Madrid Archives - Europe Up Close

Three Art-filled Days in Madrid

Published/Revised June 30, 2014 By Hannah May This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

According to Paulo Coelho, “a city is like a capricious woman: she takes time to be seduced and to reveal herself completely,” which is an apt springboard of thought for Spain’s capital city – and magnificent matriarch - Madrid. As far as European cities go – Madrid arguably has it all. Cosmopolitan, cultured and swimming in a sea of history unaltered by the tides of time, Madrid is a myriad of ... Read Full Article

A Visit to Lavapies, Madrid’s Most Diverse and Revolutionary Neighbourhood

Published/Revised June 30, 2014 By Andrea MacDonald This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

While the rest of her country huddled around television sets to watch their national football team become the most successful of all time, Montserrat was sitting in a dark room in Madrid, with a 53-year old ex-Flamenco dancer, smoking hash. “Damn football,” she said. “It’s just another way to make us forget how screwed up our country is.” I met Montse last year in Colombia, where we were ... Read Full Article

A Weekend in Madrid

Published/Revised January 6, 2018 By Morgen Young This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

While there is so much to see and do in Spain's dynamic capital city of Madrid, lets get focused on just a few suggestions for spending a relaxing, sunny weekend in this city of 3.3 million people (6.5 mil. metro Madrid.) We highly recommend a Walking Tour of Madrid, as this is a great way to check off the most important sights of the city and get a feel for the different neighborhoods. Parque ... Read Full Article

Where to Stay in Madrid: Editor’s Picks

Published/Revised June 30, 2014 By Mattie Bamman This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Madrid, the capital of and largest city in Spain, offers travelers a myriad of hotel options when choosing where to stay. Organized by star rankings, our hotel recommendations are handpicked from five-star hotels to budget hotels and B&Bs. We chose hotels that are close to the most important sights and have given special attention to hotels offering modern amenities, such as high speed WiFi. ... Read Full Article

Real Madrid Stadium and Tour

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By Michael Orr This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Real Madrid is arguably the most famous football club in the world. With nine European Cups and thirty-one domestic championships, the club is among the most decorated in Europe. At its 85,000-seat ground, the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid have an entire museum devoted to the awards, trophies and heroes of the club. Given the dramatic history associated with the club, particularly from ... Read Full Article

Getting Around Madrid on the Cheap

Published/Revised June 30, 2014 By Morgen Young This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Though wandering around the streets of Madrid is a great way to see the city, be sure to take advantage of the fantastic public transportation system in the capital. Getting to Madrid From the Airport Madrid Barajas International Airport connects to the city by Metro line 8 and by Cercanias commuter train line C-1. The fastest, and least expensive way, to access the city center from the ... Read Full Article

Munching Your Way Through Madrid’s Vibrant Food Scene

Any trip to Madrid could quickly become food-centric, as one visits Madrid's vibrant food scene at the markets, taverns, restaurants, and bars; sampling the best that Spain’s capital city has to offer. One might as well begin with the Mercado de San Miguel , the city’s main market, located near the Plaza Mayor. Declared a Spanish Property of Cultural Interest, the market is frequented by ... Read Full Article

Dormirdcine: a Cinematic Hotel in Madrid’s Salamanca District

Published/Revised June 12, 2014 By Staff This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Newly opened in June 2010, Dormirdcine is a unique, designer boutique hotel that doesn't come with a designer price. Considering its location in the posh area of Salamanca, Madrid as well as the unique room décor and the overall cool ambiance, rates are very reasonable - starting as low as 79 euro a night. The hotel is an easy five minute walk from the Diego de Leon metro stop, which links the ... Read Full Article

The Thyssen Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums in Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art

Published/Revised August 9, 2014 By Marilyn McFarlane This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Earlier, I wrote about the Prado Museum in Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art. The Thyssen Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia Museums complete the triangle. Thyssen Bornemisza Museum Across the Paseo del Prado from the Prado Museum, a short walk past colorful flower beds takes you to the Thyssen Bornemisza, a museum that opened in 1992 in a former palace. The spacious, light-filled galleries hold ... Read Full Article

A Tapas Tour of Northern Spain

Published/Revised May 18, 2019 By Katie Hammel This post may contain promotional and affiliate links. EuropeUpClose may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Tapas. Pinxtos. Or less formally, little bites of Spanish goodness. There are plenty of reasons to go to Spain; tapas just happen to be the tastiest. In northern Spain, typical tapas styles and the dishes that represent them can vary widely, as can the protocol for ordering and eating them in different regions. Here’s a primer on enjoying these small bites in three northern ... Read Full Article