The very name conjures up a mystery of beautiful Spanish boys, all-night partying, great food and drink and a sense of history that makes this, Spain’s capital city, an ideal city break. Perfect for a weekend or maybe longer when combined with a beach holiday to Sitges or Costa del Sol or a second city such as Barcelona, Bilbao, Malaga or Seville. All are possible using Spain’s high speed train network – the AVE.
But Madrid has to be the jewel in Spain’s glorious crown of destinations.
Start with culture and the three great galleries of the Prado for the Great Masters, the Thyssen Collection and Reina Sofia for Modern Art. Then stroll through the Retiro Park stopping for a cerveza and tapa in one of the many bars. Explore the Palacio Real – Royal Palace – home to the Court of the former Spanish Kings – and the rectangular Plaza Major with its myriad of arches.
Don’t miss the shopping with boutiques from all the major designers including the leading Spanish Couture in the c/Fuencarril and the Gran Via. And take in a reasonably priced Menu del Dia lunch in one of the numerous restaurants but not before around 2.30 in the afternoon where the long lunch seems to have replaced the traditional siesta.
Travel out of the city on the excellent train and underground systems – to the north and the Guadarrama Mountains to over 6500 ft or to Escoril and Avila. To the east to Cuenca or west into Extremadura. Or south to Aranjuez and Toledo and the great Spanish Plain.
But don’t forget that to the gay traveller, Madrid offers probably the largest gay scene in all of Europe. Whether it’s an early evening cocktail bar for a tapas before dinner at 9.30pm, a trendy high class eatery for dinner followed by bars and clubbing, the Chueca district just north of the Gran Via offers something for all tastes and scenes. And in between, maybe a little shopping in the gay brand boutiques that seem to stay open almost all night long or perhaps one of the many saunas?
Easily accessible with flights from most regional airports and so easy to get around, Madrid welcomes the gay traveller in a unique way that makes you want to keep on coming back. So why not join us for Orgullo LGBT - Madrid's Pride Weekend.