Madrid holidays

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.

If searching for bargains is your thing, El Rastro’s not to be missed. It’s the city’s most popular flea market, held every Sunday on Plaza de Cascorro and the surrounding streets. Vendors offer up everything from second-hand clothing to electronics, and you can even get your hands on antiques.

Madrid’s best-known street, Gran Vía, is the ideal spot for some retail therapy. All the high street favourites like H&M, Zara and Primark have set up shop here. There are loads of restaurants and bars thrown into the mix, too, so you can sample local wine and tapas while you take a break from shopping.

Calle de Serrano is a must-visit if you’re looking for designer shops. The southern half of this three-kilometre-long street plays host to luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Some of them sit inside big malls, which are also packed with restaurants.

For a low-key night out, head to one of Madrid’s many rooftop bars, grab a cocktail and watch the sunset. Most are free to enter. And no matter where you go, the city’s classic buildings are sure to provide a picturesque backdrop.

Madrid’s known as the capital of flamenco, so no trip would be truly complete without seeing a show. Head to a theatre to catch a grand performance, or join the locals at one of the city’s popular flamenco tablaos.

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.