Madrid is a cosmopolitan city and capital of Spain. It is the land of sun
and sand. Madrid is strategically well located in the heart of the Iberian
Peninsula and is extremely well connected via its Adolfo Suarez Madrid
Barajas Airport (MAD), (which is among the busiest airports in Europe) and
the Renfe network of trains. Madrid is the historic, cultural and
aristocratic center of the country and is full of Baroque and classist
style buildings. The modern elements merge seamlessly with the heritage and
result in a pleasing aesthetics across the city. Madrid also has many
museums, art galleries and beautiful parks for tourists to enjoy.
Things to do in Madrid
Prado Museum
Prado Museum is arguably one of the world’s most significant art galleries
and is considered to have one of the finest European art collections and
the best Spanish art collection. In its 199th year, its
collection comprises over 7,500 paintings, 8,000 drawings, 4,500 prints and
1,000 sculptures from artists like Francisco Goya, Rembrandt, Raphael,
Titan, El Greco, and Hieronymus Bosch.
Royal Palace
Spain is a constitutional monarchy and Madrid is the seat of the monarchy.
The 18th century Royal Palace acts as the official residence of
the Spanish Royal Family. The Palace is a mix of Neo classical and Baroque
styles and the interior is representative of the extravagance of the wealth
of the Spanish Empire with artworks by Diego Velázqueza and Francisco Goya,
among other prominent artists. You can stroll through the majestic rooms
and feel like royalty. The Hall of Mirrors, Columns Room, and King Charles
III’s room are particularly breath-taking.
Plaza Mayor
As the name suggests, Plaza Mayor is the main square of Madrid. It is
situated right in the center the city, a few minutes’ walk from another
major square, Puerta del Sol. This charming square was opened in 1620 under
the orders of Felipe III and is lined with Baroque architecture. It is
flooded by tourists who come here to take in the atmosphere, shop at the
traditional stores and unwind at the many bars, cafes and high-end
restaurants. Historically, several public events like processions,
bullfights, Inquisition trials, festivals and even capital executions have
taken place in Plaza Mayor.
Best Time to Visit Madrid
The best time to book flights from Los Angeles to Madrid is during late
spring, (May to June) and early fall, (September to October) when the
temperatures aren’t extreme. The peak season is July and August, you may
choose to book Madrid flights during this period if you aren’t wary of
crowds.