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A first-timer's guide to Madrid's most iconic plaza, the fountain, the palace behind it, the football celebrations, a papal Mass, and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the restoration up close this summer.

Excerpt: From bullfights and public executions in its early days to tapas bars and boutique hotels today, Plaza Mayor has been the heart of Madrid for four centuries. Here's the history, the archways, and where to eat once you're there.

A Madrid classic since 1986. Where to get the best bocadillo de calamares in Madrid, from El Brillante to Bar Postas, plus an easy recipe to make one at home.

From a 165-year-old plaza shaped like a rising sun to a neon sign that sparked a 50,000-signature petition when it briefly disappeared, Puerta del Sol has more stories than most visitors realize. Here's the history, the food, and a few good meeting spots along the way.

From a song that's been stuck in my head since 1986 to four mysterious child statues no one can quite agree on, the Puerta de Alcalá has more going on than a quick photo stop. Here's what to know before you go.

From the Prado's masterpieces to the hidden Chamberí Station Museum frozen in the 1960s, Madrid's museums never run out of surprises. Here's our guide to the icons, the new arrivals, and the quiet gems worth seeking out.

Discover Madrid on a budget with curated Top 5 lists for outdoor sights, local cafés, eats under €10, and free cultural gems, loved by locals and travelers alike.

I first arrived in Madrid in 1986, and every visit since has made me want to stay longer. This is where our Madrid series begins, a first look at the history, museums, parks, food, and people that make this city feel like home.

I'd been planning a Madrid trip around Shakira's residency, but the dates didn't line up for us. Here's what I learned about the shows, the temporary stadium built just for this run, and how to plan around it if your calendar works out better than mine.

Metro Line 10 is closed between Nuevos Ministerios and Cuzco through the end of 2026. Here's how to still get to the Bernabéu easily, on foot, by free shuttle, or by taxi.

Santiago Bernabéu is more than a stadium tour. Between the ongoing renovations, new dining spots, and the electric atmosphere on match day, here's everything you need to know before you go.

Madrid Map Showing the Routes of the Two Free Zero Emission Buses There are Two Free Zero Emission Buses in Central Madrid! Did you know you can cross the city of Madrid on a free bus? There are two of them and they are both zero-emission buses. If you need a break from walking but you don't want to pay for a taxi or Uber and you want to stay above ground and see more of the city, this might be a good option for you. And the public buses in Madrid are just as easy to use as t

News of the Palacio de Gaviria's reopening caught my attention right away. A long-term exhibition dedicated to Salvador Dalí's sculptural work, housed in a restored 19th century palace steps from Puerta del Sol, is exactly the kind of stop I look for on my next Madrid visit.

Every August, Madrid celebrates three back-to-back neighborhood festivals that locals call the August trilogy. San Cayetano kicks things off in the Embajadores and Rastro area, San Lorenzo follows in Lavapiés, and La Paloma brings it home in La Latina. Each one has its own character, its own neighborhood, and its own loyal following. San Lorenzo is the one that surprises first-time visitors the most.

Every August, Madrid's Embajadores neighborhood comes alive for the San Cayetano Festival, the first of three back-to-back castizo celebrations that define the city's summer. Here's what to know before you go.

The Virgen de la Paloma Festival is the grand finale of Madrid's August trilogy, four days of castizo tradition, zarzuela, flamenco, and the beloved firefighter procession in the heart of La Latina. Here's what to know before you go.

Templo de Debod, Madrid Madrid's Beautiful Blue Skies and Magnificent Sunsets Madrid Rooftops Beneath a Beautiful Sky When we think of Madrid, many things come to mind, not the least of which are the beautiful blue skies and magnificent sunsets we enjoy there when the weather is clear: which is most of the time. According to TripSavvy.com "Madrid... enjoys around 350 sunny days per year, making it Europe's sunniest capital (an honor it shares with Athens, Greece)." We pretty

Monument of King Alfonso XII, East Side of the Pond in Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain Serene Retiro Park One of our favorite places to spend time in Madrid is the beautiful Retiro Park. It offers many acres of gardens, fountains, monuments, exhibit spaces, and a large pond. There are apparently more than 15,000 trees in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, it can be a great place to escape the sun and heat on warmer days of the year. It’s enjoyed throughout the year by locals and

Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, never fails to surprise and delight visitors with its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural treasures. For those who have explored this city multiple times, there always seems to be something new waiting to be discovered.

Day Trip Locations from Madrid Madrid, Spain has a lot to offer without leaving the city limits. It has a rich history with many places of interest to keep visitors engaged for several days. Most visitors spend about two days in Madrid, which, in our opinion, is barely enough time to see the essential sites. You can read more on Madrid in some of our earlier posts. If you have more than a couple of days to spend in Madrid, there are many day trip options. So, if you're tempte