in an elegant café bedecked in white marble. Bliss.
San Ginés
Food, history, culture – Madrid has it
all, making it one of the must-see destinations of the Iberian Peninsula.
If you’re keen to explore the historic
byways of the Spanish capital, why not consider booking a luxury two-night stay
in Madrid as part of a Douro river cruise? Our Secrets of the Douro river cruise gives you the option to extend your stay with an additional trip to
Madrid, where you’ll enjoy a luxury stay in the heart of the city.
Breakfast and one dinner are included in the price of this add-on city break, as are all transfers to and from the airport. You’ll also enjoy a guided tour of the city with a local expert, which will help you to get your bearings before you go off and explore at your own pace.
For more information on our Madrid city stays and luxury Portuguese river cruises, download our latest 2020 river cruise brochure or call our team today on 0808 149 2303.