Top Ten Things To Do In Madrid, Spain

 

5.  Mercado San Miguel

Right in the center of Madrid, popular to tourists is Mercado San Miguel which is a bustling tapas market with over thirty vendors selling hams, olives, fresh tapas, even chocolates, and a whole lot more delicacies.

There are tables where you can enjoy your freshly ordered food.  I love how alive this space is. It mirrors the vibrancy of the square where it is located – Plaza De San Miguel.

When In Spain, how could you not miss eating the Paellas too.

We had our own fill of superb fresh oysters and white wine.  Mercado San Miguel is actually one of the oldest markets in Madrid but has been renovated to a more stylish glass look.

4.  Literary Quarter

Madrid is the home to some of Spain’s greatest literrati.  The Literary quarter also known as Barrio de las Letras is a place to discover Madrid’s culture.  Along the narrow streets of Madrid you will see where the following great writers lived : Lope de Vega (one of the most prolific authors in the history of literature), Quevedo (prominent spanish poet in the Baroque era), Góngora (rival of Quevedo) and Cervantes (best selling author of Don Quixote).

The shops and cafes that you will pass by are great eye-candy treats as you stroll along.

You may even discover a little more too on these streets.  I think he’s really a rich guy who just wants to play some cool music. 🙂

Aside from walking and huffing and puffing, alternative ways to explore the city is with bikes and segways.

Speaking of Bikes, we saw this!  These guys were crossing a major intersection in a Beer Bike.  Its a multi-tandem bike for up to 18 people with a built-in beer tap.  Its perfect for birthdays and in this case, a stag party.  The guy in the yellow skirt, is the groom-to-be.

Part of the Literacy Quater a very nice museums like the CaixaForum museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza museum and the Reina museum.

 

3.  Platea

Imagine a movie house transformed into 62,000 square feet and five levels of gastronomic space.  This expansive food hall offers a wondrous array of Italian. Mexican, Asian, and Peruvian cuisines.  Arriba, a restaurant owned by Michelin Star Chef Ramon Freixa is also located here.  From casual to a more secluded fine-dining area, you’ll have your pick of ambiance per floor.

Big band music was playing that night which was a perfect way to wind down our day.   Most of the crowd started coming in around 10pm, when most shops close down.

If there’s something that you’ll have a lot of in Spain, its the finest ham in the world – Jamón ibérico- which comes from black Iberian pigs.  This cured ham of at least 12 months (Spain has a phenomical way of raising & curing this), has a tasty flavor, is perfect with wine & cheese, or even just for breakfast.  The marbled veins of fat gives you that sweet, nutty and not too salty flavor that exquisitely melts in your mouth in each bite.

2.  El Corte Ingles

What is any travel without shopping.  Although I could just go for souvenirs trinkets in the small shops, the lure of big discounts on world-class brands have an entirely different appeal. El Corte Ingles is the leading retail group in Spain and Portugal with more than 83 department stores where you may enjoy the largest selection of national and international brands of fashion, accessories, perfumery, watches and jewelry.  Its like the SM of Spain and the flagship (largest) store is in Madrid.

 

An important service within El Corte Ingles is the Tourist Information Desk with Mutli-lingual staff who can assist tourists around the department store.  Tourists can also get a 10% reward card aside from the Tax Refund which really piles on the discounts for the products you can get here.

Services include : Handsfree shopping, personal shopper, tailor-made events, men’s made-to-measure, health & spa area in the store.

The Gourmet Experience is a must-stopover within El Corte Ingles.  The leading names in gourmet products can be found there. Bring home some great Spanish gourmet products like their spices, cheese, jamon, olive oils and more.

Great eats and a dining area are available inside – from local Spanish cafe, pizza, mexican, asian, italian and the must try pintxos (small bites of food).  Aside from this foodie experience you’ll also get a great view of Madrid too since this is located on the 9th floor.  Worth the stop for a few (or a lot of – warning : big chance to get carried away) things to shop, the view and great foodie souvenirs.  Fantastic way to give your loved ones back at home a literal taste of Spain.

 

Click on Page 3 for one of the best highlights of a Madrid visit!