Costa Dorada
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from £ 244 pp
View All DealsMuseum hopping, tapas tasting and flamenco dancing – you can tick off all three on a holiday to Madrid.
City breaks to Madrid go big on museums, art and nightlife. Throw fine food and traditional entertainment into the mix, and it’s no surprise that the Spanish capital’s a hit with culture vultures. It may be a modern city, but there’s plenty of historic charm to be found in the labyrinth streets of Madrid’s medieval quarter. At the heart of it all, you’ll find Plaza Mayor. Over the years, this centuries-old square was the backdrop for some of the city’s most important events. These days, it’s better known for its markets, tavernas and tapas bars.
Madrid’s art scene’s world-renowned, and you can dive right into it at the city’s top three galleries – the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Together, they make up what’s become known as the Golden Triangle of Art. Pay them a visit, and you’ll get a glimpse of some of the world’s best collections of European paintings and sculptures – the Prado Museum alone houses more than nine thousand.
Soaking up Madrid’s culture doesn’t have to be reserved for the daytime. In fact, the city really comes to life in the evenings, so you might want to make time for a siesta. Late night tapas-tasting and traditional flamenco shows are a possibility seven days a week. The shops along Grand Via and even some museums stay open ‘til late. And if sunsets and sangria are more your thing, you can stop by one of the swish rooftop bars that are scattered all over the city.
Despite being a landlocked city, beachgoing isn’t off-limits on a holiday to Madrid. You’re only a few hours away from the nearest coastal stretch of sand, and nearby rivers provide plenty of places to swim and sunbathe inland, too.
If you’re in need of a bit of sea air, head over to La Malvarrosa Beach in Valencia. It’s a couple of hours away from Madrid by train, so day trips are doable. And it’s popular thanks to its lively promenade, fine sand, family-friendly facilities and Blue Flag status.
If you don’t want to travel far for a beach day, Lancha del Yelmo could be just what you’re after. This reservoir sits just an hour’s drive outside of Madrid, and it’s surrounded by tree-carpeted hillsides. People come here from all over Spain to swim, canoe and fish in the waters of the Alberche River.
Locals and tourists can’t get enough of this meat and vegetable stew. It’s traditionally made with pork and chickpeas, which are simmered for hours for a robust flavour. Although it sounds like a winter comfort food, you’ll find plenty of places in Madrid serving this up all year round.
This popular Spanish dish literally translates to ‘broken eggs’, and you’ll find it on most tapas menus in Madrid. It starts off with freshly fried potatoes topped with lightly sizzled eggs, and it’s often finished with a sprinkling of chorizo, ham or other meat.
This fried squid sandwich is a must-try when in Madrid. It’s a simple-but-tasty sandwich made up of crusty bread and deep-fried squid rings. You can add a squeeze of garlic mayonnaise or tomato puree for an extra burst of flavour – and for the full experience, don’t forget to wash it down with a cold beer.
If you’re got a sweet tooth, no trip to Madrid would be complete without digging in to a portion of churros. And luckily you’ll find plenty of street food stalls dishing them up here. The deep-fried strips of dough are usually served with a pot of steaming hot melted chocolate for dipping.
You’ll find this potato omelette dish served up all over Spain, and there are all sorts of variations of it on offer in the capital. Whether you prefer yours with caramelised onions, spicy sausage or colourful peppers, you’ll be able to grab a portion from one of Madrid’s many cafés or tapas bars.
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