I love Madrid for its vibrance and variety but also for its timeless quality and traditional Spanish feel. It’s a city that is constantly changing and evolving with the times but, fortunately, there are some things in Madrid that never change. El Rastro Market, the Museum Triangle (el Prado, the Reina Sofia and Thyssen) and El Retiro Park are three of the city’s golden oldies that you can always rely on and are well worth a visit.
El Rastro is Europe’s largest outdoor market and takes place in the historical centre of Madrid every Sunday morning. You can go to Plaza Mayor as a starting point and work your way through the network of winding streets all lined with stalls selling everything from antiques to clothes. El Rastro Market has a long tradition in Madrid and is a wonderful way to while away a Sunday morning, taking in the sights, sounds, aromas and flavours of Spain. Dont even contemplate going by car as parking is impossible. If you are staying at a hotel near to El Rastro, walk, if not, go by metro.
The Museum Triangle is made up of the city’s three oldest and most acclaimed museums which are all just a few minutes away from each other on foot; El Prado, the Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum. El Prado is an enormous art gallery with both permanent and temporary exhibitions, including some world famous works of art. You could easily spend a day at the Prado alone, but if you are pushed for time, the Reina Sofia Museum is not far and houses an interesting collection of modern art. The Thyssen Bornemisza exhibits an equally exquisite art collection in a stunning 18th century palace which is a work of architectural art itself. A culture vulture’s paradise!
The Retiro Park ( or El Parque dell buen retiro – the good rest park) is a beautifully landscaped park located just on the outskirts of the city centre. It is the city’s largest park and is equally appealing in summer for picnics and in autumn for pleasant walks through fallen leaves. Look for accommodation near to Retiro Park if you want to enjoy a central location but have somewhere pretty and quiet to escape to after a long day out in the city.
The beauty of these places is that you could come back in 50 years time and it’s very unlikely that they will have changed at all!
