Madrid Travel Blog

What do Joan of Arc, Frida Kahlo, and the Greek goddess Artemis have in common? These three strong women appear in paintings from the new art exhibit in Madrid, Heroines. The exhibit highlights depictions of powerful women in Western art throughout the centuries and in different roles – as martyrs...

Madrid’s Puerta del Sol is the center of Spain and the heart of Madrid. This is where Madrileños come to meet their friends, where Spaniards come to celebrate New Year’s Eve or shop, as Sol is the center of the capital’s downtown shopping district. In the square you will find a statue of...

For a non-touristy look at Madrid’s multicultural side, head to Lavapiés. Madrid’s Lavapiés neighborhood was historically the city’s Jewish quarter, but today, a large percentage of the Spanish capital’s immigrant population calls Lavapiés home. While Madrid neighborhoods such as Salamanca,...

London’s West End is well known for its musicals, but how about Madrid’s Gran Vía? The Spanish capital is now a hot new destination for musical theatre. Madrid has historically had a strong performing arts scene, but in the last 15 years musicals have become one of the city’s most important pillars...

The Way of St. James, commonly called by its Spanish name, Camino de Santiago, is a series of medieval pilgrimage routes to the tomb of St. James at the Cathedral in the town of Santiago de Compostela. For the faithful (particularly Catholics), completing the Way of St. James is a spiritual journey,...

Let’s face it: crisis or no crisis, a person’s gotta travel. Luckily, even with the crappy euro exchange rate, Madrid is still a reasonably-priced destination. And to be even nicer to your wallet, check out some of the cool free things to do in Madrid: Caixa Forum: Contemporary art museum Retiro...

If cutting edge art is your thing, then you’re in luck. It’s that time of year when the who’s who of the art world descends upon Madrid for the annual International Fair of Contemporary Art, known as ARCO. From February 16 to 20 international artists, galleries, collectors, curators, and the art-loving...

“Hemingway never ate here,” proclaims a sign outside one Madrid restaurant. They’re talking about the American author of The Sun Also Rises and For Whom the Bell Tolls, Spanish Civil War correspondent, and bullfighting aficionado Ernest Hemingway. They’re speaking to the fact that there are still...

Once more Madrid’s historic Plaza Mayor is the setting for the city’s traditional Christmas market. 83 booths are dedicated to selling nativity sets and figures, fresh moss, Christmas trees and ornaments, wreaths, Spanish sweets and all kinds of Christmas and Three Kings Day accoutrements. However,...

Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras (meaning: Literary Quarter) was once home to Spain’s illustrious writers of the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the Barrio de las Letras is a popular night area teeming with interesting bars and cafes like Café Central and Guau. Café Central is an old-style live jazz...