Twenty-five things to do in Madrid

Here are some of our suggestions of things we recommend doing whilst you are in Madrid. Trying to fit them all in during your visit would be impossible; even some of us who have lived here several years still have a couple to do!

1. Have a delicious, but not very healthy breakfast of chocolate and churros (long friend doughnuts).
2. Visit Picasso's works at the Reina Sofia.

Churros, a breakfast favourite in Spain

3. Imagine you're a millionaire wandering around the exclusive streets of the Barrio Salamanca hopping from boutique to boutique. Shops now open on Sundays.
4. Go see a Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid match. Surprisingly often there are tickets!
5. Stroll around some of Madrid's alternative neighbourhoods like Malasaña, Chueca or Lavapiés.
6. Go bargain hunting at the Rastro street market on Sunday mornings in La Latina.

The bustling Rastro Market

7. See the indoor jungle at Atocha Station.
8. Go see the vertical garden at the Caixa Forum (Paseo del Prado 48) and the impressive staircase inside.
9. Watch the sunset at the Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple in the Parque de la Montaña, near Plaza España.

Templo de Debod- the best place to watch the sunset

10. Try traditional cocido madrileño (Madrid style stew).
 11. Have a coffee at either Café Comercial or Café Gijón, where many famous writers used to frequent.
12. Get away from the stress of the city centre by making a visit to Casa de Campo, an unspoilt wilderness on the edge of the city.
13. See the Goya frescoes at the Basilica de San Francisco el Grande.
14. Make a visit to La Latina on a Sunday afternoon and have a caña on the terrace in one of the many bars in the barrio.

Café life in La Latina

15. If you are in Madrid for New Year's Eve, do what the madrileños do and go to Sol and eat grapes at the stroke of midnight.
16. Join in with the locals at the San Isidro celebrations in May. May 15 is San Isidro.

Celebrating San Isidro in traditional costume

17. Make a visit to Retiro Park. Walk or row in a boat.
18. Wander around the Prado, taking in some of the world's most important pieces of art.
19. Go see a zarzuela performance.
20. Catch the changing of the guards ceremony on the first Wednesday of the month.

Huertas- a barrio of Madrid with great food and nightlife

21. See the city from above by going up to the rooftop terrace of the Circulo de Bellas Artes. It has superb views.
22. Buy sweets from Caramelos Paco in Calle Toledo, one of Madrid's best known shops.
23. Take the Teleferico (cable car) from Moncloa to Casa de Campo.
24. Check out the street artists on Calle Arenal on weekends.
25. Go see a film a the Cine Dore, a delightful old cinema which hasn't changed in years.

Cine Dore