The PERFECT Trip to Madrid Spain! Best Things to Do & Eat (Travel Guide)

651K views · 22 min · 2023

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20 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

  1. Plaza del Callao

    Landmark · Centro

    Up to 51,000 vehicles pass through daily and the square can hold 10,000 people.

  2. Gran Vía

    Shopping · Centro · brief mention

  3. Plaza Mayor

    Historic site · Centro

    The bars around the square are touristy and pricey; walk a few blocks out for better value.

  4. Mercado de San Miguel

    Market · Centro

    Nice atmosphere but very touristy; other city markets feel more authentic.

  5. Mercado de Antón Martín

    Market · Lavapiés · brief mention

  6. Mercado de Vallehermoso

    Market · Chamberí

    Try the cherry-and-green-apple salmorejo, morcilla and a pastrami sandwich brined for five weeks.

  7. Royal Palace of Madrid

    Palace · Palacio

    Tickets sell out, so book ahead; the 9:45 tour is the earliest, and a Spanish-only kitchen tour is an extra.

  8. Sobrino de Botín

    Restaurant · Centro

    Reservations are hard to get, so book early.

  9. Segovia

    Day trip · Segovia · brief mention

  10. Posada de la Villa

    Restaurant · La Latina

    The cocido is a two-course winter meal big enough for four; the garbanzos are standouts.

  11. Museo del Prado

    Museum · Paseo del Prado

    Ticket lines wrap around the building; skip-the-line tickets cost about the same. Allow far more than 3 hours.

  12. Chocolatería San Ginés

    Cafe · Sol

    Lines usually wrap around the block; late morning on a weekday is quieter.

  13. Calle de Alcalá

    Historic site · Centro

  14. Banco de España

    Landmark · Centro

    A real gold vault sits about 37 ft below, near the fountain.

  15. Cibeles Fountain

    Landmark · Centro · brief mention

  16. Retiro Park

    Park · Retiro

    Pack a picnic with jamón, cheese and wine, then take a rowboat on the lake; the rose gardens are a highlight.

  17. Temple of Debod

    Temple · Príncipe Pío

    About 40 minutes by metro from Retiro.

  18. Calle de la Cava Baja

    Neighborhood · La Latina

    Hopping bar to bar with a drink and a tapa at each is the local way to do tapas.

  19. Casa Lucas

    Bar · La Latina

    The rabo de toro comes on potato purée with olive oil and crushed pistachios.

  20. Casa Lucio

    Restaurant · La Latina

    Add chistorra, a Basque-country sausage, to the huevos rotos.

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