Madrid is wonderfully seductive! This international and high-octane city, where life moves to an upbeat rhythm, oozes a distinctly Spanish flavour.
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| Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace © Agustín Martínez Courtesy of Madrid Destino Cultura, Turismo y Negocio S.A. |
Resonating with history, the home of amazing art and a foodie’s heaven, the Spanish capital has always been one of my favourite cities to visit. But since a programme of recent improvements, Madrid has morphed into a world-class player exploding with exciting shopping, exceptional restaurants and bars and its top-ranking museums have got bigger and better.
Old world elegance melds together harmoniously with
contemporary edginess. There is no doubt that Madrid is Spain’s pulsating
heart, yet what makes the city
stand out from the crowd is that it still manages to be incredibly
intimate and welcoming. The Madrileños certainly know how to enjoy themselves.
There is a spirit about the place which is infectious, despite the political
and financial difficulties.
Although said to have been inhabited since the Lower
Palaeolithic era, it was only in 1561 that King Felipe ll made Madrid the
capital of his empire. Carlos lll, nicknamed the "Mayor of Madrid",
in the 18th century wanted a capital that matched the likes
of Paris and Rome and had the centre built on a grand scale. His idea seems to
live on.
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Plaza Mayor
© Paolo Giocoso
Courtesy of Madrid Destino Cultura, Turismo y Negocio S.A. |
The best way to get around the city is to walk. (The Metro, if you want to use it, is easy to navigate.) At every twist and turn, you will find a pleasant surprise. My guide, Lidia did a rather spectacular job of condensing the history of Madrid and pointing out the highlights in a few hours. It was clear from the outset that eating and drinking is of vital importance to the Madrileños.
A stroll through the Plaza Mayor, the city’s main square lined with colourful buildings, makes you feel as if you have stepped back in time. The 16th century cobbled streets and medieval squares of the surrounding area also boast a good selection of tapas bars offering plenty of tasty treats. And they are not just filled with tourists, you will find yourself socialising with locals as well. A bocata de calamares (calamari sandwich) is a traditional speciality.
Madrileños like to party. They eat late and think nothing of
rambling around the streets until dawn. So you won’t be having early nights in
this city!
Lidia also ushered me into the world’s oldest restaurant, Botin,
in Calle Cuchilleros. According to the Guinness Book of Records, it has been
doing uninterrupted business since 1725. I can’t vouch for the food as I did
not eat there, but I did see the old brick ovens and cellars.
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© Courtesy of Madrid Destino Cultura, Turismo y Negocio S.A.
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Chocolate lovers should seek out Chocolateria San Ginés
hidden away in an alley near the Plaza de Ópera. For over a hundred years, it
has been renowned for its delicious, thick, hot chocolate and churros – the
perfect pick-me-up after a night on the town.
After taking in the Almudena Cathedral which took about
110 years to complete and the Royal Palace, which occupies the site of the old
Alcázar fortress, a former Moorish castle, we took a gentle stroll through the
pretty Sabatini and Campo del Moro Gardens.
Passing through stunning wide boulevards lined with resplendent buildings, we soon arrived at the iconic Cibeles Fountain which has watched over the Paseo del Prado since the 18th century. I could only guess at the tales it could tell! It is also here that Real Madrid celebrates its victories.
My tour finished, it was time for the Art Walk, a paradise
for culture vultures. Within a kilometre or so you have Madrid’s three main
museums.
If you only have time for one, make it the Prado. I was
mesmerised at what has often been called the greatest painting in the world:
Velázquez’s Las Meninas. There is free entry (6pm-8pm weekdays and 5pm-7pm
Sundays for visitors) but if time is of the essence, pay and go early in the
morning.
Unfortunately, there was not time to visit the Reina Sofía
and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, also free early evenings. Going to a city
like Madrid, it is virtually impossible to see everything in a couple of days.
Next time!
With most of the city’s key sights ticked off, it was time
to unwind so I headed for El Parque de Retiro, once a recreation area for the
royal family. Peppered with marble monuments and awash with perfectly manicured
lawns and a gorgeous lake, this was the perfect way to recharge the batteries
for an exhilarating night ahead.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
British Airways operates up to three flights per day from
London City to Madrid in addition to services from Heathrow with connections
also available from across the UK and Ireland. Fares and more information about
British Airways services can be found at ba.com/Madrid
Always a pleasure to fly with British Airways. This is a
top-notch airline. Service is consistently good and I always feel as if I am in
safe hands. I flew from
London City Airport which means I could check-in 20 minutes prior to departure
(15 minutes with hand luggage)
I stayed at the Hotel Auditorium, a member of Great Hotels
of the World Luxury Collection. For more information or to book
visit www.ghotw.com/hotel-auditorium or call 020 7380 3658
For more information about Madrid visit www.spain.info and esmadrid.com
