Three Things Not to Miss in Madrid

November 16, 2020 | By Peg Kern

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Madrid is one of our favorite cities. As one of the largest cities in Europe and the capital of Spain, it offers plenty of cultural sites for our culinary travelers to explore. But that’s nothing if there isn’t also good food and drink to enjoy, and there is plenty of that in Madrid as well, which you can find out for yourself on our Capital Culinary Adventure in Madrid cooking vacation.

But what are some of the highlights when visiting this elegant European capital? We’re reviewing a few of our favorites things about Madrid in today’s blog.

See all our cooking vacations in Spain.

1) The Art Triangle

Madrid is one of the best places to go to view European art, boasting a “Golden Triangle” of world class museums within walking distance of each other. The Museo del Prado is one of the world’s most visited museums, and rightly so, with masterpieces by Goya, Bosch, Titian, Velázquez, and more. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is home to the country’s finest collection of 20th century art including works by Picasso and Dalí. The third is the awkwardly named Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – named for the founder who collected the works of art displayed. Known as the “Thyssen,” this museum is home to what was once one of the largest private collections in the world, now a treasure of art through the centuries and an example of how an art collector can shape a collection.

Learn about another European museum, the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence.

2) Vermút

Ask Adrian what his favorite thing is about Madrid and he’ll tell you it’s the vermouth on tap! Each bar or establishment will have it’s own version of a sweet, dark vermouth on tap to be consumed neat or on the rocks as an aperitif with some salty Spanish tapas. It’s particularly popular as a day-time drink and on Sundays.

Learn more about tapas and vermut.

3) The Markets

Madrid is full of wonderful food markets to explore. The most known is probably the Mercado de San Miguel, just off the Plaza Mayor, which underwent renovations and reopened in 2009. You can go to shop, of course, but also to eat at one of the many tapas bars or food stalls (and be sure to have a vermouth while you are doing so!). Another example is the foodie heaven Mercado San Antón, which you visit with our partner in Madrid before heading back for a hands-on cooking class.

Read more about Spanish markets like El Ninot and La Boqueria, or about the wonderful markets of Bari in Italy.

What are your favorite things to do in Madrid? Do you go for the cultural sites or the foodie excursions? You can enjoy these and more on our 3-night cooking vacation and foodie tour in Madrid!