Spain’s vibrant and lively capital is famous for its mix of picturesque neighbourhoods and imposing monuments. Explore the city on foot with this varied itinerary.
The best way to experience the city’s authentic buzz and less beaten paths is with your shoelaces surely tied. First, choose a hotel in Madrid that’s sufficiently central, then spend your entire stay getting around on foot. Here’s a list of cracking places for you to enjoy.
Puerta del Sol
First port of call is Puerta del Sol, located in the very heart of Madrid and witness to a wide variety of celebrations, protests and historic events over the centuries.
Plaza Mayor
Next up is the capital’s main square, which is home to the Pestana Madrid Plaza Mayor, the only hotel in the plaza. Endowed with grandiose architecture dating back to the 17th century, this place has staged bullfights, royal coronations and public executions in the past. Enjoy a coffee or savour a meal at the hotel’s main restaurant, Café de la Plaza, which overlooks the iconic square. If you prefer something quieter, there’s always the option of the inner courtyard instead.
San Miguel Market
Come lunchtime, which happens later in Spain, make sure you visit the Mercado de San Miguel for a variety of regional fare, from delicious tapas to fine wines. The market building itself dates back to the early 20th century and is well known for its iconic iron and glass structure.
The Royal Palace
This is the official residence of Spain’s king and covers an area of over one million square metres, making it one of Europe’s largest palaces. Its construction began in 1738 and took around 18 years to be completed.
Santa María la Real de la Almudena Cathedral
Next to the palace is the Almudena Cathedral, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the city’s patron saint. The exterior of the building has an imposing façade, as well as a mixture of neo-Gothic and neo-classical features. The interior is also worth seeing: from the well-preserved decoration and altars to chapels and stained-glass windows.
Temple of Debod
Keep walking until you get to Temple of Debod, a remarkable gift from Egypt to Spain. Dating back to the second century BC, the temple was originally built in Egypt and paid tribute to the gods Amun and Isis. Now located in Parque del Oeste, it offers visitors panoramic views of the city.
Gran Vía
When night falls, Gran Vía is the place to be. Stroll along the busy avenue and enjoy some retail therapy in the many multi-storey shops. After, why not visit the Pestana CR7 Gran Vía Madrid hotel rooftop for a rare 360º view of the city. For fans of the beautiful game, the hotel also has replicas of Cristiano Ronaldo’s major individual awards, as well as the largest table football table in Spain and PlayStation 5s in the hotel suites.
Plaza de Santa Ana
For dinner, we recommend Plaza de Santa Ana’s various restaurants. Located in the Las Letras district, this is a meeting point for both locals and tourists. As the evening wears on, the streets and bars become a hive of activity, with cultural events a common feature.
