The GUESS Madrid Travel Guide
Madrid suits people with a big appetite for art, culture, and gastronomy. The friendly mañana mañana attitude of the locals will affect you immediately.
Right in the city center you’ll find the characteristic landmark Plaza Mayor. The cobbled square is the city's largest and throughout history it has been the scene of both parades and bullfights. Today, the square is lined with restaurants and has become a lively gathering place for festivities. Plaza Mayor is located in the middle of the city's historic area with proximity to many of the attractions Madrid has to offer. Sit down at an outdoor terrace and enjoy a well-chilled glass of white wine!
The Royal Palace in Madrid offers fantastic architecture both inside and out, it is the largest palace in Western Europe. With over 3400 rooms and spanning 135,000 square meters it has witnessed centuries of Spanish history.
This is a place not to be missed by art and history buffs.
That Madrid is the most Spanish city in Spain becomes clear when you visit Mercado San Miguel. Madrid's central, oldest and definitely most lively food market offers insanely good and reasonably priced tapas. Stroll around and taste your way through Madrid's finest tapas with prices starting at one euro.
The Spanish capital offers pulse, rhythm, flavors, and experiences. With over 3 million inhabitants, this is the largest city on the Iberian Peninsula, and there is always something to do in Madrid.
CULTURE HIT
Museo del Prado is considered one of the world's foremost museums and has undoubtedly the largest Spanish art collection with works by Goya and Greco. The museum is one of the most visited places in Madrid and is a source of national pride. The Prado hosts rotating exhibitions and contains over 2200 paintings.
LIKE A LOCAL
It is said that the only right way to end a night in Madrid is with Churros and chocolate. In El Pa- sadizo de San Gines, right next to Puerta del Sol square, you’ll find the city's most famous café specializing in chocolate con churros. Chocolateria San Gines is open 24 hours a day and has been serving hot chocolate with churros since 1894. It has been honoured with an award by the now defunct Circulo de Lectores (Readers Circle) club and has been named an Historic Tourist Site by Madrid City Council.
Pasadizo San Ginés, 5, 28013 Madrid
ALL NIGHT LONG
Madrid has a variety of districts and offers everything from glamorous bars, pubs and clubs to flamenco. Huertas is a popular area for nightlife. Here you will find bars, clubs and pubs that play music for all tastes. Mala-saña, also known as the Maravillas district, is the typical boho hipster area of Madrid and is full of small bars playing rock and indie pop. Chueca is the name of Madrid's gay area, there are many bars here. If you like big clubs and dance floors that play the latest hits, dance and house music, then the Salamanca area is for you. Moncloa and Argüelles attract a young crowd, and many students come here due to the presence of several university residences in the area. Here you will find a wide variety of bars and clubs that play many different genres.
Where to STAY
SANTO MAURO, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL
Located in the neighborhood known as the Golden Triangle, the 5-star Santo Mauro, A Luxury Collection Hotel, is a five-minute walk from the Prado museum and a 10-min- ute drive away from Plaza Mayor. The hotel was built between 1898 and 1902
as the private palacio of the Dukes of Santo Mauro, who still own the building, and is today part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection. With its- sophisticated private gardens and French-influenced design and architecture, it's an oasis in the center of a city.
Calle de Zurbano, 36, 28010 Madrid
THE MADRID EDITION
A luxury lifestyle urban hotel located in the center of Madrid near Puerta del Sol, masterminded by Ian Schrager and architect John Pawson. With 200 guest rooms and suites, a signature restaurant, roof- top terrace and outdoor pool the hotel offers innovative design, luxury service and one-of-a-kind food.
Pl. de Celenque, 2, 28013 Madrid, Spain
GRAN HOTEL INGLÉS
Gran Hotel Inglés is the city’s oldest hotel. Originally opened in 1886, to- day it is one of the Leading Hotels of the World. In the 1920s, the hotel welcomed many literary greats, and also attracted international writers such as Virginia Woolf. The hotel has 48 guest rooms, a sophisticated restaurant and a complete wellness area that offers a wide range of exclusive treatments and products. With Art Deco interiors, Gran Hotel Inglés combines urban sophistication with the glamour of bygone times.
Calle de Echegaray, 8, 28014 Madrid, Spain